no FP+ for 7DMT - wwyd?

[gatorlisa]

So this is interesting - touringplans is telling me to go to Winnie the Pooh first at rope drop, and if I get to 7DMT at 8:19am I'll only have a 17 minute wait. ?? That can't be right, can it?

I'm with the others. Would definitely not follow that. On the same morning, we did mine train first (maybe a 5-7 minute wait), then I think we did Pooh with a 10-15 minute wait, then Peter Pan with a 15-20 minute wait. I might have the order mixed up on that, but I know we did all three of them standby that morning and got them all done within the first hour/hour 15 or so. If you want to make sure to ride the mine train with minimal wait, I would prioritize it above all else first thing at rope drop. I know others have said it gets short last thing at night, but if the weather is clear and it's running in the morning, I'd go for that. Then if it has a closure due to weather or technical difficulties late at night, you won't have missed out. If you are still there near closing and the wait is short, you can get a bonus night ride in if you want.

 

[NashvilleMama]

So for an 8am rope drop (no EMH that day obviously), would you arrive at 7:15am to beat the crowd? Or is 7:30 ok? My kids are going to be such pills as we're on central time!

 

[gatorlisa]

My opinion, 7:30 should be fine. We got there somewhere around 7:40 I think and had no trouble.

 

[bugarwitch]

v-firstQUOTE="gatorlisa, post: 56667868, member: 573598"]My opinion, 7:30 should be fine. We got there somewhere around 7:40 I think and had no trouble.[/QUOTE]
I have been wondering the very same thing! We are staying offsite Nov 28-Dec 11. Is it possible the lines will be short(er) on our party night- (Tuesday 11/29)? What is the strategy on party nights? We never got to ride it last time either, and I REALLY want to this time! Thank you friends!

 

[margareton27]

Keep looking for FP's as well. Just got one for 2 people on 11/27 at noon. People start cancelling as they get near 30 day payment date.

 

[bugarwitch]

Keep looking for FP's as well. Just got one for 2 people on 11/27 at noon. People start cancelling as they get near 30 day payment date.

Being offsite, can't begin making my FP's until starting this Friday. I will certainly try to get FP's for 7DMT- multiples hopefully! Fingers crossed!

 

[Babs1975]

So for an 8am rope drop (no EMH that day obviously), would you arrive at 7:15am to beat the crowd? Or is 7:30 ok? My kids are going to be such pills as we're on central time!

We've arrived at 7:40 too and no problem. Right to 7DMT and no wait. Depends on how busy your day is though. When are you going?

 

[Babs1975]

v-firstQUOTE="gatorlisa, post: 56667868, member: 573598"]My opinion, 7:30 should be fine. We got there somewhere around 7:40 I think and had no trouble.

I have been wondering the very same thing! We are staying offsite Nov 28-Dec 11. Is it possible the lines will be short(er) on our party night- (Tuesday 11/29)? What is the strategy on party nights? We never got to ride it last time either, and I REALLY want to this time! Thank you friends![/QUOTE]

 

[Babs1975]

On party night you will get a lot shorter waits. We rode it several times without a FP and the wait was under 30 minutes.

 

[Cinderella94]

So for an 8am rope drop (no EMH that day obviously), would you arrive at 7:15am to beat the crowd? Or is 7:30 ok? My kids are going to be such pills as we're on central time!

I would probably go for 7:20ish. I've heard that bag check is taking an extremely long time, and if they open the park any earlier than scheduled, you want to be ready. But I'm a person who generally likes to be early I know others have said it already, but definitely do NOT try to ride anything else first!

 

[xipotec]

Rope drop is your best hope. Otherwise be prepared for 1-2 hour wait later (hard to believe I am saying that about that time of year....)

 

[HeiDisney]

Just got back and I did standby line for SWMT. I went on an early entry day but I was late getting there. The line said 35 minutes. It was worth the wait. It really wasn't that bad. I know you won't have early entry but if you get there at opening and head straight back, I don't think it will be that bad. Plus you have all day for the other rides. Why not wait in line for a ride you are really interested in experiencing while you are fresh and not worn out from the day yet. I know as the day goes on everyone is less eager to wait in a line. First thing and its done. I actually had a FP for later in the day, so I rode it twice. Once standby and once FP. Keep looking for a FP and try entering specific times. For some reason a FP will show up if you pick a time rather than "morning" "afternoon" or "evening". You should check even when you get to the park.

I also waited in line for PP, just to see the interactive standby line. I honestly enjoyed the line as much as the ride. Hard to believe but I did. I have fond memories of riding this with my Dad (who has passed away). It's very dear to my heart and I wish my Dad could wait in that line with me. So, don't be afraid of standing in line. I wouldn't do really long hour long standby's but 30 minutes doesn't seem to keep me from enjoying all the park has to offer. That's just me. Not everyone feels the same.

 

[Vestmama4]

I agree to try to rope drop it, but maybe also consider breaking your party up to try to get Fastpasses (unless it is super important to you to ride all together.) My family of 6 is much harder to find fastpasses for than if I try say 2 and 4 or 3 and 3. If rope drop doesn't pan out for some reason than maybe try during a parade or fireworks (if you are willing to miss one of those.) Good luck!

 

[bugarwitch]

On party night you will get a lot shorter waits. We rode it several times without a FP and the wait was under 30 minutes.

Oh YAY! it is just my husband and I and we will do some of the party exclusive things, but not all. Any times that night better or worse to go for it?

 

[bugarwitch]

Just got back and I did standby line for SWMT. I went on an early entry day but I was late getting there. The line said 35 minutes. It was worth the wait. It really wasn't that bad. I know you won't have early entry but if you get there at opening and head straight back, I don't think it will be that bad. Plus you have all day for the other rides. Why not wait in line for a ride you are really interested in experiencing while you are fresh and not worn out from the day yet. I know as the day goes on everyone is less eager to wait in a line. First thing and its done. I actually had a FP for later in the day, so I rode it twice. Once standby and once FP. Keep looking for a FP and try entering specific times. For some reason a FP will show up if you pick a time rather than "morning" "afternoon" or "evening". You should check even when you get to the park.

I also waited in line for PP, just to see the interactive standby line. I honestly enjoyed the line as much as the ride. Hard to believe but I did. I have fond memories of riding this with my Dad (who has passed away). It's very dear to my heart and I wish my Dad could wait in that line with me. So, don't be afraid of standing in line. I wouldn't do really long hour long standby's but 30 minutes doesn't seem to keep me from enjoying all the park has to offer. That's just me. Not everyone feels the same.

Yup, your advice makes sense to go first thing at RD, and will also try for fastpasses. I completely understand about your feelings for PP and your father. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[SJSloan]

Just to give you some hope, my family of 5 stayed off-site last year (June 2015) and Mine Train was even more popular than it is now.

At my 30 days I found no FP's for Mine Train. I kept check, and checking. Nothing for a party of 5. Finally someone told me try splitting up the party and look for overlapping time. At first I got 5 individual FP's for overlapping times at night (10pm). Then I was able to slowly move them to a more reasonable time (3ish I think). So try looking for FP's for 1 person, until you whole party has one. Last year our party of 5 had 3 separate times. 3 people were overlapping and 2 had a FP 10 minutes after the first set's window. But we explained that to the CM and they let us all in together.

Don't give up!

 

[bugarwitch]

Just to give you some hope, my family of 5 stayed off-site last year (June 2015) and Mine Train was even more popular than it is now.

At my 30 days I found no FP's for Mine Train. I kept check, and checking. Nothing for a party of 5. Finally someone told me try splitting up the party and look for overlapping time. At first I got 5 individual FP's for overlapping times at night (10pm). Then I was able to slowly move them to a more reasonable time (3ish I think). So try looking for FP's for 1 person, until you whole party has one. Last year our party of 5 had 3 separate times. 3 people were overlapping and 2 had a FP 10 minutes after the first set's window. But we explained that to the CM and they let us all in together.

Don't give up!

Thank you for these tips! Friday is my first day I can begin scheduling fast passes, and I am getting so nervous! I subscribed to Touring Plans, and have been planning our days. But until I see the fast pass options, feel like I am wasting my time. Am I doing this wrong??? Have made my ADR's, and dinner packages, but so many other things I cannot plan around..... like... ROL- and- was hoping to see the Star Wars fireworks, since my husband would have really enjoyed it... I imagine everyone is feeling frustrated with these things right now! One of my biggest goals is to make this trip as enjoyable as I can for my husband, so he will be willing to go back again- someday!

 

[Babs1975]

Oh YAY! it is just my husband and I and we will do some of the party exclusive things, but not all. Any times that night better or worse to go for it?

I think it may just depend on your particular night. Later may be better or during a parade. The line was consistently low, under 30, though when we were there on party night. We didn't go back and check it really late though so it might have gone down even more.

 

[Accident]

pro tip: in the evening if it says 100 minutes and you can't see the people in queue, disney has froze the time and it's probably 5-10 minutes to get on. My daughter did a fastpass the other night and when she got to the front said not a single person was in the standby line that said 100 minutes. We saw the 100 minute thing happen again a couple nights later although we could see people in queue and we knew it was really about 20 minutes based on where the last person was standing.

 

[bugarwitch]

pro tip: in the evening if it says 100 minutes and you can't see the people in queue, disney has froze the time and it's probably 5-10 minutes to get on. My daughter did a fastpass the other night and when she got to the front said not a single person was in the standby line that said 100 minutes. We saw the 100 minute thing happen again a couple nights later although we could see people in queue and we knew it was really about 20 minutes based on where the last person was standing.

ah hah! I will definitely look for this! Thank you!