Rivers of light FP ?

[SgtTibbs]

There's no reason you'd have to sit in the standby area.

The FP return time is simply a suggestion of when to show up. You can enter the FP area as soon as they open up the arena, which is usually about an hour and 45 min- 2 hours prior to showtime (For the first show).

What if I want to walk up 5-min before showtime using a FP? Any issues there?

 

[Robo]

What if I want to walk up 5-min before showtime using a FP? Any issues there?

Yup.
Based on the number of guests trying to see the shows.
You very likely won't get in.

Of course, if there ARE still seats available, you'll be able to get in.

 

[CAS239]

What if I want to walk up 5-min before showtime using a FP? Any issues there?

Run the risk of the FP area being full. I don't think they do it with RoL, but like with Fantasmic, 5-10 min before showtime if they still have a lot of people coming in they'll open up the dining package and FP area to everyone to get everyone in..So a FP doesn't necessarily reserve a seat.

From what I've heard on 2 shows a night, you'd probably be fine showing up 5 min prior to the FP area at the second show of the evening..But if it's the first show, I'd show up at least 20 min prior (I'd recommend 45+ in general).

I did FP for the show and we showed up ridiculously early and waited. Didn't care much for the show so now if we see it again it'll be by showing up 5-10 min prior. So if you really don't mind if you see it or not, you can try to show up 5 min prior and see how it looks and if there's room, but if you really care about seeing it then I would try to get there a little earlier

 

[FastPasser]

What if I want to walk up 5-min before showtime using a FP? Any issues there?

This is the official position as posted recently on The HUB.
Guests with a FastPass+ reservation must arrive within their window (40-15 minutes prior to the start of the show) in order to access their reserved seating. Standby Guests will begin to fill the theater after the 15 min window, which may result in the theater not being able to accommodate a Guest who arrives later than the designated time.

 

[SgtTibbs]

Run the risk of the FP area being full. I don't think they do it with RoL, but like with Fantasmic, 5-10 min before showtime if they still have a lot of people coming in they'll open up the dining package and FP area to everyone to get everyone in..So a FP doesn't necessarily reserve a seat.

Makes sense from a Disney perspective now that I think about it. Sure it's fine if a few guests show up 5-min ahead of time, but if everyone starts doing that, Chaos! You would never get people settled before showtime.

 

[scrapquitler]

Planning FPs.
We will be there in the middle of June.
The WDW website lists 2 shows-9:15 and 10:30.
Is this correct?

Will we get a choice on shows for FP?
If we want the second show, do we even need a FP?
Chances of getting the FP as a day of FP?

We went to the second show (10PM) last Thursday night with FP, and there were empty seats in the standby section. The standby section is not very large, and once Pandora opens, I expect that Animal Kingdom will be much more crowded in general, and those crowds are going to be more likely to stay later at night since they are going to have EMH every night. I wouldn't count on being able to use the standby section. If Rivers of Light is on your must do list, you should try to get a Fast Pass.

 

[jeff_h]

We went to the second show (10PM) last Thursday night with FP, and there were empty seats in the standby section. The standby section is not very large, and once Pandora opens, I expect that Animal Kingdom will be much more crowded in general, and those crowds are going to be more likely to stay later at night since they are going to have EMH every night. I wouldn't count on being able to use the standby section. If Rivers of Light is on your must do list, you should try to get a Fast Pass.

That's exactly what I thought about doing in May after reading this thread yesterday - going to second ROL show at 10:30 and then over to Pandora EMH 11pm-1am... and there will probably be a lot doing that, just like you said...

 

[lomillerin]

If I pick this a FP, I would be unable to get a 4th or 5th FP that day, correct?

 

[scrapquitler]

If I pick this a FP, I would be unable to get a 4th or 5th FP that day, correct?

Right, because you can only book a 4th FP after you have checked in to use your 3rd. Now if MK was open very late, you might be able to get something over there then hop over and use that.

 

[higdonk]

Any idea on what time you have to show up for a dining package? Also does the dining package automatically reserve a seat for the first show? Is it worth it? We are going to do Tusker House anyway, but I am just not sure I want to be locked into a certain show etc. I can be convinced that it is worth it, but I am just not sure. There are 5 of us by the way, so 4 adults, 1 child.

 

[Robo]

1. Any idea on what time you have to show up for a dining package?
2. Also does the dining package automatically reserve a seat for the first show?
3. Is it worth it?

1. 45 min., give or take.
2. I don't know.
3. It could be, if you could not get a FP.

 

[ELSA711]

Does anyone know entry and seating for FP+ vs Dining Package
We are planning an evening there and I have both right now. Would prefer to keep the FP+ so I don't have to spend the $$ on the dining package.
Feedback appreciated.

 

[Robo]

Does anyone know entry and seating for FP+ vs Dining Package
We are planning an evening there and I have both right now. Would prefer to keep the FP+ so I don't have to spend the $$ on the dining package.
Feedback appreciated.

This whole thread is discussing these things.
Regardless, if you have a FP, you won't need the Dining Plan.
If you have the Dining Plan you won't need the FP.
Either of those seating areas offer seats with virtually the same good views.
Some seats can be better than others.

With either FP or Dining Plan, arrive 45 min., give or take, before show time to assure getting seats, and better choice of seats.

 

[Music City Mama]

I'm wondering what will happen when Pandora opens. My guess is that there will be more people in the park at night, and the second shows will play to full audiences.

The standby section is not very large, and once Pandora opens, I expect that Animal Kingdom will be much more crowded in general, and those crowds are going to be more likely to stay later at night since they are going to have EMH every night. I wouldn't count on being able to use the standby section.

Ugh, this is not what I want to hear. We're doing an all Universal trip this summer (older DS and I were in WDW last month), but we will all have a 1-day hopper ticket that I won in school fundraiser auction. We're planning on using them on July 4th. The plan is to hit AK at rope drop for Pandora, go to MK until after the fireworks, then back to AK and want to catch the 10:30 RoL. We will be using the express transportation option, so we should be back at AK by no later than 10:00. I wonder if we'll be able to get in to the show? I'm hoping that most people are headed to MK and EP that evening for fireworks and will call it a night after that. My other option is a dining package, but I when I play around making a reservation, it keeps showing the it's for the 1st show. Can you call and have it for the 2nd show?

 

[Robo]

Ugh, this is not what I want to hear. We're doing an all Universal trip this summer (older DS and I were in WDW last month), but we will all have a 1-day hopper ticket that I won in school fundraiser auction.
1. We're planning on using them on July 4th. The plan is to hit AK at rope drop for Pandora, go to MK until after the fireworks, then back to AK and want to catch the 10:30 RoL.
2. We will be using the express transportation option, so we should be back at AK by no later than 10:00.
3. I wonder if we'll be able to get in to the show?
4. I'm hoping that most people are headed to MK and EP that evening for fireworks and will call it a night after that.
5. My other option is a dining package, but I when I play around making a reservation, it keeps showing the it's for the 1st show.
6. Can you call and have it for the 2nd show?

1. Beyond busy.
2. Much too late. Express will drop you 10-15 min. walk AWAY from RoL seating.
(Just about as far as is possible to be separated at DAK.)
3. As a "walk up" on July the 4th?
4. Not with Pandora being so new.
5. Yup.
6. Unlikely. But, by July... maybe.

 

[ArielSRL]

45 minutes prior to show time, or 45 minutes prior to fastpass window opens (8:05pm)? My window is 8:05-8:30. Was thinking of getting there 7:55. I will be traveling alone with my 9 year old daughter. I don't want to have her standing around waiting too long.

We are going to shoot for 45 minutes before with a FP because I have two young impatient boys (5 & 3). But what I plan to do is grab some ice cream or snacks from Thirsty River for them and a beverage for my DH and myself so we can enjoy while waiting on the show. I also plan to bring in paper pads and crayons, or small etch-a-sketches for them to have something to do for all the waiting (especially for the nighttime shows like ROL, Happily Ever After, and Fantasmic).

 

[Music City Mama]

1. Beyond busy.
2. Much too late. Express will drop you 10-15 min. walk AWAY from RoL seating.
(Just about as far as is possible to be separated at DAK.)
3. As a "walk up" on July the 4th?
4. Not with Pandora being so new.
5. Yup.
6. Unlikely. But, by July... maybe.

I guess it was wishful thinking since summer crowds (even July 4th) wasn't as bad last year as previous years. But, you're right, with Pandora, it's not really doable unless we can magically get a dining package for the second show. We'll probably head that direction anyway just to ride EE in the dark and if it works out that we can get in to RoL, it will be a bonus.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Are fast passes for ROL gone before nonhotel guests can book at 30 days out. As a general rule. I know some days will be an exception. We are going to AK May 16. I cannot look for a few more days but just wondered if any hope was left. Thanks.