MK: Rope Drop vs. Early Breakfast Reservation??

[bamacmac]

So I have never been at MK for Rope Drop. I've only gotten to that park early once, and that was for a breakfast reservation before the park opened, which was such a cool thing. I loved walking down Main Street with hardly anyone around. I'm going in July and am trying to decide if I want to witness rope drop on my MK day, or if I should try to get an early breakfast reservation. If I do rope drop then I would not make a breakfast reservation at all. (FYI: this is a solo trip.) Thoughts??

 

[eyehartdisney]

It will be difficult to find an early breakfast reservation in parks at this point.

 

[uccats97]

Rope drop is quite hectic. Main Street U.S.A. will be packed! The welcome show is cute and I enjoy watching it. Keep in mind, headliners will likely have lines by the time you reach them as the crowds from pre park opening breakfast will get there first.
You know the benefit of having a pre park opening reservation.
Either way, you'll have a magical day!

 

[bamacmac]

It will be difficult to find an early breakfast reservation in parks at this point.

Definitely...if I go that route then I will use the Disney Dining Buddy thing to try to get one. I've heard great success stories with that and I wouldn't be picky about which restaurant.

 

[Alesia]

Rope drop.

The days of a practically empty Main Street are long since past.

 

[bamacmac]

Rope drop is quite hectic. Main Street U.S.A. will be packed! The welcome show is cute and I enjoy watching it. Keep in mind, headliners will likely have lines by the time you reach them as the crowds from pre park opening breakfast will get there first.
You know the benefit of having a pre park opening reservation.
Either way, you'll have a magical day!

That's very true..I envision a mad rush! My first FP isn't until 9:30. I suppose if I do rope drop then I could just take my time going down main street while everyone else is likely rushing to rides. I'm hoping to make this a very laid-back trip. If I don't do something, it's ok. I just want to have fun.

 

[bamacmac]

Rope drop.

The days of a practically empty Main Street are long since past.

Ah yes I wondered how crazy it would be with breakfast folks in July. (Never gone in July.) My previous experience was mid-September.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Since your going during a busier time of year, Disney may extend the park hours and usually end up opening the park an hour earlier. Now all of those pre park opening breakfast are no more because Disney won't open the restaurants earlier. You would be going in with the rope drop crowds. So if you are making an ADR in hopes to be on an empty Main Street, you may end up disappointed.

 

[uccats97]

So I think your best bet is to experience rope drop and linger on Main Street. You can see the Main Street Trolley Show, take a ride on the Main Street Vehicles and listen to the Dapper Dans perform. There is a lot to see and enjoy by taking your time! May I suggest moving your FP+ to a later time? If MK opens at 9, you won't need to use FP+ that early, unless it's for 7DMT or another hard to get FP+. I think you're better off using FP+ in the afternoon when crowds are heavier.

 

[bamacmac]

Since your going during a busier time of year, Disney may extend the park hours and usually end up opening the park an hour earlier. Now all of those pre park opening breakfast are no more because Disney won't open the restaurants earlier. You would be going in with the rope drop crowds. So if you are making an ADR in hopes to be on an empty Main Street, you may end up disappointed.

Ah I didn't think about that. Thank you!

 

[bamacmac]

So I think your best bet is to experience rope drop and linger on Main Street. You can see the Main Street Trolley Show, take a ride on the Main Street Vehicles and listen to the Dapper Dans perform. There is a lot to see and enjoy by taking your time! May I suggest moving your FP+ to a later time? If MK opens at 9, you won't need to use FP+ that early, unless it's for 7DMT or another hard to get FP+. I think you're better off using FP+ in the afternoon when crowds are heavier.

I think that is what I will do! Those are things I also haven't experienced in person. So that sounds like it would be great. Moving that FP is a great idea too...and would give me more time to take it all in as well. Thank you for suggesting that! I tend to forget how easy it is to move FP around. My ex did all of the planning on my previous adult trips, so this is my first time making all the plans myself! Very fun but also a learning process. Do you know if it takes a long time to get into shows in the summer? Like Hall of Presidents? I would imagine so with people trying to take a break from the heat. But I love all of the shows. Just curious.

 

[SaintsManiac]

So I think your best bet is to experience rope drop and linger on Main Street. You can see the Main Street Trolley Show, take a ride on the Main Street Vehicles and listen to the Dapper Dans perform. There is a lot to see and enjoy by taking your time! May I suggest moving your FP+ to a later time? If MK opens at 9, you won't need to use FP+ that early, unless it's for 7DMT or another hard to get FP+. I think you're better off using FP+ in the afternoon when crowds are heavier.

Awesome info!

 

[disney-princess]

Rope drop is quite hectic. Main Street U.S.A. will be packed! The welcome show is cute and I enjoy watching it. Keep in mind, headliners will likely have lines by the time you reach them as the crowds from pre park opening breakfast will get there first.
You know the benefit of having a pre park opening reservation.
Either way, you'll have a magical day!

I love rope drop...yes it can be hectic right when you are walking in but the crowd thins out. You have your people running to rides and people wanting to meet the characters in the square and the ones taking their time taking it all in...I say take your time and enjoy it. However, I don't usually go in peak season so I can totally be off since you are going in July!

 

[Cando86]

I think the welcome show is worth seeing AT LEAST once. I make it a point to see it every trip. It's such a great way to start the day!

 

[nat8199]

Definitely...if I go that route then I will use the Disney Dining Buddy thing to try to get one. I've heard great success stories with that and I wouldn't be picky about which restaurant.

Thank you so much! I had never heard of Disney Dining Buddy. I just put in an alert for a pre-opening Tusker House ADR. I Disney changed the EMH days on me, and totally messed up my old one.

 

[bamacmac]

Thank you so much! I had never heard of Disney Dining Buddy. I just put in an alert for a pre-opening Tusker House ADR. I Disney changed the EMH days on me, and totally messed up my old one.

Oh you're welcome! I just recently learned about it. So many have said they have been able to get the "impossible" reservations with it!

 

[bamacmac]

Thanks to all of you for the great info and advice!

 

[maxiesmom]

Do rope drop and try and get an ADR for 10 am or so.

 

[sharona]

IMO you can linger on Main St and watch the Dapper Dans any old time, RD - 1030am is prime riding time. Get there early, be up front, knock off a few headliners and chronic long stand-bys then use a fp or two then have brunch. Save Main St for later.

 

[uccats97]

Do you know if it takes a long time to get into shows in the summer? Like Hall of Presidents? I would imagine so with people trying to take a break from the heat. But I love all of the shows. Just curious.

If you can't walk right in to a show, you shouldn't have to wait any longer than it takes for one show to cycle through. I hope that makes sense! The best part about going solo is not worrying about pleasing anyone but yourself! You can wait for something if you want or move on and come back later. Make sure you take time to visit Tom Sawyer Island, ride the Liberty Square Riverboat, ride the WDW Railroad and experience the Monster's Inc Laugh Floor. These are all worth doing and with the exception of the Laugh Floor, shouldn't have long waits. I also recommend trying Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and A Pirate's Adventure which are both fun interactive games you play at your own pace.

PS: It's my pleasure offering advice, so you are quite welcome!