Epcot RD strategy

[jhoannam]

We have FP+ for TT 10:15-11:15.
We want to ride both FEA and Soarin’. Should we head straight for FEA and then Soarin? Or should I switch our FP+ for FEA and RD TT, then Soarin?

 

[CAS239]

Are you doing single rider for TT?

I'd rope drop TT, then Soarin, with FP for frozen

 

[cassie58]

If you can switch to FP for Frozen, definitely the way to go - that way you don't waste time to run all the way to WS just for that and then have to head back to FW. If you can't switch, it does make sense to go at RD to avoid longer waits later, unless you want to jump in line before closing.

 

[J. Iminy]

Agree with the two above

 

[jhoannam]

Are you doing single rider for TT?

I'd rope drop TT, then Soarin, with FP for frozen

No, we have 2 young girls. Party of 4... I can switch, what time should I schedule FEA?

 

[Cinderella94]

I would not try to RD TT because TT is often down at rope drop and opens late, and you don't want to waste precious time running over there and having it be fruitless, and/or having to stand around and wait for it to open. I would keep the FP for TT. I know that not having the FP for Frozen means you're going to backtrack, but I would still keep it how you have it.

 

[Elle :)]

I booked a FP for FEA. We plan to rope drop Soarin and TT (not single rider). I really had to fight myself because I wanted to FP Soarin but everything I read here suggested that it's so much easier to get an additional FP for this later. FEA is harder to get same day and isn't an easy rope drop due to its location.

My Current plan:
- Soarin
- Test Track
- Nemo & Friends (FP)
- Mission space (FP)
- FEA (FP)

We booked Nemo as our first FP, in case we miss it standing in line for TT. We do have an ADR for Garden Grille at 8:20am on a 9am park day (no EMH). Our plan would be to RD soarin ahread of the pack. I haven't decided if it's worth it, to me, to keep the ADR or not.

 

[jhoannam]

I booked a FP for FEA. We plan to rope drop Soarin and TT (not single rider). I really had to fight myself because I wanted to FP Soarin but everything I read here suggested that it's so much easier to get an additional FP for this later. FEA is harder to get same day and isn't an easy rope drop due to its location.

My Current plan:
- Soarin
- Test Track
- Nemo & Friends (FP)
- Mission space (FP)
- FEA (FP)

We booked Nemo as our first FP, in case we miss it standing in line for TT. We do have an ADR for Garden Grille at 8:20am on a 9am park day (no EMH). Our plan would be to RD soarin ahread of the pack. I haven't decided if it's worth it, to me, to keep the ADR or not.

We did Garden Grill pre-park opening last time and did Soarin at RD, it worked out great, but we didn’t go over to TT because Joy and Sadness were a priority.
We really liked the food and the character interaction, it was our only character meal. This time we are doing a late breakfast at Tusker House.

 

[CAS239]

I would not try to RD TT because TT is often down at rope drop and opens late, and you don't want to waste precious time running over there and having it be fruitless, and/or having to stand around and wait for it to open. I would keep the FP for TT. I know that not having the FP for Frozen means you're going to backtrack, but I would still keep it how you have it.

Same thing can happen for FEA or any ride. Wife and I rope dropped Epcot just to ride FEA then park hop. Got there at 8am for 9am opening, went straight to frozen and they said it wasn't ready to open yet and it would be at least an hour wait if not more for it to open.

 

[CAS239]

No, we have 2 young girls. Party of 4... I can switch, what time should I schedule FEA?

If park opens at the usual 9am, I'd schedule Frozen for about 10:30am.

Hit TT first since that line grows quickly, then head to Soarin which shouldn't have too bad of a wait. Then head to frozen if it's time for your FP.

I was there over presidents day weekend, we rope dropped Test Track.. Had maybe a 20 min wait. When we got out Soarin was a 55 min wait. So when you get done on a less busy time I'd plan for about a 30-45 min wait

 

[Cinderella94]

Same thing can happen for FEA or any ride. Wife and I rope dropped Epcot just to ride FEA then park hop. Got there at 8am for 9am opening, went straight to frozen and they said it wasn't ready to open yet and it would be at least an hour wait if not more for it to open.

I know it’s possible for any ride, I’ve just noticed and heard more reports of it happening to TT than the other two in the discussion.

 

[Klayfish]

We do this a lot...well, we don't rope drop anymore by showing up before park open, but if we're motivated we may show up AT park open. This is a tried and true method to hit all 3 before 10:15am or so.

Rope drop TT.
Standby FEA - the line won't be long yet. It's also a pretty short walk from TT
FP+ Soarin'

Alternatively, you could do:
Rope drop Soarin'
Standby FEA
FP+ TT

Either one works great. Just don't do TT, then Soarin then FEA...or FEA then Soarin' then TT. That's too much walking back and forth.

 

[Neverland98]

We do this a lot...well, we don't rope drop anymore by showing up before park open, but if we're motivated we may show up AT park open. This is a tried and true method to hit all 3 before 10:15am or so.

Rope drop TT.
Standby FEA - the line won't be long yet. It's also a pretty short walk from TT
FP+ Soarin'

Alternatively, you could do:
Rope drop Soarin'
Standby FEA
FP+ TT

Either one works great. Just don't do TT, then Soarin then FEA...or FEA then Soarin' then TT. That's too much walking back and forth.

We are staying a Beach Club, so we’ll enter from IG. We currently have a FP+ for Soarin’ 9:25-10:25 with a Living with the Land FP+ immediately after, so definitely want to hit Soarin’ closer to the end of our FP+ window.

Park opens at 9am

Not sure my whole party wants to do FEA, but assuming a few of us do...should we
-RD FEA, then TT before Soarin’ FP+
Or
-RD Tt, then FEA before Soarin’ FP*

How close is TT to World Showcase?

I remember the last time we RD at IG we were held back beyond France. Our goal was to eat at the Boulangerie-Patisserie and we had to wait until RD before we could enter WS.

 

[Klayfish]

We are staying a Beach Club, so we’ll enter from IG. We currently have a FP+ for Soarin’ 9:25-10:25 with a Living with the Land FP+ immediately after, so definitely want to hit Soarin’ closer to the end of our FP+ window.

Park opens at 9am

Not sure my whole party wants to do FEA, but assuming a few of us do...should we
-RD FEA, then TT before Soarin’ FP+
Or
-RD Tt, then FEA before Soarin’ FP*

How close is TT to World Showcase?

I remember the last time we RD at IG we were held back beyond France. Our goal was to eat at the Boulangerie-Patisserie and we had to wait until RD before we could enter WS.

If you have the ability, I would push Soarin' back just a bit...maybe 9:45-10:45, just to give you a little extra time. You probably shouldn't need it, but it's nice to have that extra time. Pushing Land back to 10:45 should be a breeze.

I would RD TT first, then hit FEA, then use your FP+ for Soarin'

TT is pretty close to the WS, closest to Mexico. There's a bridge near Mexico that you can use that will help get you from TT to FEA pretty quick. The one downside for you is that the IG is kinda on the other side of the WS from where FEA and the bridge to TT are. But you can still make it.

Other option would be to swap your Soarin' FP+ for TT. Then RD Soarin', head right to FEA, then FP+ TT...but personally I'd stick with RD TT, standby FEA and FP+ Soarin'.

 

[michbaron]

I forget the exact results but if you look on the TouringPlans YouTube page they did a video about this. They had one person go to each of those rides from both the main entrance and the international gateway to see how it worked out best.

 

[whirlthepearl]

I'm also very interested in rope dropping strategies at Epcot! I haven't been and am taking my family in June. I read that if you have a PPO res at Garden Grill (which we currently do) to rope drop Soarin first. Keep posting your strategies!