Pixar Short Film Festival at Epcot; timing/what to expect?

[VAfamily1998]

This will be on Saturday December 1, which is predicted to be a very high crowd day (at least from the crowd predictors I've seen.
We are a party of 5 that are all teens or adults with no mobility issues.

I have a 9:50-10:50 Mission Space Fast Pass
10:50-11:50 Pixar Short Film Festival Fast Pass
and a 12:05 Biergarten ADR (part of a Candlelight Processional package.

We also have a FEA fast pass later in the afternoon as our "tier 1."

About how long does the Pixar Short Film Festival take?

My plan is to rope drop (we are staying at BWI so will enter through the IG) and immediately go on Soarin', and if time do Test Track. I wanted to hit Mission Space towards the end of the fast pass window and then go straight to Pixar. After Pixar start walking towards Biergarten. Is this a good plan, or should I move the 2 fast passes for earlier in the morning to allow extra time?

Thanks!

 

[BrianL]

The film shorts last about 18 minutes total. If you enter just as the previous show is starting you will wait about 18 minutes, but if you enter closer to the next show, well, you will wait however long is left. It's impossible to know because the shows just run constantly. You really do not need a FastPass for this as you are pretty much guaranteed to be seated in the next show no matter what. It's just not usually that crowded.

 

[VAfamily1998]

The film shorts last about 18 minutes total. If you enter just as the previous show is starting you will wait about 18 minutes, but if you enter closer to the next show, well, you will wait however long is left. It's impossible to know because the shows just run constantly. You really do not need a FastPass for this as you are pretty much guaranteed to be seated in the next show no matter what. It's just not usually that crowded.

Thanks!

Yeah, it seems like most of the tier 2 attractions, you really don't need a fast pass for...but it's my understanding that in order to book a 4th fast pass (to include a 2nd tier 1 attraction) you need to book two "tier 2s" in your initial 3?
I'm not sure there will be any TT or Soarin or Illuminations FPs left by the time we're eligible to book the 4th FP, but I'd like to at least create room for the possibility!

 

[BrianL]

Your understanding is correct. Many people use Pixar Short Films as a way to burn an FP. It's definitely not one of the most necessary ones though. I think Spaceship Earth or The Seas with Nemo can be slightly more necessary, but not that often, at least not in the morning (SSE can get longer lines in the afternoon).

 

[gharter]

We really enjoy the Pixar Shorts, ut have never needed a FP for them. I don't think I've seen the theater more than half full. If you have a FP to burn so you can get another Tier 1, its a good option.
They have shown several of our favorites and with the special effects, they are even better.

 

[Klayfish]

Thanks!

Yeah, it seems like most of the tier 2 attractions, you really don't need a fast pass for...but it's my understanding that in order to book a 4th fast pass (to include a 2nd tier 1 attraction) you need to book two "tier 2s" in your initial 3?
I'm not sure there will be any TT or Soarin or Illuminations FPs left by the time we're eligible to book the 4th FP, but I'd like to at least create room for the possibility!

First, I wouldn't put stock into any crowd calendar. Generally speaking, the holiday season is busy, but it may not be as bad as you think as you'll be right after Thanksgiving but well before Xmas.

Yes, you need to "burn" a couple of tier 2 FP+ to get another Tier 1. As BrianL noted, you can use Nemo or SE or even Land as a second. Pixar films is cute, I like them. I'd budget at least 30 minutes. If you get lucky, it may only be 20, but if you're unlucky it'll be 35+ (need to allow time to enter and exit theater).

Personally, I'd rope drop TT if I had your schedule. It's right near MS. Then get a FP+ for Soarin' later, they're not that hard to get same day.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Your understanding is correct. Many people use Pixar Short Films as a way to burn an FP. It's definitely not one of the most necessary ones though. I think Spaceship Earth or The Seas with Nemo can be slightly more necessary, but not that often, at least not in the morning (SSE can get longer lines in the afternoon).

Thanks! Maybe I will switch it to Nemo then--I think that is a cute ride, and is less time consuming. We can then be more flexible and do the Pixar shorts when we know we have more flexible time.
I feel like I've done SSE so many times, I think everyone in my party would be ok with us not doing it this trip. But we've never done the Pixar shorts so I'd like to check that out!

 

[VAfamily1998]

We really enjoy the Pixar Shorts, ut have never needed a FP for them. I don't think I've seen the theater more than half full. If you have a FP to burn so you can get another Tier 1, its a good option.
They have shown several of our favorites and with the special effects, they are even better.

Thanks! My kids are older but they really like the Pixar films so I think they will enjoy this!

 

[VAfamily1998]

First, I wouldn't put stock into any crowd calendar. Generally speaking, the holiday season is busy, but it may not be as bad as you think as you'll be right after Thanksgiving but well before Xmas.

Yes, you need to "burn" a couple of tier 2 FP+ to get another Tier 1. As BrianL noted, you can use Nemo or SE or even Land as a second. Pixar films is cute, I like them. I'd budget at least 30 minutes. If you get lucky, it may only be 20, but if you're unlucky it'll be 35+ (need to allow time to enter and exit theater).

Personally, I'd rope drop TT if I had your schedule. It's right near MS. Then get a FP+ for Soarin' later, they're not that hard to get same day.

Thank you! It's good to know that a Soarin FP later in the day might be possible! I went ahead and re did my fast passes so Mission Space is at 9:35 and the Pixar Film is at 10:35. But I might go back and trade Pixar for Nemo, just for the more consistent timing, and then do the Pixar film when we have more flexible timing.