Peter Pan at rope drop

[disneylover102]

What’s the best strategy to do Peter Pan at rope drop? I’ve always done Space Mountain first, but now that there’s a fantastic single rider line, it’s kind of a waste. Because of castle construction, I assume you can’t go under the castle. Anyone had experience recently?

 

[WonkaKid]

What’s the best strategy to do Peter Pan at rope drop? I’ve always done Space Mountain first, but now that there’s a fantastic single rider line, it’s kind of a waste. Because of castle construction, I assume you can’t go under the castle. Anyone had experience recently?

Yup. I'm something of an expert on the subject. We rope drop nearly every Sunday and I'm often first on PP. As of two weeks ago, guests could get to Fantasyland via the castle side paths -- Snow White's Grotto being the best choice. Prior to that, we all had to go the long way around, passing Matterhorn and Alice. Best of luck to you! When do you plan to go? If you're there on a Sunday, please come and say hello . Many people on this board do.

As an aside, people sometimes suggest that it's mean or selfish of me to always work to be first. However, anytime there's a child behind me that's good-natured and/or has a positive attitude, I'll always let them go ahead of me. We do this especially for kids/families that are at the park for their first time. We try to help make it as memorable for them as possible. There was a family from Australia at the park about five months ago. They asked us for some tips. They were so nice that we made a point to help them open the park and be first on PP.

 

[disneylover102]

Yup. I'm something of an expert on the subject. We rope drop nearly every Sunday and I'm often first on PP. As of two weeks ago, guests could get to Fantasyland via the castle side paths -- Snow White's Grotto being the best choice. Prior to that, we all had to go the long way around, passing Matterhorn and Alice. Best of luck to you! When do you plan to go? If you're there on a Sunday, please come and say hello . Many people on this board do.

As an aside, people sometimes suggest that it's mean or selfish of me to always work to be first. However, anytime there's a child behind me that's good-natured and/or has a positive attitude, I'll always let them go ahead of me. We do this especially for kids/families that are at the park for their first time. We try to help make it as memorable for them as possible. There was a family from Australia at the park about five months ago. They asked us for some tips. They were so nice that we made a point to help them open the park and be first on PP.

Thank you so much! We’ll be there at rope drop this upcoming Monday (the 29th).

 

[cmwade77]

Just don't try for Peter Pan Rope Drop on a day that has early entry of any shape or form.

 

[WonkaKid]

Just don't try for Peter Pan Rope Drop on a day that has early entry of any shape or form.

Yup. Absolutely. I forgot to mention that.

In recent months and years, a number of people have noted that Mondays have been especially busy. I hope that's not your experience. By all means, please post a trip report -- with emphasis on how busy (or not) the park is -- and your take on the situation. FWIW, on Sundays a friend refers to the time between rope drop and about 10:30 as "Golden Hours." This is before the park is especially full and we can get so much done. Hopefully that happens for you.

 

[cmwade77]

Mondays do tend to be the busiest day of the week (depending on passholder blockouts)

 

[Summer2018]

As a WDW veteran, I was very surprised by the 35 minute wait time for Peter Pan at rope drop in Disneyland.

We always do rope drop in WDW, and the only time we need a fastpass for Peter Pan is later in the day if we want to ride a second or third time.

I love Peter Pan so much but I had no idea how popular it is in Disneyland.

 

[WonkaKid]

I love Peter Pan so much but I had no idea how popular it is in Disneyland.

Part of the reason I like to be first on it is because of my (slightly) competitive nature. But also, there’s a slight amount of pressure from my friends that I meet at the park to be first. It’s kind of “my thing.” I’m vaguely concerned that they’d be disappointed if I gave it up.

 

[sunshiinedaydream]

Just don't try for Peter Pan Rope Drop on a day that has early entry of any shape or form.

Sorry for my ignorance, but why not?

We are trying to rope drop Wednesday 5/1 and Saturday 5/4. What should we do differently on the Saturday?

 

[disneylover102]

Sorry for my ignorance, but why not?

We are trying to rope drop Wednesday 5/1 and Saturday 5/4. What should we do differently on the Saturday?

If there is early entry (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), there will already be a long line because that line has such a low capacity. It should be fine if you have access to early entry. This is why we’re ok doing it on a Monday.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I love Peter Pan so much but I had no idea how popular it is in Disneyland.

PP is one of the few remaining original-there-in-1955-on-opening-day rides left at DL. So, for many of us, there is a very strong sentimental attachment to that ride since it is one of the few things left in DL that still connects us to Walt. Plus, that ride is so well done -- the simple, totally effective, immersive magic of being in your own pirate ship and hearing, "Off to Neverland!" -- nothing like it! That's why the line continues to be so long. I very much hope you get another trip some day so that you get to ride it!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... As an aside, people sometimes suggest that it's mean or selfish of me to always work to be first. However, anytime there's a child behind me that's good-natured and/or has a positive attitude, I'll always let them go ahead of me. We do this especially for kids/families that are at the park for their first time. We try to help make it as memorable for them as possible. There was a family from Australia at the park about five months ago. They asked us for some tips. They were so nice that we made a point to help them open the park and be first on PP.

Part of the fun of being a frequent visitor in the parks is being able to make and share the magic with other guests. With all the time we spend in our special place, it's natural that we get pretty good at knowing our way around the parks. Being "mean or selfish" is refusing to share the magic with others. Being able to share the magic with others is one of the best joys of being a passholder, right?

 

[disneylover102]

Yup. I'm something of an expert on the subject. We rope drop nearly every Sunday and I'm often first on PP. As of two weeks ago, guests could get to Fantasyland via the castle side paths -- Snow White's Grotto being the best choice. Prior to that, we all had to go the long way around, passing Matterhorn and Alice.

So, just to clarify, the best strategy is to go through Snow White’s grotto? Is that the path on the left side of the castle?

 

[cmwade77]

Sorry for my ignorance, but why not?

We are trying to rope drop Wednesday 5/1 and Saturday 5/4. What should we do differently on the Saturday?

If you don't have early entry, you will be behind all of those people and may have a 60+ minute wait by the time the park is officially open.

If you don't have early entry, then you should seriously consider changing to do DCA rope drop on days where Disneyland has early entry.

 

[cmwade77]

So, just to clarify, the best strategy is to go through Snow White’s grotto? Is that the path on the left side of the castle?

Generally speaking yes; however, sometimes that oath is closed off in the mornings, especially right now with the construction on the castle.

 

[sunshiinedaydream]

If you don't have early entry, you will be behind all of those people and may have a 60+ minute wait by the time the park is officially open.

If you don't have early entry, then you should seriously consider changing to do DCA rope drop on days where Disneyland has early entry.

We have early entry that Saturday

I guess what I thought was that “rope drop” happened when the park FIRST opened every morning. So if it was a MM day, rope drop would be when that started not an hour later.

 

[WonkaKid]

So, just to clarify, the best strategy is to go through Snow White’s grotto? Is that the path on the left side of the castle?

Yes. If it's open. Both side paths seem to be open or closed based solely on DL's daily whims. Usually, if you see a CM standing at the head of either path, that suggests that it will be closed. Note that asking CMs doesn't seem to help. So often we've been give wrong information. We'd be assured that the paths were closed and then took the long way around... only to find dozens of guests streaming in ahead of us from one of the side paths as we rounded Alice. Also, the grotto path is to the right of the castle as you look at it from the hub/rope drop. So the right side of the hub is your best bet in all cases. If the side paths are closed, you'll need to take the long way around to the back of Fantasyland -- that is, the walkway that passes between Matterhorn and the bathrooms on the outer rim of FL. You'll pass Alice and then round into FL. Good luck! Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[nkereina]

Not to hijack, but I've been trying to come up with a strategy for our first trip in a few weeks. My initial thought was to do Peter Pan first thing during Morning Magic, however I've been reading Disneyland Daily and this is her logic:

"Save Peter Pan’s Flight for a time later in the day. Even if you go directly to Peter Pan at park opening, you will most likely wait an hour to ride it. Why? Everyone else goes there first. The attraction is slow loading. It’s just not the smartest way to start your day.

Save that hour wait for late afternoon or evening – not in the mid-day sun – but later on after you get other things done. You’ll wait the same amount of time as you would if you went there first thing. But, that first hour is so valuable – use it to do so much more.

Also, setting the tone of the day with an hour long wait at Peter Pan can work against you. Kids want to wait in line even less than you do. Show them that they’re going to move through the park in a fun way, riding several rides to kick off the day, rather than getting stuck in one place upon arrival.

If you watch fireworks from behind the castle – near Dumbo – you can jump in a line that forms near Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that will lead guests to Peter Pan when this part of Fantasyland reopens after fireworks. Getting in this line will result in waiting only 5-10 minutes for the attraction. If you’re planning on being in the park late, I recommend this."

Would anyone disagree with this? I'm really on the fence about it!

 

[WonkaKid]

Would anyone disagree with this? I'm really on the fence about it!

What you say makes sense. However, we rope-drop PP and are often first. Even if we're not first, the wait is never more than five minutes. However, within about two minutes of RD, you're right: the line gets very long very quickly.

 

[nkereina]

@WonkaKid thanks! What time do you arrive at the park for rope drop to make sure you get there first?