Fastpass FoP or River Journey?

Twist on this question - would you still take FOP if you could only get a FP for the very end of the day vs. a FP for Navi in the early afternoon? I had to make a split second decision today and switched an early Navi for a late FOP, but wondering if I made the right decision since it means I can't get any same day FPs. My original plan was to RD FOP, but now I'm thinking I get do Navi first thing and then get a couple other rides in before it gets super busy...
Yes. But keep trying to change the time for your FoP FP+. Even if you can't, keep it. That thing is golden!
 
We rode Navi last year because we were with my pregnant daughter and (then) 2 year old grandson who was too short for almost everything else. DH and I won't ride it again on trips when it is just us. For our 3 FPs in AK we would prioritize FOP, then Everest and Lion King, occasionally the Safari instead of FoLK.
 
Definitely FoP! The line for that gets crazy!! Plus, in my opinion, Na'vi isn't worth it...I only got on that ride if we rope drop and walk onto it with no wait.
 
I love Navi!! Peaceful, beautiful, and well done. I definitely wouldn't skip it, especially if you've never done it before.
While I would always FP FOP, I will add that the FOP standby line has a whole lot more to look at and seems to move pretty fast.
 

Here's my suggestion: we always park-hop and we make sure to be at each park one morning, and one evening. Book your FP+ for FOP about an hour after park open. Be at the park for Rope-drop and do NRJ quickly. Then, head over and to Kilimanjaro Safaris and do that as well, there may be a short wait, but it won't be terrible and you'll see sooo many animals first thing in the morning.

You'll miss the very cool indoor queue for FOP by using FP+, so we like to get in the stand-by line right at the end of the night when we park hop back to DAK in the evening. We grab a drink first, then enjoy how lovely the outdoor queue is at night, and have a chance to see the lab portion inside too. The posted time is always longer than the actual wait at the end of the night. You'll likely wait about 45 mins, but it's well worth it to see everything that you missed the first time!
 
I really enjoy NRJ, but FOP definitely has longer lines during the day. If you go early, NRJ won't be too long of a line.
 
I'll be the outlier and say I really like NRJ. It's beautiful and calm, and the Shaman is the best animatronic at WDW. I'll be fast passing it this trip, but that's only because I'm with a child who is too short for FoP. Fop is in a different league when it comes to an immersive experience. I think NRJ suffers in comparison to FoP because they are paired together. On it's own merits (slow dark ride), NRJ is well done.
 
FOP is for sure the harder of the two to get. You can reasonably expect to grab NRJ for a 4th or even 5th FP while you are there, or just ride it standby when the park opens.

I will go on the record now as saying that NRJ is much better, at least in my opinion, than most make it out to be. It was never meant to be an "E" ticket ride. It is not intended to be thrilling, or exciting, or a headliner. Instead, it was meant to be the modern equivalent of Small World. It is peaceful, and relaxing, and gorgeous, and in it's own way, every bit as enjoyable as FOP, or EE. So, if you are capable of riding Small World, or Living with the Land, or Gran Fiesta Tour, and enjoying them for what they are, then by all means, go enjoy NRJ.
 


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