Is this reaslistic for Hollywood Studios

[Bektasmic]

We'll be at HS on a Friday, last week of Feb. (most recommended park; overall crowd level 3). We will get there half hour before rope drop.

I am finding having a 12 year old boy and 5 year old girl to be a multitasking, splitting nightmare with all the specific showtimes on top of fastpass times and big people rides versus more princess-y shows. So maybe I'm overthinking, but here goes:

Is it realistic that we could get through standby line of TSMM, all of us go to Rockin'Roller Coaster (since we'll want a rider switch pass and they'll need to see her), and still make it for the 9:40 Disney Jr. show for those of us not riding RRC the first time around?

When do they start letting standby ppl in for Disney Jr.?

 

[newdeal]

if the park opens at 8 that day than maybe. If it opens at 9 then no way

 

[EvilQueenLiz]

Just your travel time in between the gate and rides will take up 30 minutes.

 

[Bektasmic]

Thanks so much! It's been awhile since I've been, and I'm totally spatially challenged. Thanks for the reality check

 

[klinlin]

Just your travel time in between the gate and rides will take up 30 minutes.

I would budget at least 40 minutes just to run from rope drop to TSMania and make it through the line and ride. The standby line may be only 15 minutes or so, but you have to allow time to race there and ride the ride. Don't forget exiting through the gift shop. RnR is clear across the park.

 

[Bektasmic]

Ok, new question, on a "most recommended park" day in late Feb., assuming we are there before rope drop, do you think my husband and daughter could grab a rider switch pass with us at Rock'n'Roller Coaster and still make it on time for the 9:40 Disney Junior show? Since they aren't actually riding anything, I'm hoping 40 min would be enough time to make it to RnR and then back to Disney Jr. But we've never done rider switch, so don't know how long that process takes to issue the pass.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

It seems to me that Hollywood Studios often opens early, 8:40-8:50. If you can be the first family at a mickey reader (meaning you need to arrive at the park around 8:00am on a 9am open) you'll be one of the first to ride Toy Story Midway Mania. My wife and I did it last week on Superbowl Sunday with a 15 month old and 4 year old and two strollers. We were on the 4th or 5th car of the ride. The park opened at 8:45, we were off of TSMM by 9:05 (oh and when we exited the ride the line was already posted as 30 minutes and it appeared the whole cue was filled.

That being said you still probably can't make it to RNRC and then the 9:40 Disney Junior. Also, if you aren't first at a Mickey Reader or you walk too slowly you could be in that 30 minute line instead of off the ride.

Also - regarding your rider switch plan. You have to get in line and ride the ride to get a rider switch pass. They will give you a lanyard to hold and when you're about to go into the "recording studio" preshow the CM will give you the actual rider switch pass. You can't just ask for a rider switch and not ride. However, if you skip TSMM at open and go to RNRC instead you can probably ride that & get a rider switch and possibly even use the rider switch for the second ride and still make it to the Disney Junior show. It will again depend on how early the park opens, how quickly you can get to the ride, et.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

It seems to me that Hollywood Studios often opens early, 8:40-8:50. If you can be the first family at a mickey reader (meaning you need to arrive at the park around 8:00am on a 9am open) you'll be one of the first to ride Toy Story Midway Mania. My wife and I did it last week on Superbowl Sunday with a 15 month old and 4 year old and two strollers. We were on the 4th or 5th car of the ride. The park opened at 8:45, we were off of TSMM by 9:05 (oh and when we exited the ride the line was already posted as 30 minutes and it appeared the whole cue was filled.

That being said you still probably can't make it to RNRC and then the 9:40 Disney Junior. Also, if you aren't first at a Mickey Reader or you walk too slowly you could be in that 30 minute line instead of off the ride.

Also - regarding your rider switch plan. You have to get in line and ride the ride to get a rider switch pass. They will give you a lanyard to hold and when you're about to go into the "recording studio" preshow the CM will give you the actual rider switch pass. You can't just ask for a rider switch and not ride. However, if you skip TSMM at open and go to RNRC instead you can probably ride that & get a rider switch and possibly even use the rider switch for the second ride and still make it to the Disney Junior show. It will again depend on how early the park opens, how quickly you can get to the ride, et.

On a separate note...I personally would recommend you not go to the first Disney Junior show. All of the lines will be short at that time of morning. I would ride TSMM, go to RNRC and ride it (get the rider swap but don't use the rider swap until later). Maybe ride Tower of Terror, Star Tours, Great Movie Ride (maybe you want rider swaps at ToT or Star Tours?). Most of these rides will remain short lines or even walk ons until 10:30 or later. On a most recommended day (I'm assuming you're using EasyWDW which I swear by, he's awesome!) you should be able to get into any Disney Junior show without too much trouble.

 

[Starhart81]

Ok, new question, on a "most recommended park" day in late Feb., assuming we are there before rope drop, do you think my husband and daughter could grab a rider switch pass with us at Rock'n'Roller Coaster and still make it on time for the 9:40 Disney Junior show? Since they aren't actually riding anything, I'm hoping 40 min would be enough time to make it to RnR and then back to Disney Jr. But we've never done rider switch, so don't know how long that process takes to issue the pass.

For extra frame of reference, we got to HS at 8:20, and were let in at 8:45. Half our family went to TSM, half went to RnRC. At RnRC no one was let in till 9:00 (not sure if that is normal or not). We were on the 2nd "limo" and off the ride at 9:17. The other half were let in immediately at TSM and off the ride at 9:15. We all met for the 9:30 Little Mermaid show at 9:22.

You might not make the 9:40 Disney Jr, but our backup plan was 10:00 Little Mermaid show and then 10:30 Disney Jr. show.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if I remember Disney Jr show you do not want right in front as the stage is high and the short puppets are hard to see from front rows.

 

[Cedarmom]

Are you fast? I think you can do it. We were there last Sunday. Level 3 day. We were at the gate at 8:25, probably 50 people back from the readers. They started letting people in about 8:40. My 5 year old and I booked it to tsmm (I picked her up and speed walked!) and were off the ride at 9:07. We walked slowly over to frozen sing along (took pic with army man, stopped for directions) and still waited about 5 minutes for the 9:25 show to start. If you are fast, speed walk to RnR, show the child for the rider swap (the first group will have to go thru with a white hang tag in order to get the rider swap ticket) and then group two can speed walk back to Dis Jr.

Not that it matters much for your sitch, but part of our crew started at RnR. It didn't start running until exactly 9 am.

 

[Bektasmic]

This is all so helpful! Thank you! I think I wasn't super clear in describing that Disney Junior is more of a time filler for the 5 year old so that DS and I can ride a couple headliners. I was just hoping to be able to get the rider switch so my husband could ride it later. So in my mind, we would all go to RnR and show the CM we have a too-short child. My son and I would ride RnR (and ToT with 9:40 FP), and DH would kill time with DD at Disney Junior.

So can anyone else describe rider switch to me at RnR? Sorry, I'm just confused on how it works. I thought the non rider never waited in the line. My plan probably doesn't work if she has to wait in the line and still truck back to Disney Junior.

 

[Starhart81]

This is all so helpful! Thank you! I think I wasn't super clear in describing that Disney Junior is more of a time filler for the 5 year old so that DS and I can ride a couple headliners. I was just hoping to be able to get the rider switch so my husband could ride it later. So in my mind, we would all go to RnR and show the CM we have a too-short child. My son and I would ride RnR (and ToT with 9:40 FP), and DH would kill time with DD at Disney Junior.

So can anyone else describe rider switch to me at RnR? Sorry, I'm just confused on how it works. I thought the non rider never waited in the line. My plan probably doesn't work if she has to wait in the line and still truck back to Disney Junior.

I think I get it now, that takes 10 seconds, and no they don't go through the line with you. They will likely be at Disney Jr. before 9:00 if you are there at RD. They will probably need something to fill the time until the 9:40 Disney Jr. show. They could possibly meet Buzz and Woody, or any other characters that are out near where the hat is/was.

In this scenario, if you get to the gates early enough, you can do TSM at RD. You would then all get to RnRC around 9:15 or 9:20, get the rider switch, ride RnRC with DS while DH and DD make it to Disney Jr. around 9:25 for the 9:40 show.

 

[Bektasmic]

Well THAT would be awesome! We have FP for later Toy Story, but we were hoping to ride it twice. I guess we will see what happens, and I will build a few backup plans into the itinerary. Thanks!

(And yes, I was using Josh's predictions)

 

[Cedarmom]

Rider switch at RnR: the whole group approaches the entrance to the ride and shows too small child. The part of the group that is riding will be given a white tag on a lanyard. The group splits at this point and dh and daughter are free to go. Those of you riding will take that white tag thru the line with you. When you get to the point in line when fast pass and standby converge, they will exchange the white tag for a rider switch pass.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

In this scenario, if you get to the gates early enough, you can do TSM at RD. You would then all get to RnRC around 9:15 or 9:20, get the rider switch, ride RnRC with DS while DH and DD make it to Disney Jr. around 9:25 for the 9:40 show.

I would second this plan. I think you can make this happen if you move fast enough!

 

[Metz172]

I am confused as to why you need the rider switch pass if DD and DH are going to the show?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I am confused as to why you need the rider switch pass if DD and DH are going to the show?

So her DH can ride RRC later that day

 

[Metz172]

So her DH can ride RRC later that day

I had no idea that you could do that. I thought rider switch had to be done immediately.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I had no idea that you could do that. I thought rider switch had to be done immediately.

Believe it or not, you don't even have to use it the same day. Rider Swap passes typically are good until the end of the month.