Been a while....what's changed?

[taythecray]

We officially (and finally) have a trip booked for March 2018! Our last visit was Jan 2016 but with all the changes it seems like it's been a lot longer. I've been reading the boards but there are a few specific questions I either skipped over or haven't been able to find.

1) Are single rider lines still around and if yes, which rides? I think I remember reading a while back that some rides were doing away with those.
2) We last visited when Soarin was down for refurb. There's a third theatre now correct? How are wait times for that now? Epcot has some hard fastpass decisions.
3) This will be our first time at the Flower & Garden fest. Any must-see or do recommendations?
4) Dining Package/Fastpass for Rivers of Light-yay or nay? How hard is it to get a good view?

I think that's it for now. We are very excited to experience all the new stuff! (And old stuff we haven't had the chance to do yet)

 

[iujen94]

1) I believe Everest, Test Track and Rock n Roller Coaster are the only rides with single rider. I'd rank them in that order for helpfulness as far as missing long lines.

2) Yes, Soarin added a third theater. When I've gone, lines have been much more reasonable, but it's still a FP or rope drop attraction for us. IMO it's now also easier to get as a 4th FP because of the third theater, but YMMV.

Sorry I can't help on 3 and 4!

 

[JennyDrake]

DITTO the above.

3) Epcot is gorgeous at F&G and the food kiosks are fun treats (be aware that you can go thru a good deal of $$$$ REAL fast! LOL)
4) _I_ would do FP for ROL but not the dinner package.

 

[taythecray]

Thank you both! Looks like our Epcot plan will be RD Soaring, Single-Ride Test Track and Fastpass Frozen.

As for Animal Kingdom....i am now a little worried about Pandora! Everyone talks about how wonderful FoP is but I got so nauseous on Star Tours that I didn't even see any of the ride because my eyes were closed the entire time. How immersive is FoP? Basically if I'm completely "in" the scene where I can't see other people/parts of the ride I'm fine.
Further examples: Soarin (out in DL) was mostly ok because we were front row. Only when I caught glimpses of the ground/feet did I start to feel weird.
Harry Potter Forbidden Journey-not sick at all because there wasn't a screen to focus on and it was dark so I didn't worry about seeing anything.
Despicable Me: A little nauseous. More than Soarin but not as bad as Star Tours.

Kinda thinking I need to Fastpass that at the end of the night so it's the last thing we do

 

[Colleen27]

I'm in the same boat as you - last visit was Dec 2015, going back in March 2018 - so the only question I can help with is #3.

The must-sees of Flower & Garden are mostly just walking around and seeing the incredible things the horticultural staff creates for the festival, and sampling things from the outdoor kitchens which are similar to the Food & Wine festival booths. If you're really into gardening/plants, there is a festival exclusive tour that gives more information and takes you around the World Showcase before it opens. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't call it a must-do. I'm not sure what the seminars and presentations in the festival center are like now; the last time I was there for it, HGTV was still the main sponsor so the seminars featured a lot of their TV personalities. But IIRC, that and the concerts only run on weekends so depending on your park day schedule you may or may not have a chance to check it out.

 

[GlennN]

Not sure on the timing (I don't recall when it changed), but you may also be enjoying a different film in Soarin'!

 

[taythecray]

Not sure on the timing (I don't recall when it changed), but you may also be enjoying a different film in Soarin'!

Yes! Last time we were there they were adding the third theatre and changing the film. I believe when we rode at DL it was the old film as well, but then again it was my first time riding so who knows.

@colleen I'll have to find info on seminars. There's already a lot more to the festival than I originally thought so I'm really excited!

 

[cmorris303]

I get so nauseous on Star Tours. It's awful. I can handle Soarin' so I tried FoP and was fine! Unless you turn your head to look at the people next to you, you really don't see them. Just look straight ahead the whole time. There's only one row.

 

[laenfante]

My last visit was in 1979 so I expect EVERYTHING has changed.