How Early Can You "Line Up" Before parks Open?

[viluvsdisney]

This question was sparked out of a recent conversation with friends in speculation about Pandora lines. Do people line/queue up early before at security before the parks open (like a concert)? If so - what would "early" be? One hour, two hours....??

 

[IrishNYC]

Yes, people arrive for "rope drop" an hour or so before park opening.

 

[Robo]

As early as you like.

Yes, two hours, or more.
Would I do that? Nope.

 

[CAS239]

You could line up as early as you want as the parking lots don't technically ever close. For Pandora, I could definitely see people lined up outside Animal Kingdom 3-4 hours before park opening. About 60-90 min before park opening is the norm on a regular Disney day, so I'm sure folks will be there way before that for the first few days.

For Star Wars Weekends when they had them, for the celeb meets, people lined up 4+ hours ahead of park opening. Some people I believe camped out late the night before on some days. You'd see tons of people just sitting in fold up chairs in a line

 

[hiroMYhero]

This question was sparked out of a recent conversation with friends in speculation about Pandora lines. Do people line/queue up early before at security before the parks open (like a concert)? If so - what would "early" be? One hour, two hours....??

During SWW, guests would begin lining up the day/night before. They'd bring chaise chairs and small tents.

Security would have them take items back to their cars before regular (not crazy ) day guests arrived in the morning.

 

[viluvsdisney]

Wow! That's crazy!

 

[CAS239]

Wow! That's crazy!

Star Wars Weekend was a lot of fun but also crazy.

Wife and I one year got there at park opening and headed straight to Darths Mall to get limited edition items, we ended up waiting in line for 4 hours. It was brutal

 

[100AcreWood]

We have only done rope drop once. My kids did not enjoy standing outside the gates for 45 minutes waiting to get into the park.

I can definitely see the appeal of knocking out 2 rides first thing but then you have to think about the wasted time (in my opinion) of standing at the gates. Also, for us the kids were losing steam by the time the fireworks started. Not the best plan for us. I admire those who can pull it off!