Radiator Springs Racers - Early Opening?

[Porsche4]

Just watched a vlog from SoCal Disney Dad and on the day they went to DCA (they used EE) RSR opened well before 8:00am rope drop. Anyone else experienced this or do you think it was just a one off thing.

 

[twodogs]

When we have been recently, they let the line start filling into the queue with EE guests about 7:50am, but ride does not start operating until 8am.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Just watched a vlog from SoCal Disney Dad and on the day they went to DCA (they used EE) RSR opened well before 8:00am rope drop. Anyone else experienced this or do you think it was just a one off thing.

I have ridden RSR a few times during EE hours, most recently in June. There have also been times when the ride has not been able to open during EE due to operational startup issues and has opened later.

 

[Chokky]

We rode it on Early Entrance twice in September. Both times we were done riding before 8am. They tell you as you arrive at the ride, that it might not open until 8am, but in both cases it did.

 

[wench]

On our 3 EEs in late October, the ride did not start running until 8:00am each day.

Officially the ride is not part of EE. So, you could get early, but I wouldn’t plan for it.

 

[Jawwdoc]

Our typical onsite EE at DCA is GotG x 2 then RSR for 8:00 “rope drop” and the last couple of visits there were EE guests walking out the exit ramp as we entered the queue before 8 AM. RSR is hit or miss to be operational at rope drop, so have a plan B in the event that it is not running at or before rope drop.

 

[Porsche4]

Our typical onsite EE at DCA is GotG x 2 then RSR for 8:00 “rope drop” and the last couple of visits there were EE guests walking out the exit ramp as we entered the queue before 8 AM. RSR is hit or miss to be operational at rope drop, so have a plan B in the event that it is not running at or before rope drop.

Thanks, we don't like GotG so I thought we would hit Web Slingers first then head to Carsland. I thought we could check with a cast member to see what was happening with RSR and decide what to do from there. I would like to try and ride it first up and then come back for a single rider turn later in the evening. If none of that works out I am prepared to pay for ILL (or whatever its called now) but this will be my first time trying Single Rider so we shall see how it goes.

 

[kappyfamily]

Here today and RAdiator springs was our first ride. Queue opened at 7:30, ride opened at 8am.

 

[Porsche4]

Here today and RAdiator springs was our first ride. Queue opened at 7:30, ride opened at 8am.

Oh thanks for the report.

 

[Mardigras2025]

Our typical onsite EE at DCA is GotG x 2 then RSR for 8:00 “rope drop” and the last couple of visits there were EE guests walking out the exit ramp as we entered the queue before 8 AM. RSR is hit or miss to be operational at rope drop, so have a plan B in the event that it is not running at or before rope drop.

What time do you usually make it to the RSR queue after the two rides on guardians? How long is RSR if you get in line at 7:45-7:55am after doing something else first? I’m not sure I want to spend my whole early entry time waiting for it, but it would be nice to get there before regular rope drop if that’s a good strategy.

 

[Jawwdoc]

What time do you usually make it to the RSR queue after the two rides on guardians? How long is RSR if you get in line at 7:45-7:55am after doing something else first? I’m not sure I want to spend my whole early entry time waiting for it, but it would be nice to get there before regular rope drop if that’s a good strategy.

We typically aim to be at the entrance to the RSR queue by 7:55 ish. I think as long as you beat the non EE stampede that arrives shortly after 8 am your wait should be 20 minutes or less. It seems like most who arrive early to RSR only ride once and then head out to other attractions. Recently when we have joined the non-EE stampede there have been EE guests leaving the attraction (after riding) when we arrived at the queue. Last time we rode GotG the cast member that walked our group down from the rope drop area routed us through most of the outdoor queue and the ride was slow to load so we only rode it once before heading to RSR. If RSR standby is a priority, I would plan on only riding GotG once. We have older kids so if we don’t beat the non-EE crowd to RSR, we just ride single rider.

 

[twodogs]

We typically aim to be at the entrance to the RSR queue by 7:55 ish. I think as long as you beat the non EE stampede that arrives shortly after 8 am your wait should be 20 minutes or less. It seems like most who arrive early to RSR only ride once and then head out to other attractions. Recently when we have joined the non-EE stampede there have been EE guests leaving the attraction (after riding) when we arrived at the queue. Last time we rode GotG the cast member that walked our group down from the rope drop area routed us through most of the outdoor queue and the ride was slow to load so we only rode it once before heading to RSR. If RSR standby is a priority, I would plan on only riding GotG once. We have older kids so if we don’t beat the non-EE crowd to RSR, we just ride single rider.

Agree with planning to only ride GOTG once as the only thing you will have time for during EE if you are trying for RSR at RD. They are often not running all elevators at GOTG at EE, so you will likely only be able to ride once, if you want to be sure to be in line for RSR prior to regular RD. It takes a few minutes to walk to GOTG at the start of EE, then usually at least 15 minutes for the line, the pre-show and the ride, and then you have to walk to RSR (short cut by leaving Avenger’s Campus via the path between the Ancient Sanctum and Avenger’s HQ, walking past Luigi’s to get to RSR). You will still be behind a lot of EE folks when you get to RSR at 7:55am, but you will be ahead of all of the RD crowd. Expect 20-30 minutes wait even with this advantage (unless you ride nothing in EE and just line up right away at RSR). It will still likely be the shortest wait for RSR all day, so it is a good strategy and one we employ ourselves.

 

[crystal1313]

We were there this Monday at regular rope drop and almost everyone went to Cars land. But RSR was down! We didn’t notice as we headed to Incredicoaster but after we rode Incredicoaster twice as a walk on, I checked the wait times and RSR was down. Toy Story was also down but opened as we were making a decision of what to do next, so that worked in our favor. So there is the possibility RSR might not be up and running as well.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

they do occasionally start RSR early. The last time I was there they started running at 7:52 AM during EE (park opened at 8) but I only experienced that once. It’s probably not something I would expect to happen but it was a nice bonus when it did.

 

[emmybee]

We don't generally try for RSR during the early entry time. We chose to give it a try Fri 11/29 because we seldom make ourselves wait in line otherwise. They allowed people through the main entrance during that half hour, saying that the ride wouldn't open until 8. I'm glad that we resisted husband's suggestion to ride something else during the wait because they paused/allowed the line forward a couple of times. My daughter noted that park guests were on the ride around 0750ish. I was very pleasantly surprised, and I think we were done by 0810. I know that this ride can be finicky, but I would definitely do this again. We have ridden everything else plenty of times but still find RSR a very special ride.

I'll edit to add that I checked the wait time thinking we got off early enough to try for another round, but it was already listed as 90 minutes.