Big Disappointment in Navi River Journey

[MisterPat]

If you do rope drop for this instead of FOP, what are the wait times like that early in the morning?

In July, we rope dropped at 8:00 and were very far back in the crowd as we entered. When we got to Pandora, the CM was announcing that FOP was a 3-hour wait already. Fortunately, we had FP+ for FOP and were headed to NRJ. We walked right on. Then we did FOP with our FP+ and when we exited around 8:40, the posted wait time for NRJ was 90 minutes at that time.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

yeah, I got FP’s for this because I couldn’t get any for FOP back in sept. When we were walking out of the attraction, I did the long slow head shake at the poor people in the insane 120 min line for THAT ride.
There’s nothing really wrong with it, I just spent the whole (very short) time waiting for something to happen.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I once stood nearly five hours in line for a ride which, literally, lasted 24 seconds. And I hated it.

Sometimes these things happen.

 

[Angeliki19]

In July, we rope dropped at 8:00 and were very far back in the crowd as we entered. When we got to Pandora, the CM was announcing that FOP was a 3-hour wait already. Fortunately, we had FP+ for FOP and were headed to NRJ. We walked right on. Then we did FOP with our FP+ and when we exited around 8:40, the posted wait time for NRJ was 90 minutes at that time.

Was this an 8 am open or EMH? What time did you arrive? We have EMH at 8 am... weren’t really thrilled about getting up that early. Ended up switching our FP from NRJ to FOP this morning luckily, so now trying to decide if we should get there early to do NRJ...sounds like it’s not worth waiting more than 30 mins for. But not sure what time we would have to get there then and if it’s worth waking up early.

 

[MrGoofy101]

We loved it, when it calms down it'll be a ride in which to pass the time as we sail down the Navi river.

Really sad to hear y'all got that AWFUL wait.

 

[loves to dive]

yeah, I got FP’s for this because I couldn’t get any for FOP back in sept. When we were walking out of the attraction, I did the long slow head shake at the poor people in the insane 120 min line for THAT ride.
There’s nothing really wrong with it, I just spent the whole (very short) time waiting for something to happen.

I think with all the hype about FOP people were expecting the same for NRJ and it was never intended to be a thrill ride. I think it is a nice balance to FOP, especially for those who can't or won't ride FOP. Like I said before, I love the ride. I like the fact that it is quiet and peaceful, the details are amazing and sometimes you just want to slow down.

 

[auntfrannie]

I think I was expecting more because the initial media event releases (you know, the media people that get in early for free) were pretty much swooning over it, especially the shaman. I need to start disregarding their reviews because most of them love everything because they get in for free. Not all sites are like that but so many of them are.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We went at night with a FP (in our case it was a bonus FP, but it would be a good use of a 4th FP if you luck out) and that's what I would recommend, the line is so pretty at night. We walked on and it was the baby's favorite ride, he squealed and pointed in delight at everything, even dancing at the music at the end. One of my favorite memories, then it poured rain as soon as we got off!

ETA: I've heard getting in line right before closing can be a good way to go as well. When we got in line I think the regular line was at a 45 minute posted wait. In terms of rides not worth long waits or the hype, my vote would go to Frozen. We avoided a 70 minute wait with our FP, but I won't waste a FP on it next trip. Thought it was pretty boring. NRJ is short but I think it's really special.

 

[GeneralTso]

Definitely NOT worth a long wait. We had FP and it was a walk on. It's really pretty and relaxing and slow.
I think it's silly that they won't let you get FP for this and FOP on the same day. This ride isn't nearly the **WOW** of FOP and it would be nice to do them around the same time since they are next to each other.

 

[mbcary]

Definitely NOT worth a long wait. We had FP and it was a walk on. It's really pretty and relaxing and slow.
I think it's silly that they won't let you get FP for this and FOP on the same day. This ride isn't nearly the **WOW** of FOP and it would be nice to do them around the same time since they are next to each other.

Agreed! This is NOT a tier 1 ride.

 

[KyleAfterAWhile]

Agreed! This is NOT a tier 1 ride.

I would click like on this comment 100 times if I could!

 

[NavyDad]

I have a FP for this because all the FOP ones were gone. I’m sad to hear most people don’t like it.

For those of you saying you wouldn’t wait longer than 30,60 mins etc for a ride, what are your feelings on FOP? How long would you wait for that?

FoP is one of the best rides I have been on anywhere. It is pretty amazing. I won't wait more than an hour for any ride but FoP might make me think twice.

If you can't get a FP I would rope drop FoP. My family was able to rope drop FoP 3 times in June. Best way is to get to the entrance of the park 1 hour before official opening. They will let you enter an queue up at the entrance to the Avatar land about 30 minutes prior to park opening and you should be able to walk onto the ride a little bit before park opening. That's the best way to go.

I will say we saw the line drop down to like 45 minutes in the middle of the day a couple of times which would not be bad at all.

We waited 30 minutes one time for the river journey ride. That was too much....

 

[john cornock]

I love the film and Disney but we were all disappointed with the river ride. Thankfully we had FPs because we would have been p****d if we had waited 2 hours! We heard a number of guests complaining at the end. The most common comment was ‘is that it?’
As commented above, it should include a drop or something to add a bit of excitement. It’s very well made but nothing more than a high-tech IASW.

 

[fbarker]

I love the film and Disney but we were all disappointed with the river ride. Thankfully we had FPs because we would have been p****d if we had waited 2 hours! We heard a number of guests complaining at the end. The most common comment was ‘is that it?’
As commented above, it should include a drop or something to add a bit of excitement. It’s very well made but nothing more than a high-tech IASW.

So did you do it during the day or at night?

 

[john cornock]

So did you do it during the day or at night?

During the day. We assumed the whole area is illuminated and very impressive at night but wouldn’t make the ride any better.

 

[jo-jo]

The ride is very pretty. But I thought there would be some story, not a just a pretty zen moment. First time through, I thought the big blue guy was the beginning of the story, not the end of the ride.

 

[k5thbeatle]

This ride only helps prove that one can fall asleep in less than 5 minutes!

 

[Animal]

There are very few things I would wait 90 minutes for. None of them are WDW attractions.

 

[SL6827]

Wonder if when Star Wars opens if it will relieve the waits and free up more fast passes for the rides in Pandora?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

OP, that is terrible. Irrespective of the ride, I would be annoyed too if the wait time was a full 90minutes longer than posted.