Ride tips

[henrys carpet skip]

I am currently "in depth planning" for our visit to WDW, Universal, IOA, Seaworld and Kennedy in January. I am looking for tips for the rides/attractions. I am not after times to ride them, more other things you have found useful possibly where to sit or which side of the queue goes fastest etc.... Anything at all that you can think of that helped you may be useful, then I can filter down to what I think will help my family

Many Thanks

 

[mecllap]

Generally, you can ask the CM's if you want to sit in the front (for more thrill) or toward the back (to stay dry on a water ride) -- then they may have you wait for the next "car" and put you in that slot.
I thought we had really lucked out and got front row corner for the dinosaur ride in AK because my DGS loves dinos -- but he got really freaked out being that close to the Carnotaurus -- he thought he was going to get eaten (even though he "knows" they're robots. He liked it much better the next sitting toward the middle further back.

Of course, use FastPass at WDW (they're free). They charge extra for Express Pass at US/IoA (unless you're staying at one of their hotels). If it's not really crowded you can do most everything without having one. The price varies by time of year (expected crowds).

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Sitting at the back of the roller coasters gives you the "faster" experience. I know that sounds a bit odd when the carriages are all linked, but it works like this.

If you're at the front you don't accelerate until you are half way down the slope because you have to "drag" the rear carriages, whereas at the back, you get pulled over the "summits" giving your more low "gravity" time and you accelerate all the way down the slopes. Hope that makes sense to you.

 

[MARTINIUS]

If you do Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls or Popeyes Bilge Rat Barges at Islands of Adventure early in the day you are going to get soaked and will spend the rest of the day walking round wet! Do late on (queues might be bigger though) or invest in a poncho! Clean, dry underwear and t-shirt left in your car/van (if you have one) would be a good idea.

Duelling Dragons - the best ride for you thrill ride seakers is at the very back of the Ice Dragon, I'm reliably informed by our teenage nutters.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Some of the indoor thrill rides not coasters, that have special effects such as Spiderman and Back To The Future are much better if you are sat at the front.
It may also stop you banging your head on the back of the vehicle (like I once did on BTTF).

 

[wayneg]

We ride Mummy and Men in Black from Single riders line. Last week line for Mummy was 40 mins, Single riders not 1 person in front of us, 1st time we sat 2 and 1, 2nd time we all sat separately, 3rd time we all sat together.
Took about 20 mins to ride 3 times.
Get fastpasses they save loads of time. I will not wait more than 15 mins for any ride. You should have no problems in January its quiet after New year.
If it is busy get to parks early most people go for breakfast first. If you have young children Fantasyland lines are always too busy after 11 am, we have found 9-11am no lines even in August.
Try to avoid extra hours mornings already busy with onsite guests, unless you are staying onsite then do Extra hours before general admission.
Dont know whats happend in Seaworld last year there were long lines at Kraken, this year we stayed on and went around twice because nobody was waiting in line.
I think thats enough to digest for now hope some of it helps you.

edit. Kennedy get there at opening, tours get busy in afternoon.

 

[Spook]

on Pirates of the Caribbean take the line on the left, we have always walked straight down and on whilst there's been a queue on the right

Jan