FoP Help/Advice!

[_Mickey_]

Sorry for posting another FoP/Avatar thread. Since I had a somewhat long question/post I didn't know if it would be a good idea or not to post to the Avatar megathread.

I've been reading through the various FoP threads and have been seeing some varying experiences/wait times.

My 30 day window opened today, and while I was able to snag a FP for NRJ, none for FoP were available (as I expected).

So here's my dilemma, do I rope drop FoP or do I try and get same day FP (when/if they drop around 11am that day)? Typically, I'd chose rope drop, but I'm seeing people report wait times of 3 hours. I'm not against waiting in line, but I don't think all the members in my party (3 of us) would be able/willing to wait in line that long.

I'm afraid if I forgo the rope drop for FoP, and try for same day FP, that I will miss out on the shortest standby time.

I'm willing to get to Animal Kingdom very early, but it seems like even then people are experiencing very long standby waits. The day I will be going should hopefully be a lighter crowd day (12/7) and will not me a EMH day. That should help the wait times, yes?

What are people experiencing with Avatar rope drops. Is that really my best bet?

Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[bryanb]

3 hours is probably the peak wait time on busy days. If you go very late, like before closing, you might wait fewer than 90 minutes.

As for rope drop, it depends on your party's tolerance for getting up early (and then also waiting to get into the park). As for how long you'll wait in the morning, it will make a big difference if you're in the front of the pack or at the back of the pack when the rope drop happens. If you show up early and are at the back of the pack (such that the wait is over 2 hours), I would personally take that opportunity to enjoy other attractions after rope drop and then get into the queue later. But that's based on my experience.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

That daily drop has not been happening as regularly so I would not count on that in December. I would rope drop but arrive well before the park opens or go at park closing time.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Rope drop can be the busiest time of the day for this attraction. I checked one day last week and the wait times were up to 210 within 10 minutes of park opening. The waits were down to 30 within 10 minutes of park closing on the same day.

Just keep in mind that posted wait times are intentionally exaggerated at night to discourage late riders.

 

[_Mickey_]

Thank you for the input/advice. My plan as of now is to get there as early as possible and attempt the rope drop. I'm just slightly hesitant hearing about the pushing and shoving going on, as my other two party members are in their 60s and can't speedwalk as fast.

 

[_Mickey_]

Rope drop can be the busiest time of the day for this attraction. I checked one day last week and the wait times were up to 210 within 10 minutes of park opening. The waits were down to 30 within 10 minutes of park closing on the same day.

Just keep in mind that posted wait times are intentionally exaggerated at night to discourage late riders.

Hmm, my only concern with waiting till the last second so to speak is that the wait time won't be all that much lower, or that the ride will break down and I will be SOL. I only have 1 animal kingdom day, so I really only have 1 shot at experiencing the ride. But it's good to know that the line drops at night - I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!

 

[Haley R]

Hmm, my only concern with waiting till the last second so to speak is that the wait time won't be all that much lower, or that the ride will break down and I will be SOL. I only have 1 animal kingdom day, so I really only have 1 shot at experiencing the ride. But it's good to know that the line drops at night - I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!

My problem is similar to yours. I think I've made the decision that if I don't get a FP for FOP we will not be doing rope drop. It just doesn't appeal to me and I'm not a morning person. We will still make RD, but will head to EE instead of Pandora. Then if the wait for FOP is 120 minutes or less we will ride it. I want to ride it early in the day and maybe a second time that night at closing.

 

[_Mickey_]

My problem is similar to yours. I think I've made the decision that if I don't get a FP for FOP we will not be doing rope drop. It just doesn't appeal to me and I'm not a morning person. We will still make RD, but will head to EE instead of Pandora. Then if the wait for FOP is 120 minutes or less we will ride it. I want to ride it early in the day and maybe a second time that night at closing.

I don't blame you!

I've decided to brave the rope drop (provided I can get myself and the rest of the party out the door in time). I'm shooting for a 7/7:30 arrival at AK. If I didn't really, really want to experience this ride, I wouldn't bother with rope drop. People are saying the wait time drops significantly before park closing, so you have a good chance of a lesser wait then. Good luck to you!

 

[Haley R]

I don't blame you!

I've decided to brave the rope drop (provided I can get myself and the rest of the party out the door in time). I'm shooting for a 7/7:30 arrival at AK. If I didn't really, really want to experience this ride, I wouldn't bother with rope drop. People are saying the wait time drops significantly before park closing, so you have a good chance of a lesser wait then. Good luck to you!

Thanks! Good luck at rope drop!

 

[scottandtisha]

I do think rope drop, if you get there at least 45 minutes before park open, is optimal. The lines at 7pm have been in the 80-90 minute range this week. I don't quite know how it happened, but I snagged a same day fastpass for it last night as I was waiting in line at Kilimanjaro Safari. So it IS possible, but highly unlikely!!

 

[B. Shoe]

I think I've made the decision that if I don't get a FP for FOP we will not be doing rope drop.

We’re in the same boat; FP or bust for this ride. I’ve read enough horror stories about the rope drop mob and I’m just not about that scene. It looks beautiful and I’m very interested to ride it...but not at the cost of burning 2+ hours of our day in one line.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I do think rope drop, if you get there at least 45 minutes before park open, is optimal. The lines at 7pm have been in the 80-90 minute range this week. I don't quite know how it happened, but I snagged a same day fastpass for it last night as I was waiting in line at Kilimanjaro Safari. So it IS possible, but highly unlikely!!

Was the 80-90 minute range the posted wait or the actual wait? Disney does intentionally inflate the posted times at night to discourage riders. A 80-90 minute posted time can often result in a 20-30 minute actual wait.

There was a report here a few days ago of a 110 minute posted wait with a 15 minute actual wait before closing time, so this practice is definitely in place at FoP.

 

[Haley R]

Was the 80-90 minute range the posted wait or the actual wait? Disney does intentionally inflate the posted times at night to discourage riders. A 80-90 minute posted time can often result in a 20-30 minute actual wait.

There was a report here a few days ago of a 110 minute posted wait with a 15 minute actual wait before closing time, so this practice is definitely in place at FoP.

This is exactly what I’m hoping for when we visit. I’m not going to let the posted wait time scare me off at closing. I’m willing to wait up to 120 minutes but after that I won’t wait that long.

 

[mbcary]

I posted this on another thread as well but we did RP this morning for EMH, opening at 8am. Bus picked us up at 6:40 from our resort and we were at the AK gate at 7am. We ended up being 3rd in line at our entry gate and then among the first 30 to get on FOP and then done before 8am. They let us in the gate at 7:15. Stopped us a couple of places along the way. Hence the reason to be there well before opening time.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

This is exactly what I’m hoping for when we visit. I’m not going to let the posted wait time scare me off at closing. I’m willing to wait up to 120 minutes but after that I won’t wait that long.

Disney also has processes in place known as "Line Stacking" where they can make the queue appear to be much longer than it actually is, which also aids in discouraging riders. I read about this in the 1999 Unofficial Guide so it's nothing new.

When in doubt, the best thing to do is simply ask the attendant nicely if the posted time is accurate. They do know what the actual wait time is and are often willing to share that info.

 

[goav2000]

FWIW, we did a RD for FOP on Oct 30th. Due to the burst water line at Pop, we didn't arrive at AK until 8:20 for a 9:00 open.

We "hustled" in with the crowd (we are in our 40's, both out of shape) and did not witness any shoving or pushing. Sure, there were people scurrying around others, but it wasn't the chaos described in other threads.

By the time we were in an actual line, the pace was brisk, but still allowed us to enjoy our first views of Pandora. We were in the bldg. by 9:00 and in the gift shop by 9:25.

 

[_Mickey_]

FWIW, we did a RD for FOP on Oct 30th. Due to the burst water line at Pop, we didn't arrive at AK until 8:20 for a 9:00 open.

We "hustled" in with the crowd (we are in our 40's, both out of shape) and did not witness any shoving or pushing. Sure, there were people scurrying around others, but it wasn't the chaos described in other threads.

By the time we were in an actual line, the pace was brisk, but still allowed us to enjoy our first views of Pandora. We were in the bldg. by 9:00 and in the gift shop by 9:25.

Wow considering you got to the park "late" (normally, I wouldn't consider 8:20 to be late), a ~25 minute wait isn't bad! I'd been happy with 45 minutes or less for FoP!

Hope we have as much luck as you did!

 

[Haley R]

FWIW, we did a RD for FOP on Oct 30th. Due to the burst water line at Pop, we didn't arrive at AK until 8:20 for a 9:00 open.

We "hustled" in with the crowd (we are in our 40's, both out of shape) and did not witness any shoving or pushing. Sure, there were people scurrying around others, but it wasn't the chaos described in other threads.

By the time we were in an actual line, the pace was brisk, but still allowed us to enjoy our first views of Pandora. We were in the bldg. by 9:00 and in the gift shop by 9:25.

That’s not bad of a wait after only getting there 40 minutes early. I might consider it now

 

[scottandtisha]

Was the 80-90 minute range the posted wait or the actual wait? Disney does intentionally inflate the posted times at night to discourage riders. A 80-90 minute posted time can often result in a 20-30 minute actual wait.

There was a report here a few days ago of a 110 minute posted wait with a 15 minute actual wait before closing time, so this practice is definitely in place at FoP.

For us, actual wait and posted wait were both around 80 minutes.

 

[Haley R]

For us, actual wait and posted wait were both around 80 minutes.

What time did you get in line?