Arriving at MK 15-30 minutes after rope drop?

[slickpoetry]

After seeing the video Josh from easywdw posted about rope drop on 4/25, and some people saying that that wasn't even all that bad (really?), I now don't really want to do rope drop. I hate being in crowds like that and I hate when people just start running like crazy.


So I have a couple questions.

1. If park opening is at 9 and I show up around 9:30 or so, do I really lose a lot of that early touring advantage? Or will lines still be fairly short til about lunchtime?

2. Is it easier/less crowded/less insane to walk through the gates at that time versus rope drop time?

Thanks.

 

[ontheuptick]

Why not just hang back if its really freaking you out? If you normally go at Rope drop, at least show up at 9:00, but don't get up into the crowd. As the crowd starts to flood in you can be on the tail end of that group, and still be in by 9:05-9:10.

 

[slickpoetry]

Sorry, I should add that I've never been to Disney before. I'm planning an October trip and FREAKING OUT about all the details that need to be considered.

 

[linskypens]

I agree. Make it for rope drop, but stay at the back, at least you will be in the initial wave. The benefit of that half hour will be noticable

 

[ontheuptick]

Sorry, I should add that I've never been to Disney before. I'm planning an October trip and FREAKING OUT about all the details that need to be considered.

If you've never been before, I would be there for rope drop. Maybe not 8:15, right up front of all the crowds, but be there by 9. Just hang back and stroll into the parks

 

[sb682]

Do you have little kids? If you are wary of the stampede, I would hang back toward the turnstiles as much as possible, but I would still get there no later than 8:30 or so. The morning show just really starts off the day right, IMO, and my son has been so disappointed the time or two we've been there 5 minutes after the ceremony ends. It is worth it to be there in the first wave of guests so you can maximize your low-crowd touring time. If you're not staying on property, you'll also get a closer parking spot than if you arrived 30 mins later, and the line for the monorail won't be as long.

 

[amg35]

Honestly, I promise, it's really not that bad. I have personally been in much worse and it was still fun.

You don't have to walk in with the masses, you can be in the back as previous posters have said.

But, I would get there for rope drop, arriving 15 to 30 minutes later can make a big difference.

Looks like we'll be there around the same time!! Don't freak out, you're gonna have a blast!!!

 

[bastos]

Really - the amount of the video is crazy. Hang a left into Frontierland - and scoop up all the time to hit those things in there. Or - make to the right. Both will have LOW crowds. And EASY access to the rides. It is fun.

And yes, the fifteen to thirty minutes will make a HUGE difference. From my experience, if you want to get there 30 minutes before, plan to get there 60 minutes before. And so on.

October will have lower crowds, too. Comparatively. I still wouldn't go to Anna and Elsa w/o the FP+, though.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

It is not that bad. It is worth it to be there for rope drop if you are an early riser.

 

[dramadrew]

I agree with others. Just stick around in back and linger. There's the welcome show so when others are dashing in, you can watch the characters as they make their departures.

 

[ferd]

15-30 minutes can really make a HUGE difference, not just with getting to the rides and attractions, but also with transportation, monorails, parking, baggage check, and the entrance tap styles. Arriving at MK (the actual park not the TTC) no later than 8:30am will put you ahead of the larger crowds. The morning show is fun to watch, and those in front can speed off to their desired destination, and you can enjoy some time leisurely walking down Main Street and taking in the atmosphere, or meeting characters in Town Square, etc, without feeling like you are being smothered by a mass amount of people. REALLY, it's not that bad. It's all about expectation, and if you're going to Disney World at any time, you need to anticipate some crowds and standing in line.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Sorry, I should add that I've never been to Disney before. I'm planning an October trip and FREAKING OUT about all the details that need to be considered.

Don't freak out. You are already miles ahead of most guests by doing the research you already are.

 

[MomtothreeEs]

I'm glad to read all this. I just watched that video last night, and it totally freaked me out. I do NOT want to get trampled in a crowd, and I don't want to start the day with my kids being terrified. That was a lot more people than I was expecting.

 

[WDW1971]

This is funny. I watched the exact same video an hour or so ago, and had the exact same reaction and doubts.

We've been several times, but have never made rope drop. We tend to stay out late for things like the Dessert Party and MVMCP, and thus try to get the kids to sleep in.

But this June will be our first non-December trip, so, I'm thinking with the heat, we should tour early, take the afternoon off and then come back (or park hop).

This will also be our first off-site trip.

So, tell me, kind people. If I do want to be there to witness RD and the Running of the Parents (to A&E), when should we get to the parking lot? When should we leave our Marriott World Center resort?

And, if staying off-site, is the afternoon break really feasible?

 

[whositsandwhatsits]

We made the mistake last year of showing up to the TTC 15 minutes after opening. Holy wow batman...it was INSANE! It took us an hour to get into the parks.

I agree with pps, arrive for the Welcome and then hang back. We will probably be doing the same thing.

And I will add, it's rare that I've seen people run down Main Street USA like that (but we only go once a year so I am not a frequent flyer). I am hoping by October folks will settle down a bit if it is indeed A&E.

BTW, you will love the Welcome ceremony. It give me goose bumps every time and totally sets the mood for your wonderful day at the most magical place on earth!

 

[BrerTom]

The first hour of the day in the park is the golden hour... You can easily do multiple rides in a short period of time. For example I have found Peter Pan is a walk on at 9:05 but just 20 minutes later it may be up to a 20 minute wait and by 10am 40 min.

 

[CarlaLovesDisney]

I saw that video and could not stop laughing. You don't have to be one of them. Unless you're going to see A&E, then maybe.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

This is funny. I watched the exact same video an hour or so ago, and had the exact same reaction and doubts.

We've been several times, but have never made rope drop. We tend to stay out late for things like the Dessert Party and MVMCP, and thus try to get the kids to sleep in.

But this June will be our first non-December trip, so, I'm thinking with the heat, we should tour early, take the afternoon off and then come back (or park hop).

This will also be our first off-site trip.

So, tell me, kind people. If I do want to be there to witness RD and the Running of the Parents (to A&E), when should we get to the parking lot? When should we leave our Marriott World Center resort?

And, if staying off-site, is the afternoon break really feasible?

For MK, you should leave your room no less than 90 minutes before the park opens. That provides adequate time to drive to the parking area and then take the monorail or ferry across to MK, still arriving 15-30 minutes before the park opens.

As for the afternoon break - that is up to you. You are going to spend about 60 minutes in transit each way taking all things into consideration (walking out of park A, getting to your car, driving, walking to your room, walking back to the car, driving, parking, getting to park B from your car and entering park B.

The result - a 2 hour swim break with a nap is really a 4 hour time commitment if you are staying off-site. Heck, it is pretty close to the same time commitment if staying at some of the WDW resorts.

 

[indimom]

We have always been rope droppers. But, like you, I really hated being in the middle of that mad dash. We did it, time after time, but we hated it.

During our trip last year, we arrived prior to opening, but ended up at the back of the rope drop pack heading to TSMM (one of the worst offenders in my opinion).

SO ...

MUCH .....

BETTER!!!!

And it was still a walk on even at the back of the pack.


This is the method I recommend. It IS worth it to arrive early.

And once that first rush has passed, you have a good hour of very easy park touring to hit the top rides, and will be moving on to the second tier attractions by the time the real crowds arrive.


Just a tip. Use this same method if you stay for any of the night time shows (fireworks, fantasmic, illuminations). Just hang back and avoid the crush of people heading for the exits all at the same time. This is especially true at the MK, it gets really tight squeezing through main street and under the railroad at the exit.

Have a great trip!

 

[WDW1971]

For MK, you should leave your room no less than 90 minutes before the park opens. That provides adequate time to drive to the parking area and then take the monorail or ferry across to MK, still arriving 15-30 minutes before the park opens.

As for the afternoon break - that is up to you. You are going to spend about 60 minutes in transit each way taking all things into consideration (walking out of park A, getting to your car, driving, walking to your room, walking back to the car, driving, parking, getting to park B from your car and entering park B.

The result - a 2 hour swim break with a nap is really a 4 hour time commitment if you are staying off-site. Heck, it is pretty close to the same time commitment if staying at some of the WDW resorts.

Thanks! That's all very sensible, and the guidelines help.

You're right -- I asked whether the break was "worth it," and that's a personal decision, and it's going to depend on the day's plan. It very well may be worth it on the days that we have dessert parties (MK and Epcot). It's a long way from rope drop to the end of the fireworks.

Your estimate of 2 hours of RT travel is useful.

One new planning wrinkle is the welcome addition of the 4th FP. I had planned on rope drop, plus a couple of morning FPs, with one in reserve for the evening. Now, I suppose we'll want to burn through the first 3 in the morning.