Rope Drop vs Tusker House - no FP for FOP

[3beauties1beast]

So, I wasn't able to get FP for FOP even at 60 days. I've been trying to modify my Navi FP without luck. I did get a 8:10 Tusker House reservation (9 am park opening). I just read some other threads that FOP has been opening before RD. Am I better to keep Tusker House or try to rope drop FOP? I'll be at AK on 3/2, with 2 DD's (5 & 4) and a very young grandma. We are staying onsite (Coronado), not sure if that impacts it.

I'm worried that if one of the characters misses us during the first pass at Tusker, we'll end up waiting past 9 am. (No WAY will the girls let us duck out without seeing Daisy!!)

I'm not sure if my 4 year old (44") will be able/want to ride, and won't wait in line 3+ hours (especially if only one rides).

Thoughts?

 

[Elsaspiritanimal]

If you want to RD FOP you do not want to do Tusker house. Even if you finish at 8:30 or 8:40 you'd still be behind the rope drop crowds since they typically start letting people walk to Pandora around 8:30. However, if you are ok with missing FOP, or waiting until the end of the day (when FOP lines can be shorter), Tusker house is a great breakfast with really good food. Another option would be to RD FOP (maybe do a rider switch if some of the kiddos are iffy) then do Tusker house at 9:30 or 10 instead.

 

[3beauties1beast]

Thanks so much for the quick reply. I had also reserved dinner at Tusker for ROL show. (Figuring I'd cancel one.) I much prefer their breakfast, but sounds like we'll do dinner instead. Thanks for confirming my gut feeling.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Another vote for Tusker House. I checked FoP wait times recently and the posted wait was up to 240 minutes within 10 minutes of park opening then down to 30 minutes within 10 minutes of park closing on the same day.

Enjoy the breakfast then wait until later for the ride when the line is short.

 

[sharonabe]

If you decide to do the rope drop option, you must be at AK at least an hour before opening. They open the park 30-45 min before opening and start the walk to Pandora. If you're not there when they do that, you'll be at the back of the pack and in for a very long wait.

As others have said, waiting until end of day is a great option. Depending on when RoL is showing, you could go after the show.

 

[Surgie2]

Agree with the PP. we were at AK Sunday...100% chance of rain forecasted (it didn’t actually rain until 4:00 pm). I thought it might keep crowds at RD down but it did not. We were in the parking lot by 7:30; at the turnstiles by 7:45 and were 5th in our line. The four turnstiles to our right were not open but at about 8:15 a CM took a huge group of people from the back and walked them up to the four turnstiles which were now uncovered and ready- lucky them!

We were let in at about 8:40. By then the lines were huge at the turnstiles and many people ran full speed to the bridge so by then we were much further back since we didn’t run. Still we didn’t have too long of a wait and were off the ride by 9:10. It’s a great ride!

 

[Cinderella94]

Yes, arrive close to 90 minutes before park open and do FOP at regular RD. TH breakfast is a huge disadvantage for FOP.

 

[3beauties1beast]

Thanks so much for all the replies! Our plans are to go to Tusker for dinner, and try to rope drop FOP. If it's too crazy, then we'll just skip it. IF the kids are still going after ROL we can try again at the end of the day.

One follow up....we're staying at Coronado Springs. In order to be at AK 90 minutes before RD, what time should we be looking to pick up a bus? (It's our first time staying on property (well since the 90's), so haven't dealt with the resort bus system.) Is there a bus available, or am I look at uber?

 

[sharonabe]

One follow up....we're staying at Coronado Springs. In order to be at AK 90 minutes before RD, what time should we be looking to pick up a bus? (It's our first time staying on property (well since the 90's), so haven't dealt with the resort bus system.) Is there a bus available, or am I look at uber?

Buses should be running by 6:30, but have the uber app ready in case an AK bus doesn't come.

 

[Tomh]

Besides planning for that RD, do keep checking for FP availability. It is still possible that something could pop up!