FOP or Navi at RD - What to do?

[FigmentSpark]

So even though I have a late FOP FP, but someone today recommended I should also RD FOP, just in case we like it enough to do it twice. I had planned to RD Navi and hoped for a SD earlier FOP FP, but am prepared to use my late one if nothing else comes up. As such, I will be there for RD, but wasn't planning on the big fight for place... until this advice.

So should I RD FOP, even with the FP? I would still have to do Navi in the morning (after giving up a Navi FP for the FOP one). And I have a 10:30am Caring for Giants tour, so my morning is limited in that way, too.

What would you do?

 

[donalds friend]

I'm planning on RD both if I'm towards the front of the heard. If I end up in the back I'm just going to do Navi and come back to FOP with my fp later.

 

[Haley R]

If you already have a FP for FOP I wouldn't do rope drop. It's so crazy and stressful. When we went last March we got to the park 15 minutes after it opened and leisurely walked to Navi. It was a walk on. Will you be there until park close? If you decide you want to ride again that's another good time to try riding.

 

[Mrs Flick]

I agree, use you FP and forget RD. We did (tried) RD and after battling the crowds found a 90 minute wait because they had opened the ride early!!!

 

[DizMinMouse]

FOP is sooooooo cool though that you’re definitely going to want to do it twice. I would do it at rope drop & then you’ll probably still be able to walk on to Navi without much wait. Have a great time on your trip

 

[garris3404]

FOP is sooooooo cool though that you’re definitely going to want to do it twice. I would do it at rope drop & then you’ll probably still be able to walk on to Navi without much wait. Have a great time on your trip

What they said... Just get there 1 hour before park opening. When you're let into the park, walk briskly to get near the front of the mob. You should be able to ride both FOP and Navi before your tour.

 

[gharter]

Another vote to do it twice. Be sure you get there for RD at least 60 minutes before opening time. You will be let in early.
If you are toward the front of the crowd, you should be able to ride Navi after FoP without too long of a wait.
If the line to FoP looks too long by the time you get there, skip FoP and do Navi and just ride with your FP later.

 

[DisDreaming4116]

I've used this method several times and have always found good value (time and energy):

Get to park 75 minutes prior to official park opening
Walk briskly to FOP - 5 minute wait
NRJ - no wait
NRJ - 10 min wait
Hang out in Pandora and watch the craziness of the crowd, knowing I still have a FP+ for FOP later and sit outside Satuli Canteen for it to open

 

[karpy111]

I've used this method several times and have always found good value (time and energy):

Get to park 75 minutes prior to official park opening
Walk briskly to FOP - 5 minute wait
NRJ - no wait
NRJ - 10 min wait
Hang out in Pandora and watch the craziness of the crowd, knowing I still have a FP+ for FOP later and sit outside Satuli Canteen for it to open

If this strategy works. I'd be very excited. I dont mind getting there super early to stay ahead of the crowds.

 

[gharter]

Basically the same strategy we have used. But more people seem to be doing the same, so RD has been more crowded.

 

[monkyby87]

If this strategy works. I'd be very excited. I dont mind getting there super early to stay ahead of the crowds.

That strategy is exactly how I did it, but that was 3 or 4 months ago. I don't know if it's any different now or not. It's super crowded, but you do get to do the ride early and Navi River will be a walk-on.

 

[DizFan13]

I'm sort of obsessed with FoP, so I wont pretend to be unbiased, but I assume everyone will want to ride it more than once, so I'd say try to rope drop it, but take DisDreaming's advice seriously.
We've RD'd it three times, arriving once seventy minutes early, once sixty, and once forty-seven minutes early (thought we'd be safe for EMH): the difference in wait time between seventy and sixty was astonishing! Seventy minutes: walked straight to and onto the ride; sixty minutes: we never stopped moving, but it took about forty minutes. Forty-seven minutes: we hiked all the way to FothLK before they turned us back around to the line, and it took a little more than an hour.

The other thing I'd mention since you have a reservation after is know in advance that the process of riding takes time. The queue is a trek, and the preshow (preshows really) is long. Even when you walk right on, it will take a chunk of time. If you can't make it to the front of the line, remember Haley R's advice and try right before closing.

Or, if you're like me, rope drop it, FP it, and then go back right before closing, then immediately begin planning another trip so you can ride again . . .

 

[KenHutch]

We did it twice but we used our fast pass and then went back an hour before closing and go in line. We managed most of the park by entering at rope drop and when 90%+ went to Pandora we went everywhere else.

 

[Erzengel]

I would recommend doing FOP twice.

 

[giovanni2231]

Doing it twice seems to be the theme here... Since your planning to RP anyway that day, you will be in the frenzy of people entering and lining up, you matters well take advantage and RP RoP. Getting there early is the key - 60 - 75 Minutes. Navi, as most are saying should be a walk on that early in the morning. Good Luck!

 

[nancipants]

Do it twice, but go at the end of the day.

 

[abarriger]

I think if you don't do it twice, you will regret it. That said, rope dropping FOP is like nothing else. People are so aggressive and there is a lot of opportunities for people to shove their way in front of you (you'd think Disney's design might have anticipated such a thing... but what do I know.) If you can't be towards the front of the pack then just ride it again at the very end of the day. FOP > Rivers of Light.

 

[Laura527]

Basically the same strategy we have used. But more people seem to be doing the same, so RD has been more crowded.

Agree! We went to AK in 2017, arrived 60 minutes early and were near the front of the line at RD. Went a couple of weeks ago, arrived 60 minutes early again and there was already a LONG line at the turnstiles. By the time we got to Pandora, there was a long line at FOP (standby time was 60 minutes by then).

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We found doing it last thing at night a good option.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Navi is pretty easy to get into at both RD and near closing time.

As for FOP, that`s your top priority for FPs. If you want to experience the full queue, get in line just before closing time. We did that, and waited about 50 minutes (and enjoyed the queue, so that wasn`t TOO long).