Less Need for Epcot Rope Drop?

[Forevryoung]

Do you think that with Test Track being refurbished, there is still a NEED to get to Epcot in time for rope drop at less crowded times of the year?

My thoughts:

Walking up to Soarin' at 10am will still get you a fastpass early enough to grab a second one for that evening.

Only other "headliner" is Mission Space which doesn't draw the same crowds

Personally, I never miss rope drop. But I'm wondering if it's as necessary with no Test Track.

Your thoughts?

 

[DISHoppy]

Do you think that with Test Track being refurbished, there is still a NEED to get to Epcot in time for rope drop at less crowded times of the year?

My thoughts:

Walking up to Soarin' at 10am will still get you a fastpass early enough to grab a second one for that evening.

Only other "headliner" is Mission Space which doesn't draw the same crowds

Personally, I never miss rope drop. But I'm wondering if it's as necessary with no Test Track.

Your thoughts?

There is no 'rope drop' @ Epcot or DHS these days. Everyone is now held @ the gates. As far as getting there @ park opening, Soarin' may become the new TSM. Someone posted a detailed analysis about TT's volume of guests/hour in another thread, and concluded it would only add a few minutes to the waits for other attractions. I'll believe it when I see it. Also, if the waits for Soarin' won't increase dramatically, why is it remaining open until 10pm while TT is being refurbed?

-Kevin

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Do you think that with Test Track being refurbished, there is still a NEED to get to Epcot in time for rope drop at less crowded times of the year?

My thoughts:

Walking up to Soarin' at 10am will still get you a fastpass early enough to grab a second one for that evening.

Only other "headliner" is Mission Space which doesn't draw the same crowds

Personally, I never miss rope drop. But I'm wondering if it's as necessary with no Test Track.

Your thoughts?

With no Test Track, I think it's only going to increase the need to be there at opening if you want to ride Soarin'. Fastpasses for Soarin' will run out quicker because anyone that might have grabbed a TT fastpass first will be getting a Soarin' fastpass instead.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Not sure if your intention was to use the second FP during the allotted window of time or not. Be aware that the fastpass rules have changed recently. You can no longer get a FP at 10am, that says to return at 1-2pm, and show up at 7pm and use it. Late arrivals are no longer accepted. This change in policy occurred in early March.

 

[Robo]

There is no 'rope drop' @ Epcot or DHS these days. Everyone is now held @ the gates. As far as getting there @ park opening, Soarin' may become the new TSM.

Agreed.

With TT closed, it will likely more important than ever to be early to the Epcot gates to get to ride Soarin'.

And, don't forget that Epcot opens to guests at least 15 minutes before the posted time.

 

[Belleandtinker]

If you are one of the first into the park, what is the wait time for Soarin?

Which line is longer - to get a fast pass or to ride it?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If you are one of the first into the park, what is the wait time for Soarin?

Which line is longer - to get a fast pass or to ride it?

I think you should always get a FP before riding, because if you wait, your return time is just going to get pushed back further.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

I think the ride first/get FP first decision should be based on when you want to ride the second time. We like to ride first when we get in the park, then get a FP so we can come back later in the day. Other than ToT (which I could ride non-stop for days), we'd rather ride, go do other things, and come back later to do it again.

With the new FP return time enforcement, if you want to ride twice earlier in the day, get your FP first, wait to ride (which I agree with others, will likely be a longer wait right away than it used to be), and return for your earlier FP time.

Totally personal preference IMO.

 

[DisneyNic]

I agree with PPs that if you want to ride Soarin', it is more important now to get to the park at opening. While usually the crowd splits between going to TT and Soarin', now the crowd will just go to Soarin'. We are not interested in riding Soarin' (I know, I know, we're weird) so we probably will not make it such a point to be there at opening. Of course, our trip isn't until the end of Sept so I'm hoping TT is open by then, but I am not holding my breath!