Best Time to go on Bigger Rides

[OhanaCassidy]

Being only limited to three FPs a day can be difficult since there is so many rides I'd love to go on. So I was wondering when is the best time to ride some of the rides who's waits can be up to 120 minutes during the peak times?

 

[Disneylover99]

As soon as the park opens.

 

[siskaren]

You're not limited to 3 FPs a day - you're only limited to booking 3 FPs ahead of time. Once you've used those three, you can book additional ones one at a time

 

[minnie mum]

That is the problem facing every guest. And it's often not the biggest rides that have the longest lines. The slow loading/small capacity rides can have longer lines than some superheadliners.

Go right at RD , or within the first hour. Lines can shorten for some rides during parades or fireworks. And sometimes lines can be shorter near closing time.

Have a look at the cheat sheets for each park at easywdw.com. These touring plans give good advice about when to hit the rides to avoid the longest lines.

 

[rabidstoat]

Someone pointed out that you can get more fast passes, which is true. But your three fast passes will take up at LEAST three hours after park opens, and by then, the fast passes for the popular rides will most likely be gone.

 

[DWillowBay]

I know this might not be what most people do, but I book my Fps based on what lines are the 'worst' for me to stand in. Like...for me...Space Mountain's line is torture! So, I always use a FP for that. Splash Mountain's line is predominantly outside, so I use FP for that to avoid the heat, humidity, etc.

 

[Parker Clan]

Depends on the park and time of year! Our strategy in August is to book FP's for rides whose line is outside. Then we wait in lines inside AC. ex. At AK wait in line at Dinosaur, FP EE Kali and Kiliminjaro Safaris .
Our strategy at Epcot, head right to Soarin at RD, wait in line there and FP TT.
At MK, take the Railroad to our FP at Soarin and BTMR but wait in line for HM, Pirates

 

[cassie58]

First thing is definitely best, starting right at Rope Drop, and/or doing morning EMH hrs if you are on property. This also helps to avoid the heat. You can get quite a bit done, focusing on big rides/longest lines like Toy Story Mania at HS, Everest and Safari in AK, TT or Soarin in Epcot(and Frozen ride once it's open), and 7DMT, PP, and the mountains in MK. This is especially true for HS and Epcot with tiered FP, so you can get one done from Tier 1, and FP another for later. As PP pointed out you can get a 4th FP after you use your 3, but as rabidstoat mentioned, by that time FP for major rides are often gone(Fantasmic! at HS is usually available, and it can be used as a 4th one since you don't need it till the evening). Make sure you check the list of which rides are open during EMH at each park if you are going at that time, so you can plan which you want to hit 1st, and which to FP. It's also great if you have two days(especially for MK) to split up the rides and FP.

The other possibility is late at night especially when MK is open late, or has late EMH. Over Thanksgiving week a few yrs. ago, when MK was open till 2-3 am with EMH, once 11:30-12 cam around, DD and I got on all the rides within 10-15 min., riding Splash, PP, Buzz, BTM, Monsters Inc., Pooh, etc. after having done LM, Enchnated Tales, and HM earlier with FP (7DMTwasnot open yet.)