FOP FP 7-8 pm, worth keeping?

[PSULion]

One of our days will be mostly MK, but then around 5 pm we’ll be hopping over to AK. I have a FP for FOP from 7-8 pm, but I’m wondering if we should just do standby. I’ve seen a lot of recommendations to get in line shortly before closing and the waits haven’t been too bad. I’d love to have 3 FP in MK instead, but FOP is a must do. What would you do?

 

[Klayfish]

If FOP is a must, I'd keep it...but I'm not willing to wait in line more than 45 minutes for any attraction in any park.

 

[Disneyfor8]

Ooh, that is a tough one! To give you a data point: We were there a week and a half ago. We spent all day in AK, but could only get FOP FP at 7:50pm on a 9pm closing day. When we arrived around 8:15, the standby line was 90 minutes (reported by the CM manning the line). We waited about 5-10 minutes and were also using child swap, so some in our party were able to ride twice. By the time it was all said and done, it was 9:05. To us, it was definitely worth it to use FP. I guess you need to ask yourself some questions: How valuable those MK FPs are to you? Will you be there any other day when you can utilize FP to hit the more major rides? It looks like you're a Disney Veteran, so would you be willing to skip some MK rides with too-long lines in order to keep that FOP FP? Do you have children in your party that would have a difficult time staying up late enough to hit FOP in standby and make it through?

Good luck! No matter what you choose, you will love FOP!!!

 

[HopperFan]

I was there a few weeks ago right before closing and standby line was still very long, couple hours. We had walked right in to front with FP+ line but then we stood at front probably another 20 minutes just waiting to start the load process. It loads so slow I don't see me doing SB for a very long time .... maybe when SWL opens.

 

[100acreHiker]

I am in the EXACT same position. We plan to do a Friday morning at MK (party day), then leave at lunch and head over to AK around 5:30pm. Our FOP FP is for 6:55. I, too, would love to have some FPs for use at MK that morning, but honestly, FOP is a priority for us, and I have a semi-antsy 9 year old and two elderly-ish parents coming along, so 2 hour waits are literally not an option for us. I figure we can get enough done that morning in MK if we arrive early and have reasonable expectations. We've done everything in MK more times than we can count, so if we're in and out and only get 4 or so attractions in and only stand-by, we can live with that. Also, factor in what the crowds will be like during your trip and AK day. Our week will be fairly crowded this year, and our AK day is a Friday, so I'm not taking any chances that the end of day FOP line will be short and sweet. Not sure when you're going. Maybe if it were a Monday night on a slow week, I'd be tempted to release it.

Editing to add: I see by your ticker we will be there the same week. We go the week after thanksgiving every year and I do not think this year will be slow in any way whatsoever. I'd keep your FP.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Since you have never been on FoP............and you have an almost pain free fast pass for it.........I would keep the FP and use it. Once you have experienced it the first time, you can make an evaluation as to how much standby time you can tolerate in the future. An early arrival at MK, and a good touring plan, should help you make the most of your MK time.

 

[LizGirl]

I would definitely keep the FP! FoP was really great.

 

[PSULion]

Thanks all. Pretty much the responses I expected. It's just killing me to spend the whole day at MK with no FP to keep ONE for that night. Oh well, first world problems.

 

[kittylady1972]

I agree with the above posters already. I can tell you this much...we got in line for FOP around 8:30pm LAST Friday night for a 9pm AK closing. There were a large group of us, many who did NOT have FPs for it. We waited about an hour at that time...and YES the ride is worth the wait, especially if that's the only time you may do it and it's not like any other parks were open after 9pm that night anyway. You just have to determine if the rest of your party can handle that wait, but I will say the line moved quite quickly all night.

In contrast, going on SATURDAY evening was a different story. Many of the same people tried this the next night but it was a SATURDAY as well as an EMH morning for AK, so I expect lines were worse. That time they waited closer to two hours. Ouch!

 

[KenHutch]

If you have a Fast Pass for FoP look up to heaven thank G*D and keep it. I don't have a reference point myself because in all of our trips we have never bought Park Hoppers. We are 1 park all day people.

 

[hllb]

Thanks all. Pretty much the responses I expected. It's just killing me to spend the whole day at MK with no FP to keep ONE for that night. Oh well, first world problems.

Might as well grab a couple more in AK if you can...

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would keep it. Especially since we usually do an AM park, midday break by the pool and then FP+ at our PM park. Works perfect.

 

[srwarden1928]

FOP is the most amazing ride I have ever experienced anywhere. ANY fastpass for FOP is worth keeping. When I am hopping, I always choose MK for the fastpasses because it seems you save the most time there UNLESS FOP is on the agenda for the day. FOP is such a necessary fastpass.

 

[No.1000]

I have to agree with everyone else. Keep you FOP fastpass and make a couple others in AK.

The big question in thinking about it would be "Do I really want to spend 90 minutes + in line after I have been in the parks all day?" My DGD(10) and did 4 parks/one day and finished at AK. We got in line for FOP during EMH and waited 90 minutes (it was showing 140). It was worth the wait, but the wait was also kind of torture after 13 hours in the parks. If you keep your FP and ride, you might just love it enough to jump in standby when you are done. I do have to say, if you have to wait, the standby line is very pleasant to look at.

 

[otterpop]

How about doing the opposite? Go to AK for Rope Drop and your wait will most likely be less than 30 minutes. Then head over to MK...

 

[DOOM1001]

A FoP FP is the most valuable FP at WDW by far!!

 

[Stephy811]

I am doing the same...rope drop mk (no fps) then early afternoon break then ak to use fop in the evening. At first I was bummed the timing messes with my "perfect" schedule but now also booked fp around sunset for safari and a later one for Everest (which I've heard is awesome at night). We've never done an evening at ak so now I'm looking forward to it!

 

[nessz79]

An idea for you. We have a similar situation with Frozen Ever After- the only FP at the 30 day point was at 7:45 PM. I went ahead and picked a random other FP at night in Epcot, but then the 3rd FP I chose for 9:05 AM. My thought is to go to Epcot at 9:05 for my first FP and then as soon as we use that one, we can make another FP for another park. I can then hop to that other park and then hop back to Epcot at night.

OF course that's only one FP, so I would likely need to move my other FP to earlier in the day. I wonder if I let that 2nd FP just expire if I can continue making FPs for the park I hop to.

It's not great, but it's something

 

[PSULion]

How about doing the opposite? Go to AK for Rope Drop and your wait will most likely be less than 30 minutes. Then head over to MK...

It's Nov 30th, and MK is closing at 4:30 for a special event. So we need something to do that night and figured AK was a good fit. I don't want to hop parks twice.

I'll keep the FOP FP. We'll just rope drop 7DMT and then try and hit space and BTMRR before it's too crowded.

 

[KittyKitty]

My thought is to go to Epcot at 9:05 for my first FP and then as soon as we use that one, we can make another FP for another park. I can then hop to that other park and then hop back to Epcot at night.

Can you have active FP's at 2 different parks? I did not not know that.

"You learn something new every day!"