Random Trip Questions

[DisPhanatic]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to get some feedback on a few random questions. I have not been to WDW since 2015 although we used to go every year up to that point. So my planning and strategy skills are a little rusty plus so much has changed since our last trip. We will be at the Grand for 4 nights 4/3-4/7 before moving to Universal for 4 nights. I am travelling with DS13 and DS11 plus DH. We have our dining reservations - Grand Floridan Cafe, Ohana, Via Napoli, and Oga's. I made fast pass reservations yesterday and was thrilled to get everything we wanted - FoP, SDD, 7DMT and more! We were in DL last June so we saw Galaxy's Edge and rode Smuggler's.

I have a few random questions:

1. SDD - My DH doesn't do big coasters but he will ride 7DMT and BTMR. I'm assuming SDD is fine for him, right?

2. Alien Swirling Saucers - We did not get a fast pass for this. What exactly is this ride? Should I rope drop it before heading over to RRC and ToT? Right now we have a fast pass at RRC at 9:40 then SDD and TSM in the afternoon. I can hit Alien first thing then head to ToT before our first FP. What would you recommend?

3. Avatar FOP - I got this later in the day than I wanted so I plan to rope drop Navi. What would you recommend here? We are going Saturday 4/4 and that's an EMH day which means 8 am opening for us. Also, can you share how rough or wild FOP is. Again, DH isn't a daredevil. He likes Soarin' and TT but won't do ToT or EE. At Universal, he does the screen rides like Transformers and Fallon but won't ride Mummy, Gringott's, or FJ. I am trying to figure out if he would like this.

4. Gondola - We would really like to ride this and plan to start Monday 4/6 at DHS and then head to Epcot for dinner and some exploring. Can we use this for transportation? Where does it pick up / drop off? Is it well marked? My DH is not a fan of heights so he may use the boat. Will we need to meet up closer to the front of the park instead of in the World Showcase?

I think that's all I have. I think I am more excited about this trip than the family is. We have not see the new Toy Story Land or Avatar - hitting those attractions is more of a priority than GE although we will try for a boarding group for RoR.

Thanks for the advice!
DisPhanatic

 

[erionm]

1. SDD - My DH doesn't do big coasters but he will ride 7DMT and BTMR. I'm assuming SDD is fine for him, right?

If he can ride 7DMT & BTMR, he should be fine on SDD.

4. Gondola - We would really like to ride this and plan to start Monday 4/6 at DHS and then head to Epcot for dinner and some exploring. Can we use this for transportation? Where does it pick up / drop off? Is it well marked? My DH is not a fan of heights so he may use the boat. Will we need to meet up closer to the front of the park instead of in the World Showcase?

At DHS, the Gondola Station is just before the Bus Station.
At Epcot, the Gondola Station is at the International Gateway near the boat dock.

To ride the Gondola from DHS to Epcot, you will have to change lines at CBR. The Riviera Station (between CBR & Epcot) is a pass-through station and the only one where you can remain on board.

 

[Calee]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to get some feedback on a few random questions. I have not been to WDW since 2015 although we used to go every year up to that point. So my planning and strategy skills are a little rusty plus so much has changed since our last trip. We will be at the Grand for 4 nights 4/3-4/7 before moving to Universal for 4 nights. I am travelling with DS13 and DS11 plus DH. We have our dining reservations - Grand Floridan Cafe, Ohana, Via Napoli, and Oga's. I made fast pass reservations yesterday and was thrilled to get everything we wanted - FoP, SDD, 7DMT and more! We were in DL last June so we saw Galaxy's Edge and rode Smuggler's.

I have a few random questions:

1. SDD - My DH doesn't do big coasters but he will ride 7DMT and BTMR. I'm assuming SDD is fine for him, right?

2. Alien Swirling Saucers - We did not get a fast pass for this. What exactly is this ride? Should I rope drop it before heading over to RRC and ToT? Right now we have a fast pass at RRC at 9:40 then SDD and TSM in the afternoon. I can hit Alien first thing then head to ToT before our first FP. What would you recommend?

3. Avatar FOP - I got this later in the day than I wanted so I plan to rope drop Navi. What would you recommend here? We are going Saturday 4/4 and that's an EMH day which means 8 am opening for us. Also, can you share how rough or wild FOP is. Again, DH isn't a daredevil. He likes Soarin' and TT but won't do ToT or EE. At Universal, he does the screen rides like Transformers and Fallon but won't ride Mummy, Gringott's, or FJ. I am trying to figure out if he would like this.

4. Gondola - We would really like to ride this and plan to start Monday 4/6 at DHS and then head to Epcot for dinner and some exploring. Can we use this for transportation? Where does it pick up / drop off? Is it well marked? My DH is not a fan of heights so he may use the boat. Will we need to meet up closer to the front of the park instead of in the World Showcase?

I think that's all I have. I think I am more excited about this trip than the family is. We have not see the new Toy Story Land or Avatar - hitting those attractions is more of a priority than GE although we will try for a boarding group for RoR.

Thanks for the advice!
DisPhanatic

1. Yes, I believe it is in line with those 2 you mentioned.
2. It is a well themed carnival type ride. The closest thing I can think to compare it to is the scrambler, but not quite. If you have kids it can be fun for them, but IMO it isn't a must do. The line is hot and a lot of it is out of the shade, so if you want to try it I would either do it early, late, or with a FP. TOT would be a much higher priority for me.
3. Navi won't be crazy at rope drop. Most folks will head toward FOP. FOP is not rough and wild. Your personal banshee moves from side to side, and there are 3D flying feelings, but if you close your eyes, or look away it doesn't feel like all that much. I told my kids it was like one of those motorcycle video games at an arcade, as far as the thing you sit on and the amount of actual movement.
4. I haven't used the gondolas yet so I will let someone else answer that

 

[philly_mcphillyface]

1. He’ll be fine on Slinky Dog.

2. Swirling Saucers is pretty tame. The Aliens sort of “tow” your cart and it spins/whips around. Our young kids liked it- theming is cute. That all said I’d rather go on/prioritize Tower of Terror. We did this when lines were short or a FP popped up after we were through our first three.

3. FOP is amazing and your husband should be fine on it.

4. Gondola is outside the gate before you get to buses. When we were down there were virtually no lines at Hollywood station or the transfer. Drops you off right by entrance to World Showcase. It was super convenient (and our kids loved it).

 

[philly_mcphillyface]

Sorry- duplicate

 

[mickeyluv'r]

1. should be fine. I'd say SDD is a little more intense than 7DMT, but nothing like EE. And oh so fun. Plus- if he last went in 2015, he's 5 years older.

2. You can ride it later in the day, or whenever you are near SDD. If you are going on the new SW rides, and will be arriving early for a BG, then know there is a rush of folks in toy Story Land in the early AM. if you will be in HS all day, evening is probably a great time for Alien SS. It is not very intense...It doesn't have the spinning of teacups, but has some similarities to them. It also makes me think of the very old park ride called the Whip, (or rather the junior version of the Whip.) Futher, the CM's keep the Aliens ride length VERY short. Breathe three times and it is practically over. You can see the whoel ride before you get in line, if you wish. If he likes Storm Force Accelatron at IoA, this is tamer..but has some similarities.

3. He should tolerate FoP just fine, if he likes all he rides you list. It is slightly more intense- I suppose - than Soarin', but less intense than Transformers for certain. Personally though, I'd say Gringotts' is less intense than Transformers. Transformers has far more spinning. The actual FoP vehicle doesn't move much...it is largely screen based, like Soarin'. In other words, all he has to do is close his eyes. If he likes Minions, I'd say he'll likely be fine. I'd say FoP is the next Gen of Soarin'.

4. Yes, but look at a map to see where it goes. If DH doesn't want to ride it though...one of your better options might be to try the part that connects Ecpot (by WS) and HS. DH could take the boat or walk, and you can see which way is faster....and then perhaps take them back again.

 

[DisPhanatic]

Thank you - all the information is exactly what I needed!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The Skyliner and Friendship boats both drop off passengers at the EP IG entrance near WS. If you decide to split up and use two different forms of transportation, you can simply meet outside of the EP IG entrance

 

[evlaina]

You have Oga's as a reservation - I just want to make sure you know it's not dinner. It's a bar with 2 or 3 snacks.

 

[sharonabe]

2. Alien Swirling Saucers - We did not get a fast pass for this. What exactly is this ride? Should I rope drop it before heading over to RRC and ToT? Right now we have a fast pass at RRC at 9:40 then SDD and TSM in the afternoon. I can hit Alien first thing then head to ToT before our first FP. What would you recommend?

This is pretty much the same as DL's Towmater ride in Cars Land.

 

[lucky978]

if he last went in 2015, he's 5 years older

 

[DisPhanatic]

True - he's 46 now instead of 41! Not sure if that is good or bad

I know Oga's is just for drinks but I was still happy to get time there. We didn't get inside when we were at DL so this will be new for us. Any recommendations for a good beverage? Our ressie is for 11:20 am which is earlier that I would have liked but it's 5 o'clock somewhere

Good to know that we can meet at the International Gateway. I think the odds of getting him in the Skyliner are pretty slim.

Swirling Saucers like Towmater is great intel. My boys loved that ride in DL even though they are getting older. I'm happy to still have young kids at heart.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

True - he's 46 now instead of 41! Not sure if that is good or bad

My bad, I thought you had said your son was concerned about riding SDD.

Since it is your husband, I'll amend my answer slightly.

The track of SDD is more visible than the track of 7DMT, so you can see just how high the track goes before you board. That might be a concern for him.

 

[DisPhanatic]

My bad, I thought you had said your son was concerned about riding SDD.

Since it is your husband, I'll amend my answer slightly.

The track of SDD is more visible than the track of 7DMT, so you can see just how high the track goes before you board. That might be a concern for him.

Thank you - this is so helpful. The Fast Pass selections are tough when I am not sure what DH will ride. It sounds like he will be just fine!