Pandora - rope drop or wait?

[DisneyJade]

I am planning our AK day and debating whether to start with Pandora. FOP is my #1 deal breaker must-ride this trip (more so than even Rise), so I am afraid to do it anytime other than rope drop, but I've also seen reports that waits are actually better AFTER the morning rush.

Since my littles can't ride, I'd prefer the shortest wait possible, so we can child swap quickly. One option to keep them occupied is to have Parent 1 ride Navi with them while Parent 2 rides FOP, then Parent 1 rides FOP while parent 2 lets kids explore Pandora. If we go this route, it seems we SHOULD do rope drop, because Navi waits only seem to build throughout the day.

Our alternative plan would be to start with the Safari and then do Pandora after.

Opinions welcome!

 

[NJ Goofy]

I've tracked the wait times a few days since the beginning of the year, and the times for FOP have been pretty consistent throughout the day. SOME days (not all) have had a dip in the times around 3:30 to 4:00 PM. Most days the wait time was in the 35 -45 minute range which is reality is probably a 30 minute wait. I think if you don't want to have to be at the park at 7:30 AM, then look to ride around 3:30. If you're going to go to the park at 7:30 anyway then ride FOP 1st.

 

[RanDIZ]

I’d definitely rope drop FOP and hit Navi right after.

 

[emsstacey]

Rope drop but actually make sure you are super early. It’s worth it!

 

[fgaini]

Rope drop. And if wait time goes lower thank 45 minutes do it again... the line is not bad, with lot of things to see also for your child

 

[SeanWM48]

i found the Flights wait times last week reasonable and we were there mid-day. ~35 minutes at most. And at least half of that time is spent just walking through the que, which is real cool and full of details.

i'm sure if you go early or later it'll be shorter but even at its worst you're looking at a 30 minute wait which is easy. awesome ride btw.

 

[NJ Goofy]

Today at 9:40 AM, the wait was only 35 minutes, as PP said 1/2 that time is walking thru the que.

 

[AngieInOH]

When are you going? We were there Mon, Jan 18 and there was no wait all day long. Posted wait was typically 25 min. I wouldn't worry too much about rope drop unless you want to get there really early. On the other hand Nav'i River was pretty much 45 min all day long.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I always go rope drop if it's a MUST ride, which FoP is always. Recently, the walk through the queue has been pretty much been the "wait time" on most days. If it stays low throughout the day go on a second time...Ride is amazing!!!!!!

 

[Toad_Passenger]

We were there last Friday (2/5) and were able to walk right on to FOP prior to the park's official rope drop. We could easily have looped back around and did it a 2nd time if we chose, as people were still walking right on. I would say rope drop (and these days they seem to be loading 15-30 minutes prior to that) is the way to go.

 

[pascalspal]

Was there sunday 2/7 - by the time we got to the park the gates were already open (our bus arrived at the hotel later, i think around 7:30 as opposed to 7:15). We walked straight to FoP and it was still a walk on after getting to the park around 7:45 and stopping to pick up donuts which we ate after we got off the ride. Navi river was a short 20 minute wait after that. We finished every ride/show/trail in the park and had lunch by 12:00. We actually went back to the hotel for two hours until our next park. I say rope drop it. It will free up the rest of your afternoon to rest a little or even wait in line to ride it again!