Best strategy to ride Toy Story Mania 2x on a busy day?

[cheryterese]

What would be the best strategy for riding Toy Story Mania twice on a busy (8) day? One of our children has PDD (sensory/anxiety) and will not be able to manage the morning rush to the line, even though we'll be there well before rope drop to start our day. There are 2 Fantasmic shows that evening, 7pm and 8:30, so I'm wondering what the lines would be like during the first show? I plan to have fp+ for our other riding time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Fratthouse]

What would be the best strategy for riding Toy Story Mania twice on a busy (8) day? One of our children has PDD (sensory/anxiety) and will not be able to manage the morning rush to the line, even though we'll be there well before rope drop to start our day. There are 2 Fantasmic shows that evening, 7pm and 8:30, so I'm wondering what the lines would be like during the first show? I plan to have fp+ for our other riding time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I believe easyswdw recommends getting in line right a before park close (like 5 minutes before closing). Often the posted wait time will be way overstated to discourage people from getting in line - it will say 60 - 90 minutes, when the actual wait time is around 15. It's worth walking into the que and checking it out to see. Also factor in that there will not be any FP+ reservations for that time slot, so the standby line will move faster as well.

 

[JDX4]

I agree about going right before closing. It worked for us in August when they closed Toy Story Mania early each night because of the Frozen fireworks. We went about 10 minutes before the ride closed and only waited about 10-15 minutes. The posted time was much longer...like 65 minutes.

 

[merina888]

If your child is eligible for a DAS, you might try using that and Fastpass +. You'd still have to wait the same length as the standby line but could wait outside the line until your time comes.

 

[Wendybird55]

Will having breakfast at H&V be an option? If so, I suggest you book an early (like 7:30 - 7:45) ADR at H&V (on a non EMH day). This way you and your family will get into the park early for your ADR before everyone else avoiding the crowds and rush. You will have a nice relaxing breakfast and finish before 9am so you can head right out towards TSM from H&V ahead of the turnstile crowd. Unlike MK they don't rope off areas of DHS before park opens so you can head right out after breakfast towards TSM.
Then you can use your FP+ for 2nd time around....or maybe even get to do 2 times on standby depending upon crowds.

I find an early breakfast ADR in park is a great way to get a head start on the crowds. We've used this strategy more than a few times to get to TSM at park open.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Will having breakfast at H&V be an option? If so, I suggest you book an early (like 7:30 - 7:45) ADR at H&V (on a non EMH day). This way you and your family will get into the park early for your ADR before everyone else avoiding the crowds and rush. You will have a nice relaxing breakfast and finish before 9am so you can head right out towards TSM from H&V ahead of the turnstile crowd. Unlike MK they don't rope off areas of DHS before park opens so you can head right out after breakfast towards TSM. Then you can use your FP+ for 2nd time around....or maybe even get to do 2 times on standby depending upon crowds. I find an early breakfast ADR in park is a great way to get a head start on the crowds. We've used this strategy more than a few times to get to TSM at park open.

The pre-opening breakfasts can be a good idea, but the first ADR's at in-park restaurants don't start until 8:00 (although they'll let you into the park before 8:00). With HS typically opening 15 minutes early, you'd have to make sure you eat quickly to finish in time to beat the crowd. It's easy to eat fast since it's a buffet -- it just depends on whether or not you have kids who would have to see the characters. Waiting for them could definitely throw your schedule off.

 

[Wendybird55]

Yes, I agree with early breakfast ADRS timing is important. First, since it is buffet and has a set price, I usually ask waiter / waitress at beginning of meal to bring check early so as to save time.

And as far as characters go...my husband and I usually split going to buffet so that there is always an adult and kids at table for when characters come by.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

What would be the best strategy for riding Toy Story Mania twice on a busy (8) day? One of our children has PDD (sensory/anxiety) and will not be able to manage the morning rush to the line, even though we'll be there well before rope drop to start our day. There are 2 Fantasmic shows that evening, 7pm and 8:30, so I'm wondering what the lines would be like during the first show? I plan to have fp+ for our other riding time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The very best time to ride Midway Mania is during the first showing of Fantasmic.

In early summer on a crowd level 9 day, we were able to ride 4x in about an hour. The posted wait was 75 minutes, but the actual wait was 15 or less each time. We still had plenty of time after the last ride to grab some snacks and then headed over to the Fantasmic stadium which was less than half full.

 

[cheryterese]

The very best time to ride Midway Mania is during the first showing of Fantasmic.

In early summer on a crowd level 9 day, we were able to ride 4x in about an hour. The posted wait was 75 minutes, but the actual wait was 15 or less each time. We still had plenty of time after the last ride to grab some snacks and then headed over to the Fantasmic stadium which was less than half full.

This is reassuring - thanks.
The DAC will be our 2nd option. He has qualified in past but we were thinking we might not need it this time as he gets better at adapting every year.
Thanks everyone!