Best FoP strategy w/o FP

[shocker]

A little extra info if it helps.....we are very experienced WDW visitors(2-3 visits/year) but AK is our least fav park and we don't go there regularly. We probably only go to AK every 3 or 4 years for a half day visit.

FOP is a game changer. It changed how many times I'm going to visit AK in any one trip. The street performers in Harambe (acrobats) are not to be missed (not sure if they survived the recent performers cuts--I heard DiVine did not). With Tough to be a Bug, EE, Nemo musical, safari's, Dinosaur, & Rivers of Light night show rounding out the offerings. Add Satuli Canteen & Nomad Lounge & Flame Tree BBQ for dining options & you've got yourself a pretty good park day.

To answer your timing question, being past security & at ticket turnstile 1 hour before a non-emh opening should be fine. As of lately, they've been rope dropping 20ish min before actual park opening. If you are truly there early enough to be stopped to wait for a rope to fall, you'll be walking off the ride shortly after 9. They will snake the line & fill the mountain so stay the course & don't be discouraged by the looks of the masses. You'll be out in no time.

Happy planning!

 

[JiminyCricket!]

Is the one hour advice the same on a day with Extra Magic Hours? I'm staying on property and am going to ride FOP without a FP at rope drop on a day with Extra Magic Hours (8am). I'm thinking of arriving at 7am (one hour before start of EMH). Is this enough time or do I need to get there even earlier?

 

[shocker]

Is the one hour advice the same on a day with Extra Magic Hours? I'm staying on property and am going to ride FOP without a FP at rope drop on a day with Extra Magic Hours (8am). I'm thinking of arriving at 7am (one hour before start of EMH). Is this enough time or do I need to get there even earlier?

During EMH is even better, no one will be cutting in line in front of you with their FP between 8-9 am.

And yes, even during EMH, they've been dropping the rope before actual time, so plan on 7:40ish. But, I haven't been since SWGE opened & there was some thought they would move AK to a hard opening at actual time as SW ate the crowds, but that hasn't happened.

Also, the earlier the opening, the less people. So expect less people for 8am than the PP will see at the 9am opening.

ETA: just like they explode wait times just before closing to discourage you from joining a line, in the morning they tend to hold lines out onto the more visible sidewalk portions for the same reason

 

[JiminyCricket!]

This is so helpful. Thank you!!!!