Star Tours FP strategy Q

[camouseketeer]

I am always at the park at opening and collect FP's early and often. Because the return times on the early FP's are only 40ish minutes apart, I can collect several sets by our noon break/hopping time.

But, since ST FP's are spitting out late return times very early in the day, that means that if I get it first, I will have to wait until after 10am to get another FP.

Because I have younger children, I want a ST FP with a return time by 8:00pm.

So, is it better to get a SM FP first which will probably allow me to get a ST FP around 8:45, or should I start with ST FP to be sure I have an early(ish) return time, but then only have around 2 sets of FP's by noon?

Basically, I guess my question is, how do I maximize my FP collecting strategy and still get a ST FP with a decent return time?

 

[helenb]

I was wondering the same thing myself. I posted a different thread and figured out a couple of possible answers.

First answer: use the 'special' FPs you get at DLR hotel check in for Star Tours and don't bother with regular FP. This will get everyone in your party 2 rides on Star Tours.

Second answer: go to Magic Morning/Early Entry. About 10 minutes before the end of MM, line up for a Star Tours FP. You'll beat all of the people let into the park at 'official' opening time and be there to collect an FP as soon as they start handing them out.

Personally, I plan on doing both of these things!

 

[camouseketeer]

First answer: use the 'special' FPs you get at DLR hotel check in for Star Tours and don't bother with regular FP. This will get everyone in your party 2 rides on Star Tours.

Second answer: go to Magic Morning/Early Entry. About 10 minutes before the end of MM, line up for a Star Tours FP. You'll beat all of the people let into the park at 'official' opening time and be there to collect an FP as soon as they start handing them out.

Great thoughts, but neither will work for me.

I am an AP holder, so no MM, and I am staying offsite, so no special SP.

 

[starkweatherink]

Keep in mind that even with MM and standing in line for a FP, you may only end up with 3 rides in total. I did MM, my DD, wife and I went on it once, my wife then stood in line for the FP while DD and I rode again, and could have gone a 3rd time but we wanted to move on to SM. The FP were gone by 9-9:30 at the latest. (This was this past Saturday the 18th)

 

[Eeee-va]

I'm assuming you're going to the parks fairly soon? (I'd imagine in a few months things won't be QUITE so crazy.)

This is all just guesses from what I've read here.

If you're going on a non-MM day, if it were me, I'd consider riding it first, and maybe getting a FP right after (only if the return time is OK). The return time will of course be substantially later than if you'd gotten the FP first thing. But it wouldn't push your other FP collections back THAT much more than getting your FPs at open (just the time it took to stand in line and ride, plus the standard 2 hours of course). And if the return time is too late by the time you get done riding, you can go get a FP for Space Mountain instead. Those hypothetical Space Mountain FPs obtained at maybe 8:30 should probably have a pretty good return time (hopefully allowing you to get another FP in less than 2 hours, I would GUESS) since probably most people are trying to get Star Tours FPs first.

But alternately, if it's still a non-MM day and you're one of the first people there, you just might get an excellent return time. I think someone here got a return time before 9 AM once? If that happens you'll be in great shape for your FP collection anyway.

If you're going on a MM day, I'd just get the FP first (there will be a line for it right when you get in the park, so I think the only way to come close to guaranteeing a pre-8 PM FP will be to get it first thing).

If you're going multiple days, I'd take a non-MM day and get the Star Tours FP that day, and probably not worry SO much about the FPs that day and maybe even hop over to DCA when it opens.

Have a great trip!

 

[Hound 109]

camousketeer, please report back what you experience.

I think we're all trying to figure out how to best balance:

- rides in fantasyland.
- star tours 2.0 ride early & / or nab a FP.
- FP collection & how star tours impacts it.

Not applicable to you, but i'd also i'd like to know EXACTLY when during MM one should bail on Fantasyland & head over to Star Tours for (either) a FP pickup or what the line is like during the last half hour of MM.

I'm guessing that those with 3 days at DLR have options to do it different ways (which would probably be optimal).

 

[brenda1966]

Yes, this is *THE* question for this summer! How to ride ST and get FP's. I still don't have a set plan.

I don't want to waste my single MM in line for ST or a fastpass. We love Fantasyland in the morning, so that's where we'll go. But we may be able to hop out of there and get in line for a FP?? And then head back to FL?

For the morning we don't have MM, but others will already be in the park, i'm wondering if that's the morning to head to Indy and collect FP's for other rides. We're only in the park 1/2 day, so would not be able to use any afternoon or evening FP. I think ST is a no-go for any half day touring plan.

And for the morning when no one has MM, I think we'll head straight to ST and try to ride, and then maybe try to grab a FP so we can ride again later. Or should we grab the FP first and then ride standby. So many questions! I'm glad we have 3 mornings. I figure we should be able to ride ST at least once, hopefully 2 or 3 times.

I eagerly await all the data rolling in on other's experiences over the next few weeks.

 

[Hound 109]

I should have mentioned to the non-MM geeks that FPs (for any ride) aren't available during MM.....got to wait till Gen. Adm. opening to pick up the first FP.

Yes, this is *THE* question for this summer! How to ride ST and get FP's. I still don't have a set plan.

I don't want to waste my single MM in line for ST or a fastpass. We love Fantasyland in the morning, so that's where we'll go. But we may be able to hop out of there and get in line for a FP??

Brenda, I assume (like me) you're contemplating heading over to ST with a few minutes left during MM.....so you're near the front of the FP line (when FPs become available at :00? That's got to be a legit strategy....i just don't have a clue when it might be best to bail on FantasyLand during MM?


And then head back to FL?

For the morning we don't have MM, but others will already be in the park, i'm wondering if that's the morning to head to Indy and collect FP's for other rides. We're only in the park 1/2 day, so would not be able to use any afternoon or evening FP. I think ST is a no-go for any half day touring plan.

That would be my guess.


And for the morning when no one has MM, I think we'll head straight to ST and try to ride, and then maybe try to grab a FP so we can ride again later. Or should we grab the FP first and then ride standby.

We Diser's really need an agreed to strategy on which to do first (assuming you're at the front of the turnstiles on a non-MM morning.


So many questions! I'm glad we have 3 mornings. I figure we should be able to ride ST at least once, hopefully 2 or 3 times.

I eagerly await all the data rolling in on other's experiences over the next few weeks.

Is there a Star Tours Super Thread?

Maybe we should start one so all these variables can be discussed as Diser's on the ground report back. (i remember there were a couple of threads discussing experiences a few days ago).

 

[brenda1966]

Agreed, we'll probably need a super thread.

And yes, MM will be spent in Fantasyland for us, at least the first 45-50 minutes. but is it worthwhile to leave 10 minutes early to line up and wait for the FP machines to open? Is that time well spent? Or will the FP line already be too long and time is better spent riding other things or collecting other FP's? I don't think I've ever been in a park where FP's were gone by 9:30 am. This is new territory for me.

 

[CandCMommy]

We were at Disneyland this past weekend and my DH and DS's were able to ride Star Tours 5 times total on Saturday and Sunday. We did have MM and went straight to Fantasyland and rode Peter Pan twice, yes twice before moving on to other things in Fantasyland. Fantasyland was a ghost town both mornings! We stayed and rode all of what we wanted there and then around 7:40-7:45 we headed to Star Tours where the wait was only 20 minutes. DH and DS's got in line to ride and I got in the line to get Fastpasses. If I had to guess I would say that I was probably 30 or so people back in the line and I was able to get return times of 8:45 am both mornings. DH and DS's were off the ride just in time for park opening and for us to hit Buzz and then get the heck out of the mess of people in Tomorrowland! By the time we got off of Buzz the wait time for ST was 75 minutes! Oh and they do not open the Fastpass machines for ST until park opening. They don't even open the line until around 7:45-7:50.

If you have MM I say don't fret about getting in line for Star Tours until 7:45 or so and if possible have one person stay off and get in the Fastpass line to retrieve Fastpasses for the whole group. At least that way most of your party will be able to ride it twice.

Hope this helps some of you!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

FP's were out by 10am for Star Tours all 3 days of our trip. The other 2 half days we didn't get to the park until nearly noon so we don't know what time they ran out.

Get those ST FP's first if you want to ride it!

We just returned 2 days ago.

 

[farmfresh]

Another option would be to use the big time window to head over to DCA and pick up FPs there...it's not perfect, but a 9.30 (even 9.00 am some are saying) soaring FP means not all that two hour gap is wasted...

 

[MsMD310]

Here's my experience with times:
We were there Sat June 11, AP holders,
We arrived about 8:30, got into line for ST and waited 45 minutes,
Then after, picked up the FP for 6:30 return.

And YES, it was awesome.