Quick report & 2nd Rope Drop at Epcot?

[savvy?71]

Just back from a pretty fantastic week. 1st time w/bands, which didn't bother me like I thought they would (even running); in fact, I forgot I had them on most of the time. The kids loved them ('oooh my name is on it!'). And the FP+ system worked perfectly. My husband loved being able to change selections on a dime. The crowds were low except for an unpredicted crazy MK afternoon (rain day before must have turned plans around). And only on one morning did I see one of those insane waits (Soarin') 50 min by 9:15 (non EMH), with FP- returns @ 5P and later. And yes, we were able to pull regular FP without issue. In fact, we rode all our favs multiple times, moreso than other trips. So there's that bit of business.

Our 2nd Epcot day of the trip (a non-emh morning), we arrived by 8 at turnstiles. They let the crowds in a little before 9am. We were first in our section heading over to Test Track. There was a 2nd rope at the arch by Mouse Gear. No CM present. Looked across way at Soarin arch -- no rope--crowds running right through. After @ 5 minutes, a CM walked over & said we were to walk behind him as he escorted us to TT. He was extremely particular and if anyone stepped quickly he told them to back down.

I see this at MK, heading 1st thing to Space Mountain, and in the past at DHS for Toy Story Mania. I hadn't seen it at Epcot and we go every year.

Is this new since TT re-opened or random? A family waiting with us said they were there another morning and there was no 2nd rope. It wasn't a big deal (though some were definitely ). Had I known I could have snagged a Soarin' FB though while my family waited & then got on TT with them (either meeting back at 2nd rope or just riding w/them on 2nd ride).

 

[savvy?71]

-- wanted to add that we did notice the FP+ Tier system kick in on our last 2 days as we tried to make a change. It ended up not mattering as we changed our plans anyway but we were at least relieved we made all our plans prior to the Tier system.

 

[matthewhavens]

-- wanted to add that we did notice the FP+ Tier system kick in on our last 2 days as we tried to make a change. It ended up not mattering as we changed our plans anyway but we were at least relieved we made all our plans prior to the Tier system.

Thanks for the post-trip update. It's nice to hear from people returning from the World with the real stories of what's happening right now.

Interesting about the second rope at TT. I wonder if Soarin had anything similar out of your view or if they were truly getting to/onto the ride earlier than you.

Good to hear that FP- was fully funtional for MB users. When you checked in did you have MBs with you already or were you issued them? And then if you had MBs already, were you just given KTTW cards or did you ask for them? And were you told anything about FP+/FP- like you should or shouldn't use them together by your CM at check-in?

Thanks.

 

[fsupharm77]

Did rope drop there yesterday and Monday and headed straight to Soarin. No person with a rope to walk behind. On monday my son and I were the second two people in line and they held us a at the entrance to stand by for about 5 minutes.

 

[savvy?71]

Thanks for the post-trip update. It's nice to hear from people returning from the World with the real stories of what's happening right now.

Interesting about the second rope at TT. I wonder if Soarin had anything similar out of your view or if they were truly getting to/onto the ride earlier than you.

Good to hear that FP- was fully funtional for MB users. When you checked in did you have MBs with you already or were you issued them? And then if you had MBs already, were you just given KTTW cards or did you ask for them? And were you told anything about FP+/FP- like you should or shouldn't use them together by your CM at check-in?

Thanks.

Good point -- I didn't *see* any ropes or CMs holding folks back from Soarin' ; there could have been at another point. But it was definitely the 1st time we were held back from TT.

This was a last minute trip for us so we received our bands at check-in. But we had enough time to customize them in advance for colors and such. We tried AoA for 1st half of trip (above my expectations and the kids adored the Nemo-themed family suite). The KTTW cards were issued without asking & the CM asked if we knew how things worked, do we have any questions, etc...but no one said a thing about NOT using together. It was pretty seamless. And when we did use the cards at FP- kiosks, our bands were clearly visible on our wrists but no CM ever said a thing or put a frowny face on like I've read (not saying it didn't happen to others but we didn't have a problem).

There was one weird glitch as my son and I got on Space Mountain. We had FP+ for it, but his band said he had no selection for that time and mine said I was 45 minutes late. Even the CM was like . Maybe it had to do with how we split up our FP+ for that time (husband and daughter were doing Buzz at that time, I really don't know). But the CM did some fiddling and we scanned green, then again re-scanned green before boarding.

We stayed at my mother-in-law's time share for last half of trip and our bands & cards were still active for FP+, we just couldn't charge to room any longer (obviously).

We used our FP+ for a parade one day. We had already done all the rides we wanted to at that point so we figured why not try it. It worked well, smack dab in front of castle, front row for parade. But not a NEED unless it's an especially crowded time. Although people w/o the bands were irked.

We also used the FP+ for a Be Our Guest lunch. That was great. The stand by line was over the bridge and wrapped around the Dwarves coaster wall. Meanwhile there were maybe 3 families in the FP+ line. Got some glares for that!


All in all it worked well. But I can definitely see where it will get frustrating during peak times. Especially with the tiered system. I just find it ridiculous to be 'forced' to select FP+ for rides like Figment, EO, Maelstrom, etc...I see WHY Disney is doing it. But if monies were spent on refurbs or new attractions wouldn't that better distribute crowds--HAPPY, un-coerced crowds?

 

[Rarity]

We were there last week, and on one of our Epcot days I experienced the 2nd rope drop at Soarin'. I was headed there to get FPs for my sister and while she waited at Test Track. As I approached the building, a CM station at the bottom of the slope stopped me. She didn't have a rope or anything; it was just her standing underneath an umbrella.