Navi river Journey at rope drop?

[eeyoresmom]

We usually get to a park 15 minutes before opening. Our first AK day will be Tuesday, January 16th. If we head straight to Navi what should we expect for wait times? We have a late morning FP for FOP so we are all set there. Once we get into Pandora, do we walk to the right? I actually rode it in September but can't remember!

 

[BrianL]

Na'vi River Journey will definitely not be as crowded as Flight of Passage. They will be holding the mass of people on the bridge before open and you may get caught in that. The vast majority of people will be led to the FoP queue and path to the right, so you will head to the more open area to the left. I don't know how fast that line builds, but it does. When we did FoP Rope Drop and were in the front of the pack (probably third or fourth cycle) the line for NRJ was already an hour when we got out.

 

[sharonabe]

15 min before opening won't cut it even for Na'vi. They'll be letting people into Pandora 30-45 min before opening, so I would be there at least 30-45 min before opening if you don't want to wait an hour for it.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Ok thanks. When were there the first week of December at rope drop I don't remember them letting people in early, and we were there over a weekend. Regardless, I wouldn't wait an hour for it so may just see how we feel that morning.

 

[g-dad66]

On November 14, we entered Animal Kingdom at 8:55 am. Took some photos of DiVine, and then went to Navi.

Our wait time at Navi was 20 minutes.

 

[wisblue]

On a day in August we were at DAK about 50 minutes before opening and joined the crowd heading to FOP when they opened the gates at about 8:15. We were held by a rope until about 8:40, were in and out of FOP at about 9, and walked over to Navi and waited about 15 minutes for that. So, if you arrive at about 8:30 your wait for Navi shouldn’t be too bad because the vast majority of the people in the crush toward Pandora are going to FOP.

 

[jeanico2000]

If you can, I would recommend riding at the end of the day, before park closing. With AK closing at 8PM, we got in line at 7:40PM with a posted wait time of 40 minutes, and we practically walked on. When we got off, the posted wait time was 5 minutes. FoP, on the other hand, still had a really long wait time.

 

[Kykyhouse]

We arrived at AK today an hour before park opening. They let us into Pandora about a half hour before park opening. I was done with NRJ before the park even opened. I’d recommend getting there an hour or so early, and stand on the left side of the bridge so you don’t get stuck in the giant FOP standby line.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thank you. A half hour early is about the limit for DH's patience.

 

[Aela]

Thank you. A half hour early is about the limit for DH's patience.

I’m pretty much in the same boat. We have a 8:35 TH when the park opens at 8. I’m hoping if we show up at 7:30 we can get on and off Na’vi before Tusker House.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

If you're interested in an alternate strategy, there have been several reports of less than 10 minute waits close to closing time.

This may be a more efficient use of time and less stressful than fighting through the FOP crowd in the morning.

 

[eeyoresmom]

If you're interested in an alternate strategy, there have been several reports of less than 10 minute waits close to closing time.

This may be a more efficient use of time and less stressful than fighting through the FOP crowd in the morning.

The more I think about this the better it sounds. We usually do rope drop and hit all the major attractions early in the day. Evenings are for dinner, shows, shopping,people watching, etc. I can't remember the last time I rode something at closing. We are either watching the night time shows or beating the crowds to the exits. I think this will be our strategy. Thanks for getting me to think differently

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

The more I think about this the better it sounds. We usually do rope drop and hit all the major attractions early in the day. Evenings are for dinner, shows, shopping,people watching, etc. I can't remember the last time I rode something at closing. We are either watching the night time shows or beating the crowds to the exits. I think this will be our strategy. Thanks for getting me to think differently

Just keep in mind that the wait times are intentionally exaggerated at night to discourage late riders. What is posted as a 60-70 minute wait is probably only 10-15.

 

[Aela]

Just keep in mind that the wait times are intentionally exaggerated at night to discourage late riders. What is posted as a 60-70 minute wait is probably only 10-15.

Our issue is that we have closing reservations at Tiffin’s.

 

[2010_Bride]

DH and I arrived at AK last week at 8:40am. Got into the park just before 9am and walked straight to NRJ and it was posted at 20 minutes. We got in line and it was only a 14 minute wait. This was on a busy AK day. You’ll be fine arriving just before park opening.

 

[LSUfan4444]

If you can, I would recommend riding at the end of the day, before park closing. With AK closing at 8PM, we got in line at 7:40PM with a posted wait time of 40 minutes, and we practically walked on. When we got off, the posted wait time was 5 minutes. FoP, on the other hand, still had a really long wait time.

With an early morning FP for FOP that would make for a LONG day. Open to close at any park is a long day without a break and since you're already going to AK early that morning anyway I'd arrive to the park 45 minutes prior to advertised opening, follow the crowd and kinda stay to the right as you approach the walkway to windtraders and you'll be off and done fairly quickly.

 

[peg2001]

We did Na'vi River Journey during EMH on December 18. We were well back in the throng when they opened the park (well before 8:00 but I didn't note the exact time) and didn't rush our walking. On this particular morning, they didn't hold us at the bridge once we got through the entry touchpoints. We walked right on the ride, exited, and walked right on a second time. By the time we exited the second time, the line was starting to build and we moved on the the Safari ride (walked right on there too!). We finished the Safari just before 9 am to give you an idea of how long it took.

 

[samantha3590]

We got to AK at about 8:50 for a 9:00 opening and walked straight to Navi. Waited 20 minutes. This was Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend too so decently crowded day.

 

[SeanH]

Yep....Rope Drop of Navi is a solid time to ride it.....we walked right on as well, and were about halfway back in the huge crowd
held up at the bridge.....we got there about 8:40 for a 9am opening.....

 

[rstamm]

This morning at 7:03am
FOP 90 minutes
Boat ride 7:04am walk on, went back on 5 minute wait then it went to 20 minutes.