How Long are FP Lines and Best Use of Morning Time?

[wintersongbird]

Family of 4 (never been to WDW before) trying to plan our touring. Our main question is, how long can we reasonably expect to wait in FP lines? I'm sure it varies, but maybe a general idea of more popular FP waits (TSMM, 7DMT, Elsa/Anna) and older ones (The mountains, ToT, etc.) We're going on crowd level 9 and 10 days.


HS is posing the biggest problem. We have FPs for ToT, TSMM, and Star Tours until lunch, then hoping to grab a 4th for Fantasmic around 1pm, then see all the shows in the afternoon. If we're getting there well before rope drop on a crowded day to sign up for Jedi Training and our first FP isn't until 10ish, what's our best use of that early morning hour? I'm thinking either meeting Chewie and Kylo or riding Rockin' Rollercoaster and then heading over to ToT for our first FP of the day. Suggestions? I don't want to wait an hour to see characters in the middle of the day if we could walk in in the morning. And I don't want to miss Rockin' Rollercoaster; I know it's probably a longer line than characters all day.

Generally, how much can you expect to get done in that first hour at all the parks and what's your best advice? Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Bishoparc]

Hi there, maybe I missed it but what time of the year are you going?

In general, the answer really varies from day to day. The place I usually see the longest FP lines is the Magic Kingdom. Thunder Mountain is one of the worst for long FP lines. At Hollywood studios, the FP lines "usually" move pretty quickly. They get worse as the day goes on so if you've scheduled your FP's earlier in the day, you should be fine.

We went on July 3 last year which is one of the worst times at the MK. I had all my FP's booked early and got through before the crowds got bad.

Also of note, I wouldn't count on getting a Fantasmic FP as a fourth. It is very unlikely that by the time you've used your first 3 that there will be any availability for that one (or likely anything at HS).

 

[mesaboy2]

Family of 4 (never been to WDW before) trying to plan our touring. Our main question is, how long can we reasonably expect to wait in FP lines? I'm sure it varies, but maybe a general idea of more popular FP waits (TSMM, 7DMT, Elsa/Anna) and older ones (The mountains, ToT, etc.) We're going on crowd level 9 and 10 days.


HS is posing the biggest problem. We have FPs for ToT, TSMM, and Star Tours until lunch, then hoping to grab a 4th for Fantasmic around 1pm, then see all the shows in the afternoon. If we're getting there well before rope drop on a crowded day to sign up for Jedi Training and our first FP isn't until 10ish, what's our best use of that early morning hour? I'm thinking either meeting Chewie and Kylo or riding Rockin' Rollercoaster and then heading over to ToT for our first FP of the day. Suggestions? I don't want to wait an hour to see characters in the middle of the day if we could walk in in the morning. And I don't want to miss Rockin' Rollercoaster; I know it's probably a longer line than characters all day.

Generally, how much can you expect to get done in that first hour at all the parks and what's your best advice? Thanks so much in advance.

You may find the links in my signature helpful. Generally speaking, FP waits do not normally exceed 15-20 minutes and are often less.

 

[rabidstoat]

I'm currently at WDW. Most of my FP lines have been 5-10 minutes. But on this past Sunday, when the Magic Kingdom was insanely crowded despite forecasts for 'moderate' crowds, we spent close to half an hour in the Space Mountain fast pass line. The standby line was 170 minutes.

 

[ArielSRL]

Also of note, I wouldn't count on getting a Fantasmic FP as a fourth. It is very unlikely that by the time you've used your first 3 that there will be any availability for that one (or likely anything at HS).

I've heard the exact opposite for Fantasmic. I've heard they are very easy to get as additional FP because there are so many of them.

 

[mesaboy2]

I've heard the exact opposite for Fantasmic. I've heard they are very easy to get as additional FP because there are so many of them.

Agreed. Fantasmic FP are usually available through late afternoon at least, even on busy days.

 

[Bishoparc]

I've heard the exact opposite for Fantasmic. I've heard they are very easy to get as additional FP because there are so many of them.

I must just be there at all the wrong times ;-)