Epcot with no FP+?

[dizzyinwdw]

Heading down Jersey week and we will be park hopping between MK and Epcot. I snagged Wishes and MSEP FP+ so if I keep these we will be Fastpassless for Epcot. DS9&5 only care for TT, Nemo, Figment--then we will focus on WS. We have MNSSHP evening before-- what would be best time besides rope drop to avoid a 100+ min wait at TT since I don't see an early morning for us? 60 mins we could do-- single rider not an option with kiddos. TIA.

 

[Lucius Best]

Besides rope drop, I would say your best bet is rope drop. And if you can't do rope drop, then next best option would be rope drop.

I know, I understand that rope drop would be difficult with young kids after MNSSHP, but there's no real good answer. I'm going to guess that TT lines will be heaviest during the morning, then TT standby wait might drop a little around noon, when more people are hitting lunch and spreading into the WS. Or it might not. Depends on crowd level, weather, day of the week, how often TT has gone down in the morning, etc. TT lines will likely drop again around 6-7pm dinner time, but at that point you'll probably be heading to MK.

If you don't make rope drop, only option is to check the wait times when you get there, see what they're like after lunch.

 

[Dr Gevil]

La Cava del Tequila doesn't require a FP+, but if it did, I would happily spend my Tier 1 one on it!

 

[maryj11]

We had no FP for TT and got to ride it 2 times. We got in line at 8:50 pm right before closing. It said 20 minute wait. But we only waited about 10 minutes to get on and then when it was time to get off they asked if we wanted to go again. So we did without even getting out of our car. This was with a crowd level of about a 7. I don't know the what crowd levels will be Jersey week. But right before closing is a good time to get in line. The wait time are usually 10 or so minutes less close to closing then what is posted so don't be afraid to get in line.

 

[dizzyinwdw]

Besides rope drop, I would say your best bet is rope drop. And if you can't do rope drop, then next best option would be rope drop.

I know, I understand that rope drop would be difficult with young kids after MNSSHP, but there's no real good answer. I'm going to guess that TT lines will be heaviest during the morning, then TT standby wait might drop a little around noon, when more people are hitting lunch and spreading into the WS. Or it might not. Depends on crowd level, weather, day of the week, how often TT has gone down in the morning, etc. TT lines will likely drop again around 6-7pm dinner time, but at that point you'll probably be heading to MK.

If you don't make rope drop, only option is to check the wait times when you get there, see what they're like after lunch.

We will play it by ear. We are there for 6 days so maybe if wait times are crazy we can RD TT another morning then head to our designated park of the day,

 

[magicaldisney]

We had no FP for TT and got to ride it 2 times. We got in line at 8:50 pm right before closing. It said 20 minute wait. But we only waited about 10 minutes to get on and then when it was time to get off they asked if we wanted to go again. So we did without even getting out of our car. This was with a crowd level of about a 7. I don't know the what crowd levels will be Jersey week. But right before closing is a good time to get in line. The wait time are usually 10 or so minutes less close to closing then what is posted so don't be afraid to get in line.

Was this while Illuminations was taking place?

 

[maryj11]

Was this while Illuminations was taking place?

Yes

 

[magicaldisney]

Yes

That's good to know. We love Illuminations and watch it anytime we are there in the evening, but we might need to rethink that!

 

[maryj11]

Yes we have seen illuminations plenty of times. Just get in line for TT right before 9:00 if that is when the park closes. Which it usually does. We actually have done that the past 2 trips and got on TT with not much of a wait.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Besides rope drop, I would say your best bet is rope drop. And if you can't do rope drop, then next best option would be rope drop.

I know, I understand that rope drop would be difficult with young kids after MNSSHP, but there's no real good answer. I'm going to guess that TT lines will be heaviest during the morning, then TT standby wait might drop a little around noon, when more people are hitting lunch and spreading into the WS. Or it might not. Depends on crowd level, weather, day of the week, how often TT has gone down in the morning, etc. TT lines will likely drop again around 6-7pm dinner time, but at that point you'll probably be heading to MK.

If you don't make rope drop, only option is to check the wait times when you get there, see what they're like after lunch.

Great suggestions, but you forgot to mention rope drop. Very important!!

 

[emsstacey]

We rode twice at Rope Drop without a fp and basically no line! Seconding what all those before say... the first hour is magical!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

We were at Epcot a few weeks ago and found a 10 minute actual wait for Test Track at about 8 pm. The posted wait was 40 minutes.

We find that the lines are the very shortest later at night when other guests have already left or are lining up for parades or fireworks.

We also find it much easier to let our kids stay up late than to make them get up early.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Also keep in mind that the posted wait times are often greatly exaggerated at night, sometimes up to 4 times the actual wait. This helps in keeping the wait times down.

 

[pooch]

I'm sorry but I just cannot jump on the rope drop bandwagon. There is no way on God's green earth we could ever get to a park that early and my family would kill me if I tried. I've gone every year since 2006, sometimes twice, and have never gotten to a park before 11am and have never not been able to do every ride we wanted. Our max for standing in line is 20 minutes. I just don't agree that rope drop is the only way to go

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

It's too crowded in the morning for my taste. I'd rather be in the parks later in the evening when the lines are the shortest and we can hit the headliners multiple times.

 

[Lucius Best]

I'm sorry but I just cannot jump on the rope drop bandwagon. There is no way on God's green earth we could ever get to a park that early and my family would kill me if I tried. I've gone every year since 2006, sometimes twice, and have never gotten to a park before 11am and have never not been able to do every ride we wanted. Our max for standing in line is 20 minutes. I just don't agree that rope drop is the only way to go

That's fine, rope drop certainly isn't for everyone, and it is definitely not the only way to see everything. But I'm curious how you would address the OP's specific situation. Feel free to describe how they will be able to ride everything they want to ride, without waiting more than 20 minutes in standby line, and without rope drop:

OP doesn't want to rope drop because of MNSSHP the night before, perfectly understandable. They want to ride Test Track, but are saving their FPs for MK for MSEP and Wishes, thus no FPs. If they don't make rope drop, Test Track standby will likely be 30 minutes by 9:30am and 60+ minutes by 10am. They can't do single rider because of the kids ages. TT standby wait will drop below 60 minutes at some point in the evening, but that's probably when they will have to be on their way over to MK.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm sorry but I just cannot jump on the rope drop bandwagon. There is no way on God's green earth we could ever get to a park that early and my family would kill me if I tried. I've gone every year since 2006, sometimes twice, and have never gotten to a park before 11am and have never not been able to do every ride we wanted. Our max for standing in line is 20 minutes. I just don't agree that rope drop is the only way to go

It is not the only way, but in this case the OP is between a rock and a hard place. He cannot take advantage of later hours because he is going to be in the MK. RD is typically the shortest wait until evening when folks are waiting for Illuminations. If the OP wants to be sure the TT line is going to be short he needs RD. He may be lucky, but ifnot he has to decide if the SB line is worth the wait.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

That's fine, rope drop certainly isn't for everyone, and it is definitely not the only way to see everything. But I'm curious how you would address the OP's specific situation. Feel free to describe how they will be able to ride everything they want to ride, without waiting more than 20 minutes in standby line, and without rope drop:

I don't know what the MK hours are that time of year, as we only go in the summer when the park is open until midnight or later. But here's what I would do:

Test Track at 8 pm. The line should be fairly short as most guests are in World Showcase by this time. We find a 10 minute actual wait is not unusual.
Monorail to MK.
Wishes at 10 pm.
MSEP at 11 pm.

Then you'll still have time for 2 rides on 7D or 4 rides on Space Mtn before the park closes. No FP+ needed.

 

[serene56]

With a party the night before-- I dont think my kids would make rope drop the next day. They would be a snibley little mess by noon-- and putting world show case in that mix would be double trouble. and then keep going to MK to see wishes.?? You couldnt even get the FP as its tied into the Wishes FP. I am very curious to ask-- is this your first time ? Are you taking an afternoon break?

 

[pooch]

That's fine, rope drop certainly isn't for everyone, and it is definitely not the only way to see everything. But I'm curious how you would address the OP's specific situation. Feel free to describe how they will be able to ride everything they want to ride, without waiting more than 20 minutes in standby line, and without rope drop:

By dropping totally unnecessary FP+ for Wishes and MSEP and getting FP+ at Epcot. There are plenty of good places to see both nighttime shows without using FP+ for them. Then they could get midday FP+ for TT, sleep in and be raring to go all night!