Soarin at park open...what's the wait?

[boiledpeanut]

If we go straight there...what are we looking at?

 

[softballmom3]

Anytime we have ever went straight there we haven't had much of a wait at all...and these aren't off seasons.

 

[catne]

you will likely walk straight through to the loading area...if you're in the actual first wave, you'll load immediately. Otherwise, you will wait about 6-7 minutes for the first ride to go & unload.

Now keep in mind, Epcot often opens 5-15 minutes before 9:00 AM, so if you want to be sure you're in the actual first wave on the ride, be at the band-readers by about 8:15 AM on a scheduled 9:00 opening.

If you're there during a slower time of year, you should have a manageable stand-by until at least 9:30 AM (maximum 20 minutes)

 

[RalphinSC]

If we go straight there...what are we looking at?

You are looking at walking right on, especially if you are near the front of the line. But if you are stepping out of your car or off of the bus or monorail at 9am, I'd say a good 20 or 30 minutes once you make it through the turnstiles and back to the ride. They key is to be there at 8:15 or earlier for a 9am open and then you can stroll leisurely and get a ride in on Soarin before most people are even in the park (and maybe even Test track as well)

 

[csmith041177]

We always hit SOARIN at park opening, and we usually walk right on. As a matter of fact, we usually ride a few times first thing in the morning.

 

[g-dad66]

I agree with PP strategies, EXCEPT the part about arriving by 8:15.

I'm not a fan of a 30-minute wait (until 8:45 which is when Epcot has usually been opening) for the purpose of avoiding a 30-minute wait for Soarin.

I'd aim for 8:30 arrival if it were me. (And last time we did this, Epcot didn't even do an early open, so the wait was still more than I would have liked.)

 

[Arsenal1982]

If we go straight there...what are we looking at?

Depends how Commando you are. One year, I went with my mom and brother and we were there at RD. Speed walked over to the fountain area where the CM's were waiting for us and then walked us over to Soarin. My mom, brother, and myself stretched out in a line with hands interlocked so nobody could pass us and we ended up first on the ride so wait was 0.

 

[anniee882000]

Depends how Commando you are. One year, I went with my mom and brother and we were there at RD. Speed walked over to the fountain area where the CM's were waiting for us and then walked us over to Soarin. My mom, brother, and myself stretched out in a line with hands interlocked so nobody could pass us and we ended up first on the ride so wait was 0.

Please tell me you're joking? Or 8 years old?

 

[DummbGiRL]

please tell me you're joking? Or 8 years old?

;d

 

[triana00]

We were in just after rope drop yesterday but had an infant and a double stroller. Got in line by 9:04 and posted time was five minutes. It took until about 930 to be done with the ride

 

[Ed J]

Last Sunday it took us 10 minutes to get into the park but we had no wait when we got in line for soarin.

 

[Stefecatzz]

Please tell me you're joking? Or 8 years old?

My sentiments exactly!

 

[Yahweh]

Now keep in mind, Epcot often opens 5-15 minutes before 9:00 AM, so if you want to be sure you're in the actual first wave on the ride, be at the band-readers by about 8:15 AM on a scheduled 9:00 opening.

Does anyone know if they sync the opening of international gateway entrance with the main entrance? We often stay at the Epcot resorts, and usually get there right around 9. But would get there earlier if I knew they were opening a bit earlier.

 

[tropicalstorm]

Does anyone know if they sync the opening of international gateway entrance with the main entrance? We often stay at the Epcot resorts, and usually get there right around 9. But would get there earlier if I knew they were opening a bit earlier.

Having used the IG many times, in my experience it is generally opened at the same time at the main gate - I think the CMs are in communication with each other. We usually arrive at TT or Soarin about the same time (or milliseconds before) the main gate people. Sometimes there is a rope hold where WS and FW meet.

Only one time did we have a problem

 

[Arsenal1982]

Please tell me you're joking? Or 8 years old?

Fully Grown Adults. Since Disney decided they're not going to let us run to the rides, we figured out another way to be first!

 

[gdrj]

My mom, brother, and myself stretched out in a line with hands interlocked so nobody could pass us and we ended up first on the ride so wait was 0.

As Bryce Harper would say that's a clown move bro.

Stay classy San Diego

 

[db57me]

Having used the IG many times, in my experience it is generally opened at the same time at the main gate - I think the CMs are in communication with each other. We usually arrive at TT or Soarin about the same time (or milliseconds before) the main gate people. Sometimes there is a rope hold where WS and FW meet. Only one time did we have a problem

Thank you for the post and response. We will be staying at the BCV in June. Obviously, we will be entering through the IG. We are not runners, or commandos, or rope droppers (I think, first timers so not planning on it). We are in over 50 and traveling without children. We are planning to use FP+ to schedule a time frame within the first hour, allowing us a more relaxed walk to the attraction. The same with Maelstrom, I assume. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[anniee882000]

I would not use fast passes in the early morning (first two hours of park opening), as the lines just aren't that long. Get them for the afternoon, when you can't get on anything without a 60 minute wait.

Also, Maelstrom never seemed to have much of a wait while we were there President's Day week. I wouldn't use a fast pass on that. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[anniee882000]

Fully Grown Adults. Since Disney decided they're not going to let us run to the rides, we figured out another way to be first!

I'm speechless. I didn't know that level of contempt for others existed. Very sad.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Just be prepared for the possibility of a ride outage. Not something that is in anyone's control, but it can really be a bummer when you do a great job getting there early and being one of the first through the turnstiles only to find out the ride is down. Happened to us once and we didn't end up riding it until 9:40. As I said no way to know ahead of time, but better to prepare yourself for the possibility.