Flights of Passage for Non-Resort Guests (Spring Break)

[danceintherain]

My mom told me over the weekend that she and Dad have been invited to go to Disney World with her sister and BIL from April 2nd to April 9th. Due to budget restrictions on the part of my aunt and general hotel snobbery on the part of my parents (my Mom said she "didn't like anything about that hotel" after we shared a ASM Family Suite a few years ago) they have settled on the Disney Springs Doubletree....or they may switch to sharing an AirBnb. Either way, they will not be resort guests.

They do have some mobility issues among them, and plan to rent at least one ECV. This may or may not help them wait in lines.
The bottom line is that even if they were resort guests, they are unlikely to be the front of the pack anywhere.

My Mom loves Flights of Passage, but I fully expect ILL for that will be sold out before they even get a chance at it. Rise of the Resistance is another hiccup, but as none of them have ridden it, they haven't expressed interest in it.
What is their best option?

Is there the possibility of an early Tusker House reservation that might allow them a slightly shorter line at FoP?
Just get there at park opening for non-resort guests, and wait in whatever line is there?
Try right before the park closes on a non-extra magic hour night?

The touringplans blog (I've suggested they buy a subscription for more specific advice) indicates that FoP does seem to release extra ILL throughout the day. So they could probably just watch that, but if they aren't already in Animal Kingdom, it will likely take a while to get there, since they won't have a car. They could probably Uber though, since they are all adults.

Thanks!

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

Get in line right before the park closes. Pretty sure (but not positive) that there are no extra magic hour nights at AK, only the 30 minute early morning, so any night should work.

 

[Dis Dragon]

PP is correct, there is no extra magic hours at AK. There are also no pre-park dining reservations anymore (hope they bring this back at some point). There are ebbs and flows with FoP wait times, it seems it bottoms around the tail end of lunch time, the other option is at park close as GoofyDad mentioned.

As far as ILL, it just depends on the day. It doesn't get eaten up at the same rate as RotR, so it's possible to get one at park open.

 

[Belle1962]

I think Disney Springs hotels get the 30 minutes early entry in which case Double Tree would hold a slight advantage over an Airbnb. Someone might know if they also can get LL at 7.

 

[Bahamontes]

On my last trip in November, I stayed offsite and hit AK at 2 once I was allowed to hop. I was able to walk right on FoP with LL.

The couple who I stood next to that night for Harmonious had come from AK, and had also walked right on (no LL) at park close, always the best time to ride. Besides, Pandora at night is awfully pretty.

 

[gharter]

The couple who I stood next to that night for Harmonious had come from AK, and had also walked right on (no LL) at park close, always the best time to ride. Besides, Pandora at night is awfully pretty.

FoP is a great way to end an AK day. And love walking through Pandora at night.

 

[Dis Dragon]

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando

It's on the early entry list, but the rope drop rush to get on FoP is kind of insane. Good luck!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Wait til 30-45 minutes Before Park closes. You will Never be asked to leave the line and u Will Get in! Safe travels to ur family!

 

[danceintherain]

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando

It's on the early entry list, but the rope drop rush to get on FoP is kind of insane. Good luck!

Thank you! I don't know how I missed that on the list before.

 

[GBRforWDW]

I stayed offsite Christmas week. The availability for FoP ran out just before park opening, I'm talking less than 2 minutes. So disappointed. My wife had a chiropractor appointment that morning, so waiting around for her to return, I'd occasionally refresh the screen. At 9:06, 66 minutes after park opening, availability came back and I could choose times for 10am, 11am or 12pm.

A little while later, I also saw afternoon times available. I don't know if that happens every day, but it's possible it'll be happening during spring break and easter weeks.

 

[jimmymc]

There is a decent chance you will get an ILL if you get to the park right at opening. I wouldn't go there first thing, since the early entry rope drop will fill up the line pretty quickly.

Animal Kingdom empties out around late afternoon, since many guests leave for Epcot or resorts for dinner. The line also moves pretty fast and there is stuff to look at, so it isn't the worst ride to just wait out.

 

[Sabine W.]

I think Disney Springs hotels get the 30 minutes early entry in which case Double Tree would hold a slight advantage over an Airbnb. Someone might know if they also can get LL at 7.

They get early entry but not 7am ILL.