Waits at rope Drop for FP+ Attractions?

[ekatiel]

I am working on our personalized touring plans for our trip in March. When I put in certain popular rides at rope drop, it is still giving me long-ish waits. For instance, if I put in Test Track at rope drop, it tells me I'll be waiting 30 minutes. It gives about the same wait for TSMM at rope drop. Have things changed since our last visit (pre-FP+ days) so that even if you are among the first people in the regular line, you still will have to wait because others may be in the FP+ line right at rope drop? OR, is the program just being ultra conservative-- assuming that I won't be near the front of the pack at rope drop? Trying to decide whether to leave these rides at the front of the plans or not.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

But I will say that when we were at Disney this past late-April (a relatively slow time) and were at AK at rope drop on a morning EMH day we walked on both Safari and Everest (and rode Everest back to back to back with no wait). My understanding from reading various websites is that you can still get a lot done at rope drop, except for Toy Story which apparently is always and forever backed up.

 

[houseful of boys]

I am working on our personalized touring plans for our trip in March. When I put in certain popular rides at rope drop, it is still giving me long-ish waits. For instance, if I put in Test Track at rope drop, it tells me I'll be waiting 30 minutes. It gives about the same wait for TSMM at rope drop. Have things changed since our last visit (pre-FP+ days) so that even if you are among the first people in the regular line, you still will have to wait because others may be in the FP+ line right at rope drop? OR, is the program just being ultra conservative-- assuming that I won't be near the front of the pack at rope drop? Trying to decide whether to leave these rides at the front of the plans or not.

Last week we did rope drop at Epcot. We were at the front of the pack and we walked straight to test track. It was a true walk on at that point. When we got off we got right back in line and had a 15-20 minute wait (including the designing your car time). We then went to mission space where we had a 10 minute wait. Then went back to test track where we had fp+ scheduled and rode a third time. It was a request from my 7 yr DS that we get to ride TT 3 times and I was worried with the tiering and new fp+ system that it would not be possible. But by 10:15 or so we had indeed ridden TT 3 times and mission space once. He was thrilled.

 

[KrazeeK120]

It matters where you are in line when the rope drops. If you're further back in line, you may encounter an already-sizeable wait at some attractions.

I went to Disney this past January, the first week of "no paper Fastpasses" at DHS and Epcot. We got to DHS at 7:45 AM for the 9 AM open and were the first people in line at our tapstile. We used our Tier 1 FP+ for RnRC, so we bolted straight for TSMM at opening. There were only a handful (less than 10) people who made it there before us, so we walked right on. 5 minutes later when we exited the ride, the wait was already at 25 minutes. I'm sure that all of the people in line at that time were there "at rope drop," but were further back in the line to get into the park than we were.

If you're at or near the front of the line at rope drop, you probably won't encounter much of a wait at your first attraction.

 

[xtremebodydrop]

Would it be possible to see A&E at MK at Rope drop or am I kidding myself?

 

[Tink51]

Came about 15 minutes after opening on 12/22. Went straight to Anna and Elsa. Wait listed at 30 minutes and we were through the line in about 23 minutes.

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for the replies, guys. We are Rope Drop veterans, so we know how to be near the front of the line and stay there . Glad to hear that minimal lines right at rope drop are still possible .

 

[xtremebodydrop]

Came about 15 minutes after opening on 12/22. Went straight to Anna and Elsa. Wait listed at 30 minutes and we were through the line in about 23 minutes.

Thats not too bad. I hope we have similar luck for our visit.