FJ questions

[snowy76]

Hi everyone... Disney vet here, Universal virgin planning our first trip this summer. We're staying off site and doing both WDW and UO this trip (nearly two weeks). We have 7-day passes for UO so we're not pressured into a tight schedule.... but I had a couple of questions.

I've read here and there about the single rider line for FJ. We're a family of five, but our youngest is only 5 years old. I was thinking of getting to IoA for park opening, and bringing DS5 through the "castle tour" line while DH and our teenagers do the single rider line for FJ. This is going to be early August so we know crowds will be big, which is why I'm considering sending them through the SR line so they can all experience it and then we can focus on enjoying the rest of the park. Do you think this is a good strategy?

 

[Pembo]

We found that going to HP late in the day, 1-2 hours before closing there were shorter lines for FJ. We were able to enjoy the whole queue then. We also used the single rider line, alot.

We have 5 and my youngest didn't ride FJ. The child swap "room" is right at the entrance to the ride so you can all wait in line in together.

And if it rains, go to HP. We went after a day of storms and toured almost alone.

 

[Akwafunk]

My 6-year-old found the ride just too scary to want to repeat it, and he is not a stranger to scary.

It's going to depend on your kid, really. My older kid, no, I would say the younger one, now 2, would be ale to handle it at 5 or 6. The castle is really quite dark, and, well, how do they handle being surrounded by strangers? It comes down to personality.

The loading process is kindof hurried too, and you're having to walk quite fast on moving walkways, which throws you off balance literally.

 

[SmallWorld71]

DH, DS15 and DS12 had great success with the single rider line last summer. They never waited more than 10 min. while the regular line was an hour or more. (Although there are occasional posts of people not having luck with single rider, for the most part it works great.) The castle is really cool, though, and I think it's worth your DH and the teens seeing once. I would have them take a few rides via single rider while you and your 5 year old ride FOTH, then you could all tour the castle together. If you happen to get there and the line is 30 min. or less, you could all hop in the regular line to tour the castle and then use child swap.

 

[tinydancer09]

DH, DS15 and DS12 had great success with the single rider line last summer. They never waited more than 10 min. while the regular line was an hour or more. (Although there are occasional posts of people not having luck with single rider, for the most part it works great.) The castle is really cool, though, and I think it's worth your DH and the teens seeing once. I would have them take a few rides via single rider while you and your 5 year old ride FOTH, then you could all tour the castle together. If you happen to get there and the line is 30 min. or less, you could all hop in the regular line to tour the castle and then use child swap.

:

Your youngest might also want to do Olivanders. The line is always very long. Well, at least I have never heard of it being short even with early entry. Your kids could probably ride Single Ride 3-4 times on FJ before yall got through the line.

I dont know where you're staying or details. But if you're just staying in an ordinary hotel at Disney and not a timeshare I would suggest moving over to Universal for the week you go there. You will get unlimited FOTL access for most all rides except FJ, and RRR. I know you're not strapped for time but it will really help with your family if you kids are wanting to run off and ride rides without parents. They can get through the lines within 30min usually and then return to you all. It also makes rerides worth while. I would also suggest leaving a few days to just relax and do city walk/downtown disney. If you take our recommendations and stay onsite taking a day to pool hop between the hotels is very fun.

Also, I would suggest one person in your party investing in an Annual Pass. Depending on which pass: You will receive 10-15% off food, 10-20% merchandise, free self parking or free valet parking, up to 30% off hotels during non-peak weeks, and 10-15% off other people's tickets. The pass will pay for itself in one trip.

I'm sure I forgot something as I love to ramble.... I might have more later.

 

[Akwafunk]

Also, I would suggest one person in your party investing in an Annual Pass. Depending on which pass: You will receive 10-15% off food, 10-20% merchandise, free self parking or free valet parking, up to 30% off hotels during non-peak weeks, and 10-15% off other people's tickets. The pass will pay for itself in one trip.
.

I NEVER would have thought of doing this, but it makes so much sense. Thanks for mentioning it! We had been toying with the idea of annual passes since we live a mere 4.5 hours drive away.

 

[tinydancer09]

I NEVER would have thought of doing this, but it makes so much sense. Thanks for mentioning it! We had been toying with the idea of annual passes since we live a mere 4.5 hours drive away.

My brother has always done this. It has never been worth while for me until this year. If you are staying onsite esp its worth it. Also if you have a big group the discounts pay for the tickets.

 

[tinydancer09]

I NEVER would have thought of doing this, but it makes so much sense. Thanks for mentioning it! We had been toying with the idea of annual passes since we live a mere 4.5 hours drive away.

Oh wait are you north or south of? We're up right across the GA boarder on I-75. It's a quick and painless 4 hour or less drive from here.

 

[Akwafunk]

Savannah

 

[tinydancer09]

Savannah

Ha! Well hello Neighbor. I go to school over here in Valdosta.