Epcot Rope Drop questions

[revwooster]

We were looking forward to Epcot Rope drop on our first morning. When my wife and I were down (pre-kids), we loved the Epcot rope drop because it was our best view of the characters. We got to shake hands with Goofy and I think Minnie even blew me a kiss!

Do i understand correctly that this no longer exists?

If not, how important is it that we get to Epcot prior to Rope Drop to catch FEA and Elsa and Anna with shorter lines? Can we arrive at 9:00 ish and still be good? Or do we still need to get there early?

Thanks,
James

 

[FCDub]

No characters.

If Frozen is your first priority, you should be at the gate well before park open. Keep in mind they can start letting people in BEFORE the official "opening time."

 

[GADisneyDad14]

When they let you in the main gate varies, but tends to be 8:45ish. You will then be held at a point further in until closer to 9.

If you truly want to be among the first at FEA, I'd get there no later than 8:30. You won't be first in line.

In my experience the majority of RD folks will go to FEA, a large chunk will go to TT, a smaller chunk will go to Soarin.

 

[keliblue]

Would you say entering at international gateway is fast then the front? Heading to soarin

 

[CAS239]

Would you say entering at international gateway is fast then the front? Heading to soarin

It depends if you're let in at the exact same time as the front gate.

For Soarin the International Gateway would be a little closer. For TT or FEA then IG is a further walk

 

[CAS239]

And to OP, there's no characters that come out in the morning. They have the garbage bin band (I can't recall their name) come out and play for about 10 min prior usually.

If FEA is your priority then I would get there around 8-8:20 for a 9am opening. Be there early and walk quickly and you'll be on Frozen with a 0-20 min wait. Show up right at 9 and you could be easily looking at a 45-60 min wait

 

[joyjoy]

And to OP, there's no characters that come out in the morning. They have the garbage bin band (I can't recall their name) come out and play for about 10 min prior usually.

Jammitors.

 

[CAS239]

Jammitors.

There you go! Couldn't think of it

 

[bdarling]

2 weeks ago we did RD for Soarin. It was a Monday and our first park day in 4 years. We Parked in HP area at 8:25 but putting together 2 scooters and getting thru security had us at Soarin around 9:05 and a 10 minute wait with 2 of 3 open. When we exited there was a posted 75 minute wait. Could not have been much past 9:45. Definitely reminded me to get there earlier for the rest of the week. I imagine FEA is worse if not there at RD.

 

[revwooster]

Our original plan was to obtain fast passes for FEA (around 12:00) and do Soarin' at Rope Drop, but alas. . .that didn't work out. I was at lea!st able to obtain a fast pass for Soarin', so that means FEA right away! We will be there with a Five year old girl, so Frozen is an absolute must do...even if it means waiting in line for hours! Hopefully, all will go smoothly. . . .

Sad that there are no characters anymore. . .it was a nice little bonus.

Thanks for the advice.
james

 

[sickshotbri]

If you head straight to FEA on ropedrop, how bad are wait times for Anna/Elsa M&G upon exiting FEA? So many touring plans I see seem to leave that out...

 

[CAS239]

If you head straight to FEA on ropedrop, how bad are wait times for Anna/Elsa M&G upon exiting FEA? So many touring plans I see seem to leave that out...

Anna and elsa meet and greet is nowhere near as bad as it was at MK. The line is very manageable now. You'll probably not have a 10-30 min wait

 

[MerMermaid79]

If you head straight to FEA on ropedrop, how bad are wait times for Anna/Elsa M&G upon exiting FEA? So many touring plans I see seem to leave that out...

Since there are 4 Elsa and Annas, the wait times are not that bad. The lines move really quick too.

 

[sickshotbri]

Anna and elsa meet and greet is nowhere near as bad as it was at MK. The line is very manageable now. You'll probably not have a 10-30 min wait

Since there are 4 Elsa and Annas, the wait times are not that bad. The lines move really quick too.

So it seems that ropedrop --> FEA --> Anna/Elsa M&G is not a bad idea then. Thanks for the help.
If the plan is to get a FP+ for Soarin', it seems the only real battle will be Test Track...

 

[dreiwhit]

Every time we've been to Epcot, we get in line at the tapstiles at 8:40am and they have already been letting folks in before then. And, no one was being held before or after the tapstiles - you could go in and head where ever you wanted to go!

If there was something I wanted to do at RD, I would plan to go through security around 8:15-8:20 and then wait in line.

 

[MerMermaid79]

So it seems that ropedrop --> FEA --> Anna/Elsa M&G is not a bad idea then. Thanks for the help.
If the plan is to get a FP+ for Soarin', it seems the only real battle will be Test Track...

When we went in March during spring break, we were able to get Test Track as a 4th FP - though it was for late in the evening. There were more options for a 4th FP for soarin' though - but that might have been just that day.

 

[Vicki Rickerd]

We have a reservation for the GG at 9:10. Do we have time to do Soarin before that and if not can 1 person stay back for the reservation and wait at the table for the others? Thanks

 

[CAS239]

We have a reservation for the GG at 9:10. Do we have time to do Soarin before that and if not can 1 person stay back for the reservation and wait at the table for the others? Thanks

Not likely you could be off Soarin by 9:10 with a 9am opening. You'd be a little late. I'd move the adr to earlier or just a little later

As far as one person holding the table..someone might chime in that has more experience because I rarely eat in the park, but from what I've seen the entire party needs to be there. That's just from what I've seen when we went to crystal palace one time.