First time doing rope drop- suggestions?

[bramble4]

We're finally able to try RD on our trip this fall and I'm looking for some help. Which parks would you say are most worth it? I don't want to plan on going early every morning, since this is still new for us. Any suggestions on what to accomplish in the first few hours? Also, do all of the parks have an opening ceremony or just MK? Thank you!

 

[JennyDrake]

Definitely MK--head straight to FL.

 

[tobikaye]

A lot of things depend on what you would want to accomplish. Everyone is going to have a different strategy for each park. MK is the only park with a show now, at least last I checked.

So, are you staying on-site or off-site?
If on-site, will you schedule FP+?
What are the ages of your group and types of rides you want to do?

Here are a few attractions that people try to do at rope drop:

MK: Get in line for characters, Space or Splash Mountain, ETWB, LM, PP, Pooh, HM, JB

Epcot: TT, Soarin, Epcot Character Spot (not sure about this one now)

DHS: TSM, RnR, ToT

AK: EE, Safari, Dinosaur

If you are interested in multiple rides on any of the above attractions, then I would suggest heading for them first.

Granted, as I read through this list, I very rarely go for these or in the order everyone else does.

 

[Cando86]

Like PP said, definitely plan for Magic Kingdom. They do a very cute morning opening show about 15 minutes before the park opens. The other parks have nothing like it (though they have much smaller, less exciting "shows").

Rope drop at any park is worth it - you will get so much done in the first couple hours the park is open (make sure to do the big, popular rides in the morning, then can do the less popular or rides with lower waits in the afternoon).
Magic Kingdom: Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Character Meet and Greets, Indy Speedway, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train when it opens, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, Splash Mountain if it's hot, are all good choices for the morning.
Epcot: Test Track and Soarin' are the big ones for the morning. Sum of All Thrills inside Innoventions is also a good one to hit in the morning.
DHS: Toy Story Mania first or Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safaris or Expedition Everest

Obviously this could change depending on your travel party (ie small kids might not or can't ride Everest). Those are the ones we try to hit in each park at rope drop. Have FUN!

 

[AandJsMommy]

If we head for Pirates and Jungle Cruise at rope drop, then Haunted Mansion, Pooh, and Little Mermaid, do you think we'd be done by 11 (party of 6, with one in a stroller)? Or should we change something? We have fastpasses that afternoon for Peter Pan, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Tomorrowland Speedway (although I hope to change this one to the mine train).

I realize this is not the optimal touring plan, however we have 2 days in the MK and my parents will be joining us for one of them. They will not ride roller coasters or Splash Mtn. So, I'm trying to divide up the attractions and save the things they won't do for the next day.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Sounds a lot like what we did when we had a 3 generation trip with smaller children. I would swap Pooh and Little Mermaid to be first - I think Fantasy Land backs up more quickly than Adventure Land...

 

[bramble4]

Thanks for all the responses! We're staying on site in the Epcot resort area. We will definitely plan on getting out early for MK- sounds like you can get a lot done! Plus we've never seen the opening show. Epcot and HS will be our next RD choices since we're staying so close. We have older kids who are mostly interested in bigger rides like the mountains, TOT, RnR, EE, etc. I'm still trying to figure out which rides we'll FP.

 

[Cando86]

I think you'd definitely be done by 11 with the plan you posted. Pirates will have a very minimal wait in the morning. Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Little Mermaid and Pooh will likely be a little higher but I'd say under 20 minutes each that early in the day. Pooh might be a little longer, but you'd be done by 11am if you're there at rope drop.