FOP-rope drop or before close?

[SJerseyMommy]

tomorrow is our AK day. I wasn’t able to get FPs for FOP and my initial plan was to get to the park and be at the front by 8:00. Now I’m wondering if I’d be better off just getting in the line around 8:00 tomorrow night (park closes at 8:30).

Any thoughts?

 

[KenHutch]

When we went in June we had a fast pass for around 14:00 so as the mob ran to Pandora we went the opposite direction and hit several rides including EE with little to no wait time. Now the 9 year old wanted to ride it again so close to closing we went back. With about 90 minutes to 2 hours left I checked the app it said 120 minute wait, when we got there the sign said 90 minutes and we actually got on the ride in 42-45 minutes. That mob in the AM is downright ugly. Riding EE, Kali and Kilimanjaro with little to no wait made the whole day easier.

 

[DisDreaming4116]

Both! Seriously. However, if that's not an option or something you'd be interested in, then doing what the PP suggested would be good. Do the other main attractions at DAK first and save FOP for end of day. Either way, have a great time!

 

[Mome Rath]

It depends on your preference. I'm a morning person, and have rope dropped Pandora several times, first to FoP, then on to RJ, then the rest of the day free to do what I want (the "mob" wasn't bad at all, and was a crowd, not a mob). However, if you are a night owl, or really want to see the standby queue, then go at night. In the morning you wait pre park opening, so not to waste park time, at night you wait right at close in the queue itself, so totally up to you. The only other thing I'd say is if you love it, it's better if you go in the morning, then you can decide to go again at night. lol

 

[gharter]

It all depends, if you don't mind getting to the park 60 minutes before opening, RD can work, but be prepared for a crowd. Although the CMs do a good job trying to keep the mob under control and not sprinting to Pandora.
Before close, you get to see Pandora at night, and usually have shorter ines unless you were in the very early RD group. FoP in th emorning fills very quickly and passes an hour wait time rapidly.

 

[chilly2336]

We were there in early August and although we do RD we chose not to for FOP based on the mobs heading there. We had FP for FOP but also chose to ride again standby at close. The line moves very quickly since there are no FP's issued after park close and all capacity goes to standby. Just was our preference not to deal with the crowd at RD.

 

[WIll C]

We're going to try in the end of Sept to RD on a Saturday for AK. It's EMH and we're staying at a resort so hopefully we'll be able to do FOP and maybe Na'vi (though we have a FP later in the day for that so we can wait). If we can't get a good time then we'll just try for an evening FP or wait for another day when I have a FP. The Safari is more important to us.

 

[Delirium]

I would take full advantage of going to other attractions at rope drop and get in line for FOP at the end of the night. You'll get more done and spend less time doing it (including not having to arrive at AK as early).

 

[WIll C]

I doubt my wife will last long enough to do that. If we're not back at the resort by 4, I'll be surprised.

 

[heathermm]

We were just there Aug 11th-18th. We had a FP for FOP on our 6th day. We wanted to try and ride it before that though. We went there about 40 min before closing on our first night and waited 90 mins. Absolutely loved the ride so we went back 2 more times- same strategy before our FP day. The wait was more like 40-50 mins those days. Then we did it one last time on our last day. AK had larger than predicted crowd levels while we were there so not sure if the end of day waits would typically be less than what we experienced; but the wait was better than 120+ mins I was seeing during the day and the 40-50 min wait was so worth it in my opinion. Will say I love how fast FP really is for this ride, they get you right up there! On our full park day (day we had the FP for FOP), we rope dropped Navi (got there about 8:45 for a 9:00am opening); then rode Everest, Dinosaur and Safari (which had a delay while on it due to animal traffic all before our 10:20 Tusker House reservation.

 

[jerseygal]

I also couldn't get a FP for FOP, but got one for Navi early afternoon in October. It is EMH the day we plan to go. We love the morning, but this particular day not doing EMH, we'll hang out at the Kidani pool(Jambo pool is closed), maybe everyone will flock to EMH, and the Kidani pool won't be crowded. We will take our "chances" and try end of day. We have a Yak and Yeti dinner ADR early evening, so we will see what the rest of the day shapes up like. Have heard such awesome feedback on FOP, HOPING...

 

[kimmyg26]

This is my qualm as well. It is the one fast pass I needed (wanted). I can't decide if I should try for it in the am or the pm. I keep hoping somehow refresh will work for me and then I don't have to stress about it. It's a hard call but no matter what, we will be waiting

 

[Davey Jones II]

Before closing time, we breezed into Na`vi twice, with much shorter waits than the posted ones. I assume it`s the same for FOP (not a breeze, but much shorter than usual wait times).

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We are there for 10 days and i plan on getting FOP FP+ 2-3 different plans. I still plan on hitting it right before closing too. No way am i doing the RD mad dash.

 

[amilli12]

Here now! We rope dropped FOP at AK this morning. We got to AK at 8:10am, they let us in to the rope at Pandora at 8:30am, then they dropped the rope into Pandora at 8:45am. There were a lot of people but no pushing or shenanigans. We were walking out of the ride at 9:12am. Excellent rope drop experience for us. We loved it so much we decided to hop on at close. We got in line at 8:28pm (8:30pm park closing time). Posted wait was 60 minutes. We loaded in to the first video sequence at 8:58pm, so our wait time was only 30 mins.

I don’t know if that helps you, but that was our experience! Oh and we were a party of 5 for morning rope drop and party of 4 for the closing time ride.

 

[jerseygal]

Here now! We rope dropped FOP at AK this morning. We got to AK at 8:10am, they let us in to the rope at Pandora at 8:30am, then they dropped the rope into Pandora at 8:45am. There were a lot of people but no pushing or shenanigans. We were walking out of the ride at 9:12am. Excellent rope drop experience for us. We loved it so much we decided to hop on at close. We got in line at 8:28pm (8:30pm park closing time). Posted wait was 60 minutes. We loaded in to the first video sequence at 8:58pm, so our wait time was only 30 mins.

I don’t know if that helps you, but that was our experience! Oh and we were a party of 5 for morning rope drop and party of 4 for the closing time ride.

Good to hear that morning RD was civilized! Think we plan to do FOP at end of day, unless I am lucky enough to get a FP for October. Did you enjoy FOP?

 

[jenPSU]

I know it’s too late for the OP, but I would say both!! We did rope drop for FOP back in February, which was a long but pleasant experience and we were really happy to be finished with the ride with the whole day ahead of us. But we also loved it so much we did it again later. We had a toddler with us so we were able to do a rider swap to do it again for 3 of us.

 

[amilli12]

Good to hear that morning RD was civilized! Think we plan to do FOP at end of day, unless I am lucky enough to get a FP for October. Did you enjoy FOP?

We loved it, a lot. I think it is an exceptional experience. My two boys tall enough to ride (10 & 9) said they want to get up early to rope drop AK so we can ride it again this coming Tuesday before our FP for it at 9:15, ha!