How to make rope drop?

[Gitts2008]

It is getting to the final days of our countdown and I am in commando planner mode.

I want to make the most of our vacation and want to hit rope drop at MK and Epcot. But, how??

We will have our car and are staying at CBR, so..

Should we drive to TTC and take the monorail to MK or Epcto?

Should we drive to the parks?

Should we take the bus to the parks?

If the park opens at 8 AM, what time should we arrive?

TIA

 

[DisneyHardin]

There is no "parking lot" for MK, you have to park at the TTC and take the monorail or ferry.

 

[ChattaAlley]

The resort buses start at 7. I have always made rope drop by taking the Disney transportation. There are some that say to get there an hour before it opens and of course you can't do that by riding the buses But I have always been there 30 minutes before opening and it has always been fine. Of course different times of year would prove that to be wrong. But this is the time I went last year and the crowds seemed low. We never had to wait long and it was not as hot. have fun and don't stress out.

 

[Robo]

1- The resort buses start at 7. I have always made rope drop by taking the Disney transportation.

There are some that say to get there an hour before it opens and

2- of course you can't do that by riding the buses

3- But I have always been there 30 minutes before opening and it has always been fine.

1- The resort to park buses start running at approx. 6:30am every day.

2- On days when a park is scheduled open at 7AM (like MK on holiday-schedule AM EMH,) the buses will roll out even earlier. SO, yes, you can get to the gates extra-early by using Disney buses.

3- I agree that being at the park gate 30 min. before scheduled opening time is a good rule-of-thumb for Rope Drop.



.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

When I want to get to rope drop, I try to be at the bus stop at hour before the park is scheduled to open.

 

[Balt ravens fan]

Personally I would drive to all the parks. Even the MK - this gives you the chance to ride the monorail. But if you were to make one exception I guess it would be MK because the bus drops you off in front. I personally hate relying on the buses and would rather drive myself.

 

[jason4024]

I agree with the rule "be at the bus stop at your resort" one hour before the park opens. We have never had trouble making a rope drop when we follow it. RD is definitely a small piece of the Disney magic.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

We stayed at CBR last year and drove.
For EPCOT we drive over and parked. It is free parking if you are a resort guest so it was no additional cost.

For MK we drove to the Contemporary and paid to valet park our vehicle and took the monorail in. We hate the busses for MK and the TTC is a pain to get into/out of when we have 2 tired kids (just our opinion). At the end of the night we hopped the monorail to the Contemporary, and got our car. I think it was like $14 a day? Totally worth it!

 

[tndisneyfan]

We drive to the parks. The only park that I would consider not driving to would be MK, just because you have to take the monorail or ferry to the gate. I just prefer to drive because I know that I will get to the parks before rope drop.

 

[briand1023]

Like other poster said, be at the bus stop EARLY as others will be trying to get to rope drop and since your bus may make multiple stops, it may already be partially filled when it gets to your stop...

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

I always drive to all parks except MK. I like to avoid the TTC (and we get our monorail experience by doing dinner at the CR, Poly, or GF then riding to MK.)

It might be different if you're at a resort that goes to many other resorts during the bus route (I think BWI, YC/BC, and S/D are all on the same bus and that takes a long time so driving might be better then.)

We also try to catch the bus an hour before so we can be at the turnstiles 20-30 min before.

 

[Gitts2008]

WOW! Thanks for all of the great advice!

In all my research I never noticed that MK did not have it's own parking lot.

I have not decided if we will drive or take the buses. But, it all sounds like we need to be ready to leave our hotel at least an hour before the parks open.

Thanks again and if anyone has anymore tips...Keep them coming!

 

[julie1218]

We stayed at CBR last year and drove.
For EPCOT we drive over and parked. It is free parking if you are a resort guest so it was no additional cost.

For MK we drove to the Contemporary and paid to valet park our vehicle and took the monorail in. We hate the busses for MK and the TTC is a pain to get into/out of when we have 2 tired kids (just our opinion). At the end of the night we hopped the monorail to the Contemporary, and got our car. I think it was like $14 a day? Totally worth it!

wow! can anyone do this? we are staying off site. maybe it would be better to pay $14 to valet at comtemporary and monorail to mk than to pay $14 to park at ttc and monorail in from there. what do y'all think would be best for our mk days from off site?

 

[camnhan]

Glad for the post...we are going to try rope drop at HS during star wars weekend so am hoping 30min will still be soon enough. DH is having a cow that I want him to get up at all!!!

 

[weheartdisney]

We've never made rope drop at DHS, but plan to this trip so our 8 year old will hopefully be able to battle Darth.

I'm going to send DH & DS3 to get Fast Passes for TSM.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I drive to all the parks except MK because, as others have said, you have to take the monorail or ferry from the parking lot to the gates, whereas the bus drops you at the gate.

I like driving because I take a break in the afternoon back at my resort and when I'm ready to go I don't want to wait for a bus.

And as others have said, no problem making rope drop on Disney transportation.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

Originally Posted by cam&phoebsmom
We stayed at CBR last year and drove.
For EPCOT we drive over and parked. It is free parking if you are a resort guest so it was no additional cost.

For MK we drove to the Contemporary and paid to valet park our vehicle and took the monorail in. We hate the busses for MK and the TTC is a pain to get into/out of when we have 2 tired kids (just our opinion). At the end of the night we hopped the monorail to the Contemporary, and got our car. I think it was like $14 a day? Totally worth it!

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wow! can anyone do this? we are staying off site. maybe it would be better to pay $14 to valet at comtemporary and monorail to mk than to pay $14 to park at ttc and monorail in from there. what do y'all think would be best for our mk days from off site?

I think that you will need to check on that. We had a resort parking pass which is why we did not have to pay for parking on top of the valet, but I cannot imagine that you would be able to stay off-site and then solely pay the same as someone who is staying on-site. My guess is you would have to pay both the regular parking fee as well as a valet fee. I have no idea, though so that is something you will have to check on.