Soarin' vs. FEA for tier 1 fp+

[amandagen]

Hey all, we're headed to the world the 2nd week of December this year and we'll be visiting Epcot twice that week. So, we may end up getting a fp+ for each ride on the opposite days, but if you could only choose one for fp+, which would it be? Just for background, we'll have 2 little boys with us, both have seen Frozen, but never really got into the hype. But with it being a new ride, we would like to experience it. TIA!

 

[DWillowBay]

I am in the same situation, in that I will have EPCOT days on my upcoming trip. Even so, I am using Soarin' as my Tier 1 both times. I just have no real affection for Frozen and frankly am a little 'frozen-ed out'. But I love the concept of Soarin' and am really excited to see the new 'round the world version. So...for me... no FEA.

 

[Saxsoon]

This is the first trip for my family next month with FEA so it threw a lot of kinks in our normal strategy. We normally scheduled a fastpass at 9 for Soarin and started the day at Test Track. With this we are throwing caution to the wind.

We got Fastpass for FEA at 10 and start with Soarin first thing and run over to TT right after and use our fast pass for Mission Space. It is the first time my family has gone in mid August in probably 8 years so it should be interesting.

 

[megster1123]

This is the first trip for my family next month with FEA so it threw a lot of kinks in our normal strategy. We normally scheduled a fastpass at 9 for Soarin and started the day at Test Track. With this we are throwing caution to the wind.

We got Fastpass for FEA at 10 and start with Soarin first thing and run over to TT right after and use our fast pass for Mission Space. It is the first time my family has gone in mid August in probably 8 years so it should be interesting.

When are you traveling? Just curious as I haven't seen anyone snag a FEA FP earlier than 11am yet.

 

[Saxsoon]

When are you traveling? Just curious as I haven't seen anyone snag a FEA FP earlier than 11am yet.

August

And forgive me, we are actually 12:30 and have Mission Space and turtle talk before hand.

 

[supertinyluckycat]

I chose FEA because it has a lower ride capacity. Hopefully it works out well

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If FEA is a must-experience, get the FP+. You can do a PPO at Garden Grill to get Soarin' at rope drop; otherwise, the reliability/uptime and capacity for Soarin' keeps the wait largely under an hour lately. FEA is almost never under an hour, and is down frequently. It demands a FP.

 

[megster1123]

August

And forgive me, we are actually 12:30 and have Mission Space and turtle talk before hand.

Bummer! I had a little hope. For a second.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Check out the blog post about it at easyWDW complete with pictures of the RD crowds (http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/so...es-fastpass-availability-strategy-and-review/). Apparently if you want to do FEA it really is the one to FP.

 

[Rivergirl2005]

Def FEA! It has lower ride capacity and is done very well! The characters are adorable and everything is fantastic! We rode SOARIN twice in 1 day without a FP in June. Go at 10:00 am right after rope droppers leave and it is a 15-20 minute wait until 10:45. We went in the end of June when it was still crowded.

 

[amandagen]

Great, thanks for all the advice! Sounds like we'll definitely get FEA as a fp at least one of our Epcot days!

 

[amandagen]

As a follow up question, we would like to do the character spot, especially for our younger son. Would you guys recommend using a fp on that? I know the line can go slow, but I wasn't sure if it had slower times during the day when you could slip in without much wait.

 

[disneymom0104]

We did FEA for all of our Epcot days (3). We will RD Soarin' one day and TT another (some of my party can ride single rider as well). It isn't ideal, and if everyone feels good with one time on FEA I can adjust as needed. I figured it a) has such a low capacity we won't be riding stand-by, b) it goes down so often that there is a good chance it will be down during one of our times that I am really hoping we can get on it once and c) I won't be able to get a FP+ when we are there if my kids do love it and want to ride each day. My chances of getting one of the other two are much more likely if we are good with one FP+ than the the other way around. All that being said, I do have a little anxiety about not having any FP for Soarin' or TT! Hopefully it all works out.

We did get a FP+ for character spot for one of our days- my kids love meeting characters and I don't mind having a shorter wait!

 

[Klayfish]

As a follow up question, we would like to do the character spot, especially for our younger son. Would you guys recommend using a fp on that? I know the line can go slow, but I wasn't sure if it had slower times during the day when you could slip in without much wait.

Yes, I would do character spot for a FP+, if nothing else simply because most of the other tier 2 FP+ rides don't need a FP+ anyway. Character spot can get a line, so the FP+ will get you right in.

As for FEA vs Soarin', without a doubt do FEA as your tier 1 if you can get it. Even if you're not a Frozen fan (even my 8 year old daughter isn't crazy about the movie...she liked it, but doesn't love it), you'll really enjoy the ride. Soarin' now has 3 theaters and the lines don't get anywhere near as long as FEA does right now. You can get on Soarin' without a FP+ fairly easy. You can get on FEA without one too...we did...but it's not as easy.

 

[Blue32]

FEA....lower capacity and it will most likely save you the most time in line. Soarin is easier to ride at rope drop and likely to be close to walk on at park closing with the third theater increasing capacity.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

As a follow up question, we would like to do the character spot, especially for our younger son. Would you guys recommend using a fp on that? I know the line can go slow, but I wasn't sure if it had slower times during the day when you could slip in without much wait.

We always use a FP for Character Spot, but I have to say that the last two times we have used it we were sorely disappointed.

Last week, we had a FP for it and the posted wait time for standby was 10 minutes. We got in the FP line and waited around 15.

When we were there previously this year, we had a similar experience. With a FP, I think we waited about five minutes less than the posted time.

They give out too many fastpasses for this attraction.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Hey all, we're headed to the world the 2nd week of December this year and we'll be visiting Epcot twice that week. So, we may end up getting a fp+ for each ride on the opposite days, but if you could only choose one for fp+, which would it be? Just for background, we'll have 2 little boys with us, both have seen Frozen, but never really got into the hype. But with it being a new ride, we would like to experience it. TIA!

Good decision to use it for FEA.

Soarin' always had a much shorter wait.

We rode Soarin' twice between 8:15 and 9 one night. We waited 15 minutes the first time and about ten the next time. If you skip Illuminations Soarin' is super easy at night.

 

[BrianL]

Rope Drop Soarin' and FP+ FEA.

 

[sparrow_one]

Does FEA open at the same time as the rest of World Showcase?

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Does FEA open at the same time as the rest of World Showcase?

It has been opening at 9 am, though fastpasses only seem available after 11 am. That may have changed by now.