For those who have stayed at Windsor Hills and other close-by communities...

[Dallas_Lady]

What time do you have to be in your car and pulling out of the driveway to make it to see the opening rope drop ceremony at MK? (for a 9am opening)

Thanks!

 

[sympatico]

We allowed 45 minutes to get from WH to MK rope drop and got there just in time so maybe 50 minutes if there's traffic.

 

[KayR]

I use 60 minutes in my planning. So if rope drop is 9am, we are getting into the cars by 8am. That allows time for the "oops I forgot this" and run back into the house type things, and packing up stuff to get on the tram (or walk to the TTC as we usually do when we get there for rope drop). We also get on ferry/monorail whichever seems to be leaving sooner. If there is a choice, we aim for the monorail.

Using that timing, we are usually there in plenty of time. I will add that we also have our tickets in hand and don't have to purchase them.

When getting there for the rope drop, I like to make sure I am there in plenty of time - I don't mind waiting around for a few minutes for the opening ceremony and rope drop. Once I have left the house, I don't feel rushed as if I will miss the all important timing.

--Kay

 

[TrustedTraveler]

Gotta say just reading this last post made me smile and got me all excited. Two years ago after struggling with family members to get up and get going we (DW and I) finally decided we should just go it alone and meet the group later. What fun to be at rope drop and dash through 6 attractions before we encountered any wait times (OK, it was in January, but still...)
Once, many years ago I was at a conference alone and went to WDW the day daylight savings time ended and a group of us, who forgot about the time change, were there an extra hour early. cast members told us this happens every year and they let us in early. Most of the attractions weren't open, but what a treat to walk around without the crowd and appreciate the details in the design.
Aahhh, such wonderful memories. You've made my day. Have a magical time and if you are so moved, come back and share it with us.

 

[lawone]

We went in August and were up and in the car at 7:30am for a 9am RD. Yeah, we were really early but we got to be leisurely about getting over to MK and we all know that 4 and 5 year olds don't like to rush anywhere, anytime.

The bonus of getting there early-- once they opened the turnstiles the girls found hula hoops laid out for entertainment. I got some great pics of them hula hooping for the crowd. Priceless.

 

[*disgal*]

From Windsor Hills condos, the Sat. before Easter of this year, we left at 6:52am. I wanted to leave at 6:45am but we were a party of 9 and I was trying to keep my cool. MK was opening at 7am for on site hotel guests but on these boards I was told to get there before 8 just in case because they might let us in.

I was in SHOCK when we were at the turnstiles at 7:25am!! I didn't expect to be this early since I had always read on here how much longer it took for offsite guests (we had stayed offsite before but never worried about getting there BEFORE rope drop). They let all of us in and it was awesome. THat has to be a record though.

This past August we were staying a little further off site, at Oak Harbor Island. We were more exhausted this time with the heat/humidity so we weren't up as early. The park didn't open until 9 (no EMH) and we got to the turnstiles at 9:10am having left our house at 8:30. Still not bad. Crowds were a lot heavier at the TTC.