Anna & Elsa M&G Strategy

[Jedi Mouse]

We're headed to DLR for a weekend trip on 5/17 & 5/18. We only have one day at each park so I'm trying to make the most of it and my 5 year old daughter is dying to meet Anna & Elsa. I've heard horror stories of 3 hour waits and I really don't want to spend 1/4 of our day at DL in line for one thing.

Our current plan is to visit DCA on Sat. and DL on Sunday. We like to get an early jump on the park, so we plan on being there for rope drop. Is my best plan to get in line ASAP after rope drop?

 

[Girimama33]

Yes. The shortest wait you will have (still could be an hour +) will be if you get in line right at rope drop. Only one person has to be in line, so have your fastest sprinter take off for a spot in the line.

 

[SixteenFeet]

For the shortest possible wait, go to DL on a non-EMH day because the M&G doesn't open until regular park opening. Get to bag check early (I'd say even as early as half an hour) so that you can be first through bag check and first in line at one of the gates. You really want to be first in line at the gates so that you can be at the very front of the rope.

Once the rope drops, you literally have to sprint and it's no joke.

HOWEVER...there was another thread here about a CM trying a more "controlled" approach of lining people up that backfired because it wasn't applied consistently across all the gates and rope drop locations. So be aware that they could be trying yet another strategy when you're there. Also note that running is technically against the rules at the parks...a poster here had her child knocked down/bloody nose by a hit-and-run during the M&G sprint. So if you choose to run (and really you kind of have to in order to have the shortest wait), be careful and mindful of those around you And know how to get there. Fastest way is straight through the castle, then veer left and look for Olaf on the roof. You can also take the little paths around the castle (less traveled but not any faster).

There are 2 rope drop locations that I could see - one more to the left of the castle and one in front of the castle. I don't think it matters which you are at but the left side did seem less crazy. I was looking back at my video and there were a lot more runners bursting out of the rope drop that is more in front of the castle.

Anyway, we just did this last week and here's a breakdown of the timing: We went on a non-EMH day, regular park opening was at 10am. DH got to bag check at 7:30am (he was being extra cautious - I think he could've gotten to bag check at 8am and be fine). Bag check opened at 8:30am. He was first through bag check and parked in front of gate 9. The gates opened at 9:30am and he fast-walked to the rope. We were right in front at the rope drop to the left of the castle. I had the stroller with both kids and he had nothing on him. DH wasn't planning to run (we had a whole convo with another dad at the gate about how ridiculous it would be to have to run, and both dads agreed that they were above running). However, when the rope dropped and all the OTHER dads started sprinting, they broke into a run too. We met them just a few min later in line (it was already backed out to the 120 min mark) and we still waited 45 min. The dad after us in line said (and he was serious) that he could've gone faster if he wasn't carrying a bag...I looked and he had the family's giant diaper bag, LOL. It's just nuts. The CMs kept telling everyone that a 2-hour wait was GOOD and encouraged those in line up to the 120 min mark to stay put if their kids really wanted to see A&E.

Only one person in the party has to wait in line so I would just count on a significant wait and make the best of it if seeing A&E is truly a must do.

One other caveat - THEY ONLY GUARANTEE ONE PRINCESS. There, I said it. It's an awful feeling not knowing if they'll both be there until you get closer! It's just another thing to factor into the "is this worth it" decision.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

Thanks for the great tips. We planned to go to DL on Sunday because there is no EMH. What time does bag check open on days the parks open at 8:00AM?

 

[aijj]

HOWEVER...there was another thread here about a CM trying a more "controlled" approach of lining people up that backfired because it wasn't applied consistently across all the gates and rope drop locations. So be aware that they could be trying yet another strategy when you're there.

.

Yep, this is what I saw done today. At the rope drop today (Wednesday so no EMH)there was one huge line that I correctly assumed was to see A&e. We were at rope drop today just so we could get to the Dumbo ride since dd really wanted to ride it but we were not waiting 50+ minutes. Omg it was insane even with that line. I was trying to get closer to rope but to do so I had to cross the moving line for A&ewith my double stroller. People were moving so fast like their lives depended on it..kind of comical an disturbing at the same time. As I was trying to cross the line his lady assumed I was cutting and barked at me "hey, The line is back there!!" And I was like um, no sorry, not trying to cut, I just want to get through to get my kid on the Dumbo ride before it becomes an hour wait.

What I saw when the line moved the cms had all the people in the A&e line raise their hands up high as it moved, to keep the line connected. It was actually sort of comical to watch...

Both yesterday and today around 10:45 am, I overheard CMs telling people the wait was 6 hours long.

 

[PantherLk5]

Isn't 6 hours longer than what they are even open for during the weekdays ?

I am hoping to go with the above strategy next Thursday...a non MM day. It is the thing my DD6 is looking forward to the most. DH and I still have to play rock paper scissors to see who will be the one to brave it and who will stay back with the kids.

 

[aijj]

Isn't 6 hours longer than what they are even open for during the weekdays ?

Well the 6 hour wait was quoted before 11am...so that would mean getting to see them at 5pm...not sure when they stop meeting people.

I think you really have to be prepared for whatever strategy they are implementing that day. It could be a free for all past rope drop as pp said, or they could be doing something else like they did yesterday. Once you get past the gates, if you see an incredibly long line sticking out, that is likely the A&E line. I was just thinking that if some people weren't paying attention/didn't realize there was already a line and just went close to rope as we did (we werent interested in waiting for A&E) they would have been screwed once they got to the meet and greet , even if they sprinted, bc the line for A&E would have already been formed.

 

[SixteenFeet]

Well the 6 hour wait was quoted before 11am...so that would mean getting to see them at 5pm...not sure when they stop meeting people.

I think you really have to be prepared for whatever strategy they are implementing that day. It could be a free for all past rope drop as pp said, or they could be doing something else like they did yesterday. Once you get past the gates, if you see an incredibly long line sticking out, that is likely the A&E line. I was just thinking that if some people weren't paying attention/didn't realize there was already a line and just went close to rope as we did (we werent interested in waiting for A&E) they would have been screwed once they got to the meet and greet , even if they sprinted, bc the line for A&E would have already been formed.

Yeah, I agree. It does sound like regardless of the strategy they use, you'll be more likely to be among the first if you make sure you get through bag check and to the gates early (be first in one of the lines at the gates) and then get to the very front of rope drop (speed walk!!). Ask the CM at rope drop what they'll be doing for A&E. If nothing, then you have to run. If they are forming a line, you'll be among the first.

I wonder though how they merge the lines...I assume one line would be forming at EACH rope drop location...and what about the folks who come in via the monorail? I'm sure there will be some who believe they have a better chance at getting to the M&G by avoiding the entrance gate madness...

 

[94bruin]

This makes me questions whether it's all worth it. We were there in early April, but I didn't get a chance to line up early. I was going to try for our July trip, but it's not getting any better. I guess I'll see if I have the resolve to wake up super early for one day of our trip. Our trip is shorter in July, so less time in the parks (granted, it's our 3rd trip since Nov - but I still don't want to be spending more than 1 hour in line - just not our thing.)

My kids don't know that there's a M&G - I know better than to tell them that. I'm just disappointed. (as DD5 is singing Frozen songs in the other room...)

 

[luulu1999]

My kids don't know about it either and I will not tell them...Their dad isn't the type to split up and do separate things so we can't do one wait in the line while the other takes the kids so unless there is something drastically different in July we will be walking right on by it!!

 

[WestMom2two]

My kids don't know about it either and I will not tell them...Their dad isn't the type to split up and do separate things so we can't do one wait in the line while the other takes the kids so unless there is something drastically different in July we will be walking right on by it!!

Same here. We love frozen and my DD would just die to meet the girls but I'm not about to waste a whole day in the park separated from my family for a chance for my daughter to get some pictures. I can't believe how insane this process is. I'm taking DD to BBB and she will meet the other princess' and probably not know the difference!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

If in nov the lines shorter i may go but I am also ready to just say no to the M&G if its to long.

 

[DahliaRW]

If your kids don't know about it, and they can read, make sure they don't see the schedule for the day that has them listed. Posting from experience at WDW...

 

[SixteenFeet]

If your kids don't know about it, and they can read, make sure they don't see the schedule for the day that has them listed. Posting from experience at WDW...

And even if they're not yet reading, be prepared to field questions about "What is Olaf doing on the roof?" and "what is that line for?"...even little kids are keen enough to venture a guess that Anna & Elsa might be inside...we ended up having to tell our girls because I didn't want to outright lie.

 

[aijj]

My kids don't know about it either and I will not tell them...Their dad isn't the type to split up and do separate things

Yep, this is exactly us too. My kids are both obsessed with Frozen (theyve probably watched the movie more than a dozen times now, and the soundtrack - million times) but we didn't tell them and thankfully they didn't miss it at all...just didn't want to deal with that craziness on our first trip if I didn't have to. I think the other big thing is that my DD (3yo) is still too young to really appreciate meeting them, at least or the price of us having to wait in line so long. DD did meet all the other princesses on this trip (except for Merida..we didnt see the Brave movie) and I think the most we had to wait was 15 min (if at all, we saw most at lunch at Ariel's Grotto). She enjoyed it but I imagine at 5 or 6yo she would be able to appreciate it much more, and thus I'd be willing to wait in line for it then.

We are already planning to come back next year, before my oldest starts school, so if the insanity for A&E dies down somewhat, we might do it then.

 

[Andray]

And even if they're not yet reading, be prepared to field questions about "What is Olaf doing on the roof?" and "what is that line for?"...even little kids are keen enough to venture a guess that Anna & Elsa might be inside...we ended up having to tell our girls because I didn't want to outright lie.

YES! While waiting in line for those 3 hours last week, I saw soooo many families walk by, with little kids asking and then begging and parents saying No, and leaving the scene with a very sad, upset and crying child in their arms. SO my suggestion is that if you are adamant about NOT going, then avoid that area all together because Olaf is very obvious and talks, so kids are immediately attracted to that corner and ask questions and see the line. If in line for Dumbo? You see Olaf. If in line for the Carousel? you see Olaf. If in like for the miniature train? You see Olaf. Exiting Pinocchio, you walk right in front of Olaf and the door to meet Anna and Elsa. So stay clear if you don't want to have to say no and that you know your child might get upset.

 

[new2disneyland]

rope drop has their own line. its long!! they are let into the park first, escorted by a cast member. they walk to the m&g. then the rest of the people at rope drop are allowed in.
i went and the line was over 4 hours. When i went back at 1:30 it was a 2 hour wait. It wasnt bad. I tried to avoid it but my daughter finally begged me and its all she wanted to do.
We were told to be prepared for only 1! you are not guaranteed both will be there! we got both luckily!
The regular princess line was 2hours too!! but we saw 3 princesses.

 

[proudmum2001]

I wonder if Anna and Else will still be around to meet n greet in a year. We will be going to disneyland this time but it won't be for well over a year

 

[CassieF]

I wonder if Anna and Else will still be around to meet n greet in a year. We will be going to disneyland this time but it won't be for well over a year

They should be there for a long time to come, well over a year! Rapunzel was there until she got iced out (haha) but it was 3ish years, and she is still around doing meets, just not in her "tower" so I have no doubt that the sisters will be in this location for at least another year, likely much longer, and still around even if they ever lose their current spot

 

[todzwife]

I don't understand why they don't bring out a couple sets of Elsa and Anna to help with this line. It's absolutely crazy to me that it's 3, 4, 5 HOURS long? My 4 year old would absolutely die to meet Elsa, but there is NO way we will be waiting in a line that long. 1 hour I could do but 4? Nope.