How exciting is the "Rope Drop" at the Magic Kingdom?

[YesI'mObsessed]

Is it really worth me dragging the kids up early and heading out there? Is it mayhem and like a stampeed?

Thanks!

 

[Daxx]

You know what!? As a family, we've never done rope drop! I did it when I was there w/friends when I was 25 ... and we did the "sprint to Space Mountain". However, I hear this is very frowned upon now!!! Anyway, since I only remember running like a madwoman to Space Mountain, I really have no idea what the excitement is about ... what am I missing? Can someone fill us in!?

Warmly,
Daxx's Wife

 

[Msslaydbug]

We did this last year and it was like a stampede !! People were racing to Dumbo !! My DH brother and I were right along with us but my parents refused to run with all of the other people calling it "madness" We didn't run - just sort of speed walked.

 

[TAKitty]

I think it depends on what time of year you go. I really like the Rope Drop. It is a great way to start the day. I can't wait to go again this April. However, I can see where it could be a stampede. If you stick to the outer edges you should be fine. I was surprised by how few people were actually in the park after rope drop. Once you get through the enterance the crowds thin.

 

[Schmeck]

We have experienced the rope drop twice, and I feel so sorry for the CMs who have to try to keep everyone safe! They ask people not to run, and yet, grown men and women take off pushing toddlers in strollers at a full run. What would happen if the stroller hit a bump - the poor kid would go flying and get all scraped up!

 

[kpm76]

We did rope drop because we wanted to see it, not because we were hoping to make a mad dash to a particular attraction. We've done all the rope drops and MK is the best. It's really a neat little show and gets you in the mood for a fun filled day at the MK.....if you've never done, I would suggest doing it.

 

[PCFriar80]

Is it really worth me dragging the kids up early and heading out there? Is it mayhem and like a stampeed?

Thanks!

About as exciting as the start of the Disney 1/2 Marathon!! And that was exciting .......and early!

 

[Jennasis]

I had NEVER done it in all my 29 years and 18 trips to Disney until this past October on my honeymoon trip. DH and I had just checked into CR and casually walked over to MK. It was early but I hadn't expected that we'd actually get there early enough for rope drop. Well shut-my-mouth, cause there we were! I was speechless. Maybe it was because I was standing there next to the man of my dreams...the man who I have waited my whole life for...maybe it's because I hadn't been to Disney in 5 years and I was jonesing for a trip so badly I was getting the shakes on the bus ride from the airport, but the rope drop show/ceremony made me cry like a baby! A 29 year old baby.

When the rope dropped, it wasn't mayhem (it was October, and not super duper crowded). People were walking BRISKLY. We stopped at the Main Street Bakery for breakfast (which about killed me! There were RIDES calling my name!!!) and still got on Splash and BTMRR with no wait twice!!

Do it. I will be sure to pencil it in on our next trip.

 

[SPAM]

me and my sister had so much fun at the rope drop. plus if you go to that you get to see the opening of the park which for most of us im sure is a tear jerker. anyway, me and steph thought it was hilarious because we run full on and the cast members were like "please do not run" which of course did not stop us. I was laughing as we weaved in and out between the poor souls that have to push strollers. J/K we all ran and got fastpasses, then ate a relaxing breakfast and watched everyone trickle in who did not run. the best part i think was that ive seen all those 90s family tv shows where they all go to wdw and then they run (like roseanne) so we thought it was a quite funny experience.

 

[maddhatir]

i am glad i found this thread-- i have been to disney 10 times and have never done this-- mostly becasue my husband refuses to set an alarm clock on his vacation! ...me i am up jumping on the bed-- come on lets go lets go!!

we are going in sept and i think i will try and talk him into it ...just this once!

 

[hogwartsdropout]

me and steph thought it was hilarious because we run full on and the cast members were like "please do not run" which of course did not stop us..

Sorry but you really should listen to Cast Members. It's for your safety and they're only doing their job.

 

[scoutsmom99]

I love catching the opening show at MK! It is the best one and it is fun to see the family "open the park". I also love the music and seeing all the charchters...it is a tear jerker for me

 

[janette]

I've found if I want to a commando day in the parks or even get in and do a few favorites it helps so much to get there long before rope drop. We are sometimes the only ones on the bus in the morning and within the first group into the park we are going to. We often finish what we want to do very early.

If you have little kids the rope drop at Toontown usually includes several celebs and is very exciting for them.

 

[Pedler]

If you have little kids the rope drop at Toontown usually includes several celebs and is very exciting for them.

If you eat breakfast in MK before rope drop you can wait at the castle entrance to Fantasyland. We did this in August and it was great. We at at CP and wandered around a bit afterwards. The kids got to see them start up Dumbo and were on the first ride of the day.

I second the rope drop at Toontown. We did that a few times and if you get there 10-15 minutes early there are characters out in front of the rope. Great chance for an informal meet and greet and it was the one time we got Max's autograph. (For some reason DS8 decided while we were there that the vacation would not be complete without meeting Max!)

 

[aunt kelly]

It's fun to see the ceremony-but the best part is to get to ride the rides before the big crowds arrive. We never run-just walk at a good pace. For about an hour, we can ride anything we want w/ little or no wait.

 

[GoingtoSeeRella]

I'm another one who absolutely LOVED rope drop. We just wanted to get there when the park opened, because it was the week before Easter and WAY CROWDED. Little did I know that they do a little ceremony, play the most wonderful music, and my children were all given confetti and "pixie dust" to throw in the air when the countdown ended. And then to see all the characters come out and waving to you...soooo exciting!!


Rope drop that day was at 7 a.m. with EMH (yes, we were actually at the MK about 6:30 a.m.) and the rope was actually behind the train station. I've heard stories where Main Street sometimes opens up but the "lands" aren't open until "rope drop." So I was surprised that we only went in a few feet past the turnstiles.

No one was really running, so I didn't feel like it was a stampede. We didn't run at all...briskly walked, maybe, and we were the first to wake up Tink that morning. Didn't even try to get there in a hurry, figuring we'd never make it. I refuse to run. But we peeked into the shop when we got to Fantasyland and no one had woken her up yet!! So exciting for DD4.

And then we proceded to do all of Fantasyland...every ride, before our CRT ressie at 8:25 a.m.!! In my opinion, the EMHs is the only way to really handle the Easter crowds, and it was truly so enjoyable so early in the morning!

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

Rope drop is one of my favorite attractions. It is a must do once a trip. Some years, the CMs speed walked us over and it was not as fun. Safe, but not fun.

 

[Tinker74]

If I want to be one of the first at the turnstiles for a 9am opening what time should i aim on getting there??

We are staying at WL.

 

[aterriq]

We have the rope drop at MK during the last trip and they had a nice start for the park.

Of course DW and I can be early risers when the need arises. The DDs had no problem getting up at 7:15. Eating breakfast and catching the monorail at 7:35. We got to the park with a good 10 minutes. Since it was the day after Labor day, it wasn't that crowded.

I enjoyed it and we were able to do the rides with very few people around.

During the busy season, I don't know how fun it would be fighting a crowd that early.

 

[kyirish25]

I find the rope drop at MK very magical! Something about starting off the day with an upbeat song and the characters all pulling into the train station. Add to the mix a family leading the coutdown with confetti raining down on you and I'm a sobbing mess.

We go week after Thanksgiving and it has never been a stampede after the rope drop. Everyone just briskly walks down Main Street to their desired land. Now at AK its much more hectic as 95% of the people heads for the safari, at least with EE that should help now.