Early ADRs (before rope drop) questions

[mfulk]

So this is our first time staying on property and on a dining plan. I booked early ADRs at all 4 parks before the parks open because I thought we would be able to get to the big rides and get in line first. After reading various threads it sounds like that isn't the case.

How does the process actually work if you are finished eating inside the park (Crystal Palace, Askerhus, Hollywood & Vine and Tusker House) before rope drop? Do you have to get in the end of the line (or back of the crowds) waiting for the rope drop or is there a different line for people who were already in the park?

 

[mb_uh]

You go in early park is empty.

At AK areas are roped off near Tusker house and at rope drop you are let in to go to rides- still you are far inside the park and can quikly get a fp and ride a ride before everyone else makes their way back.

Epcot- did not notice much roped off made it to Test Track to get in line for fp before Rope Drop

MK- not sure we were running late and CP had us there after Rope Drope waiting to see chracters.

Did not do DHS but we will next time. It makes it easy to see characters and get a jump on fast passes and rides- we typically would get fp for busiest ride, ride second busiest, move on- we hit most of the big rides in each park before our lunch ADR except MK because there is more to do.

 

[OhThePain]

You really don't get much of a jump on the RD guests. More often then not (but not always) they will hold you outside the restaurant until the RD crowd pretty much catches up to you. There are times that some CMs will let you go at RD, but from our experience it is more likely they make you wait an extra couple of minutes.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

When we ate at Crystal Palace in May 2010 we finished about 8:50am. We walked over to adventure land where they had a seperate rope drop for those already in the park- they "dropped" the rope at 9am and we were able to ride aladdin's carpets with no one else on the ride. If we wanted, we could have easily walked over to fantasyland, where I am sure they had another rope drop set up. You do not have to walk back to the front of the park!

If you are done eating early you should have a decent jump on the rope drop crowds who are in the front of the park

Good luck!

 

[vinotinto]

We've done pre-opening breakfasts at MK, Epcot, and AK. There are CMs located in strategic points. They have ropes that hold guests within certain areas, until the rest catches up. The first time we took our kids to Dumbo we arrived for MK rope drop fairly early (no breakfast). We caught up with the people inside the park underneath the castle - they set one of the ropes over there. Also within Epcot, you can walk pretty far along, but there are ropes before you get to TT and Soarin.'

Not sure about HS because we have not yet done a pre-opening breakfast there, although we have one scheduled at H&V for September. It would be nice to catch a break on the mad dash to TSM!

I think the advantage of the pre-opening breakfast is you get to walk in when it's still calm and take a picture without having a million people in it. Also, you eat a nice meal before you can do rides, so once the park opens you are ready to go. I don't think it gives an advantage in getting to the rides over simply being at rope drop. Plus, it's not that easy to be done with breakfast by opening time.

 

[mfulk]

So we may not get a head start but we still get to be at or near the front of the crowd waiting for rope drop?