Falcon conundrum

[teach22180]

I wonder if you all might have recent experience to share. It's been a couple of years since I was last there. I often used the solo rider line at the Falcon, but I'm always then an engineer. I wonder if I wait in the main line, then I can ask to be a pilot. Does anyone know if they are allowing people to ask to wait? And if they would be willing to do that with a solo person? Thanks.

 

[BrianL]

I wonder if you all might have recent experience to share. It's been a couple of years since I was last there. I often used the solo rider line at the Falcon, but I'm always then an engineer. I wonder if I wait in the main line, then I can ask to be a pilot. Does anyone know if they are allowing people to ask to wait? And if they would be willing to do that with a solo person? Thanks.

You can ask, but they may or may not accommodate. It may depend on the CM. I think they will do their best. Definitely go through the stand-by line and not the single rider. Also, it may be good to try to do it when it is a bit less crowded, like first thing in the morning - not that Smuggler's Run is the best use of rope drop time.

 

[sponica]

I went to GE during fantasmic and there was like no people in the line...my husband and I were the only people in the falcon, which means we were pilots and I was terrible.

Lordy did I miss being an engineer!

 

[HopperFan]

I went to GE during fantasmic and there was like no people in the line...my husband and I were the only people in the falcon, which means we were pilots and I was terrible.

Lordy did I miss being an engineer!

Can someone verify this ............ I heard a "rumor" that it is possible to have pod set at autopilot in a situation like this. Disney has done this before at Pirates at DisneyQuest but they never tell you or offer, you'd have to ask.

 

[BrianL]

Can someone verify this ............ I heard a "rumor" that it is possible to have pod set at autopilot in a situation like this. Disney has done this before at Pirates at DisneyQuest but they never tell you or offer, you'd have to ask.

Yes, when you sit, if you do not touch any buttons, even when propmted, it will assume the seat is empty and put it on auto. This works on any station. Keep in mind that it won't necessarily do the best possible performance, but you can just sit and enjoy the ride.

 

[liamthompson]

I went through the single rider line and had the opportunity to be pilot because no one in my group was keen on doing it. That time the CM asked for volunteers for each position but I've also been through the line and the CM assigned you. I think it REALLY depends on the group that you're mixed with and I imagine this is also true in the standby line.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

There's definite luck involved. The queue isn't set up that well to have people who want to be pilot waiting around, so they can't always accommodate. The CMs also have a tendency to give kids priority to be pilot. My wife and I have only gotten picked once to be pilots as a group of two in probably 10 tries, though we don't really push for it (I've also been pilot a few times when in a bigger group and we traded around).

Your best shot would be to (quickly and decisively) say you're a solo rider who waited in the regular line for a chance to be pilot, and hope for the best. You'd have a decent shot since the CM can grab a single rider to fill your spot if they need to hold you for the next group.