Pirates wait time?

[jimd]

We're headed down to the Gator Bowl and decided to tack on 2 nights and head to Disney before the game. We're DVC members and very familiar with the parks, and are trying to figure out how to best manage our time there.

We'll be getting there around lunch time on Thursday the 28th.

Specifically...
We want to see the revamped Pirates of the Caribbean. Magic Kingdom is open until 12:00 both nights, and also has Extra Magic Hours in the morning. But, we don't want to "waste" the perk of getting to a park at opening for something we could do in the evening.

So, how bad is the line/fast pass situation for Pirates? If you
think we could get in sometime Thursday night (we arrive that day), we
could then take advantage of Expedition Everest or something similar
via an early morning entry on Friday.

Thanks in advance.

Jim

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

The wait will probably be long, because the park will be extrememly busy. If you go at night during the Spectromagic parade, the wait is MUCH less. We usually skip the first showing of that parade and hit up Pirates.

It's not a whole lot different... but worth seeing. Have a good trip!

 

[dreamalittledream]

correct me if I'm wrong but Pirates doesn't have fastpass.
this was the only ride we waited for when we were there. We waited about 30 min after the 1st Spectro Parade on Sat night and 20 min on Sunday about 11:00. We just hit it at the wrong times I guess.
The que was to much fun for my 2 yr old DD, let's just say EVERYONE in line knew her name by the time we were in the building and away from the swinging chains outside.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

We never waited more then 5 minutes for the ride during our trip....during the 6 or 7 times we seen it.

We waited longer for Living With The Land.

 

[Metro West]

We'll be getting there around lunch time on Thursday the 28th.
So, how bad is the line/fast pass situation for Pirates? If you
think we could get in sometime Thursday night (we arrive that day), we
could then take advantage of Expedition Everest or something similar
via an early morning entry on Friday.

The week between Christmas and New Years is brutual for crowds. Be prepared for VERY long waits for all attractions at all parks.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Ever since they redid it, people actually go there. Used to never be a line. Now you actually have to plan that into your day. At one point during the day, mid afternoon, a couple weeks ago the line said 20, but both sides were backed up all the way to the turnstyles! Scary!

 

[dlaushey]

Although it will be very crowded that week your wait on POTC can be minimized by going later in the day/evening. Like the others said, during the first night parade or even later would be your best bet. I would guess if you wait until after 9:00p that night your wait would be less than 10 minutes.

We used that strategy during Thanksgiving week and we waited about 5 minutes. Not quite walk on but we could see the loading area when we finally got to the queue.