Is missing Rope Drop a big deal?

[Mrs. Ciz]

This! We are not morning people in general but we prefer to get there for rope drop, fit as much as we can in by lunch, head back to the room for naps and/or pool, and then head back to the park for the evening. It works well for us. But I have family members who prefer to tour completely the opposite than us and that is fine. Just different styles

I would say for the opening show at MK, see it once just to see it. It's cute. My kids love it. But certainly not something you need to feel you have to see everyday.

It's a necessity for me, and I always talk my traveling companions into it too - when I have some. Yes, there's a crowd, but once the park opens it disperses immediately.

I have also gotten to the parks around 11 or so, and the difference is amazing.

Crowds are greatest around 10 - 11 as the park fills up with those who slept in; by that time, I've usually ridden all the headliners and are going back for seconds. I rode everything I wanted to ride for the day at MK once by 11 a.m., then hopped on the ferry to the TTC and was at my second park by noon.

I am one of those people who go back to the resort for a break - and because I do that, I can also do late nights at the park. While the crowds are greater than in the morning, the parks are so lovely at night. And I don't need as much sleep at night when I rested during the day, so I am able to get up early the next morning too.

Can't wait for my next trip!

I agree with both of you. I have two teenagers who normally sleep until noon any chance they get.
But when I gave them the choice to
a)sleep in at WDW and stay in the parks late or
b) make rope drop, come back for a mid day nap and go back in the evening
they both chose B!

They didn't want to give up those 2 - 3 crowd free hours first thing in the morning. They said it always feels like we have the parks to ourselves when we get there early. Those few hours are GOLDEN!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I agree with both of you. I have two teenagers who normally sleep until noon any chance they get.
But when I gave them the choice to
a)sleep in at WDW and stay in the parks late or
b) make rope drop, come back for a mid day nap and go back in the evening
they both chose B!

They didn't want to give up those 2 - 3 crowd free hours first thing in the morning. They said it always feels like we have the parks to ourselves when we get there early. Those few hours are GOLDEN!

Your last paragraph is why I love getting there at RD. And staying onsite, I can get up at 7:30 (which for me is sleeping a bit late) and still get there on time.

 

[Postal68]

Been to WDW 30+ times in the last 30 years. Never did a rope drop, never had a problem doing what we wanted to do.

 

[siskaren]

I'm going to go for it at least one day. If we don't get lost from Pop (again Lol) and can estimate the time for parking/monorail, we'll be set.

Unless riding the monorail is important to you, most people with cars prefer to take the bus to MK because it drops you off right at the entrance.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

For me, yes. But I have several sleep issues and therefore I can handle opening and closing a park and then doing that for an entire vacation. Many others can't. It depends on you.

 

[ZoZo]

I don't think I've ever been to it. Just too hard with little ones to get anywhere early. I know there's a show and then a mad dash to be first in line at popular rides. Is that it? I don't want to mad dash anywhere, and I would think the crowds are more congested then.

Actually, it's exactly the opposite. Most folks don't get up early on vacation. While it may seem like there are tons of people at park opening, once people get in the gates and disperse to the different rides, you'll realize that most rides are virtually walk-ons the first hour or two. I'm by no means a morning person in my everyday life, but know it's totally worth it to me to get up early at WDW.

And you don't have to ""mad dash" anywhere. Just walk at your own pace. By getting there early, you're already ahead of 90% off the park guests. I suggest trying one or two rope drops and see if it's worth it to you!

 

[AndreaA]

With little kids who don't sleep past 6:30, making RD is not a problem. In fact I usually make pre-opening ADRs. Love that "empty park" feeling and photo opportunities.

We go, do basically everything with minimal waits, and then head back to the resort by 2ish. Makes for much happier kids than getting there later and making them stay longer to get the same amount of attractions done.

 

[pixieMandy]

I don't think I've ever been to it. Just too hard with little ones to get anywhere early. I know there's a show and then a mad dash to be first in line at popular rides. Is that it? I don't want to mad dash anywhere, and I would think the crowds are more congested then.

For us, we make it a point to be at one rope drop at Magic Kingdom during our trip. It's a very magical experience, and the opening show brings tears to my eyes

 

[pixieMandy]

With little kids who don't sleep past 6:30, making RD is not a problem. In fact I usually make pre-opening ADRs. Love that "empty park" feeling and photo opportunities.

We go, do basically everything with minimal waits, and then head back to the resort by 2ish. Makes for much happier kids than getting there later and making them stay longer to get the same amount of attractions done.

We always do a pre-park opening breakfast at Magic Kingdom and one at Animal Kingdom for that reason, the near empty parks make for wonderful photo opportunities and a chance to soak up the magic without the rush of people. .

 

[CaryHaven]

Unless riding the monorail is important to you, most people with cars prefer to take the bus to MK because it drops you off right at the entrance.

Nope, not important at all to me. I honestly didn't think about this. I guess I avoided it because I feel like everyone would be squished on there. I have one umbrella stroller and one "regular" kind. I guess this isn't a problem? Do the buses run often? I don't want to wait twenty minutes for one.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

My kids are slooooow in the morning at home. At Disney? They are waiting by the door, rarin' to go as soon as they're awake. Ain't no time for stalling when there are fun rides to ride and characters to meet! It takes us about 15 minutes to get them dressed and out the door on Disney mornings.

 

[CaryHaven]

Do the buses run often? I don't want to wait twenty minutes for one.

You know, now that I think about it. I usually wait ten to twenty minutes on the Monorail, or at least it seems that way. We once waited 45 minutes. So I guess it's comparable if the buses run every 30 minutes. And then there's not that walk in from the parking lot. Thanks, will def try this.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Depends on when you are going..During peak times and between christmas and new years it means the difference between getting to experience rides with minimal to no waits and waiting 90+ minutes later in the day

This is my answer as well.

As for "mad dashing", you aren't actually supposed to run. That doesn't stop people some of the time, though.