FOP at rope drop

[123SA]

For August trip

I would like to rope drop FOP, but not if means we lose the morning advantage at all of the other rides. I'd rather come back at closing, or when we are finished everything else we want to do, grab a snack and wait in what will be a longer line. (Waiting an hour at FOP in the morning will cost me more than waiting two hours at closing is my opinion)

We plan to get first bus from AoA, hope to be near front of pack. My teenagers are excellent rope drop power walkers and I have no doubt they can stay at the head of the pack, but I also have no doubt that I will slow them down. (Nope...this isn't a line jumping question!) We won't remain at the front. As you funnel into the line, at what point would you say to jump ship? Whatever the wait time listed is won't be correct unless we are the last in line, so that's not a good indicator.
So, for example, if we make it just inside before the line stops, should we stay?
If we make it to what used to be the stand-by line/fastpass kiosks entrance when the line stops, should we stay?
If we are half way between them, should we stay?
If the line stops beyond the standby/fastpass entrances, at what point are we too far back?

This is assuming there continues to be no FP.

Thanks for your help!

 

[ForceofWill]

Rope dropped AK least week by driving. Almost everyone went for FOP, the line was ridiculous instantly. We went right to Safari, got on the first bus easily. Morning safari is awesome too. After we got off, walked back by and River journey was 5 mins so walked on that. FOP line was still insane. If you wanna shoot for motorcycle soaring, more power to ya but I feel you get much more done skipping it at rope drop.

 

[123SA]

Rope dropped AK least week by driving. Almost everyone went for FOP, the line was ridiculous instantly. We went right to Safari, got on the first bus easily. Morning safari is awesome too. After we got off, walked back by and River journey was 5 mins so walked on that. FOP line was still insane. If you wanna shoot for motorcycle soaring, more power to ya but I feel you get much more done skipping it at rope drop.

I suppose this is an issue to think about too. I'd much rather drive to the park than take the bus. But if we want FOP first thing, I've been reading we need to take the bus to remain at the head of the pack. If we are going anywhere else first, we can drive and the few minutes difference in arrival time won't matter. Does that seem right?

 

[ForceofWill]

I suppose this is an issue to think about too. I'd much rather drive to the park than take the bus. But if we want FOP first thing, I've been reading we need to take the bus to remain at the head of the pack. If we are going anywhere else first, we can drive and the few minutes difference in arrival time won't matter. Does that seem right?

Hard for me to say for sure but there were definitely people walking in already before us, assuming those were bus people. Id say if you really want it, book it left to Pandora with the pack and if it's clear by the time you're nearing the entrance it's not gonna happen, bail out the back entrance of Pandora into Africa(currently an exit) and hit safari.

 

[Meglen]

Imo hit everything else at rope drop FOP line should get shorter later in the day. The time you saved by doi g everything as a walk on waiting a tad longer for fop will be worth it

 

[figmentfinesse]

I agree if you can hit FOP at closing, do that. I’d start at Na’vi and work clockwise hitting Safari next. My sister had luck with that this past Saturday, basically walking on to everything. They waited about 40 minutes for FOP at closing.

 

[LBLCOMO]

I agree if you can hit FOP at closing, do that. I’d start at Na’vi and work clockwise hitting Safari next. My sister had luck with that this past Saturday, basically walking on to everything. They waited about 40 minutes for FOP at closing.

love seeing this advice - this is what I had thought about doing because I am not at all a fast walker (so we would likely have to wait a long while even at rope drop), and I think I'm fine with having FOP be the last thing we do. I really want my son to be able to ride it though (will be his first time), so my only hesitation is whether the attraction ever has issues or closes early? I don't think it is one that "goes down" often, but I guess I'm just hoping for some reassurance if you have thoughts on this. Thanks in advance!

 

[goodeats]

We were about 20 people back at turnstile when it opened. They let people start tapping around 7:15 and everyone booked it to Pandora. We powerwalked and passed a lot of slower groups. By the time we got to Pandora the line was outside the mountain but it consistently moved the whole time. We just missed a cycle so had to wait a little extra. We were off the ride by 7:50. We were able to hit up EE and Dinosaur before getting coffee and getting in line for KRR before it opened at 9:00. For us it was worth it, but we did have to keep watch on the safari line. When we finally rode it it said it was 45 but was really 25. At 9 or 10 it was a lot higher.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Rope dropped AK least week by driving. Almost everyone went for FOP, the line was ridiculous instantly. We went right to Safari, got on the first bus easily. Morning safari is awesome too. After we got off, walked back by and River journey was 5 mins so walked on that. FOP line was still insane. If you wanna shoot for motorcycle soaring, more power to ya but I feel you get much more done skipping it at rope drop.

Nothing beats that first morning ride on Safari at RD.