Rope Drop Strategy for FOP--Ride Vehicle Restrictions

[persimmondeb]

We couldn't get fastpasses. I'm not going to worry about it, aince I don't like rides that are even slightly rough and I'm afraid of heights (won't do Soarin'). However, my husband and son are dying to ride. I figure we show up early, wait til rope drop, and just have them try to move as quicly as Disney and crowds will allow. I will follow in the rear. Obviously they're not going to stop and fiddle with the test ride vehicle in those circumstances.

I THINK they should fit, from everything I've seen on these boards, They're both around 275, size 13 shoe. DH is a little under six feet, DS is about 6'3". DH is a 56-58 in a jacket, DS is a 50-52. Neither of them carry a lot of weight through the middle, but they are not small guys. They are prepared for the idea that they might not fit, but I've been telling them they can probably ride.

 

[SarahC97]

The day I was there, even right at rope drop the line had a line. So, they should be prepared to wait an hour or more.

I'm tall and not a small person - I had plenty of room in the ride vehicle. I don't think they'll have trouble.

 

[persimmondeb]

We were figuring an hour, if we were prompt.

Sounds like we definitely need to be prompt.

 

[SarahC97]

We were figuring an hour, if we were prompt.

Sounds like we definitely need to be prompt.

It may be more than that. I was there labor day week and the line was intense. It seemed like everyone went straight there at rope drop.

 

[NH-to-FL]

However, my husband and son are dying to ride. I figure we show up early, wait til rope drop, and just have them try to move as quicly as Disney and crowds will allow.

If you are at the park 90 minutes before the specified opening time and you are able to walk briskly from the tapstiles opening to the rope headed into Pandora you will be near the front of the line and 'walk on' FoP when they drop the rope. CM's walk the crowd from the rope drop into the FoP queue.

As others have noted, most everybody will be headed to FoP so the wait time jumps quickly. Here is my trip report for my rope drop visit:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/first-visit-to-pandora-8-4-17.3623699/

I don't think you will wait less than 60-90 minutes whether you get there early and wait for opening or get in line at the end of the day.

I happen to be a morning person so being early to rope drop works better for me than going at the end of the day. And for some reason waiting before the park opens somehow feels less annoying than waiting during the day when I could be doing something else. Maybe because the rope drop wait is broken down into three waits. Waiting for Security to open, waiting at the tapstiles, and then waiting at the rope.

DH is a 56-58 in a jacket, DS is a 50-52.

I am a 40 short so I can't help with this question.
Wishing you a visit!