Lines for TSM are no joke!

[kpipkin]

We just got back from WDW today and successfully rode Toy Story Mania twice during our visit. However, everything you've heard about lines at this popular ride are true. Plan accordingly! We arrived at DHS at 8:15am for a 9am opening. We were probably 3rd in line for the turnstile. We then made our way up close (maybe 5 people back) from the rope. After the little opening show, the CMs walked us to the entry to Pixar place. You can head immediately to your left to enter the FP line or continue past the attraction to enter the ride line. Within 10 minutes, the wait was 40 minutes for the ride. We got in the FP line (as dh and ds11 had gone straight to RnRC) and we were probably 3rd in line for our FP machine. We used this same strategy on two separate mornings and got 10:15am FP return time and 10:05am FP return time. It was so nice to have those tickets in our pocket and then be able to stroll around DHS without panic. lol The rest of the park is pretty empty at that time, because everyone else is in line for TSM or in the massively long line for FPs for it (at one point the line almost reached Little Mermaids theater.) We walked onto the Great Movie ride (and got the cowboy ... er actually cowgirl!) and Star Tours while we waited for our FP time. By the time we returned to ride TSM at 10:30am, people were getting FPs for after 4p.

It's a pretty fabulous ride! We all loved it! The technology is fantastic and makes Buzz Lightyear seem like an arcade game from the 80s. It was a family favorite from this trip. And good enough that we went back for rope drop a 2nd time!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Thanks for sharing your experience. We were just there and saw the same thing.

 

[magicaldisney]

Great tip, thanks for sharing. We still have not seen that attraction because lines are too long and FPs are all gone.

 

[natnelliesmom]

We found it was actually better to ride it first thing instead of getting the FP first. We could ride with a super short ride and then get a FP when we got off and have another ride later in the day.

-Sarah

 

[catherines_mama]

Same experience we had yesterday. Was 5th in line at FP machine and got 10:05 return. The ride is amazing,it was our first and I'd have loved to do it again.

 

[Goofy4]

We were farther back at rope-drop. When we saw the huge FP line, there was no question that we might as well get in the stand-by line.

A lady with a stroller jumped in line ahead of us before we made our way inside. She was a little panicky and when we asked "um, can we help?" all she said was "yes".

She later grabbed a CM and was led into the building. All we can figure is that she took the stroller inside with her and was told "sorry", then came back outside and saw the huge line that had already formed.

 

[Miss Monorail 1971]

Thanks for affirming to us that we absolutly need to be there at 8:15. I told my dear family and they are like we'll get there wen we get there and I'm like no we will get there at 8:15. I think they are finally believing me.

 

[pea&angel]

I was at DHS at rope drop, but by the time I made it back to TSM the fastpass line was very long. We decicded to skip the fastpass and ride standy. The wait time posted wad 40 mins. I couldn't believe my eyes, but it only took 16 mins.

 

[kpipkin]

Just saw an error in my post ... the Fast Pass line is to the RIGHT after you get into Pixar Place (not to the left.)

I agree if you're up near the front for the rope drop, you can easily just ride TSM first thing in the morning and then get an FP for later in the day too. We couldn't do that though because my husband and older son wanted to ride RnR Coaster before that ride got long lines. So getting an FP first thing in the morning for TSM worked for us. Two options for early-risers!

 

[kpipkin]

Thanks for affirming to us that we absolutly need to be there at 8:15. I told my dear family and they are like we'll get there wen we get there and I'm like no we will get there at 8:15. I think they are finally believing me.

I believe being at the parks at this time was the reason for much of our touring success. We were at the front for rope drop every morning. Also arriving that early will get you great parking spots. We were staying on property at Shades of Green, but we were just a short walk down the hall from our self-parked vehicle. So it was just too easy to drive ourselves every morning (except MK when we took the monorail.)

We'd be at the turnstiles by 8:15am and just got in the shortest line. The boys would sit and color in mini Disney color/activity books I brought them, snack on granola bars, or just study the park maps. They were very patient and after the first day they saw the benefit of arriving early. We wouldn't do it any other way.

Every morning we were able to hit all the headliners by at least 10:30am (using the Unofficial Guide touring plans) with no lines. Certainly nothing over a 10 min wait. Then we'd take our time hitting less popular attractions, enjoy lunch, stroll through the park enjoying all the Disney details, and hit the shows. We didn't fight crowds or long lines.

 

[Miss Monorail 1971]

We are going in October so the crowds will be even less. Most days it will be at level 5 or 6 some 4's. So with ariving early and following the plans we should have pleanty of relaxing time. This is DD first no stroller trip and DM will be 4 months out of a knee replacement. So I think this trip we need to be there early.

 

[eeyorepixie]

I think my strategy will be this:
Have my Grand Gathering go straight on the ride, I will go in the FP line, get us all FP's. Hopefully with an early return time.
Then I will wait in line again to go on TSM a second time with GG when they get out, because my kids love this ride! and we need to go on this at least 3 times!

then head for RnR and ToT??

You think this is a good plan? It will be Aug 28th- yes I am phsyco planner and proud of it!!!

 

[Goofy4]

Just saw an error in my post ... the Fast Pass line is to the RIGHT after you get into Pixar Place (not to the left.)

I was trying to figure out what direction you were coming from

 

[Goofy4]

I think my strategy will be this:
Have my Grand Gathering go straight on the ride, I will go in the FP line, get us all FP's. Hopefully with an early return time.
Then I will wait in line with GG when they get out, because my kids love this ride!!!

Not a bad idea. The return time may start out at 10 -- I think that is the first time I noticed. I suppose it gives the stand by line a chance to move for an hour.

 

[jhpatrick1]

We are going in October so the crowds will be even less. Most days it will be at level 5 or 6 some 4's. So with ariving early and following the plans we should have pleanty of relaxing time. This is DD first no stroller trip and DM will be 4 months out of a knee replacement. So I think this trip we need to be there early.

We were there in November last year. Our entire trip had crowds the lowest I have seen, and even lower than Oct of the previous year. With that said, we still got to DHS early before rope drop, high tailed it to TSM, got fastpasses, and then immediately rode the ride. I'm not sure what the time said for standby, but the wait inside was minimal. By the time we got out of the ride, the wait time for standby was up to 60 minutes. I couldn't believe it. Then at our fastpass return time (10:30ish), we got more fastpasses for even later in the day. It was awesome. We were able to ride the ride 3 times that day. Our kids loved TSM. Even with low crowds, the standby line was always 60+ minutes, and fastpasses were gone by 2 pm.

A good plan is best to maximize your time.