Dash or Look?

[dtkids]

First trip coming up in December....I have all these rope drop mornings planned, but I'm pretty sure we (Me, hubs, 13 yr old daughter) are gonna be so enthralled with the decorations and details and all the things that all the legacy Disney-ers take for granted, I'm afraid we are going to really mess up any benefit of rope drop.

So...what's the recommendation for first timers? How do we enjoy the experience and still take advantage of the rope drop low-waits? Can we?

 

[patty57]

Take advantage of the low wait times at rope drop. You can take it all in when the lines build up later in the day. So...dash, then look later.

 

[buzznina]

If the rides are super important then be like the other herd of people crazily running, but it is a lot nicer to take in the decor when the streets are not jammed with people. You really can do both, enjoy the sites while you meander towards your ride and your wait time will still be a lot less then an hour later. I am with you, we use to be those people that ran by everything, but now we take our time and we actually enjoy the parks so much better.

 

[cassie58]

Your main park for decorations will be MK, and it definitely warrants some time and pics - very magical for first time(every time for me!), but especially at Christmastime - you will be amazed I am sure! Are you going to MK twice during your trip? Are you going early to mid month or close to Christmas (makes a difference for crowds)? I am guessing you have FP set up, so if you are splitting it into two days, you should have 6 favorites set up which gives you breathing room as well, and with a 13 yr old, you can go all day I would imagine. If two days, I would recommend rope drop both, and can take a little time on one of them to take in Main Street. Also, since they are having everyone wait on Main St. before the Welcome Show now, if you get to park an hr. before opening, you will have time to take it in while waiting as well. The only other park that has some of the details and decor as you enter will be HS - the storefronts are cool, and will have some Christmas decor, but you can also check out later in the day. If you have time in your schedule or are heading on the monorail for a meal, be sure to check out the Grand Floridian lobby with the life size gingerbread house, which you can also buy some to taste or take home as an ornament.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Try to think of this trip as the first of many, rather than your one and only (whether you plan on coming back or not). You see what you see, and do what you get to, and that's your wonderful trip. Period.

Our first time, I put such pressure on my family to get everywhere exactly according to plan, to fit as much in as possible. Too much pressure, which we could have done without.

 

[cleophus12]

If you really want to enjoy the decorations before the crowds, consider a breakfast reservation in the park before opening.

 

[stinkpickle]

There will be plenty of time to stare at decorations in the middle of the day when the lines are long.

 

[mamamelody2]

Take advantage of the low wait times at rope drop. You can take it all in when the lines build up later in the day. So...dash, then look later.

I agree with this! Also, remember you can get into Main Street at 8 AM on a 9 AM RD day. So you would have lots of time to look around before "booking it" to a popular ride.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

The park you'll see the most decorations in is MK.
Main Street USA where most of the decorations are opens up to all guests usually over an hour prior to RD.
Get there early and take it in before running to the rides.
Do not show up 5 minutes before RD and linger to look at things if you'd like to take advantage of the shorter wait times in the first couple hours the parks are open.

 

[OB1]

Christmas is AWESOME at Disney. We did the monorail loop 2 years ago to check out the big 3 for decorations. We spent about an hour at each hotel. Plenty to see and do in the MK & EPCOT. Agree that HS has great store windows to check out, and the old fashion street decorations. The BoardWalk area is another great place to visit with 4 hotels to check out for decorations.

ENJOY. Totally jealous.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

As others have said - getting onto Main Street At 8:00 with the 9:00 open is awesome!

We like to take our time on Main Street and soak everything in. When we didn’t get through the main gate until 9:00 for a 9:00 open, that meant we did miss out on some super short lines. I could never bring myself to book it down Main Street though.

Now with Main Street opening at 8 on 9 am open days, it’s awesome! We can still soak in the atmosphere - and get to the rides right away while lines are short. Big improvement for us for sure.

Hopefully you will have 9am opens!

 

[twinsmom44]

Dash then Look. Our kids have come to appreciate our crack of dawn schedule to arrive at parks for rope drops then leisurely walk through park back to front entrance as we linger to enjoy shops, entertainment and holiday decorations. It is a welcome pace change after the adrenaline rush to get on our priority rides that day so we don't waste times in line. Yes, I am THAT mom who creates a color coded daily schedule of our itinerary.

 

[dtkids]

Dash then Look. Our kids have come to appreciate our crack of dawn schedule to arrive at parks for rope drops then leisurely walk through park back to front entrance as we linger to enjoy shops, entertainment and holiday decorations. It is a welcome pace change after the adrenaline rush to get on our priority rides that day so we don't waste times in line. Yes, I am THAT mom who creates a color coded daily schedule of our itinerary.

I am working on that color coded daily schedule now.

 

[dtkids]

As others have said - getting onto Main Street At 8:00 with the 9:00 open is awesome!

We like to take our time on Main Street and soak everything in. When we didn’t get through the main gate until 9:00 for a 9:00 open, that meant we did miss out on some super short lines. I could never bring myself to book it down Main Street though.

Now with Main Street opening at 8 on 9 am open days, it’s awesome! We can still soak in the atmosphere - and get to the rides right away while lines are short. Big improvement for us for sure.

Hopefully you will have 9am opens!

Right now, it is 9 am opens (except for AK 8 am EMH). But...I do not know if MK in particular is going to remain at 9 am. Which of course will ruin my PPO BOG....but it'll work out.

 

[dtkids]

Christmas is AWESOME at Disney. We did the monorail loop 2 years ago to check out the big 3 for decorations. We spent about an hour at each hotel. Plenty to see and do in the MK & EPCOT. Agree that HS has great store windows to check out, and the old fashion street decorations. The BoardWalk area is another great place to visit with 4 hotels to check out for decorations.

ENJOY. Totally jealous.

I REALLY want to do some hotel viewing. But don't know where to put it into the schedule. I do have lots of down time on arrival day, but figured we would just enjoy AKL. And I'm just now thinking maybe I should've gotten an ADR for Ohana. sigh. Can't. Do. It. All. On. First. Visit.

 

[dtkids]

If you really want to enjoy the decorations before the crowds, consider a breakfast reservation in the park before opening.

I do have a PPO for BOG at 8:15 for 9 am opening. BUT....these boards are saying that opening may be changed to 8 am, which of course makes my PPO not so PPO.

 

[twinsmom44]

I am working on that color coded daily schedule now.

as our kids got older and more independent at WDW, the schedule allowed for us to leave with whomever was ready and then those who didn't rise early enough had to use the schedule to come find us at the scheduled park. The first time this happened and they realized the schedule is the schedule, they didn't often sleep in because they didn't want to miss the priority rides. Disney form of "tough love". LOL!

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

As others have suggested, get to MK at 8 for the 9 am opening.

If it’s not roped off between 8-9 head up the steps to the train station platform as soon as you enter and take a few moments to just look down Main Street towards the castle. It’s quite a view, especially for first timers.

I haven’t been to WDW since the new opening procedures were implemented so I’m not 100% sure if the platform is accessible during this time or not. Regardless, I’m in the “take a moment and look around” camp.

 

[cgattis]

I REALLY want to do some hotel viewing. But don't know where to put it into the schedule. I do have lots of down time on arrival day, but figured we would just enjoy AKL. And I'm just now thinking maybe I should've gotten an ADR for Ohana. sigh. Can't. Do. It. All. On. First. Visit.

Personally, on a first trip, I wouldn't bother with resorts. There's enough to see in the parks and wherever you're staying. I really wouldn't spend time visiting a resort unless it was for an ADR, you want to check it out as a possible place to stay for your next trip, or you're using it as "down time" between busy park days. Not that I don't love seeing them all, but there's so much else to do.

 

[scrapquitler]

Stay at MK to closing (and beyond) and take your time leaving the park at night and enjoy the decorations then. The shops stay open for about 90 minutes past closing, and that's the best time (in my opinion) to enjoy the sights on Main Street without the huge crowds. And be sure to watch the castle for the Kiss Goodnight about 30-45 minutes after closing...it's truly magical.