Questions re opening procedures for tomorrow's visit

[ekmom]

We're in town for a family wedding, staying at the Fairfield and have only tomorrow (Thursday) for Disneyland. We're experienced WDW folks but have only been to Disneyland once before. For WDW we usually do rope drop, but I don't know what opening is like at Disneyland.

Questions:

• I see tomorrow is EMH 7-8. Is there some kind of rope drop ceremony (at 8?) for those who don't qualify for EMH?
• If so, what time should I leave the hotel to be there? I have no idea how long it takes to walk, get through security, etc

Thanks!

 

[az4boys]

We're in town for a family wedding, staying at the Fairfield and have only tomorrow (Thursday) for Disneyland. We're experienced WDW folks but have only been to Disneyland once before. For WDW we usually do rope drop, but I don't know what opening is like at Disneyland.

Questions:

• I see tomorrow is EMH 7-8. Is there some kind of rope drop ceremony (at 8?) for those who don't qualify for EMH?
• If so, what time should I leave the hotel to be there? I have no idea how long it takes to walk, get through security, etc

Thanks!

I don't think there would be a rope drop ceremony at 8am, especially when the parks open at 7am for MM. I think this is one area where WDW and DL are different. There isn't a big ceremony at DL. The most I've seen is a family is chosen to do a countdown and welcome everyone to the parks.
Fairfield is pretty close. I would leave the hotel at 7:00-7:15 for 8am regular opening.

 

[ekmom]

Thanks! How far can I go into the park before the actual opening?

 

[az4boys]

Thanks! How far can I go into the park before the actual opening?

I think the procedure varies depending on the day. On our last trip, there was a 7am MM but we didn't have access. We were allowed to go into the parks and wait by the Adventureland rope until 8am.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I agree with pp. sometimes you wait at the gate til 8. Other times they let you on Main Street. The rope is at the end of Main Street.