My AK rope drop experience on July 2

[funcinderella]

I just figured I would my post my recent experience with wait and arrival times. Ww drove, parking lot was open when we arrived. We arrived at the front gate at 7 am. There was no line for bag check ; we proceeded to get in one of the turnstile lines. It seemed only about 5 turnstiles plus the AP line were open. Each turnstile had about 10-12 people on line. By 707 they opened all of the turnstiles and we were able to get in the front of the line for one of them . They opened the turnstiles at 715 and we all rushed up to avatar land, where we were stopped at the entrance to the bridge .We stayed over to the right. There was one family in front of us. We had to wait there about a half hour. (During this time the crowd behind us built until it was quite large!) They finally let us into Pandora at 747. They did this by walking us in slowly so it was very orderly. They told you who to follow depending on the ride you wanted . We were On the first ride of the day for FOP and off by 813. Once we got off the wait was 150 minutes. After that we went and rode river journey with a posted wait of 20 minutes. (Actual wait was about 13 minutes.)

 

[stace1214]

Thanks for posting! That's going to be our plan when we go in August. I'm relieved to know that we won't need to arrive at 6 to get in line!

 

[Elitravelor]

Thanks for your post! We start our trip one week from tomorrow and I have been thinking and thinking about how to manage Pandora. We have a fastpass for River Journey at 9:25 and our plan was to book it to FOP. Of course, I wish we did the fastpass for FOP---but those plans were made long before we really knew about the Pandora rides. I was worried that I messed up---but I'm glad to know we can get on FOP if we arrive early. We are rope drop people!

Now to figure out the best way to get to AK from the Boardwalk to arrive at 7am .....thinking Uber?

 

[Amanda999]

Now to figure out the best way to get to AK from the Boardwalk to arrive at 7am .....thinking Uber?

I'd definitely Uber it. For $10 (approx.), so worth not wondering if/when the bus will arrive (to pick you up).

 

[jsmla]

Thanks so much for the report! I'll be solo in September (no DH wanting to sleep in on his vacation!) and want to try for an early arrival at AK.

 

[Elitravelor]

Yes we will Uber...but right now it is still showing AK morning hours as starting at 9 am for July 14th not 8 am. Wondering if those start hours will change? We do see late extra hours at night.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I just figured I would my post my recent experience with wait and arrival times. Ww drove, parking lot was open when we arrived. We arrived at the front gate at 7 am. There was no line for bag check ; we proceeded to get in one of the turnstile lines. It seemed only about 5 turnstiles plus the AP line were open. Each turnstile had about 10-12 people on line. By 707 they opened all of the turnstiles and we were able to get in the front of the line for one of them . They opened the turnstiles at 715 and we all rushed up to avatar land, where we were stopped at the entrance to the bridge .We stayed over to the right. There was one family in front of us. We had to wait there about a half hour. (During this time the crowd behind us built until it was quite large!) They finally let us into Pandora at 747. They did this by walking us in slowly so it was very orderly. They told you who to follow depending on the ride you wanted . We were On the first ride of the day for FOP and off by 813. Once we got off the wait was 150 minutes. After that we went and rode river journey with a posted wait of 20 minutes. (Actual wait was about 13 minutes.)

Were you able to enjoy the standby queue or did you feel rushed?

 

[uchi]

I'd definitely Uber it. For $10 (approx.), so worth not wondering if/when the bus will arrive (to pick you up).

How does uber work with a 2 year old? Would we need a car seat?

 

[AngiTN]

How does uber work with a 2 year old? Would we need a car seat?

Yes you will. You request it as an option when you request the car. There is an extra fee and usually a longer wait

 

[AngiTN]

Were you able to enjoy the standby queue or did you feel rushed?

You should be able to let folks go past if you so wanted

 

[sbrost13]

This is good to hear! We're planning on doing rope drop for FOP on July 17 when AK has 8:00am EMH. Thinking uber will be better than taking the bus from CSR. Wasn't looking forward to telling my family we needed to leave the resort before 6:00am!

 

[back2disney]

You should be able to let folks go past if you so wanted

How long does it take to enjoy or walk the standby queue if walking leisurely?
and how long does it take to go thru the standby queue once you arrive if you arrive once the lines are extended past its entrance?

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

Has anyone experienced AK with a 9:00am open recently? We are going in August with a 9:00am opening (the day before and the day after are both 8:00am openings, so thinking it might stay at 9:00am for our day). How early should we arrive to get in at rope drop? We have 9:10am FP+ for FoP, but would still like to walk in at rope drop (but don't need to be at the front of the line because we are hoping to have a short wait at Navi boat ride since most will be heading to FoP). Would 8:30am be too late do you think? TIA for your experience / advice.

 

[funcinderella]

Were you able to enjoy the standby queue or did you feel rushed?

You couldn't really stop or everyone would go past you but we were still. Able to see everything!

 

[haynay]

We are also a 9am RD on Aug 4. I elected no FOP FP b/c dh size, but feeling more confident he'll be fine (6'1" 290) now that I've read more reports. So wondering if 7:45 or 8 arrival will be okay? not worried about family being mad at early hours b/c they don't know you can go to a park later!

 

[Elitravelor]

We will be there on July 14th and it is a 9am rope drop. We have FP for Navi River starting at 9:25. Our plan is to walk briskly to FOP after an earliest possible entrance. Our family has no problem with getting to the parks early--even with DD who is notorious about "not being a morning person"! The magic of Disney kicks in and she can be ready!

We will let you know how the 9am rope drop goes...I just keep thinking they might go back to 8?? We are going to keep a close eye on the park hours.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I just figured I would my post my recent experience with wait and arrival times. Ww drove, parking lot was open when we arrived. We arrived at the front gate at 7 am. There was no line for bag check ; we proceeded to get in one of the turnstile lines. It seemed only about 5 turnstiles plus the AP line were open. Each turnstile had about 10-12 people on line. By 707 they opened all of the turnstiles and we were able to get in the front of the line for one of them . They opened the turnstiles at 715 and we all rushed up to avatar land, where we were stopped at the entrance to the bridge .We stayed over to the right. There was one family in front of us. We had to wait there about a half hour. (During this time the crowd behind us built until it was quite large!) They finally let us into Pandora at 747. They did this by walking us in slowly so it was very orderly. They told you who to follow depending on the ride you wanted . We were On the first ride of the day for FOP and off by 813. Once we got off the wait was 150 minutes. After that we went and rode river journey with a posted wait of 20 minutes. (Actual wait was about 13 minutes.)

So this was a morning EMH day? Wife and DD will be there in two weeks and I think Im going to advise them to make sure they are at security by 7 am for the EMH that day