Epcot Rope Drop: Soarin first or Test Track?

[TexasPrincess1]

Hi,
I was just looking at the map for Epcot. Is it possible to cut through the odyssey center to get to Test Track from Akershus? We have a PPO and it seems to make sense to go to Test Track first because it is the closest attraction to Akershus. Or is it more strategic to go to Soarin first?

Thanks!

 

[CAS239]

No you can't cut through that building unless it's like Food and Wine and they have it open.

I personally would do Soarin first and get it out the way as I find it to have one of the most boring queue's. A lot of people also do Soarin first then go do single rider at test track.

However if it's just really a toss up to you and you guys won't be doing single rider, then I'd go with what you'll be closest to. Which will be test track.

 

[AllieBoo]

I would definitely do Soarin first and then do Test track single rider if theline is too long by the time you are done. The Soarin line gets long pretty quick!

 

[redsbe]

Last week we did TT at RD followed by FP for Soarin. The reasons is that if you RD Soarin unless you are at right of line at gate (meaning you are there 1 hr before scheduled opening) you could RD Soarin only to still have 1/2 hr or longer wait as with recent reopening majority of guests at RD are heading right to Soarin by the hundreds. At TT we were on and done within first 20 minutes, the right over to FP Soarin.

 

[TexasPrincess1]

We we're originally planning one full day at Epcot. Now, we added another morning that was originally on our all day typhoon lagoon day. We got soarin fast passes for the second day. Maybe we should skip soarin on the first day?

 

[TexasPrincess1]

On a 9am opening, what time have they been letting people in?

 

[Klayfish]

Last week we did TT at RD followed by FP for Soarin. The reasons is that if you RD Soarin unless you are at right of line at gate (meaning you are there 1 hr before scheduled opening) you could RD Soarin only to still have 1/2 hr or longer wait as with recent reopening majority of guests at RD are heading right to Soarin by the hundreds. At TT we were on and done within first 20 minutes, the right over to FP Soarin.

This. We'll be in Epcot really soon and that's our plan. We have FP+ for Soarin and that same morning will RD TT

They usually let people past the main gate entrance around 8:45-8:50am. But you can't go back very far. There's another rope to stop at, which drops at 9:00am sharp.

 

[ELSA711]

Does anyone think a PPO breakfast at Garden Grill will help with Soarin RD with no FP+
My kids are going to want to FP+ FEA

 

[TexasPrincess1]

Does anyone think a PPO breakfast at Garden Grill will help with Soarin RD with no FP+
My kids are going to want to FP+ FEA

The first post in this thread might help you: http://www.disboards.com/threads/garden-grill-ppo-breakfast-riding-soarin.3516115/

It sounds like a ppo at garden grill will help with soarin!

 

[TexasPrincess1]

We are FP+ FEA, too! that is why I was asking about soarin and test track.

 

[CAS239]

On a 9am opening, what time have they been letting people in?

Regardless of opening time, at any park it's not uncommon for them to start letting people in 15-30 min before scheduled opening time.

If there's enough people there and the park is ready to be opened, they'll open early. This is why sometimes people get burned when they make morning ADR's to beat the crowds, then get shocked to see the crowds when they get done eating.

 

[TexasPrincess1]

Regardless of opening time, at any park it's not uncommon for them to start letting people in 15-30 min before scheduled opening time.

If there's enough people there and the park is ready to be opened, they'll open early. This is why sometimes people get burned when they make morning ADR's to beat the crowds, then get shocked to see the crowds when they get done eating.

I see what you mean by not having much of an advantage with a PPO breakfast at Akershus. The walking distance from there to Epcot's main attractions are about the same. Plus, I am not sure how long breakfast will really take. We have an 8:05am ADR. The main thing is that it forces me to get up and be there. The food sounds good/interesting. Plus, the character interaction. Of all my ADRs though, I have thought about canceling this one a few times.

 

[AshleeH]

Soarin' line can be boring in comparison to others at Disney. I would do that first and get it out of the way. For some reason that line always seems to move extraordinarily slow (even when it's only a 15-20 minute wait, every minute seems to drag) - maybe the addition of the new theater will help that feeling.

 

[DiannaVM]

My DH and I basically RD Soarin, give or take a few minutes, when we were there last October (I can't recall what ride we FP+....I think it was Test Track acutally) and we had a 40 minute wait (which as a PP said, felt like an eternity. I waited for almost two hours at HM and it didn't feel nearly as long as Soarin did).

Our plan this year, since my sister and I are Frozen fans, is to get a FP+ for it since we figure that may have a longer wait. I guess we will have to wait and see how wait times fluctuate leading to our time. But for now we will be RD Soarin yet again and doing single rider at Test Track.

I hate the Soarin queue with a passion though.

 

[redsbe]

On a 9am opening, what time have they been letting people in?

Last Saturday we were at the Epcot main gate at 820a for a scheduled 900a opening. They starting letting guests in at 830a, and we could advance to either side of the main hub and held there by rope manned by CMs. We were on the TT side and at 845am CMs started "walking us" to TT which we were in and on the ride just before 9am. My best advance in order to be early in the line for Soarin or TT at RD would be to be in line at the main gate at least 45 minutes before official opening time.