Pandora now or wait?

[kimba]

Wondering in mid-August if my family should even attempt to hit AK and Pandora. We have been to the parks for vacations many times but only have 1 day this time to enjoy. We are worried that AK/Pandora is just too new and the crowds will be crazy. It is a lot of money for our family of 5 to spend for one day and want to make sure we aren't disappointed. Should we consider waiting until next year when it dies down a bit?

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

If I only had one day, I'd avoid the craziness that is Pandora. I'd wait for the crowds to die down a bit. With how nuts things are now, you'd spend so much time just waiting in line and not as much time enjoying rides and shows.

 

[BrianL]

If you only have one day, I would hit the things you like most. If that is AK, then, sure do Pandora. If you'd rather spend a full day at MK, then do that and don't worry about it. MK definitely has the most of any of the parks, and there is new stuff there too, like Happily Ever After. If you have hoppers, you might consider doing an AK morning then hopping elsewhere. Just hit Pandora at Rope Drop (be early!) and leave as the crowds build up.

 

[ucfknight]

Should we consider waiting until next year when it dies down a bit?

I personally don't think it will die down that much in a year's time.

7DMT is over 3 years old now and it is still usually the longest or 2nd longest line at MK, and there's still a herd of people heading straight there at rope drop. Only recently has getting a FP for it not taken booking at 60+ days out.

Flight of Passage is going to be the top "must do" ride in all of WDW for quite a while. I don't see anything changing that until Star Wars Land opens.

 

[Micca]

If I had one day for all of WDW AK would be waaaayyy down the list of things I'd spend that day doing.

 

[kniquy]

I find planning tough with 7 days. With only one day it makes it almost impossible to make sure everyone leaves happy. If you have been to the parks many times before then consider taking a vote from the family. Are you big Pandora fans? If so, then it might be worth dealing with a little crowds, do you enjoy other parts of AK.

I hate to say this on a dis forum, but if you have done the parks and do plan on returning in the future for a longer trip then maybe consider universal or something else in Orlando for this trip - if you only have one day- with one day and 4 parks i would find it tough to decide and the cost for a one day ticket is absurd.

As for crowds -- probably going to be a few years (if ever) before there is any noticeable decline. I think the rides are too unique and from what i have hear FoP is amazing, so probably a ride people want to go on multiple times.

 

[CAS239]

Go now, it'll be the same next year.

Nowadays it'll take 3+ years for new rides to somewhat die down

 

[chi_disfan]

If you don't intend to ride the rides, the crowds are manageable if you want to just walk around and take a look. Things get a little more chaotic at night not because it's crowded, but because it's dark and people are hard to see/looking up and around at things. If you do want to ride the rides but don't have fast passes, I would find it difficult to recommend waiting 120+ minutes.