FP FoP or Na'vi with a 5 year old?

[hibareli]

Hi, I need some opinions and also, I apologize if this has been asked a bunch of times!

We are going to Disneyworld for a week and a half over Easter break. I know it's going to be a busy time but we are prepared to deal with it. It's the only time we can go next year! We have one Animal Kingdom day. We want to ride both FoP and Na'vi River Journey. Our DD is 5.5 and about half an inch too short, without wearing shoes. She is too scared to ride FoP and doesn't want to ride it at all.

Do you think it would be better to FP FoP or Na'vi? DD is really good when it comes to waiting in lines, this isn't her first trip. I have a lot of patience and don't mind waiting in line for FoP by myself and getting a rider swap for my husband but we weren't sure which would make more sense. FP Na'vi and I wait in line and get a rider swap for FoP or we FP FoP and we wait in line together for Na'vi? We are not rope drop people, we like to close the parks but we are willing to go early if need be.

Thanks for your time!

 

[hllb]

Get FP for FoP and then rope drop Navi. You’ll have a short wait for Navi (during a very busy week, should still be less than 30 minutes if you do RD). Navi lines are shorter than FoP

 

[Ciandella915]

Rope drop is the way to go. Both trips that we've been, every day all day has had three+ hour waits on FOP (one day was almost six hours), all the way until closing.

 

[stace1214]

I would try for a FOP FP. If you can't get one, definitely plan to rope drop FOP, or you'll wait forever then get a FP for Navi. My 5 year old was scared to go on it and I convinced her to go. I felt like the worst mom in the world, she hated every second of it.

 

[DekrRini]

I'd FP FOP and wait in line for Na'vi. The wait for FOP is insane. And if you're only there for one day, I suggest doing the best you can to get to AK for rope drop. When I was there in early December, even Na'vi had a long wait time towards the middle of the day.

I also think you're wise not to try to force or convince your 5 year old to go. When I rode FOP, there was a little 6 year old boy who hadn't wanted to ride from the time I got behind the family--mom and 2 boys. By the time we got to the banshees, he was crying and refusing to get locked in place. Mom and the CM tried to convince him to ride, but finally gave up after 5 minutes. Mom had to leave with the little guy, big brother got to ride. It was not a pleasant experience for any of us.

 

[pjhootch]

This is going to sound like I am joking- but I am not. FP FOP and don’t waste precious time on Navi. It is like Pirates of the Caribbean, except without pirates. Or a drop. Or anything very interesting or amusing. It is pretty, but it will be there a long time and still be short, pretty, and boring. Take your little one to see the tiger cub twins instead. They won’t be little long. And they are even cooler than pirates.

 

[GoldeneyezCA]

We rope-dropped and took our 4 yo last August, and she did not like FOP. She loves Star Tours and Soarin, but FOP was just too realistic and intense, and she kept asking when it would be over. However, we did Navi on our 2nd AK day, and she enjoyed that, and I loved using her FOP FP! My recommendation is to get FP's for FOP, rope-drop Navi, and if you like FOP, use her FP to ride it again!

Also, we found that watching and discussing the Leona Lewis' "I See You" video was a safe way to introduce our kids to Avatar, since they're too young to watch the movie yet. Enjoy!

 

[mumumouse]

I know this is an old post, but just want to add for anyone who is considering FOP, it is very intense.

We were able to score FPs three consecutive days in a row for FOP by working backwards on our selections at the 60 day mark. We were there during Spring Break 2018, so I was surprised we got them. 6 day visit, so going to day 6 first as soon as my FP window opened was key. On day 1 of our stay we got a FP for Na’vi.

FOP is too much for a 5 year old IMO.

Again, I understand that the person who posted originally has aldready gone. Would love to know how things went. Just posting for anyone else considering it.

I gave FOP a try and although I appreciate the technology, I did not do well on it. Was excited to check it out, but it made me queasy. Not full on nauseated. I don’t usually have a problem with things, but this ride is pretty heavy duty.

I figured “virtual” and similar to Soarin’, what could be hard about it??

The banshee is surprisingly very rough and jerky. Extremely important to remain forward facing at all times. Hence the locking you in.

The visuals are not pleasant in the least. Not for me anyway. I was also surprised at how fake they are. Worse than new Soarin’ compared to old. You’ll know what I mean if you’ve ridden both.

Sorry, intended to just talk about 5 year old, but it is all coming back to me!!!

I got off the ride feeling very discombobulated. I rode one more time, just so my daughter didn’t have to ride alone. I didn’t even bother to put my goggles on.

Do not put a 5 year old on this. Take them on Na’vi instead.

 

[gharter]

I think it really depends on your 5 yo. I think some could do it and love it. Many would not do well.
I agree, if there is any question, I wouldn't.
While FoP is much more thrilling, for some kids and adults, it can be too much and Navi would be much better.
Personally, I love FoP much more than Navi.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

We had a 5 year old with us on our last trip. We did AK on day 6 and got a FP+ for FoP at 9:10am. We arrived at park opening time (8am), walked to Na'vi, and only waited 10 minutes. The 5 year old LOVED FP+. Now mind you, she also went on every ride she could. She doesn't have any fear in terms of rides.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would get a FoP FP then ride Na'vi either at rope drop or the end of the night depending on what time you plan on arriving or leaving.

We RD FoP (arrived 90 mins before park opening in Jan and were off the ride by 9:20). We waited and did Na'vi at park closing. At 8:15 posted wait time was 40 mins but we were on the ride in 6.

 

[mumumouse]

I am too lazy to make it to rope drop, so was glad we had FPs for FOP.

We were able to get one for Na’vi too.

Then we also rerode Na’vi again another evening before park closing. Line was almost non-existent, so we went in multiple times.

We enjoyed it much more without the line. Like the music.

Forgot to see what the wait time was at FOP.

So riding late is a good tip for those who can’t get a FP for these and don’t want to do rope drop.

And you have the added bonus of Pandora at night, which is really cool.

The Floating Mountains becomes more realistic .

I just wonder how many set out like me, all gung-ho and enthusiastic, only to find they did not do well on FOP.

I rode with my teenage daughter. Would never dream of putting her on at age 5. Even Haunted Mansion was too much for her at that age.