Best Rides at each Park, at rope drop?

[nickynick]

Going in a few days for a 12 day trip, we are an early Morning family and plan on getting to the park at rope drop on EMH days of the parks. We usually planed our FP starting around 10, and the last one around mid day. Then plan on going back to Poly for swim time and nap time. Then back to a park in the evening. I would like some advice on how to maximize from 8 - 10, each morning for each park. What rides should the family and I try to get on and how many do you believe we can ride each morning between that time for each park? Thank you for your time and help.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

The number f rides depends on the popularity of the rides you select for those two hours. But my experience is that you can probably get three or four rides in during those two hours. For me, at MK I start with SM followed by Buzz. At DHS, start with either Midway Mania or RnR coaster, followed by ToT. At Epcot, I start with Soarin, TT, and then MS. For AK, I can't say because I haven' been there since the new attractions opened

 

[iujen94]

How old are your kids, how tall are they, and do they like thrill rides? That will really impact what options folks will suggest for you.

 

[nickynick]

Two girls, 4 and 6. 42 inches. and 44 inches. They could handle seven dwarfs , but not Space Mountain kids, so there in the middle

 

[iujen94]

At MK I'd go straight to 7DMT and then Peter Pan - followed by probably BTMRR (if they are up for it) and then Splash (if it's not closed for refurb). I'd then head to Jungle Cruise and then Pirates. At DHS I'd go to TSMM. If they aren't interested in RnR or TOT, I'd probably just ride TSMM again until the lien gets too long, because most other things are shows that keep a managable line. At AK, I'd go to Navi (assuming FOP isn't of interest) and then Safari. At Epcot, depends on which Tier 1 FP you get. I'd try for a FEA FP and ride TT and then Soarin' at rope drop. You are smart to look to maximize those precious early hours!!

 

[Delirium]

I would only ride 7DMT with a fastpass. Even on an EMH morning, you'll waste valuable time in line. Adventureland and Frontierland are not open for morning EMH. I honestly don't know what to recommend from 8-9. But, starting at 9 o'clock, I would be getting in line at Big Thunder (literally be there so 9 o'clock arrivals don't beat you to the spot), then do Space Mountain, Pirates of Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and the Magic Carpets in that order.

 

[mousehockey37]

So you're doing a plan that a bunch of other families are going to do. Good luck.

There's not really all that much to offer. You'll be dealing with park opening crowds headed for the big rides.

If you want to do your research, until your trip, get up every morning, check the app for wait times and such, and see the parks in real-time. It'll give you the best idea and trend of what is going on.

 

[finedice]

Honestly, there are things a 6yo will want to do that a 4 yo will be afraid of. SDMT - yes - but plan it carefully - read up! PP, definitely. AK - FoP (again read up) and Na'vi. HS - Toy Story, Star tours, ToT (for those daring enough), Epcot - yes - FP FEA and do TT then Soarin' at RD, or Soarin' then TT single rider for those that want to ride.

 

[Delirium]

Some additional advice:

• Don't criss-cross the park seeking out specific rides. Start in an area of the park and work through the attractions in a logical order. Otherwise, you're wasting a lot of valuable time with rope-drop crowds walking versus riding.
• If you're committed to utilizing the morning magic hours, consider fastpassing attractions that naturally take longer to complete (Enchanted Tales w/Belle, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, etc.). I'm not talking about the length of the line, rather the amount of time you are on the attraction. For example, if you can get to Peter Pan before the line builds, you can be on and off in 3 minutes, and be moving on to something else. Same thing with Buzz Lightyear. By contrast, it would take you about 15 minutes to ride Jungle Cruise or do Enchanted Tales with Belle even if there is no line.

 

[Mimifree]

Josh on easywdw has some good touring plans that talk about ideas for rope drop in each park. You may want to check out his website.

 

[Tomh]

Best rope drop rides, depends some on your traveling party, your preferences, and what FP+ you have chosen in each park. Knowing none of that, I'll give you the rides that I typically go for at Rope Drop

Animal Kingdom Honestly, we usually go for the safari. I would imagine Flight of Passage is a popular choice, or Expedition Everest
Hollywood Studios either Toy Story, Tower of Terror, or Rock N Roller Coaster
Epcot We generally go for either Test Track, or Soarin', though Frozen Ever After could be a good choice as well. Only thing that makes me shy away from that is the rest of World Showcase won't be open, so after riding, you will waste a bunch of prime park time hiking back to Future World for other rides.
Magic Kingdom Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, or Splash Mountain

 

[alex9179]

Josh on easywdw has some good touring plans that talk about ideas for rope drop in each park. You may want to check out his website.

Definitely. We were there May/June and adapted his cheat sheets with great success. I don't think he's updated AK for Pandora but he's done a few posts on how it's working. I like to FP the rides that have quick building waits or that are out of our way for the day. A long vacation allows multiple chances to FP a favorite. Devote two mornings to MK. In AK, I like to do Asia and Dinoland while FP Africa and Pandora.
I'm not sure if he's updated his cheatsheets, or not. These worked well for us. I FP the two Pandora rides for separate AM/PM days. I also FP SDMT for both MK days. Add and delete according to your family's preferences.
http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/mk_cheatsheet_spring_2017.pdf
http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/hs_cheatsheet_spring_2017.pdf
http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/ep_cheatsheet_spring_2017.pdf
http://www.easywdw.com/cheatsheets/ak_cheatsheet_spring_2017.pdf