Soarin / Test Track / Frozen strategy

[mefordis]

With one day at Epcot, how does this sound for our touring plan? (This is early August).

Rope drop Soarin, then rush to Test Track.

Fastpasses for Frozen, Spaceship Earth and Nemo later in the day.

 

[JimmyV]

Sounds like the "new normal" for people who want to do all three in one day. If you have any interest in Mission Space, swap out your Nemo FP for one there.

 

[mrzrich]

You can use single rider for Test Track too

 

[mefordis]

You can use single rider for Test Track too

I wish I could but I have a 7 year old who likes to ride.

 

[mefordis]

That stampede to Soarin is going to be ugly. There are going to be a lot of line cutters because the entire group won't keep up and will want to join their group in line.

 

[ziravan]

Definitely FP FEA. 2 hr waits in the heat.

I would RD TT then Soarin'.

Hopefully Soarin's 3rd theater will reduce waits.

No matter what, choose FEA over Soarin' for FP. FEA will be twice the wait and prob a good portion on the heat.

Soarin' will almost certainly be a shorter, air conditioned wait.

 

[ziravan]

That stampede to Soarin is going to be ugly. There are going to be a lot of line cutters because the entire group won't keep up and will want to join their group in line.

That and the simultaneous rush to FEA should give a RD advantage to TT and then Soarin' after first wave.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you don't really care about your FPs for Nemo and SE, book them for the morning. You don't have to actually ride them, just stop by the FP line and tap your MB or ticket.

Example: Book Nemo for 9:00 and sometime before 10:00, tap the FP tapstile. Then move to SE (10:00 return window) and tap there.

After you enter the FEA FP line and while waiting to ride it, search the app for another Tier 1.

 

[EGW113]

If you don't really care about your FPs for Nemo and SE, book them for the morning. You don't have to actually ride them, just stop by the FP line and tap your MB or ticket.

Example: Book Nemo for 9:00 and sometime before 10:00, tap the FP tapstile. Then move to SE (10:00 return window) and tap there.

After you enter the FEA FP line and while waiting to ride it, search the app for another Tier 1. *It's been confirmed that the FPs for FEA begin for the 11:00 return window. Epcot is leaving the 9:00 - 11:00a time period open for Standby guests-only.

Where was this confirmed? I have a 9:05am FP for FEA.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Where was this confirmed? I have a 9:05am FP for FEA.

Which day and month?

There were reports on the FP Superthread when the FPs first became available and DISers were booking as soon as their booking window opened.

I'll edit my other post.

 

[EGW113]

Which day and month?

There were reports on the FP Superthread when the FPs first became available and DISers were booking as soon as their booking window opened.

I'll edit my other post.

6/21-- opening day!

 

[ziravan]

FEA is the FP, TT the RD and Soarin' the Standby.

I think that's most efficient.

Don't book FEA before 11 so that it doesn't interfere with the other two.

I think this way you can get all three tier 1s done in 2 hrs and then you can sit back and spend the rest of the day watching everyone scramble to get theirs done.

 

[mefordis]

FEA is the FP, TT the RD and Soarin' the Standby.

I think that's most efficient.

Don't book FEA before 11 so that it doesn't interfere with the other two.

I think this way you can get all three tier 1s done in 2 hrs and then you can sit back and spend the rest of the day watching everyone scramble to get theirs done.

Won't Soarin line be absurdly long if we don't run to it right at ropedrop? Soarin is our #1 priority, though we do like TT.

Also, do they give you a 4th fastpass at all the parks or just MK?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Also, do they give you a 4th fastpass at all the parks or just MK

4th FP and beyond is available from the app when in any of the parks.

With people tying up their Tier 1 with Frozen, there should be availability for a Tier 1 the earlier you search.

 

[TJA]

If you don't really care about your FPs for Nemo and SE, book them for the morning. You don't have to actually ride them, just stop by the FP line and tap your MB or ticket.

Example: Book Nemo for 9:00 and sometime before 10:00, tap the FP tapstile. Then move to SE (10:00 return window) and tap there.

After you enter the FEA FP line and while waiting to ride it, search the app for another Tier 1.

All great info in this thread! I have a question about above strategy. What if we don't tap the FP tapstile for our 1st two throw-away tier 2's? Like if we don't get to Epcot early enough.

Example of what I'm planning:
Tier 2 -- 9 am - 10 am
Tier 2 -- 10 am - 11 am
Get to Epcot 11:30ish
Tier 1 -- 11:30 am
Tap FP tapstile and try to get another Tier 1 on app

 

[hiroMYhero]

6/21-- opening day!

Thank you! I'll add your info into the FP Superthread.

 

[hiroMYhero]

All great info in this thread! I have a question about above strategy. What if we don't tap the FP tapstile for our 1st two throw-away tier 2's? Like if we don't get to Epcot early enough.

Example of what I'm planning:
Tier 2 -- 9 am - 10 am
Tier 2 -- 10 am - 11 am
Get to Epcot 11:30ish
Tier 1 -- 11:30 am
Tap FP tapstile and try to get another Tier 1 on app

You do have to "use/tap" your FP, or reschedule. The updated FP system now "forces" you to use your initial 3 before you attempt your 4th. This applies to remaining in your 1st park.

Hopping has different usage rules. You can schedule for a 2nd park as soon as you complete your only or last FP in Park #1.

 

[TJA]

You do have to "use/tap" your FP, or reschedule. The updated FP system now "forces" you to use your initial 3 before you attempt your 4th. This applies to remaining in your 1st park.

Hopping has different usage rules. You can schedule for a 2nd park as soon as you complete your only or last FP in Park #1.

Oh oh....well, how about if we keep our same schedule (posted above) and after using our Tier 1, can we modify one of the Tier 2's that expired to a Tier 1?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Oh oh....well, how about if we keep our same schedule (posted above) and after using our Tier 1, can we modify one of the Tier 2's that expired to a Tier 1?

No, the system knows exactly what you have booked and used.

CMs were telling guests to schedule any immediate Tier 2 and tap to "use" to be able to book a Tier 1 as a 4th.

 

[Sue M]

With one day at Epcot, how does this sound for our touring plan? (This is early August).

Rope drop Soarin, then rush to Test Track.

Fastpasses for Frozen, Spaceship Earth and Nemo later in the day.

This will be my strategy too. We have 2 EP days so one day we'll do TT at rope drop and other day do Sorin at RD.
But I wonder how this will work out with everyone doing same strategy?
I hate the Epcot tiers. Only allowing 1 headliner FP. The other tier 2 FPs are useless. Never need FP for them. At least not when we go during low seasons.