jsmla
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2001
I heard about the incredible deals people were getting on Hotwire and booked a last minute trip ($95/night at POFQ, woo hoo!) for August 13-19. I was thrilled to be going back to my happy place but resigned to missing trying any of the new Pandora rides. Some heavy duty stalking of MDE scored a FP for Navi River Journey but Flight of Passage wasn't happening.
My trip has been great fun so far. I visited AK on my arrival night, used my Navi FastPass and wandered around enjoying the Animal Kingdom after dark. Unfortunately a 6:00 AM flight (and a 2:30 AM wake up!) meant I just couldn't make the late EMH and the FoP lines never fell below two hours while I was there, oh well.
Anywho, I had an early night last night and was awake before 6:00 AM. I had read the reviews on easywdw and decided to give an early arrival at AK a try. I already had FPs for this evening at Hollywood Studios so it was going to be Standby or bust. I jumped into my clothes, made a snack breakfast to go, grabbed my Magic Band and was at the POFQ stop by 6:29.
I love the new times boards at the bus stop. An AK bus was due at 7:04 so I sat and had my breakfast while I waited.
A bus pulled up right on time and I was its only passenger. By 7:24 I was first in line at the bag free line. Security opened bag check at 7:30 and a few minutes later I was first at the turnstile. The wait wasn't too bad. It was shady and the heat of the day had yet to hit. By 8:00 the line stretched well past the ticket booths.
@
At 8:20 we were let through the turnstiles and began the trek over to Pandora. Since I was solo I was able to stay near the front.
@
By 8:37 the crowds stretched back as far as I was able to see.
At 8:40 we were walked behind a rope to the entrance of a FoP. It was very civilized until we actually entered the queue. There two young men began pushing their way through those of us up front. One of them actually grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me aside! I was too shocked to do anything, they pushed the young family I had let in front of me too. I truly couldn't process it. What kind of healthy 20 something man pushes aside kids and old ladies in order to get ahead by maybe five people for an amusement park ride? I still can't believe it! My DS is 32 but aid I caught him doing anything like that he'd still get an earful from his Mom!
I entered the preshow area at 8:52 and was off the ride by 9:05. I checked the wait time on my way out (9:09 AM) and the wait was up to two hours.
After Flight of Passage I was able to ride:
Navi River Journey (18 minute wait)
Expedition Everest (walk on/single rider)
Dinosaur (15 minute wait but was closer to 30 due to a stoppage.)
11:00 Finding Nemo show
It was a fabulous morning and, IMHO, well worth the early rising. I won't spoil FoP for those who haven't yer had the chance to ride it but it's FREAKING AWESOME! I don't enjoy the Fantasy/SciFi genres and have never seen the movie but I loved, loved, loved this ride!
I hope this helps anyone out there who may be trying to decide if the early arrival is worth it. It definitely was for me. I will say though, don't commit half way. With a 7:25 arrival (and no bag) I was at the front of the hordes. Folks who arrived at 8:00 ended up tightly packed in a vast sea of sweaty humanity.
My trip has been great fun so far. I visited AK on my arrival night, used my Navi FastPass and wandered around enjoying the Animal Kingdom after dark. Unfortunately a 6:00 AM flight (and a 2:30 AM wake up!) meant I just couldn't make the late EMH and the FoP lines never fell below two hours while I was there, oh well.
Anywho, I had an early night last night and was awake before 6:00 AM. I had read the reviews on easywdw and decided to give an early arrival at AK a try. I already had FPs for this evening at Hollywood Studios so it was going to be Standby or bust. I jumped into my clothes, made a snack breakfast to go, grabbed my Magic Band and was at the POFQ stop by 6:29.
I love the new times boards at the bus stop. An AK bus was due at 7:04 so I sat and had my breakfast while I waited.
A bus pulled up right on time and I was its only passenger. By 7:24 I was first in line at the bag free line. Security opened bag check at 7:30 and a few minutes later I was first at the turnstile. The wait wasn't too bad. It was shady and the heat of the day had yet to hit. By 8:00 the line stretched well past the ticket booths.
@
At 8:20 we were let through the turnstiles and began the trek over to Pandora. Since I was solo I was able to stay near the front.
@
By 8:37 the crowds stretched back as far as I was able to see.
At 8:40 we were walked behind a rope to the entrance of a FoP. It was very civilized until we actually entered the queue. There two young men began pushing their way through those of us up front. One of them actually grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me aside! I was too shocked to do anything, they pushed the young family I had let in front of me too. I truly couldn't process it. What kind of healthy 20 something man pushes aside kids and old ladies in order to get ahead by maybe five people for an amusement park ride? I still can't believe it! My DS is 32 but aid I caught him doing anything like that he'd still get an earful from his Mom!
I entered the preshow area at 8:52 and was off the ride by 9:05. I checked the wait time on my way out (9:09 AM) and the wait was up to two hours.
After Flight of Passage I was able to ride:
Navi River Journey (18 minute wait)
Expedition Everest (walk on/single rider)
Dinosaur (15 minute wait but was closer to 30 due to a stoppage.)
11:00 Finding Nemo show
It was a fabulous morning and, IMHO, well worth the early rising. I won't spoil FoP for those who haven't yer had the chance to ride it but it's FREAKING AWESOME! I don't enjoy the Fantasy/SciFi genres and have never seen the movie but I loved, loved, loved this ride!
I hope this helps anyone out there who may be trying to decide if the early arrival is worth it. It definitely was for me. I will say though, don't commit half way. With a 7:25 arrival (and no bag) I was at the front of the hordes. Folks who arrived at 8:00 ended up tightly packed in a vast sea of sweaty humanity.
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