question about rope drop

[~April J~]

I get that it is something they do when the park opens but what all do they do? Is it a "Must do" thing? adds to the magic?

We plan to get to the park early everyday but not sure about this whole rope drop thing. Whats all the hype about?

 

[Robo]

I get that it is something they do when the park opens but what all do they do? Is it a "Must do" thing? adds to the magic?

We plan to get to the park early everyday but not sure about this whole rope drop thing. Whats all the hype about?

We don't JUST go to Rope Drop because there's a little "show" (that's just a nice little "extra.")

We go because most guests won't get up early on vacation, so we can "have the park to ourselves" for an hour or two, before the sleepy-heads stumble in.

MK's Rope Drop Ceremony called "Magic Kingdom
Welcome" (see link below) is, by far, the best and
most elaborate.

Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before
the posted opening time, to wait just inside the gates, in front of the trains station (near the "flower Mickey face.")

The ceremony lasts 7 minutes or so and starts that many minutes before the posted opening time.

There is really only one more "formal" Rope Drop Ceremony... at DAK
called "The Adventure Begins"(see link below.)

Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before
the posted opening time, and they re-group to wait at the far end of the bridge from the Oasis (near the "Tree of Life.")

The ceremony lasts 7 minutes or so and starts that many minutes before the posted opening time.


Each are only given ONCE per day and are performed
just before "EMH opening time" (sometimes on EMH days,
sometimes NOT) or
"REGULAR opening time" on NON-EMH mornings.

Both shows feature Disney characters with "speaking
roles".
MK: (called "Magic Kingdom Welcome") at the train
station (with lots singing and
dancing, and a guest family).
DAK: (called "The Adventure Begins") after your cross
the bridge from the "Oasis" (no
singing, but cute).

Epcot allows guests to "re-group" near Innoventions
and on certain mornings some of the characters show up
for a "welcome" to guests.
CMs "hold" guests until scheduled open time, then
allow folks to go either way towards Soarin' or Test
Track/Mission Space.

At DHS the CMs have ropes across the street near the
Call-board/Tips-board/Starring Rolls eatery.
There will be a short (about 3-4 minutes) "show" which
will include a couple of selected Guests and then the
ropes are dropped
and everyone turns RIGHT, and walks
quickly (with CM escorts) to ToT and/or RnRC.

At MK, if you have attended Cindy's Royal Breakfast
early, they do have a rope to hold you from FL until
"opening time".

Note: Like everything else at WDW, not EVERYTHING will
happen the same way or the same time (or even happen
at all) every day.
The best you can hope for is for what USUALLY happens.

Rope Drops are no exception to this.

I never miss being there before opening, EMH or
regular, but not just because of the "Rope Drop
Ceremonies"... its because you can do SO MUCH MORE
before the throngs of folks (who simply will NOT get
up early on vacation, bless their sleepy little
hearts) arrive later in the mornings.

---------------------------------------------

LINK Below-


The following site posts the stage shows, in-park and
other on-property shows and their times for the
CURRENT week.
(It is updated every weekend.)
The times may be "similar" for other dates as well.

Near the top of the page,
click on the colored links for the various
parks
and their show times.

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm

Be sure to check back to the site as the actual dates
of your trip get closer.

 

[buzz2400]

Each park has the characters come out and do a little song and dance just prior to the rope drop. It is not so much that people are there for this. They want to get to the rides and get some things done in the park before it gets crowded. For instance, at epcot at rope drop, people either go to test track or soaring. This is the reason I go to the park when they first open which is rope drop, just so that I can get a few things done in a relatively short time period.

 

[Bill From PA]

We get there to beat the crowds. The shows are cute but beside the point.

Bill From PA

 

[terriluvsbobby]

Do the RD!!!! We head straight for Dumbo and fast pass like crazy.
Take the time to plan- try UG or join TGM for specifics. You won't regret it.


Have a wonderful trip and take lots of pictures. The kids will LOVE the time you put into a Disney trip scrapbook.

 

[kapoof]

We get there to beat the crowds. The shows are cute but beside the point.

Bill From PA

same thing for us!