Long FOP review. First time Disney trip this weekend, rode FOP three times. Didn't even try to wait for the river ride, once you ride FOP you won't want to spend time elsewhere. The second time on FOP there were screen malfunctions that ruined the ride for me, but the other two times were amazing. This ride is near perfect, is really hard to find anything wrong with it. FOP is simply amazing and a must-do!!
First ride wait: got to AK just after 7am, was waiting to enter the Pandora land at 7:30. At 7:52 they let us in, and the basics crowd slowly stretched out into a line for FOP (except for a few that did the river ride which I had no interest in). It probably took 45 minutes of waiting before I rode, but it was constantly moving so it flew by. Possibly the best queue I've been in. I like all the changes in scenery and elevation, level of detail, it's amazing how they designed the layout and used the space. A lot of variety with plants/caves/indoor/outdoor/dark/light/etc. The 2 pre-show rooms do get annoying fast, after my first ride I was impatient having to watch these again. It was cool how the first room "video" would actually know if someone was standing on their number or not. 2 times I rode there were empty seats and it didn't match an avatar to those and said "empty". And there's a part that usually occurs that shows live camera footage of everyone inside. This only happens when you are "waiting" for other rooms to be filled. They change this part and make it longer so all the rooms are ready at the same time. The first time this live camera was on for over a minute and my third ride didn't even include this part.
Onto my first ride: great distraction with lighting/strobe effects so you don't see the wall lift up. Most people will not know how the tech works, similar to forbidden journey. Also the chest and back restraints that grip you vibrate fairly strongly which makes you want to look down and see what's going on (another distraction to get you to look at your screen and not see the wall moving away). Best 3d I've ever seen anywhere. Very natural, nothing "popped out" in a fake way but there was still good depth. There was so much detail but nothing was blurry. You felt like you could turn your head and really look off in another direction on either side. I was expecting more of a real physical drop, in my opinion the seats don't move more than 3 feet in any direction. However, that short quick movement is enough to give you a quick G force feeling. The motion seems more of gentle floating and swooping, not fast at all like I was expecting. Later in the ride you get more side to side movement. But it was so enjoyable I'm not complaining, sometimes you just want that flying feeling without too much craziness. There were enough near misses to make it exciting. I liked the strong constant wind effect that felt more realistic than most rides, and the water was a fine mist added to this same air. I think larger droplets would have fit with the video better at times but I like how you could feel the water without getting too wet. The scents were good, 3 parts with an earthy smell and one with a orange/citrus/flower type smell. The scents lingered lightly in the building and you can start smelling them in the pre-show room. Depending on how you fit into your seat you may not notice the air bladders that simulate your banshee breathing. I only felt it a little on the inside of both my knees. I'm tall and skinny. I thought the dark cave section of the ride was boring because during the first part of it you just sit there, I think you should be moving the whole time even if it has a slower section. Ok minor complaints aside, it is still incredible. Probably the most thrilling "simulator ride" considering you don't actually move much.
Second ride wait: got to AK at 10:30pm for EMH 11pm to 1pm), wasn't sure if FOP would even be a possibility for me because the wait time on the app said 180 minutes and then disappeared as if it were closed for the night. It was raining which helped clear out the park. Got to FOP and the entrance was blocked off but they were letting hotel guests line up to wait and enter the queue. At 11 we started walking into the ride, I waited an hour this time but it was really pretty lit up at night. I'm sure the wait quickly went to go 2.5 hours after I got in line.
Awful second ride experience: as soon as it started I noticed a huge blur in my right eye which I thought was a large smudge or defect on the glasses. It was very distracting and I wasn't able to enjoy the ride at all. Since the video was messed up I spent most of the time looking at the behind the scenes workings all around me. Afterwards I told the person collecting glasses that it was blurry and I couldn't see anything. She apologized and said it was the screen/projection and many other people said the same thing. It wasn't the glasses, it was actually the video. I was mad because I waited an hour and by this point the wait was much longer and I wouldn't be able to ride it again. This was my last night in Orlando and I may never get back to Disney. After explaining this she said she would give me a fast pass I could use right away on it. I said no, why can't I ride again without having to exit and re-enter? The park was closing soon and I still wanted to try the restaurant and see the nighttime glowing effects. She reluctantly agreed and another cast member walked me town where I had a short wait before entering the pre-show rooms and riding again. I then got to ride it for my third and final time and it was absolutely perfect and clear! I am so happy I was fortunate to ride it again. I feel bad for others who might have seen it for the first time with that blurriness thinking that was the way the ride was.
Final thoughts: Instantly one of my all time favorite rides, great experience including queue. I also rode Soarin for the first time that day. I loved the visuals of Soarin but it felt totally fake and much more gentle/kiddie ride. FoP was much more cohesive, fun, realistic, and you can really lose yourself in it. Like FJ, at times you feel like you are the only one riding (unless you actively look around to the people next to you). Soarin is in such a crusty old building, with the world's most boring wait lol.