Epcot rope drop strategy

[Dominion]

We are staying at the Swan so will enter through International gateway. We have fp+ for Soarin at 9:30. My question is what time should we arrive at the Int'l Gateway to ride TT standby before going to Soarin. I'd like to get to Soarin by 9:45/10 if possible. We are going to Epcot on a Monday so it's a most recommended day, crowd level 6.
Thanks!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I can't really say how early you need to be there, but I can tell you when we went in August there were A LOT more people heading immediately to Test Track than to Soarin! I would say about two thirds of the people at RD headed straight to Test Track. Much smaller crowd for Soarin'. We got to the main entrance about 30 minutes before RD and were let in to wait near Innoventions. We were among the first in the Soarin line, got walked through the park to the ride, and were in the first group to take off. After the ride, there was already a 30 minute wait. I'm guessing the TT line backed up a lot quicker!

 

[Alesia]

About 8:15.

 

[ars0525]

I come in the front gate so not sure how using the International Gateway works for RD. I try to be at the front gates 15 minutes before RD.

I am walking thru the gate at open heading straight to TT. I ride the single rider line if it's open (is that an option for you?). When we went 9-27 the standby line at opening for TT was backed up almost to the area where the ride wait screen monitors are BUT the single rider line was open. We went in that & realized they hadn't even opened the regular line yet so single riders were getting to ride together (not the norm procedure). For whatever reason that morning they opened the standby line about 10 minutes after they were letting people thru the single rider line. We were on & thru the ride in 10-15 minutes maybe?

 

[BrianL]

Coming form the IG is a much further distance than from the front of the park. I don't know how early they let you in there to hold at the rope, but you will likely be behind the pack. If you don't mind using single rider for TT then I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[NYCANC]

Last week, we came through the main entrance on a recommended day. We got to rope drop and were near the front of the pack. We fed into the stopping point where the test track CM's are. Around 8:47 or so, they walked us back- we were at the front of the pack. We were one of the first on TT. We went through the line 2 more times to ride with barely any wait.

 

[Dominion]

Unfortunately I can't do single rider as I'll be with my 5 and 7 year olds!

Im wondering if there is a scenario where it is worth it to take a cab to the front gate rather than take the boat to IG?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

If you want an alternate strategy, we found a 10 minute actual wait at Test Track earlier this summer at about 8 pm on a Thursday night. The posted wait was 40 minutes. By this time of the evening, most guests have begun making their way back to the World Showcase for Illuminations.

We find that just walking up and riding is a more efficient use of our time than arriving early and waiting outside a closed gate.

 

[MermaidMommy]

I'm not sure when your trip is, but if you have the option to change your FP's, I think it makes more sense to RD Soarin' if you're coming from IG, and then use your FP for TT later in the day.

 

[Dominion]

If you want an alternate strategy, we found a 10 minute actual wait at Test Track earlier this summer at about 8 pm on a Thursday night. The posted wait was 40 minutes. By this time of the evening, most guests have begun making their way back to the World Showcase for Illuminations.

We find that just walking up and riding is a more efficient use of our time than arriving early and waiting outside a closed gate.

I will think about this. We have a dinner ADR at Via Napoli on a Thursday night after spending the day at MK. Maybe I'll check the wait time and if it seems worth it and kids aren't too tired we'll try that evening. If it doesn't happen then we'll just do our best at RD on our Epcot day.

 

[Dominion]

I'm not sure when your trip is, but if you have the option to change your FP's, I think it makes more sense to RD Soarin' if you're coming from IG, and then use your FP for TT later in the day.

I thought this would be impossible to change but it's actually available! Ahhhh- decisions, decisions... But I'd be so upset if we missed Soarin' for some reason if I change it...

 

[MermaidMommy]

I thought this would be impossible to change but it's actually available! Ahhhh- decisions, decisions... But I'd be so upset if we missed Soarin' for some reason if I change it...

Because Soarin' is closer to IG, I don't see where you would have a problem riding it at RD, especially if you get to the park early. We always RD Soarin' when we're entering through IG, and it's always worked out great for us.