Increase in rope drop crowds

[SL6827]

For those of you that go frequently or any locals, can you tell a sizeable increase in crowds for rope drop at the parks in the past year or so? Well since Disney started monitizing skipping the lines with Genie +?

 

[pens4821]

I can’t say for since they started genie+, but just in general through the years yes. When we discovered it in 2014 it was wonderful. There were lines for entry, but not like nowadays. By 2019 it seemed like everyone knew about it. When we went in 2022 for our first trip with genie we didn’t notice an increase since 2019. It was packed both times.

 

[gharter]

Would agree, especially since reopening, the RD crowd seems larger. It could be that now you only have a 30 minute advantage instead of 60 minutes.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I haven't really noticed a difference between pre Genie (2017-19 specifically since those were peak crowd years) and now. Maybe people feel more inclined to rope drop seeing as early entry is one of the only perks for staying onsite nowadays?

 

[subtchr]

For those of you that go frequently or any locals, can you tell a sizeable increase in crowds for rope drop at the parks in the past year or so? Well since Disney started monitizing skipping the lines with Genie +?

Not really, because of the early entry benefits for Disney (and a few other) resorts at every park, every day. There are still many offsite guests who arrive early, but I don't feel there is any connection between that and Genie+.

I do like that the early entry is every park each day. That DOES spread out the crowds, compared to when extra magic hours were not every park each day.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

RD has definitely been a big thing even before G+. I think we've had more intense crowd experiences pre-G+ than post. Especially when I think back to land openings. I just think there will always be people who love to RD and and use this to their advantage.

RD crowds will vary from day to day and park to park and may not even really be indicative of overall crowds that day. If you do plan to RD, even now, you're still ahead of 90% of guests who are still sleeping so you'll have an advantage. Outside of an attraction opening, I think most RD crowds since G+ have been pretty standard and nothing that I would say has increased since before Genie. I also think the 30 min early entry is likely keeping a lot of people in their rooms. I do miss extra magic HOURS. I presume this may still be staffing related, likely why we don't see too many pre park opening breakfast options too.

 

[SL6827]

Oh, good. Sounds like positive feedback then.