tips on how can we ride on Toy Story Mania?!

[Gummie Bears]

This is our 1st trip in June & I've been on these boards everyday, bought a guide book & have an app for my phone. I always see the mad rush for TSM first thing in the morning & then all day it has a 50+ minute wait!
We are planning to do rope drop but I've seen some crazy photos of all the people waiting to get in & then 80% are all going to TSM. I'm hoping with the new Star Wars ride re-opening that will alleviate some of the madness?
It's me,DH & three kids age 5-9. How in the world is a newbie to get on that ride?! Any tips or suggestions?

 

[minnie mouse ears]

What we plan on doing is getting there ate rope drop then having dh (or me) race ahead of the rest of us to get fast passes for both TSM and the new Star Wars ride. The rest of us will follow along as we can and meet up. I am so serious about getting there this early and doing it that I am thinking that I will probably cancel a character breakfast at Ohana to do it!

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

We wanted to ride in April, but not to the point of stressing out.

First off, yes, we were there for rope drop. Second, we stood at the turnstile furthest to the right, it is not just for cast members as the sign appears to state. We ended up being the first in the park which was kind of cool. We walked up to the rope and were able to see the "opening act". When the park opened, we walked (not quickly, people were rushing past us ) to the fast pass machines and got the passes we needed. You should only send one person into the fastpass line with all the tickets. Our return was before noon (I think 10:15 to 11:15) which gave us time to enjoy TGMR and some breakfast.

One thing to note about getting to the attraction: do not try to take any shortcuts. You will be "herded" up towards the hat (do not attempt to go past Starring Roles) and right through the Animation Courtyard arches. You will not be able to take the stairs.

I absolutely refuse to stress about anything when I'm on vacation. I knew we would eventually ride TSMM, I just didn't know the exact time frame. Watching people trip over each other on their way to the ride is almost as entertaining as the attraction itself!

 

[tzolkin]

Honestly, if you get there for rope drop you will have no issue riding twice. So do not stress about it.

We've done it both ways--

1. All walk together with the "herd" and get right in line, get FPs after we get off. (The FP line will be much shorter, but your return time will be later in the day-- maybe noon, depends on the crowds.)

2. Send DH ahead to get FPs while I walk slower with the little ones, then all get in line together. (There will be tons of people getting FPs so you'll have to wait a few minutes, but you will likely get a return time for right after you get off the ride, so you can do it twice in a row and then get FPs for something else.)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Don't worry. Starting May 20 the Running Of The Bulls will split into two groups; one for Star Tours and the other for Toy Story.

 

[kirasaurus]

I'm a big advocate of waiting in line. But, you have to time it right. NEVER go immediately following a parade, immediately after rope drop, and never wait in line if the line is out the door. We waitied 20 minutes for a TSM line that said it was 80 minutes, and got to go on it again, with a 45-minute wait.
We schedule a meal or two occasionally, but my dad is not a fan and calls ADRs "appointments" So, we'd rather wait a little while to actually get on the ride than wait 5 or 6 hours four a fastpass time, you know? So this strategy works for us, but it may not work for you. However, it is possible to wait in line and still enjoy TSM, believe me

 

[Gummie Bears]

Don't worry. Starting May 20 the Running Of The Bulls will split into two groups; one for Star Tours and the other for Toy Story.

Thanks! That's what I'm hoping for

 

[dragonfly08]

My girls and I were able to ride TSMM three times, no problem, on our visit last month. We were at rope drop and followed the herd there, but by no means were we near the front. My kids never run when they can walk. When we got to the ride, we got FPs first then went through on standby with no more than a 5 minute wait. At the time we got off, the line was still under 10 min. and the CMs there were encouraging everyone to ride again so we did. Then we left, hit a few other things, and returned later to use our FPs. Our wait was 10-15 min. tops, with a posted standby time of about an hour.

 

[Missish]

What we plan on doing is getting there ate rope drop then having dh (or me) race ahead of the rest of us to get fast passes for both TSM and the new Star Wars ride. The rest of us will follow along as we can and meet up. I am so serious about getting there this early and doing it that I am thinking that I will probably cancel a character breakfast at Ohana to do it!

Just thought I'd point out that you won't be able to get Fast Passes for both TSM and SW at opening - you can only hold one FP at a time (the time at the bottom of the FP lets you know when you can get another). So you might want to send one person to get FP while everyone else heads to the line for the other

 

[minnie mouse ears]

Just thought I'd point out that you won't be able to get Fast Passes for both TSM and SW at opening - you can only hold one FP at a time (the time at the bottom of the FP lets you know when you can get another). So you might want to send one person to get FP while everyone else heads to the line for the other

THANK YOU! I didn't know that you couldn't hold two fastpasses at once!

 

[tzolkin]

THANK YOU! I didn't know that you couldn't hold two fastpasses at once!

It will say on the passes "Next FP available at X:XX"

That time will either be when your first FP time window is up or two hours, whichever comes first.

 

[Nina1]

We go at rope drop, hubby goes straight to the FP line and DS and I get in the standby line (usually less than 30 minutes and this point and it goes fast). We ride and then leave and go about our touring plan. Then, when our FP time comes up, we go back and get a second set of FP's. Then we go about our touring plan again and come back and ride TSM at our leisure. So, we get to ride it three times. We do this every year and it works for us. No stress. Have fun!

 

[DanielleandBrady]

DS and I were able to ride TSM 3x's in one day, during spring break..we got there at rope drop on a AM EMH day, actually to be accurate, we were walking in as they let the "herd" in so we were in the back of the "herd". Since it was just DS and I (and he's 6), I didn't rush..I did not want him getting trampled. So we got there, waited 5 min to get FP, walked over to Jedi Training to sign up, went back to TSM and stood in line (saved FP). Got out, walked over to get pics with characters at the hat, came back, got another FP, got in line to see Woody and Buzz, rode TSM. Went over to the Jedi Training..DS loved it! Went and got breakfast, went to the Disney Junior side and stayed there for awhile, walked around some more and did some other attractions then used our last TSM FP and then went back to the hotel! It was awesome..don't stress..it will work out!!

 

[antree]

Just wait in line. Of all the times we have gone on it we always waited and NEVER waited as long as the sign said. We stood in line when it said 100 mins and waited 45 the most. It might not always be like that. But we have been lucky with it so far. My family would split up, the first few times we rode it, because my DD and DH didn't want to wait. I finally go them to wait with us once and they saw, it does go by pretty quick. Now we all ride it together.

 

[JenSop]

This is our normal routine (I'm the FP runner):

After we get through the turnstiles, I take my DH's ticket (and mine), and I work my way through big gaps in the crowd to get as close to the very front of the crowd as possible.

I then stick as close to the front and right of the herd as we're shuffled off to TSM. Being near the right, I'm ready to jump right into a FP line and get our FP's. Then I meet DH at ToT.

HOWEVER, next month's trip will be all about getting to Star Tours at Rope drop. TSM will NOT be our priority.

 

[sydneysmom]

Don't worry. Starting May 20 the Running Of The Bulls will split into two groups; one for Star Tours and the other for Toy Story.

the Running of the Bulls !! that kills me !!! It's so true too!! You've got to hang on to your small children, because they'll get caught in the wave and the next thing you know, your kid is with a new family !

we couldn't ride TSM when we were there .....FP was gone and the line was 180 minutes. My DH said, "hey, it must be good, but I'm not waiting that long to find out". Hopefully next time will be a little easier!!

 

[lisajl]

Don't worry. Starting May 20 the Running Of The Bulls will split into two groups; one for Star Tours and the other for Toy Story.

LOL!! How true!

 

[Cruz91]

I'm a big advocate of waiting in line. But, you have to time it right. NEVER go immediately following a parade, immediately after rope drop, and never wait in line if the line is out the door. We waitied 20 minutes for a TSM line that said it was 80 minutes, and got to go on it again, with a 45-minute wait.
We schedule a meal or two occasionally, but my dad is not a fan and calls ADRs "appointments" So, we'd rather wait a little while to actually get on the ride than wait 5 or 6 hours four a fastpass time, you know? So this strategy works for us, but it may not work for you. However, it is possible to wait in line and still enjoy TSM, believe me

I don't understand... even if you're waiting in line, why wouldn't you swing by and grab some FP's on the way in or out of the ride? Then you could have your cake AND eat it!

 

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

I'd send one person to get fast passes for TSM and have the others get in line for Star Tours. However, if the line is still inside for ST, you may have to wait outside for the other person to catch up, and let other people go ahead of you. Otherwise they might not catch up to you.

 

[Reese]

We have made a game of who can get the earliest fast pass time. We take turns between myself and my oldest two. Arrive prior to opening and the fast pass runner takes all the cards and proceeds to near the front of the crowd. Others stay together and proceed to TSM in an orderly fashion. Usually by the time the stroller is parked and the kids are out we meet up with the runner that has aquired the FP and proceed into the ride. The wait is usually not very long at this point and you can see Mr. Potatoe Head since you miss him in the fast pass line. Often we are able to secure another set of fastpasses since our time runs between 10:05 and 10:45.