Non-Early Entry Rope Drop Strategies

[Kevin1281]

We are only one week away from our trip to Disneyland!

We are not staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, so we are unable to take advantage of early entry. That said, each day we will be starting at the park which does not have early early.

We plan to be at security by 7:30ish each morning. That should be early enough, right??? We don't need to be at the front of the line.

Thursday, 8/14 - California Adventure reservation
Friday, 8/15 - Disneyland reservation
Saturday, 8/16 - California Adventure reservation
*We have Park Hoppers

What would be a good rope drop strategy for each park? We are a family of 5. Kids are 13, 11 & turning 9 while we are there. We all love the thrill rides, as well as the nostalgic rides. We plan to try and do everything, or at least close to everything.

Current California Adventure Rope Drop Plan for 8/14: Guardians > Web Slingers > Soarin' (*Radiator Springs Racers late at night)
Current Disneyland Park Rope Drop Plan for 8/15: Space Mountain > Matterhorn > Big Thunder (*LL: Indiana Jones; *Rise of the Resistance late at night)
Current California Adventure Rope Drop Plan for 8/16: Incredicoaster > Toy Story Midway Mania!

Any advice/suggestions is greatly appreciated!

 

[Jawwdoc]

A 7:30 arrival at security will likely put you near the back of the “rope drop” crowd. GotG is only running 1-2 gantry lifts which has resulted in a rapid buildup of a queue shortly after rope drop, you will probably be looking at. 25-40 minute wait with a 7:30 security arrival. A 7:00 security arrival would most definitely put you in a better position for GotG and SM. A 7:30 security arrival would be fine for Incredicoaster as the queue doesn’t start to build until later in the morning. I would consider swapping the ride order of TSMM and IC. Have a great trip!

 

[LKing]

If you are doing LLMP, my personal suggestion would be to grab a LL for Guardians as soon as you enter the park and then head to Pixar Pier. Get your fill of Incredicoaster & Midway Mania before heading back to rest of the park.

Have you looked at the Thrill Data stats for LL at the Disneyland Resort? https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane/dlr

 

[Kevin1281]

A 7:30 arrival at security will likely put you near the back of the “rope drop” crowd. GotG is only running 1-2 gantry lifts which has resulted in a rapid buildup of a queue shortly after rope drop, you will probably be looking at. 25-40 minute wait with a 7:30 security arrival. A 7:00 security arrival would most definitely put you in a better position for GotG and SM. A 7:30 security arrival would be fine for Incredicoaster as the queue doesn’t start to build until later in the morning. I would consider swapping the ride order of TSMM and IC. Have a great trip!

Cool. Thank you for the advice!

 

[Kevin1281]

If you are doing LLMP, my personal suggestion would be to grab a LL for Guardians as soon as you enter the park and then head to Pixar Pier. Get your fill of Incredicoaster & Midway Mania before heading back to rest of the park.

Have you looked at the Thrill Data stats for LL at the Disneyland Resort? https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane/dlr

Awesome. Thank you!