Rope drop -affected by FP+??

[jade1]

I have the feeling FP+ could make rope drop lines a little slower. But I still believe in human nature. And I still believe that a lot of people will decide at the last minute that they are on vacation and deserve their sleep, regardless of whether they have a 9 AM FP spot.

I also believe those who would be in a position of having a FP+ at rope drop are also the sort to not leave enough travel time to actually arrive at the park at rope drop.

Additionally, I think those who do end up taking the 9 AM slots will have the intention of not entering the line until 9:55.

100% on every point

No reason to jump in a FP+ line at 9AM if you have until 10AM.

 

[livingthedream]

Current reports for the headliners are stating that very early in the day people are finding that fastpass+ is often unavailable until veeerrryy late in the day - 7:00pm or later.

Logically, to me that means that the 9:00-10:00am fastpass+ slots are always gone for these headliners. People are using the rope drop fastpass slots if they want to get onto certain rides. They either do that or ride in the stand-by line.

But wait now! If there are more people using the fastpass+ 9-10am slot, doesn't that mean that the rope drop stand-by line is going to be longer because there will now be limited access? They have to let the fastpass+ people through first....

So, I personally do think that the non-fastpass+ holding rope drop people are going to be impacted. I do think that the rope drop advantage - at least for the headliners - is going to be very much impacted by FastPass+.

 

[KPaul]

Maybe if you're going to be at the park all day. But, for example, if you are going to AK, which is only open 9-5, and you have an ADR, are going to take your young child to the hotel for nap time afterward, and are going to just make it back in time to see the 3:45 parade, then there's not really much choice other than to take the 9 a.m. timeslot for one of your FP+. Or maybe you're only spending the morning at a park and want to see the headliners -- since the FP+ can't overlap with each other, that means you basically need the 9, 10, and 11 a.m. time slots. Then lunch and nap.

I agree. That's our situation exactly! Plus we are traveling with my parents who are 70+, so not having to rush them through the park to get an early Safari ride will be nice.

 

[LilyWDW]

Using an FP+ time at opening would be a DUMB strategy.

There are times where it is a good strategy.

Take my 2014 trip. I only have 1 full day planned for MK, DHS, and AK since it is Food and Wine and I want to spend a lot of time at Epcot. So, on one of my Epcot days I will head to MK for rope drop there and then go to Epcot when World Showcase opens. An opening time FP+ at MK would be perfect for this as then I can be sure to get a couple "must do" rides in that morning plus whatever else. I will be in World Showcase the rest of the day so I don't need FP+ there (as I have other days at Epcot as well to use them).

 

[LovemesomeDW]

Using an FP+ time at opening would be a DUMB strategy.

You may think its a dumb strategy but it worked great for us. For example, we got in the standby line for TSM right at RD. We were on the ride in less than 10 minutes. We then used our fp+ (9am-10am) to ride again. So we were able to ride it twice within the first 30 minutes of the park being open and then were able to move on to something else. We did the same thing with Test Track.

 

[jade1]

You may think its a dumb strategy but it worked great for us. For example, we got in the standby line for TSM right at RD. We were on the ride in less than 10 minutes. We then used our fp+ (9am-10am) to ride again. So we were able to ride it twice within the first 30 minutes of the park being open and then were able to move on to something else. We did the same thing with Test Track.

I'm not positive, but I think that's what FlightlessDuck meant-why would you go right into the FP+ line at 9AM-may as well jump on a ride or 2 or 3-then use your 9-10AM FP at 9:55. Just like you did.

 

[Spoisal]

Using an FP+ time at opening would be a DUMB strategy.

Yes, a dumb strategy for sure - but what if those are the only FP+ available for that day? Disney's way of spreading out the crowds...

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, a dumb strategy for sure - but what if those are the only FP+ available for that day? Disney's way of spreading out the crowds...

Eventually during the busy times someone will take even the early slots.

 

[wisblue]

Eventually during the busy times someone will take even the early slots.

And then we'll have to see if they are able to get there within the first hour after opening or decide that some extra sleep is worth more to them than that one ride.

 

[mom2rtk]

And then we'll have to see if they are able to get there within the first hour after opening or decide that some extra sleep is worth more to them than that one ride.

Yeah, I'm betting most won't actually show for it. I have felt all along that rope drop will be affected a bit, but not in a huge way. I'm just guessing the rope drop advantage is shortened up a bit over what it has been.

 

[wisblue]

Yeah, I'm betting most won't actually show for it. I have felt all along that rope drop will be affected a bit, but not in a huge way. I'm just guessing the rope drop advantage is shortened up a bit over what it has been.

And, even if it is, it will still clearly be the best way to go, except maybe when the MK is open very late, like 2 AM.

So, in terms of planning and strategies, unless something changes a lot more dramatically than I expect, the plan starts with arriving at parks early and goes from there depending on what your attraction priorities are.

We are at the point where debating the pros and cons of FP+ is pointless because it is a reality. Now everyone has to decide what that means for them. And watch to see how it all develops, because I also think we are at least a few steps away from the final product.

 

[heybravo626]

You may think its a dumb strategy but it worked great for us. For example, we got in the standby line for TSM right at RD. We were on the ride in less than 10 minutes. We then used our fp+ (9am-10am) to ride again. So we were able to ride it twice within the first 30 minutes of the park being open and then were able to move on to something else. We did the same thing with Test Track.

But is riding TSMM twice the goal or riding it twice Ina 1/2 hour a goal. If it's just riding twice, wouldn't moving onti another not
long stand by after TSMM at RD (i..e RnR) then having a later FP+ at TSMM be more efficient in the entire ride day?

 

[jade1]

Yeah, I'm betting most won't actually show for it. I have felt all along that rope drop will be affected a bit, but not in a huge way. I'm just guessing the rope drop advantage is shortened up a bit over what it has been.

So you are saying FP+ won't mean riding a certain headliner only one time, or having to pick TT or Soarin, as long you do rope drop?

 

[mom2rtk]

And, even if it is, it will still clearly be the best way to go, except maybe when the MK is open very late, like 2 AM.

So, in terms of planning and strategies, unless something changes a lot more dramatically than I expect, the plan starts with arriving at parks early and goes from there depending on what your attraction priorities are.

Sure it's the best way to go. But I used to be able to enjoy rope drop for certain things, then use FP later in the day for other things. That has been diminished.

We are the sort to go at rope drop and stay as long as we can. When the rope drop advantage is over, and I have used my 3 FPs, I guess I'm supposed to now retreat to my room.

The rope drop advantage works for some things, but can't fix everything. 60-90 minutes just isn't long enough to do it all, especially if we're part of a group that likes things on opposite ends of the park.

I'm really glad I'm an early riser and will find a way to do part of what we used to do. But I still just don't get how rope drop is the answer to people not fond of FP+ when it was never a good answer to late sleepers wanting to do TSMM under legacy FP.

 

[mom2rtk]

So you are saying FP+ won't mean riding a certain headliner only one time, or having to pick TT or Soarin, as long you do rope drop?

I think it means you can ride TT and Soarin once each.

We used to do each of those twice. It's not as big an issue for us at Epcot now because my daughter is finally old enough to do single rider at TT. However, I'm sad we won't be riding together on those occasions.

It's more of an issue for us at DHS. Yes, with rope drop we can do TSMM, RnR and ToT once each. Our favorite memory at DHS was riding RnR 6 times one day. Then there was the time my daughter rode ToT 5 time with her friend.

Even doing the rides once is still a diminishment of our prior experiences.

 

[jade1]

I think it means you can ride TT and Soarin once each.

We used to do each of those twice. It's not as big an issue for us at Epcot now because my daughter is finally old enough to do single rider at TT. However, I'm sad we won't be riding together on those occasions.

It's more of an issue for us at DHS. Yes, with rope drop we can do TSMM, RnR and ToT once each. Our favorite memory at DHS was riding RnR 6 times one day. Then there was the time my daughter rode ToT 5 time with her friend.

Even doing the rides once is still a diminishment of our prior experiences.

Well at least we are past the "not even able to ride each headliner once with tiers".

 

[mom2rtk]

Well at least we are past the "not even able to ride each headliner once with tiers".

The people who "can't" be at rope drop still won't be able to.