Can't do rope drop

[marius97]

I don't think that we'll be able to do rope drop...staying in Daytona and would have to leave by 7:00 to make the 9:00 drop. We are only doing one day at Disney. Since we can't do the actual drop, are we best off getting there as soon as possible...9:30 or no later than 10:00. Or are we better to wait a bit an let that initial rush of people go through a bit. My guess is to get there as soon as possible. Right???

 

[Robo]

i don't think that we'll be able to do rope drop...staying in daytona and would have to leave by 7:00 to make the 9:00 drop. We are only doing one day at disney. Since we can't do the actual drop, are we best off getting there as soon as possible...9:30 or no later than 10:00. Or are we better to wait a bit an let that initial rush of people go through a bit. My guess is to get there as soon as possible. Right???

When are you going?

What park?

Yes, as early as possible.

But getting all the way into the park, especially MK, when leaving from Datona can take MUCH longer than 2 hours.
What day of the week? What date?

 

[MelanieC]

I'd still say as early as possible, even at 9:30am. The sooner you get in the better. Definately pick a park that doesn't have an early EMH that day or it will be more crowded by that time of day.

Since you are only doing one day at Disney, why can't you get up early to be there at RD? I guarantee you you can get several long wait rides, and have several FP's done before you would even get to the park if you waited to get up. I say buck it up for one day and get there early and enjoy that one day to the extent that you can.

 

[marius97]

I want to get up early and do rope drop, but wife and 4, 6, 8 yr olds are holding me back...though DW may be coming around. We are doing MK Mon June 8. If I looked up things correctly, MK has an EMH the previous night...that is a good time to go the next morning, right? We are in Florida for about 8 days with little to nothing planned...want this to be a relax at the beach vacation...so I think I can manage to get them up early. Maybe I'll just adjust the clocks so they don't realize they are getting up so early.

 

[Robo]

I want to get up early and do rope drop, but wife and 4, 6, 8 yr olds are holding me back...though DW may be coming around. We are doing MK Mon June 8. If I looked up things correctly, MK has an EMH the previous night...that is a good time to go the next morning, right? We are in Florida for about 8 days with little to nothing planned...want this to be a relax at the beach vacation...so I think I can manage to get them up early. Maybe I'll just adjust the clocks so they don't realize they are getting up so early.

I was assuming it was going to be MK.

Yes, MK on the morning after a PM EMH would be a good choice.
That said, since it will be a weekday, the highway driving near the major cities will be VERY SLOW due to morning rush hour.

That, coupled with needing to park the car at MK parking/TTC, take the shuttle (or walk) to TTC/Monorail Station,
Board and ride the Monorail to the MK gates,
Go thru security bag-check, and thru the gates...

(Do you already have the TICKETS purchased? That would add more time.)

All of this adds up to it taking a LONG time to get into the park.

Can you drive down the night before and stay at a motel much closer to WDW?

 

[DISdreamin']

Wow - my kids had ME up early for our first day in the park. When we explained where we were going, they were practically vibrating with excitement!! If your kids aren't "into" it enough to get up early and go, they might not enjoy the waits you will probably encounter if you go later in the morning.

Personally, I think getting to the park for opening is well worth it - we found we could do about a dozen rides in a few hours at MK whereas when we went later in the day we were hard-pressed to fit in half that many in the same amount of time. JMHO...

 

[Robo]

Personally, I think getting to the park for opening is well worth it - we found we could do about a dozen rides in a few hours at MK whereas when we went later in the day we were hard-pressed to fit in half that many in the same amount of time. JMHO...

I totally agree with this.

But, the biggest problem is starting in Datona that morning.


to the DISboards, DISdreamin'!

 

[marius97]

I want to avoid the hotel...we are actually staying that night for wishes, staying in a hotel, then doing SW the next morning before heading back to the beach. I forgot about rush hour...live out in the middle of nowhere so traffic is having to stop at one of the three stop lights. Is there a better way into MK than coming all the way down 4? I'll show DW this thread and maybe she will into the idea of doing more things in less time by going early. She is starting to come around though. Plus going early, gives her/them more time during our afternoon rest period.

 

[Robo]

I want to avoid the hotel...we are actually staying that night for wishes, staying in a hotel,

Staying nearby will save you a TREMENDOUS amount of time and hassle.
And, getting to the MK before rope drop will allow you many more rides before the heat and guests all settle in.

A few $$ spent on a closer motel will pay off pretty big, I think.

 

[jb01]

Just get there as early as possible and have a great day.
I'm sure everyone will enjoy it even if you miss a ride or 2.

 

[katiebsmom]

Staying nearby will save you a TREMENDOUS amount of time and hassle.
And, getting to the MK before rope drop will allow you many more rides before the heat and guests all settle in.

A few $$ spent on a closer motel will pay off pretty big, I think.

DITTO!!! You can find a really cheap motel room and have a much more enjoyable experience without the traffic and hassel. Nothing like trying to have a Disney fun day with kids who've been in traffic for over 2 hours. They might not be feeling so Disney by the time you guys get there LOL!!!

 

[JMD]

Even if you can't make it for rope drop, getting there as early as possible is much better than trying to wait out the initial rush.

And I agree with Robo, if it's at all possible, you will be much better off getting there the night before.

 

[Taylor'sMom]

If you don't have much pre-planned and were going to spend the night and do SeWorld the following day, why not swicth them???
Drive into Orlando and do Seaworld. Check into your hotel (better to do that afetr a shortened day at Seaworld than really late afetr Wishes with sleep, cranky kids anyway! USe the hotel/motel pool or just relax. Get to bed early and hit Mk at rope drop the following day. The driver going home that night after Wishes may be a bit tired, but I'm sure the kids would fall asleep in the car making it an easy drive.

Also, we split our Disney vacation with a stay in Daytona Beach every year. Are you staying right on the beach or will you have to drive? Either way, for what it's worth, check out Sun Splash Park. They have free parking and there's a kids playground area (swings, playground with slides, etc.) and then a large area of soft padded ground with water jets that shoot water up. We park there every trip to the beach, go straight down to the beach for the day (through the park there's access to the beach) and then in the it's right right there) and then let the kids use the playground and play in the water jets before we leave. By that time they're pretty sand-free for the car. There are benches and tables for the adults to rest at (some have umbrellas) and the kids have a blast. This area is more family freindly and further away form the boardwalk and teen areas. I can probablly dig up some pics or more info if you are interested, feel free to PM me your e-mail.

 

[ekatiel]

I'm gonna take a stab at this, even though (as you can see from my ticker), our first trip to WDW isn't until May. Going off what the PP suggested: How about do Sea World the first day, then check in at the hotel, and then go and watch Wishes that first night from the beach at the Poly (if you're feeling up to it, you could even try to get dining reservations at one of the restaurants in the Poly). Anyhow, watching Wishes from the Poly is free, so you wouldn't need tickets for that first day. Then, get up early the next day and make rope drop at MK. Then, you won't be driving back to Daytona too late that night. --Katie

 

[DaveStroem]

Wishes from the Poly beach is nice, but not the same or even close to being the same.

 

[Freddy Bear]

Get there as soon as possible. Leave the night before and sleep in the car if you must. Arrive at the Ticket and transportation parking lot at 8:00am. The crowds peak between 11:30am to 2:00pm usually. Even if the park is crowded that morning, you will still get more completed in a crowded park than not being in the park at all!

If you have not already purchased the book, buy the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and read the entire section on the Magic Kingdom. Follow one of the touring plans exactly as written.