FOP timing strategy for long wait times? Any suggestions?

[alohamom]

My DD and her buddies are at AK today and the posted wait for FOP is 4 hours.

They were not able to get FP+ for this and thought they would see how bad the line up would be but this is crazy!

She is asking me via text what I think would be the best strategy for timing to line up. I have no idea, I have yet to go to AK since they opened the new Pandora area

Should they wait till later in the day?
When do they close down the line?
How bad is the line up-does it move super slow? Is it interactive?

I told her I am not sure I would want to waste 4 hours of the day in a line up, no matter how cool the ride is but it sounds to me like they are going to try!

I believe they have a late day Navi River FP

ANY input is appreciated

 

[sharonabe]

Should they wait till later in the day?
When do they close down the line?

If they're staying at AK until closing, just wait until 15-20 min before that time to get in line. They'll be able to ride as long as they are in line before official closing. They may still wait an hour or so, but at least it's not during park time when they could be doing something else.

 

[alohamom]

excellent @sharonabe thank you

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

The line closes when the park closes, which I believe is 8 pm tonight. Anyone in line will be allowed to ride no matter how long the wait is. Just don't be late, they do close the gate right on time.

The last time we did this the actual wait to the first pre-show room was 17 minutes but that was early-summer, not a holiday week. It will still be a lot shorter wait than hopping in line now.

They could also try to refresh and change that Navi FP to FoP, you never know when something may pop up. The wait for Navi will be next to nothing at closing time.

 

[alohamom]

thank you @Babe the Blue Ox

 

[gap2368]

I agree with the others get in line 10-15 minutes before park closes. Since there is no more FP the standby line moves faster. They do post a higher wait then what the wait really is. The line has some pretty cool things to look at.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

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

The night we waited 17 minutes, the posted time was 110. It’s very common to see the posted wait about 4x the actual wait on the headliners st night.

 

[alohamom]

Since there is no more FP the standby line moves faster. They do post a higher wait then what the wait really is

Oh yes, great point @gap2368 going to text them that-thanks!

 

[alohamom]

It’s very common to see the posted wait about 4x the actual wait on the headliners st night.

right, I have had that happen on other rides, good point

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Get in line 5 minutes before the park closes. We did this often last trip and wait times were often doubled and tripled. I like TP app also. It gives accurate wait times.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

When they are done with their first, 3 FP+, they can try to snag FOP FP+. Otherwise, as others have said, they should line up shortly before park closing.

 

[alohamom]

Great, thanks @mi*vida*loca and @DisneyWishes14

 

[MainMom]

If possible, you can log into her MDE account and try to get FOP FP’s for them if they are all connected.

 

[Mome Rath]

If they are willing to change their NRJ to FoP, I also recommend them trying the refresh method to see if FoP pops up (it may or may not work, but 10 min of refreshing may be worth it). It depends on how many of them are in their group and also how many people are throwing back FoP FP's.

 

[alohamom]

Thanks @MainMom and @Mome Rath I will pass it along

 

[Mome Rath]

For one person, it took about 25 min of refreshing for FoP to come up (I did it myself as an experiment just now), so I don't don't what the chances would be for the whole group. NRJ came up about 5 or 6 times during the same time. Just FYI for everyone following along.

Really hope they get to ride! As others have said the only other option is to jump in line right before close.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I’m interested to hear how this turned out:

 

[alohamom]

Well thanks to all of you they are in line right now and the cm confirmed they will ride!

I can’t wait to see how long they actually wait vs the posted time, I will report back what it ends up being.

Thanks again, what an awesome strategy.

 

[alohamom]

They just texted and they LOVED it!

Wait time posted was 150 minutes (so what is that-like 2.5 hours?)

They waited an hour but they said it felt more like half an hour because of all the stuff in the line up.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!