Which FP to get first?

[fidoprincess]

Going in just 2 weeks and wondering about our strategy especially with large crowds. In the past, we would always get FP for Space first but I can't remember why. Is it because that is open for early entry and the machine is turned on those days before general park opening? Is the Space FP open at early entry?

We've always gone to FL first sending our runner to get the FP for Space but now I see that Indy has consistantly longer lines so instead of our usual order of Space, Splash, Indy, and BTM should we change our order? If so, what should it be assuming we enter the part at opening or close to it?

What if we oversleep? Is there a FP that runs out that we should get first if we arrive late?

Also is the matterhorn open on early entry mornings? I think we used to do PPF, then Dumbo, then the matterhorn and then back to finish up any other fantasyland stuff. Does that sound right? And storybook land and the casey junior train open late so do those last before leaving FL?

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Going in just 2 weeks and wondering about our strategy especially with large crowds. In the past, we would always get FP for Space first but I can't remember why. Is it because that is open for early entry and the machine is turned on those days before general park opening? Is the Space FP open at early entry?

Space FP is not open for Magic Morning. But typically Space FPs are in highest demand and run out first, so people tend to get Space first.

On hot summer days Splash FP demand can be higher than Space. In summer Indy usually seems like #3 demand and we usually get that third.

We've always gone to FL first sending our runner to get the FP for Space but now I see that Indy has consistantly longer lines so instead of our usual order of Space, Splash, Indy, and BTM should we change our order? If so, what should it be assuming we enter the part at opening or close to it?

I think your order is a good one for summer. Plus, Splash is hard to get because it is so far back there it burns a lot of time. Even if Splash was more popular it is not worth getting first IMO because it is so far away - unless you happen to be going back there anyways.

What if we oversleep? Is there a FP that runs out that we should get first if we arrive late?

Depends on how late but we usually go for Space unless we just plan to skip it altogether. Splash and Indy both have single rider. Space does not. Depending on your group, the SR option may work for you later in the day so it makes more sense to get Space FPs because Space has no other option to ride it.

Also is the matterhorn open on early entry mornings? I think we used to do PPF, then Dumbo, then the matterhorn and then back to finish up any other fantasyland stuff. Does that sound right? And storybook land and the casey junior train open late so do those last before leaving FL?

Matterhorn is open during Magic Mornings. Everything else you said is right on.

 

[skiingfast]

I like to grab Indy, Ride it, Ride POTC, HM, Splash. Depending when the Indy FP return time was I can get a Spash FP either before or after the ride.

This leaves me with a second ride on Spalsh for the afternoon.

I either get a Space FP then which is probably for a ride around dinner time. Or I wait until night and ride Stand BY. But this is a risk I take because I don't go for one day. If I have a second day in DL then I go to TL and get a Space, ride it and Nemo then Buzz.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks for your help Hydroguy! Are you back already from your trip? I really enjoyed your crowd reports and posts on WOC but didn't see a trip report. Did I miss it?

For some reason, I thought Space was open on early entry days so you saved us from running over there too soon. We also have not been since Nemo opened and I understand the lines are long so when do you think we should fit that in? After FL and matterhorn?

We will stick to our "usual" plan with a minor adjustment for Nemo depending on what tips you give us. With two 10 year old girls, we don't do single rider but we pretty much have the routine down from years ago and DH is a great runner and thankfully, never seems to mind getting the FP.

Skiingfast, if I didn't have kids that is exactly what I would do too. I love getting a FP as I am going on the ride and if the line is less than 15 minutes, I just keep riding over and over until the line gets long! My fav is Indy and then Space but the kids really like the fantasyland stuff so we know we have to do that early and "get it over with" so we can do the big rides that have FPs later in the day. Thanks for you input though. It is funny when you go into the park and see all the people without kids heading toward adventureland and the ones with kids have to go straight ahead to fantasyland! We have a few days so once they get their fill of FL, we will be doing the route you suggested too.

 

[silence]

The ride is open during early entry, but FP do not start distribution until 9:00am.

We always do Space first, as they tend to run out sooner, and then you have to wait for 2 hrs to get your next one instead of the possibility of the "window" opening sooner than 2 hours, thus allowing you to get another FP sooner.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

The ride is open during early entry, but FP do not start distribution until 9:00am.

Just to be clear: FPs for Space start to be distributed at DL's regular opening time. In the summer that would be 8:00am.

I agree that Space should be the first FP. It's a popular attraction, and also, people tend to walk toward the hub on the right side, and they tend to make a right turn into Tomorrowland.

 

[DLR29]

Thanks for your help Hydroguy! Are you back already from your trip? I really enjoyed your crowd reports and posts on WOC but didn't see a trip report. Did I miss it?

For some reason, I thought Space was open on early entry days so you saved us from running over there too soon. We also have not been since Nemo opened and I understand the lines are long so when do you think we should fit that in? After FL and matterhorn?

We will stick to our "usual" plan with a minor adjustment for Nemo depending on what tips you give us. With two 10 year old girls, we don't do single rider but we pretty much have the routine down from years ago and DH is a great runner and thankfully, never seems to mind getting the FP.

Skiingfast, if I didn't have kids that is exactly what I would do too. I love getting a FP as I am going on the ride and if the line is less than 15 minutes, I just keep riding over and over until the line gets long! My fav is Indy and then Space but the kids really like the fantasyland stuff so we know we have to do that early and "get it over with" so we can do the big rides that have FPs later in the day. Thanks for you input though. It is funny when you go into the park and see all the people without kids heading toward adventureland and the ones with kids have to go straight ahead to fantasyland! We have a few days so once they get their fill of FL, we will be doing the route you suggested too.

silence is correct: the ride is open, the FP do not begin distribution until official park opening. Check out my MM superthread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

Also for Nemo, the lines are not as bad as they were 3 years ago. As long as you do it within the first hour or 2 hours of the park opening, you probably won't wait more than 30 min. Same goes if you ride right at park closing. Middle of the day you might see waits between 45 and 60 min.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks Silence, I thought Space was open but couldn't remember. When do you think is a good time to do Nemo?

So this is my plan for ee: PP, Dumbo, Matterhorn, rest of FL , Space if line is short (plus getting FP right at 8 when that opens) and then maybe Buzz before heading over to Adventureland. My kids also love Autopia and I can not stand that line so somewhere along the way, we'll have to get a FP but not before Space, Indy and Splash.

Where would you fit in Nemo? Is that open for EE?

Do you know when the canoes open? Ugh, I dread those but that is a bad line and the kids really love it but I remember we should be there right before it opens to avoid the worst of the line.

Thanks again guys for all the help!

 

[DLR29]

Nemo is open for MM, but I don't recommend it just because you'll end up spending a majority of your MM just on that one ride because of the slow loading and the ride is actually pretty long too. Try and do it in the morning (after MM perhaps) or late evening.

As for the canoes, I think they open at like 11 or so ...if they are even open.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks so much DLR29, I did miss you MM post so I will go back and read it before we leave. That is nice of you to compile all that information for others!

Thanks too about the tips for Nemo. I did think the lines were much worse than you said so good info to know. When ds, who is 15 now, was little we always rode the subs so it will be fun to do it again. I hope it is as nice as we remember. We always liked it and wondered back then why they closed it down for so many years. There were all these rumors that the water was leaking out and undermining the Matterhorn!

We are all getting so excited now but too bad I am the mom and have to do all the packing and hard work just to get us out the door-lol! When we come back on Sat, we have one day and then the kids start school-boohoo. I hate school but how nice to have DL to look forward to first and end the summer on a high note!

 

[Eeee-va]

The other advice on FPs here is good. I always do Space Mountain FP (and ride if the line's short) first, but much of that is because it's my favorite ride. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad FPs are usually pretty easy to get with short return times, so I'd definitely get those last (of the four FP thrill rides in DL).

Splash Mountain may get busier quicker, but by late evening/night, the standby line might be shorter. When I've gone, the FPs still tend to be available in the early afternoon, but that's because most people don't want to get a FP for an 11 PM return time.

(Indy's Single Rider is so quick it feels like cheating, though I'm not sure if you'd want your DD riding alone.)

I went on the canoes in early June this year (the very start of the official summer season, Friday the 11th) at 1:05 PM. I don't THINK the lines were long for the canoes throughout the day, but we were surprised how light the crowds were overall. Anyway, if it's a hot day I can't imagine the canoes would be very popular.

That said, I'd probably try to get there early in the day just so the heat wouldn't be so bad. 11 AM sounds about right for the opening time...but the point is, they definitely were going in June.

Have a great time!

 

[LuvSulley]

We always get Space FPs first because it seems to be the only FP that runs out. It seems like whenever we're there, FPs are gone after 3pm. We don't ride Splash so I don't know if they ever run out. There were times when we couldn't get Indy FP's but they would be available again later on that day.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for your help Hydroguy! Are you back already from your trip? I really enjoyed your crowd reports and posts on WOC but didn't see a trip report. Did I miss it?

Have not had time. I have been collecting some thoughts I will post in a few days. Not planning to do a formal trip report. I have done that in the past. More of a random thoughts report.

For some reason, I thought Space was open on early entry days so you saved us from running over there too soon. We also have not been since Nemo opened and I understand the lines are long so when do you think we should fit that in? After FL and matterhorn?

We will stick to our "usual" plan with a minor adjustment for Nemo depending on what tips you give us. With two 10 year old girls, we don't do single rider but we pretty much have the routine down from years ago and DH is a great runner and thankfully, never seems to mind getting the FP.

If the patterns we saw last week hold up, you can get to Nemo anytime in the first hour of regular park time and the line is pretty light. That is what I would do. In fact it was possible to do MM at Fantasyland and then do Nemo after FL and MM and still miss the lines. that was something not possible previously when I was at DL.

See my experience on Nemo subs here:

Some more observations on current crowds