How Important is it to Arrive for Rope Drop?

[jenjen3574]

I've been lurking here and planning our May trip since last August and have gotten lots of good info here. After reading all the good tips, and getting the Unofficial Guide and subscribing to some touring sites I thought I had a pretty good strategy/schedule all mapped out. Of course, I planned to arrive at each park at rope drop based on all the advice I've read.

Now DH, who hasn't participated in any of the planning up til now, has turned everything on end by saying he doesn't want to get up early at all on vacation! He wants to sleep in til at least 8am everyday. I'm pretty annoyed cause I've tried to go over the plans with him lots of times to avoid just this sort of last minute monkey wrench after all my hard work, but he isn't really the planner/enthusiast in the family, and just kept saying I could plan it, he wasn't into it. He heard me talking to one of the kids about getting up and being there for when they open the park and then dropped his bombshell - hello? we are leaving in 3 weeks.

So after a few deep breaths and deciding that it wasn't really worth strangling him over - he does have some good qualities and all - I'm wondering if we cannot work out a compromise. I'm thinking about insisting on rope drop for a few of the days (like maybe MK day since my DD (2 1/2) will really want to ride Dumbo and some other popular Fantasyland attractions), and then consenting to "sleep in" days for some of the others. We'd probably still get to the park by 9:30 on those days cause with a 2yr old 8am is sleeping in for us!

So how important is rope drop? If we get there at 9:30 will we be arriving with the masses and miss our chance to get in some good rides before the park gets crazy busy? I've read May is a little less crowded than the busy summer season - will that be enough to compensate?

I want to accommodate my husband if I can, after all it is his vacation too. BUT I don't want to miss our chance to do all we want to either. We are first timers, so really have no personal experience to fall back on. What do all of you think?

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Well, I'll admit that I have a very biased opinion. We go to the park with morning EMH every morning. I just enjoy having the parks with somewhat limited crowds and getting to do as many attractions as I can. The rest of the family feels the sameway.

That being said, you might want to try the compromise that you suggested where you do it on some days and not on others. The last thing you want to do is to turn him against Disney so he is reluctant to go again.

Are you going to the water parks? They open later, so you could use those days to sleep in a little before going to them when they open. Also if you are staying on-site, take advantage of the evening EEH then go to the water park the next day.

Good luck, and try to keep peace in the family so you can enjoy your trip!

 

[Camicar]

Depending upon how crowded it is, being there early or late can make a big difference in your day. For example, we were there in February. It wasn't any where near as crowded then as I've seen it during a spring break week.

That said, here is an example of the difference between being there early or 90 minutes later: We got to MGM within 10 minutes of its opening. At that time, we had maybe a 10 minute wait for Tower of Terror. 90 minutes later the wait sign board said the wait was 3 hours. Same thing with Test Track the next day at Epcot. So, although I am not an early riser the difference between a 10 minute wait and a 180 minute is not only substantial, it's the opportunity cost of what else I could be doing during those 170 minutes that I am NOT standing in line.

In other words: when I am at WDW, I understand that this is not a sleep in late vacation.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I think out of all our trips, we made it for rope drop 1 day. It also depends on the time of year but for us, I guess it wasn't that important.

 

[ransom]

If you don't like waiting in lines, then being there at rope-drop is of supreme importance. Even moreso if you're going during a busy time.

 

[Praying Colonel]

If it's a busy time of year, I think it's very important to be there at rope drop. I'm a big believer in touring plans, but if someone gave me the choice of showing up late morning with a touring plan or being there at rope drop with no touring plan, I'd take the rope drop/no plan option.

As an example, here's a pic of the standby line at Splash Mountain around midday in early August 06:

And here's a pic of the standby line at Splash Mountain 5 minutes after rope drop:

As you can see, being there at rope drop makes all the difference between getting ahead of the crowds or being right there among them.

Now is getting there at 9:30 instead of 9:00 the end of the world? Nope, especially if May isn't especially crowded--and according to the UG crowd calendar the crowds shouldn't be ramping up until the last week of the month. But I wouldn't be showing up mid or late-morning and expect to avoid lines.

If your husband hates lines as much as I do, maybe you could phrase it this way: "Honey, we can sleep in and stand in line, or we can get up a little early, get there at rope drop and beat the lines."

Oh, and since you're a 1st-time, let me ask: are you programming in rest breaks every day? Please do, especially with young ones in your party. You're going to need that down time in the afternoon if you want to be doing stuff in the evening--otherwise, you'll hit the Wall.

Have fun!

 

[MushyMushy]

For my family, there's no choice in the matter. They get there at rope drop or not at all.

But we're not all go-go-go on our trips either. We get there at rope drop, and then we're on our way back to the resort for some r&r by 1:00-1:30. We might go back and do more park activities in the early evening, but we're in bed by 11 each night.

For me, I just think you can get way more done in that first hour the park is open than you can at any point the rest of the day. It really saves waiting in line.

 

[mcco5543]

I say go with the compromise. It's really the only way.

You mentioned you are first timers. The only and truly best advice I have learned on these boards is YOU CAN'T HAVE THE PERFECT DISNEY VACATION ON PURPOSE! along with...

YOU CAN'T AND WON'T BE ABLE TO DO EVERTHING, BUT THAT'S OK BECAUSE YOU'LL HAVE SOMETHING FOR NEXT TIME!

like you mentioned, this is your entire family's vacation so everyone has to get what they need some of the time.

Another option. could you go with your child/children to rope drop and your husband can call you when he gets to the park after he wakes up? Best of both worlds? Your kids might want to sleep in too!

 

[Claymax]

I'm a fast pass aholic. My name is Clay.

Your first chance to get a Fast Pass is right when the parks open. For example, if I'm doing AK and heading first thing to EE I will get FP's first before getting on the ride and riding rides as much as possible without burning my FP's.

Then once the park gets crowded you can ride all your favorites without waiting in line.

Remember if you arrive at open, you'll probably do everything you want to do by noon or early afternoon so that's the time to head back to the hotel and rest up or go swimming to cool off. That way by late afternoon you're refreshed for another activity and ready to try it again the next morning.

As FP's are finite (not unlimited) here's how I equate not being there at open. Each hour late = guaranteed at least 1 less headliner ride per hour late per person that day.

For some it's just not that important and that's perfectly ok, but I cannot stand lines so this plan works very well for me.

I actually had the same conversation with my group as some of them felt the same way. The best way for them to 'see the light' about rope drops is to take them into any park around early afternoon and try getting on a headliner ride, there will most likely be a long wait. Then talk them into trying the rope drop, it is night and day different and can make the parks much, much more fun. I encourage you to try it at least one morning early on to see if your group thinks it's worth it.

Good luck and have fun, whatever you decide.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I had the same attitude as your DH my first visit. All it took was one day at the MK getting there for EMH and not waiting in line for anything, then seeing the lines two hours later (45 mins - 1hr). This was early December. I realized that the extra hour of sleep was a cheap price to pay to not wait an extra 4 hours.

Plus, if you're taking afternoon breaks, he can nap!

 

[jenjen3574]

Thanks for the responses so far.

Yes we are planning for mid-afternoon breaks, which is why I was so upset when he said he didn't want to be there early. I know he isn't a go-go-go type and thought I had accounted for that by scheduling down-time as part of everyday. I did that as much for him as I did for the 2yr old! My original plan was to be at a park at rope drop, get in as much as possible in the morning and stay maybe an hour past lunch. Then go back to the hotel for R&R til maybe 3 or 4pm and then head out for dinner and maybe 2 more hours in the parks before calling it a day.

Just for a bit more background, it is the two of us (both in our 30s) our 11yr old DS, and our 2yr old DD. With the age span between our kids, it is already going to be tough to hit all the different things they want to do since there isn't a lot of overlap, and take breaks. We will be at WDW May 5 - 10, staying at the Poly so at least it won't take forever to arrive at MK or Epcot because we'll have the monorails.

 

[Bill From PA]

Do you each have cell phones? We keep to our early entry schedule and meet up with the slugs in our party later via cell phone calls. If not, I'd take the kids and tell hubby that you'll meet him at a certain time and place.

Bill From PA

 

[mickeysgirl17]

When I went in December (off season), we alternated days. One morning we'd get up for park opening (especially MK days) and the next we'd go in late. Instead of doing the nap, we just slept in and stayed at the park late or we would get up for rope drop, then leave for the day by 4pm. I've never done a park open to close before because you get tired out. If it was me, I'd do MK early (for fantasyland), AK early (since it closes early anyway) and Epcot and Mgm - sleep in. These parks are open late and you can still do all the highlights. My DH loves to sleep in too, but at Disney he wasn't too bad.

 

[mom2aandj]

as a pp said, you can get more done that first hour than any other time. period. That said, it is his vacation too, so compromise. And as was also suggested, it may only take one day of NOT being there at rope drop to change his mind!

 

[snickerboo]

Rope drop at MK is definitely worth it! You get to see the Welcome Show (which my family loves) and you can get in about an hour of peace in Fantasyland or get on that one 'must do' ride. I also swear it's the only way you can ride that danged Dumbo ride that every child under ten *must* ride without waiting 45 minutes! LOL

Rope drop is not as necessary at MGM if you're not doing one of the thrill rides or it's not a busy time. The shows (like Belle, Mermaid, Playhouse Disney) have scheduled starts. When we were there the first show we wanted didn't strat for forty-five minuted after the park opened.

I hear FPs for Soarin' at Epcot are moving fast due to refurb but they should be done with that by then.

AK is better early so you can do the safari when the animals are frisky and grab FPs if you want to ride Everest.

 

[Dis Ohana]

When we go to DL we are always there at opening. We planned on being there at rope drop every morning on this trip (our first time at WDW) - as I was reading this thread I figured out that if the park opens at 9:00am, it would be 3:00am our time . I'm going to have to rethink my plans...
I would go with the compromise thing, do a few days later and a few at rope drop. I bet after having to wait in such long lines on late arrival days, your DH will have no trouble waking up early .

 

[jenjen3574]

MGM and AK really won't be an issue. The way the trip is planned we are doing MGM on arrival day since no one in our party wants to do Rockin Roller Coaster or TOT. Our plane arrives at 11:05am, so I'm figuring on a short break for lunch and travel time arriving at MGM somewhere around 2-3pm. I know we probably won't get to see everything, but the plan is to just see what we can, eat at Sci-Fi (we have ADRs) and if the 2yr old isn't too cranky, stay for Fantasmic! (Playing that one by ear).

We have AK planned for the last day and have an 8am ADR for Donald's Breakfast. Since DH really likes breakfast buffets, I'm not going to have an issue getting him up early on that day. :lol

I had planned 2 days at MK and 2 at Epcot in between these - so maybe I can get him to do one early morning at each and one at his delayed morning time?? I also might go with the suggestion of taking the kids on my own and letting him meet up with us later. Not sure how he will like that though - he likes for us to do everything together when on vacation and might not like having to ride the monorail by himself and then meet up with us. (we don't carry cells - I know, I know, living in the dark ages!)

 

[rjeash]

Do you each have cell phones? We keep to our early entry schedule and meet up with the slugs in our party later via cell phone calls. If not, I'd take the kids and tell hubby that you'll meet him at a certain time and place.

Bill From PA

That is exactly what I was going to suggest.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We never used to get to the parks early, until last year. Now I make sure we have the first time available breakfast at the park we are going to for that day, get in early, eat and and enjoy and near empty park (for a little while at least).

I am not interested in seeing a rope drop ceremony.....

 

[mill4023]

The first 2 hours in the park are wonderful.
Your DH probably doesn't want to get up early because it sounds more stressful and less relaxing. I completely understand that reasoning. But the reality is that getting up early makes your vacation far more relaxing. You'll get all the big rides done before lunch time, then you have the rest of the day to relax, go for a swim, take a nap, or whatever else.

Explain to him that there are two ways you can do this:
A. Arrive at the parks 15 minutes before opening and go on 10 attractions before lunch with very little waiting in line. Then do whatever you feel like doing for the rest of the day.
B. Arrive 2 hours after park opening and spend the next 4-6 hours waiting in lines to go on 6 attractions.

Although 9:30 wouldn't kill you, I'm not sure what the point would be. Getting an extra 30 minutes of sleep is certainly not worth the extra waits you'll experience. But if you have to compromise, definitely hit a rope drop at MK because there are so many more attractions there. The rest of the parks only have a couple headliners each, so unless the parks are packed, you can usually get them in with Fastpasses but you won't be able to ride them multiple times (like you would if you were there at opening).

I would do whatever you can to convince DH to be at rope drop on your first park day though. He'll be shocked at how uncrowded it is and how much you get done. Then after lunch, point out how long the waits are at the headliner attractions. This might be enough to convince him it's worthwhile.