Anna & Elsa

[123disneyland]

We were in the park the 9th-11th of this month, which was a W-F. I have a princess obsessed three year old daughter who was VERY excited to meet them. Because of the wait time she knew we would be waiting to meet them only once.

I did lots of reading on this board and knew the best day would be a non MM day. For us, the only day was Weds. the 9th. We were lined up in front of the gates at 8 o'clock for the 9 o'clock opening. My dad was with us and he planned to scoot ahead when the roped dropped to get a place in line. I had my nine year old and a stroller so it was impossible to break through the crowd and hustle.

My dad took off at rope drop and we met him there. BTW, this appeared to be what near EVERYONE else was doing. No issues with people holding a spot in line, taking a child out to use the restroom, etc. All of us waiting were very understanding of people coming in/out of the line. By the time I got there with my two kids the cast members were telling people the line was three hours long. This was mere minutes after the rope dropped. We waited for one hour, thanks to my dad breaking through the crowd to get there.

My daughter got to chat as long as she wanted and was never rushed. The photographer took several pics and the girls were definitely very into their characters....not just wearing the dresses. My daughter was thrilled!

On other days, I was told by a cast member and a parent that the line had reached six hours in the middle of the afternoon. I can believe it! I'm wondering...at some point do they then not allow anyone else in line??

 

[mydisneyfix]

For us it didn't feel like a waste of time to wait 2 hours. The cast members encourage one person standing in like while the rest of your group enjoys other rides. My DH and I took turns taking our DD on rides while the other waited. Our DD rode Dumbo, Casey (twice ), Pinochio (twice), and the carousel while one of us waited. Plus, I was also getting an autograph and picture for a coworkers daughter who is battling cancer right now. Frozen is her favorite thing right now. I can't wait to give her the autographed book I bought and pics I took of Anna and Elsa personally signing a book for her! She will love it!

 

[jrtoastyman]

OK, so it sounds like the best plan is to show up for RD on a non-MM morning and just book it to the M&G as soon as the park opens, right? Straight through the castle is the fastest path, I assume?

Would it be frowned upon to stand at the partners statue in a three-point stance and then take off sprinting once they do the RD?

 

[Ride Junkie]

OK, so it sounds like the best plan is to show up for RD on a non-MM morning and just book it to the M&G as soon as the park opens, right? Straight through the castle is the fastest path, I assume?

Would it be frowned upon to stand at the partners statue in a three-point stance and then take off sprinting once they do the RD?

That's what I did...

Seriously though, when the rope dropped we were over on the left side, so I ran through the left side of the castle to avoid the throng of people going through the center. I don't think it really mattered, I still ended up with a 2-hour wait (which is better than a 4+ hour wait). Just get there at rope drop on a non early entry day and run like the wind.

 

[tiffjoy]

For us it didn't feel like a waste of time to wait 2 hours. The cast members encourage one person standing in like while the rest of your group enjoys other rides. My DH and I took turns taking our DD on rides while the other waited. Our DD rode Dumbo, Casey (twice ), Pinochio (twice), and the carousel while one of us waited. Plus, I was also getting an autograph and picture for a coworkers daughter who is battling cancer right now. Frozen is her favorite thing right now. I can't wait to give her the autographed book I bought and pics I took of Anna and Elsa personally signing a book for her! She will love it!

That is really sweet. Sending P&PT to your friend's daughter.

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

I am currently at the parks and have been arriving approximately 2 hours before scheduled opening times to be first in line at the gates. I am not the only one doing this! When at Disneyland, I was lined up outside frontierland to ride splash mountain and as soon as the park officially opened Dads started sprinting from all three rope drop areas to Fantasyland. I plan to do the same the next day we are at Disneyland. I would rather sit outside the gates for 2 hours sipping my starbucks and listening to Disney tunes on my phone and have a short sprint to the line than have to stand in line for 4 hours. The heat is absolutely unbearable at the moment.

 

[jrtoastyman]

I was joking, of course, but it sounds like people are literally running -- is that correct? Que sera, sera if so, just want to ready myself (and make sure I wear appropriate shoes).

 

[crystal1313]

I've read numerous reports of people sprinting......

Be careful. I read one poster on the Dis and her DD got ran over by an adult running and got hurt.

I'm really shocked Disney isn't doing anything to stop the madness!

 

[gunka]

We went straight there at rope drop on a non-MM day and only waited 30 minutes (it was a week ago Friday). Highly recommend this strategy!

This is the best advice. We did rope drop on a non-MM day and only waited 5 minutes, but wife ran/walked to make sure she was up front, and was maybe third or fourth in line. By the time DD and I caught up the line was long and within seconds it was already an hour wait. When we exited they were quoting 3 hours!

We got to the park 1/2 hour before opening to make sure that we were towards the front of the rope drop that happens on the end of main street.

 

[amdgoogles]

We did this yesterday, my sister and brother "fast walked" to the meet and greet location from rope drop and secured a spot, then they were told the meet and greet wouldn't open for 15 - 20 minutes. We were lucky enough to meet both Anna and Elsa, but they waited atleast 90 minutes for it! I don't know exactly how long but my daughter had a 10:40 bibbidi bobbidi botique appointment, and she went through that, the photo shoot, the walk to fantasy faire, met all 3 princesses, and we walked back to the Anna and Elsa meet and greet and my sister had only 1 family in front of her. The nice thing is Anna and Elsa don't make you feel rushed. So it was worth the wait, but I wouldn't try to make the kids sit in it!

 

[Princess Yellow]

DH is in line for E and A right now. To day they started greeting guests at 15 minutes after EMH started. Even so, it's 9:00 and the line is 3 hours at the end. We've got about 20 more minutes.

 

[stlm]

My experience was this thursday, May 15, non EMH non MM day, opening time at 10 am. DH was at the very front for Rope Drop and I waited with DD3 in the stroller in Main Street. DH ran to the M&G and was third in line. They didn't let anybody in until 10:05. We were out by 10:15 having chatted with both Elsa and Anna, autographs and pictures! This IS the way to do it. Before they let us in they said the line was already 3 and a half hours long

 

[mickey61607]

My experience was this thursday, May 15, non EMH non MM day, opening time at 10 am. DH was at the very front for Rope Drop and I waited with DD3 in the stroller in Main Street. DH ran to the M&G and was third in line. They didn't let anybody in until 10:05. We were out by 10:15 having chatted with both Elsa and Anna, autographs and pictures! This IS the way to do it. Before they let us in they said the line was already 3 and a half hours long

stlm - we will be there next month and are hoping to use this strategy. What time did you arrive at security check, etc? Just curious what exactly he had to do to be at the very front for rope drop? And I am curious, what path did he take that he was 3rd in line for the M&G? I keep reading about all these people running straight there but still having a 2 hour wait so I am curious how to make it pan out like it did for you! Good job and thanks for sharing!

 

[Princess Yellow]

Just to update my post above, A&E began receiving guests at 8:10-8:15 (during EMH) on Friday. We were done before 9:30. DH did a brisk speed walk but did not run at rope drop. By the time the girls and I made it to FL, the wait was over 3 hours long. The girls and I rode all the FL rides except the Tea Cups while DH was in line.

 

[mmlover74]

I am going in October with my twin daughters who will turn 1 on our trip and thought it would be cool to get their pic taken with Anna and Elsa.

 

[mme125]

Oh wow so they brought them out during emh I would love to know if others had this experience. We will be there next week. Planning the best strategy as this is a can't miss for our girls.

 

[DarthMole]

The demand for this is crazy and makes me thankful we have two boys.

 

[mikana876]

The demand for this is crazy and makes me thankful we have two boys.

I have two boys and they are both Frozen obsessed

 

[Albytaps]

I have 4 girls and they much rather go on rides

I love my girls!

 

[jrtoastyman]

Just to bring this full circle, we saw Anna and Elsa this morning. It sounds like they have changed the procedure but a bit, at least as compared to other descriptions on here. We arrived at 8:15 and got in line to enter the park. They opened the gates at 8:30 and when we got to the hub, they directed anyone wanting to see Anna and Elsa to go to a line on the left hand side, with everyone else up against the ropes as normal. At probably 8:45, they walked everyone in line back and put us in the line for Anna and Elsa -- no sprinting or anything like that.

By the time the park actually opened at 9, the line was quoted at 5 hours. We were fairly near the start of the line, and got in around 9:40 or so.

Turns out I wore my running shoes for nothing, lol.