Approach to EMH rope drop different from regular opening?

[Mikie]

I'm giving tips to a friend who travels a bit like me with one major difference - her family are very early birds, so they plan to hit morning EMH instead of avoiding that park like I do

They don't like the immediate crush of rope drop and ideally would prefer not to head where "everyone" is going. Re-rides are nice but not a critical requirement (I.e. if they end up loving Mine Train, they'd love to do it more than once, but if lines are prohibitive, one ride with a FP will do)

I'm the same way, and often actually try to hit RD just AFTER the crowd has gone through, so I'm still getting full hours, but didn't stand in the crowd 30 min followed by a mad dash. I would then have FP for headliners later and RD lots of B+ or further secondary attractions.

Should the strategy for an EMH rope drop be any different from a regular 9am opening? Is the crowd and subsequent dash much different?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm giving tips to a friend who travels a bit like me with one major difference - her family are very early birds, so they plan to hit morning EMH instead of avoiding that park like I do

They don't like the immediate crush of rope drop and ideally would prefer not to head where "everyone" is going. Re-rides are nice but not a critical requirement (I.e. if they end up loving Mine Train, they'd love to do it more than once, but if lines are prohibitive, one ride with a FP will do)

I'm the same way, and often actually try to hit RD just AFTER the crowd has gone through, so I'm still getting full hours, but didn't stand in the crowd 30 min followed by a mad dash. I would then have FP for headliners later and RD lots of B+ or further secondary attractions.

Should the strategy for an EMH rope drop be any different from a regular 9am opening? Is the crowd and subsequent dash much different?

We found that for MK, we did well with rope drop EMH. We arrived just in time for the show, but not to get through the gate. We did not rush it--but just headed on in when gate opened behind all the people. We had a celebration and our family member led the way as far as what to do.

It seemed everyone headed straight for mine train and Anna and Elsa. By 8:45, the Peter Pan line was starting to build (35 minute wait). The rope drop to Frontierland stunk. It seemed that the Adventureland folks got a head start as they were free to go to the mountains while we were still being escorted from The Fantasyland rope. I get they don't want folks to run and they want people to be safe. But it seemed silly to be treated like a kindergartner. So I wouldn't bother moving that way until maybe 9:01am. The rides still had short lines and it would not have been an issue for us.

At EMH, I would be sure to hit Peter Pan first for minimal wait and then all the other things.

 

[Mikie]

We found that for MK, we did well with rope drop EMH. We arrived just in time for the show, but not to get through the gate. We did not rush it--but just headed on in when gate opened behind all the people. We had a celebration and our family member led the way as far as what to do.

It seemed everyone headed straight for mine train and Anna and Elsa. By 8:45, the Peter Pan line was starting to build (35 minute wait). The rope drop to Frontierland stunk. It seemed that the Adventureland folks got a head start as they were free to go to the mountains while we were still being escorted from The Fantasyland rope. I get they don't want folks to run and they want people to be safe. But it seemed silly to be treated like a kindergartner. So I wouldn't bother moving that way until maybe 9:01am. The rides still had short lines and it would not have been an issue for us.

At EMH, I would be sure to hit Peter Pan first for minimal wait and then all the other things.

Oh, something I definitely forgot to consider - so, Frontierland isn't open during EMH? I recall a post recently about what is/isn't open during EMH - are details posted somewhere, or is it just "early open for select attractions"?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Oh, something I definitely forgot to consider - so, Frontierland isn't open during EMH? I recall a post recently about what is/isn't open during EMH - are details posted somewhere, or is it just "early open for select attractions"?

Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open.

 

[wareagle57]

The only one I think I might approach differently is MK. But everyone's MK RD plan is going to be so different depending on what type of group you have. If you have small kids who aren't into thrills and your focus is on FL, then I would approach it the same way. But if you like to ride everything, then I would try to take advantage of the internal rope drops at regular park opening.

 

[Lucius Best]

I like that idea of arriving just after rope drop, let the crazies race in first, then stroll in and head in the opposite direction. That would certainly work if you're headed to Thunder/Splash, like previous poster mentioned, most people at MK rope drop are going to 7DMT or A&E.

We are early people, we used to always do morning EMH. But we started to find that EMH 8am openings are more nuts than 9am openings, especially at parks with fewer offerings (HS, Epcot). It seemed like the morning EMH rope drop was filled with other Disney commandos who either don't sleep and/or are jacked up on caffeine, and they are all racing to the same headliners as you. AK morning EMH didn't seem as busy. With MK there are so many rides to absorb the morning EMH crowds.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm giving tips to a friend who travels a bit like me with one major difference - her family are very early birds, so they plan to hit morning EMH instead of avoiding that park like I do

They don't like the immediate crush of rope drop and ideally would prefer not to head where "everyone" is going. Re-rides are nice but not a critical requirement (I.e. if they end up loving Mine Train, they'd love to do it more than once, but if lines are prohibitive, one ride with a FP will do)

I'm the same way, and often actually try to hit RD just AFTER the crowd has gone through, so I'm still getting full hours, but didn't stand in the crowd 30 min followed by a mad dash. I would then have FP for headliners later and RD lots of B+ or further secondary attractions.

Should the strategy for an EMH rope drop be any different from a regular 9am opening? Is the crowd and subsequent dash much different?

We go shortly after rope drop (I'm not a big fan of the crush of people that happens) and stay in the park until lunch time to ride headliners before the lines get long. After lunch we head back to the resort to rest for several hours. We head back to the park after dinner (in the case of 12-2am EMH at MK we plan to arrive around the end of the parade).

 

[dprincessmom]

We have always had huge success heading toward Tomorrowland at EMH RD. You really can knock that land out in the first hour, then hit Frontierland and Adventureland. We like to save Fantasyland for evenings because they tend to be less crowded.

 

[Mikie]

We have always had huge success heading toward Tomorrowland at EMH RD. You really can knock that land out in the first hour, then hit Frontierland and Adventureland. We like to save Fantasyland for evenings because they tend to be less crowded.

Thanks all - this bit especially helps me tailor my advice to her, as I would usually head to Adventureland & Frontierland first at a regular rope drop. Sounds like Tomorrowland is less the "hot destination" for morning EMH (I assume 7 dwarfs and A&E are still the biggest draw). Then Adventure &Frontier for internal rope drop & maybe save FPs for afternoon in Fantasyland (7 dwarfs, Peter Pan. . . Not sure what next as I would usually FP Space or Splash or Big Thunder, which they'll hopefully check off during early rope drop)

 

[Jannephotog]

Not a super early riser myself, but when my guy & I travel we aren't as commando on the rides. Main street is one of my favorite areas of the park, so last May we saw the opening show (I shed a few happy tears) & then strolled in after the masses kinda chilled, caught a ride on the trolley down to the castle with the Dapper Dans & then moseyed around Main Street, looking to meet some of the local characters & get some coffee. Of course, as I write this, I'm realizing it wasn't an EMH day, but that's still my go to plan for the MK & then do FL & other biggies later on in the night.

 

[Mikie]

I like that idea of arriving just after rope drop, let the crazies race in first, then stroll in and head in the opposite direction. That would certainly work if you're headed to Thunder/Splash, like previous poster mentioned, most people at MK rope drop are going to 7DMT or A&E.

We are early people, we used to always do morning EMH. But we started to find that EMH 8am openings are more nuts than 9am openings, especially at parks with fewer offerings (HS, Epcot). It seemed like the morning EMH rope drop was filled with other Disney commandos who either don't sleep and/or are jacked up on caffeine, and they are all racing to the same headliners as you. AK morning EMH didn't seem as busy. With MK there are so many rides to absorb the morning EMH crowds.

Thanks for this - we don't rope drop every day and usually only manage MK and DHS rope drops once or twice a trip, so I had no idea how other parks compare at regular or EMH rope drop.

 

[MainMom]

Thanks all - this bit especially helps me tailor my advice to her, as I would usually head to Adventureland & Frontierland first at a regular rope drop. Sounds like Tomorrowland is less the "hot destination" for morning EMH (I assume 7 dwarfs and A&E are still the biggest draw). Then Adventure &Frontier for internal rope drop & maybe save FPs for afternoon in Fantasyland (7 dwarfs, Peter Pan. . . Not sure what next as I would usually FP Space or Splash or Big Thunder, which they'll hopefully check off during early rope drop)

This is similar to my plan for our group this summer. MK EMH in tomorrow land, knockout SM, Speedway, & Buzz then hopefully be heading to frontierland for the mountains at 9. I have FP+ for haunted mansion (10), 7DMT (11), & Peter Pan (1:30) with BOG lunch at 12:15. Hopefully it works out and nothing breaks down.

 

[Mikie]

This is similar to my plan for our group this summer. MK EMH in tomorrow land, knockout SM, Speedway, & Buzz then hopefully be heading to frontierland for the mountains at 9. I have FP+ for haunted mansion (10), 7DMT (11), & Peter Pan (1:30) with BOG lunch at 12:15. Hopefully it works out and nothing breaks down.

Haunted Mansion sounds good for that third FP. I like grouping the times around a lunch like that as well. I might suggest my friend shoots for 10:30, 11:30, lunch, 1:30. That way you've got all the way until nearly the end of your first window to ride your rope drop choices and secondary rides. At nearly the end of the first window you do HM, then go straight to 7DMT and by the time you're done with it you can probably head straight to lunch (or a bathroom stop then lunch) and right after lunch, you use your PP Fastpass. Depending on your style, then you can have an unscheduled afternoon of shows, parade, "anytime attractions" or do the afternoon break thing, or hit up a kiosk looking for extra FPs.

 

[wisblue]

We seek out AM EMH at MK.

The specific plan obviously depends on your priorities, but those days present a great opportunity to do a few of the most popular attractions in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland in the first hour, and then several of the headliners on the other side of the park in the first two hours after it opens.

Now that the mine train is open, we have tried a few times to be near the front of the pack, and doing that we have been able to do the mine train, Space Mountain, and Buzz and then get to PP about 20 minutes before the full park opening. There is a line there, but that provides an opportuntity to go slowly through the new queue area. Then after leaving PP we are able to do BTMRR, Splash, POC, JC, and HM in about 2 hours, all without FP.

This basic approach could easily be adapted for someone who doesn't want to join the initial rush and who intends to use FPs at the MK. For example, you could stay behind the initial rush and go to PP or SM first. It is also possible to do some of the other Fantasyland attractions like Pooh, teacups, Dumbo, Barnstormer, Under the Sea, in pretty short order. There can also be a short line at the speedway, but that one can still move slowly because they often only have one or two of the 4 tracks open during that first hour.

For someone who wants rerides on the mountains, there is also an opportunity to do that. The line at Space seems to build up much more slowly in that first hour than it used to because of the mine train. And the lines at Splash and BTMRR don't build up that quickly in the first hour after the regular opening. Of course, doing that may mean longer lines when you move on to other things. Our approach is always to do as many things as possible once, and save the repeats for FPs or a second day or both.

When we do AM EMH at MK we have always used our FPs for a different park later in the day. But, if I were spending all day at the MK I would agree with scheduling them starting around 11-12 with the intention of doing things standby for the first 3 hours or so.