Arriving at rope drop - what to do during the wait?

[Katiecat]

Hello, I am new here and wondered if anyone had tips for what to do with kids while waiting for the parks to open. Is there so much excitement that you don't need to worry about this? I guess I am envisioning a lot of standing around. I have some tiny wedding-type bubble bottles that I thought might be helpful. My kids are 6 and 8 and I'm sure will enjoy looking around at everything, but it may depend on how long we are there. I have not been to Disney since I was a kid so really don't know what to expect!

 

[crisi]

Skip the bubbles - it will be crowded and chances are good someone nearby won't appreciate the bubbles (some people have allergies, some people wear things that stain, sometimes they get into eyes or mouths, sometimes they set off someone else's child who suddenly needs bubbles).

Don't worry about it. You'll spend most of your time shuffling ahead for the security check. Then there will be a pre-show. In the meantime, keep kids busy by finding all the hidden mickeys or playing I Spy or 20 questions.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Skip the bubbles - it will be crowded and chances are good someone nearby won't appreciate the bubbles (some people have allergies, some people wear things that stain, sometimes they get into eyes or mouths, sometimes they set off someone else's child who suddenly needs bubbles).

Don't worry about it. You'll spend most of your time shuffling ahead for the security check. Then there will be a pre-show. In the meantime, keep kids busy by finding all the hidden mickeys or playing I Spy or 20 questions.

I'm sorry. I have to disagree with your statement. Disney sells battery operated bubble blowers in the parks and I see bubbles all the time around disney. Sometimes in shows as well (finding Nemo for example they drop on the entire audience). I have never seen someone not enjoy bubbles or dodging to stay away from them.

You can't go to disney saying "well we can't let our kids have that because some other poor little kid will want them too". We would never buy our kids a balloon or a toy or anything if we followed that line of thinking.

OP take bubbles. That's a cute idea. Sometimes I've seen people apply sunscreen during that time (doing it considerately). Lots of kids dance. There is truely excitement I the air. Enjoy!

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

I'm sorry. I have to disagree with your statement. Disney sells battery operated bubble blowers in the parks and I see bubbles all the time around disney. Sometimes in shows as well (finding Nemo for example they drop on the entire audience). I have never seen someone not enjoy bubbles or dodging to stay away from them.

You can go to disney saying "well we can't let our kids have that because some other poor little kid will want them too". We would never buy our kids a balloon or a toy or anything if we followed that line of thinking.

OP take bubbles. That's a cute idea. Sometimes I've seen people apply sunscreen during that time (doing it considerately). Lots of kids dance. There is truely excitement I the air. Enjoy!

I'd have to disagree with your disagree, . I don't have a problem with bubbles in wide open spaces/walkways because I can avoid them but during RD crowds can be pretty thick & don't really provide the room you need. I would be seriously annoyed to have to deal with this in close proximity & I doubt I'm the only one.

So yes, OP, bring bubbles for your trip but don't rely on them for super crowded times like RD or long line queues that don't provide room for everyone to dodge around them.

RD for us is a time to get each other excited about our favorite rides or must-do's for the day. You can grab maps if your kids are old enough to read them, I usually read the daily show schedule then as well. We also tend to eat on the run in the mornings so depending on how early we are we might have our granola bars (or donuts ) while we wait.

One caution - once you go through bag-check & the ticket gates and are being held in the area in front of the train station, there isn't another bathroom available until the park opens. If little ones need to use the restroom, do it BEFORE going through the ticket/bag check areas.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I'd have to disagree with your disagree, . I don't have a problem with bubbles in wide open spaces/walkways because I can avoid them but during RD crowds can be pretty thick & don't really provide the room you need. I would be seriously annoyed to have to deal with this in close proximity & I doubt I'm the only one.

So yes, OP, bring bubbles for your trip but don't rely on them for super crowded times like RD or long line queues that don't provide room for everyone to dodge around them.

RD for us is a time to get each other excited about our favorite rides or must-do's for the day. You can grab maps if your kids are old enough to read them, I usually read the daily show schedule then as well. We also tend to eat on the run in the mornings so depending on how early we are we might have our granola bars (or donuts ) while we wait.

One caution - once you go through bag-check & the ticket gates and are being held in the area in front of the train station, there isn't another bathroom available until the park opens. If little ones need to use the restroom, do it BEFORE going through the ticket/bag check areas.

So you don't watch the Nemo show, muppets 3d, or voyage of the little mermaid?

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

So you don't watch the Nemo show, muppets 3d, or voyage of the little mermaid?

Of course I do, and those are moments within a show. Quite different than a small child standing next to you blowing them consistently in your direction for a chunk of time.

Really not worth getting into it - it's a valid opinion & not something I feel that I need to defend.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Of course I do, and those are moments within a show. Quite different than a small child standing next to you blowing them consistently in your direction for a chunk of time.

Really not worth getting into it - it's a valid opinion & not something I feel that I need to defend.

You don't have to defend... I don't like it either and the grandchildren know the facts of bubbles in a tight crowd.... Irritating and annoying... Same for misters....

 

[BigAlsGal]

Of course I do, and those are moments within a show. Quite different than a small child standing next to you blowing them consistently in your direction for a chunk of time.

Really not worth getting into it - it's a valid opinion & not something I feel that I need to defend.

I see...heaven help me the day I don't enjoy bubbles.....no matter who is blowing them.

 

[Disneylover99]

We always have breakfast at rope drop....muffins, raisins, granola bars, fruit,yogurt etc..... It's always our time to slather on the sunblock as well, check out maps and chat with families around us.

 

[Shelleybeans]

How about a game of I-Spy once the sunscreen is on and the breakfast is gobbled down? I can see both sides of the bubbles debate. My 5 y.o. DD loves bubbles. Me? Sure they're cute. But soap in the eyes, hair, etc... notsomuch. I wouldn't make a big deal of someone else's kiddo blowing bubbles though... JMHO

 

[writersblock42]

Unless you get there incredibly early, there really isn't too much time. First you have to get your bag checked and through the ticket line. Then you have to take a picture in front where is says...Memories Begin here. Then they have the pre-show. So really you are only talking about maybe 15 minutes of just waiting around and like people said that is the time that you apply sunscreen, braid hair, look at the map, consult the schedules for the times of shows and that sort of thing.

 

[Katiecat]

Thanks all. That gives me a better idea about what to expect. I promise we'll keep our bubbles under wraps in crowds. I think sunscreen, a bathroom trip and maybe a snack will keep us busy!