FEA fastpass & breaking down

[Kuzcotopia1]

I had scheduled a breakfast reservation at Akershus for 8AM so I could beat the line for FEA (and speed eat Mickey waffles); however, I was just able to score a fastpass for the ride at 12:30 - 1:30pm and was thinking of canceling the breakfast.

I know that FEA was experiencing unexpected shut downs and it mainly happened later in the day. Is this still an issue? Mostly in afternoons? It semi-worries me that it may shut down while I'm in line. So, I'm debating keeping my reservation and letting go of the fastpass for something else (Soarin'!).

Thanks in advance!

 

[tlmadden73]

A ride breaking down is like the Fast pass dream in my opinion (sorta).

If you can't make a FP window due to a ride closure or weather (for outdoor rides), you get a "free" use any time Fast Pass for that ride (and usually other rides as well as other options).

So . .if the ride shuts down you get an incredibly flexible Fast Pass to use the rest of the day .. and you are still able to make Same Day Fast Passes (if your other two have been used up).

I'm of the opinion that getting a PPO breakfast reservation is never worth the cost, unless you REALLY want that meal. I'd keep the FP, cancel the breakfast, sleep in and don't worry about breakdowns.

 

[Suzanne74]

One year, we FP Soarin to go in a RP for TT. It was closed and hoping to open soon. It sucked. I didn't have a FP and we were hoping it would open up quick. We waited awhile and decided to do MS orange. Came out and the wait for TT was 45min.

If the ride is more likely to break down, get a FP. Like the PP said, you can go on it again later in the day when it reopens. But if it is your only day at Epcot on your trip, I would still try to go on at RP too.

 

[Kuzcotopia1]

I'm of the opinion that getting a PPO breakfast reservation is never worth the cost, unless you REALLY want that meal. I'd keep the FP, cancel the breakfast, sleep in and don't worry about breakdowns.

I agree with breakfast not being worth the cost. I don't even like Akershus breakfast but was trying to play it safe until I knew if I got a fastpass.
Thanks for the input! You're way more helpful than my husband. LOL.

 

[westie55]

FEA broke down on us in December. We had our FP booked for the evening and I don't believe the ride ever re-opened that night. I had already done the other FP rides and my 16 month old DS didn't have the stamina to wait around hoping for it to open. We left the park without really being able to take advantage of the alternative FP. Such is life. We'll try again next year. I don't know if the ride has continued to have issues in January but I would say a break down is a possibility.

 

[CMNJ]

It breaks down a lot. We had it go down during our fast pass window in Oct and again last week (which actually worked in our favor since we got an anytime FP both times). We also rode it at EMH rope drop one morning in Oct and right when we got in the line we realized it wasn't moving. A cast member was sent to walk through the line to tell us they were having technical difficulties and were unsure how long it would be before the ride opened (they were encouraging people to head to test track/soarin in the meantime). Luckily it opened a few minutes later but the guests in line in front of us told us that the ride had broken down the previous day right before they boarded and they didn't get to ride it (they were in the standby line and wound up leaving during the prolonged closure). So I'd hold onto the FP. There is no guarantee that going at rope drop will get you on quickly as it breaks down often.

 

[Jade K.]

My friend and I were in the same spot on our last trip, we booked a breakfast just to get to FEA quicker and ended up scoring a fast pass for it. So we cancelled the breakfast and were none the wiser over what we missed. Plus you can save your dining bucks for something else you'd rather eat. I definitely agree though that a ride breakdown is a dream since you DO get the voucher so you can go back any time, so I wouldn't stress too much over that part. If you're able to get the My Disney Experience app I would definitely recommend it as well because we were able to grab up, as well as ditch, FPs quickly while en route to other rides. I hope this helps and that you guys enjoy your trip!

 

[Kuzcotopia1]

My friend and I were in the same spot on our last trip, we booked a breakfast just to get to FEA quicker and ended up scoring a fast pass for it. So we cancelled the breakfast and were none the wiser over what we missed. Plus you can save your dining bucks for something else you'd rather eat. I definitely agree though that a ride breakdown is a dream since you DO get the voucher so you can go back any time, so I wouldn't stress too much over that part. If you're able to get the My Disney Experience app I would definitely recommend it as well because we were able to grab up, as well as ditch, FPs quickly while en route to other rides. I hope this helps and that you guys enjoy your trip!

I'm not stressing over this too much. We're repeat visitors and will be back, but I just want to riiiide! LOL.