RD and bag check

[Pamnkevin]

I plan on hitting RD at the parks for the first time ever. We will have 2 bags and a stroller. Is the a certain line we should get in or can they check our stuff and stroller in any line?

I just don't want to get in line then be told at the gate that we need to be in a different line

 

[Dan Murphy]

As you approach each park, before you get to the card/band swipe section, you will pass through the bag check area/s. There is no mistaking where to go.

 

[shocker]

You won't be allowed to get to the ticket/entry area until the bags are checked. These are 2 separate areas.

 

[Pamnkevin]

So everyone that gets in line at RD is technically in line at bag check...then once they clear that can move on to the entrance

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

So everyone that gets in line at RD is technically in line at bag check...then once they clear that can move on to the entrance

Not exactly. When you get close to the front of each park there is a bag check station. It will say bag check and there are several tables with security guards under an awning type structure there is one sign that says guests without bags.

You pick a line for a table and wait for your bag to be checked. Then you go through and get in line at a ticket scanner to enter the park. At MK they start scanning bands/tickets and let you through to wait in front of the train station for the welcome show,then the park opens. At every other park they start scanning bands/tickets when the park is opened.

 

[mmbl]

What is RD?

 

[Pamnkevin]

Not exactly. When you get close to the front of each park there is a bag check station. It will say bag check and there are several tables with security guards under an awning type structure there is one sign that says guests without bags. You pick a line for a table and wait for your bag to be checked. Then you go through and get in line at a ticket scanner to enter the park. At MK they start scanning bands/tickets and let you through to wait in front of the train station for the welcome show,then the park opens. At every other park they start scanning bands/tickets when the park is opened.

I'm sorry for asking so many questions...I just want to fully understand before I get there.

What you said makes sense and I understand. My only other question is: once I go through the bag check line and get back in line to scan our band/ticket...will there be a separate line for that bag check area or do I need to go all the way to back of a regular line that may or may not be 300 people long?

 

[erionm]

What is RD?

RD = Rope Drop. Some people would call it the running of the crazies.

 

[Gracie09]

I'm sorry for asking so many questions...I just want to fully understand before I get there.

What you said makes sense and I understand. My only other question is: once I go through the bag check line and get back in line to scan our band/ticket...will there be a separate line for that bag check area or do I need to go all the way to back of a regular line that may or may not be 300 people long?

There are two separate areas, one for bag check one for tickets. You can go to any bag check area (there are around a dozen) get your bags checked them walk straight ahead to a ticket area. Again there are around a dozen.

Ftr I have never seen a ticket or bag check line with 300 people in it. The whole process takes less than five minutes if you are organized.

 

[lilclerk]

I'm sorry for asking so many questions...I just want to fully understand before I get there.

What you said makes sense and I understand. My only other question is: once I go through the bag check line and get back in line to scan our band/ticket...will there be a separate line for that bag check area or do I need to go all the way to back of a regular line that may or may not be 300 people long?

This video might help! At about 0:31, the video pans to the right towards a big tented area with tables. That's the bag check. The video goes through the no-bags area, but you won't miss the bag checks!

Then you get to another area where you get in line to scan your tickets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsTg1u6NlY

 

[Pamnkevin]

There are two separate areas, one for bag check one for tickets. You can go to any bag check area (there are around a dozen) get your bags checked them walk straight ahead to a ticket area. Again there are around a dozen. Ftr I have never seen a ticket or bag check line with 300 people in it. The whole process takes less than five minutes if you are organized.

Thanks for your help. I was worried that it was going to be super long lines just to get in the park at RD. Then to have to get back in the line or cut in line was stressing me out a little

 

[ConnieB]

I'm sorry for asking so many questions...I just want to fully understand before I get there.

What you said makes sense and I understand. My only other question is: once I go through the bag check line and get back in line to scan our band/ticket...will there be a separate line for that bag check area or do I need to go all the way to back of a regular line that may or may not be 300 people long?

There will be more than one bag check line, you can go into any of the lines that you want. A hint...don't simply choose the shortest line based on number of people being checked.....look ahead...the family with each member carrying backpacks and another bag in their stroller will take longer than the family with Dad carrying a backpack and the rest of them bag free.

Once you've made it through bag check you will then get to again choose another line to go through to scan your ticket/magic band to enter the park. And again, you can choose whichever line you want.....my preference is to choose a line with the least number of small children. Love kids, have two of my own, but honestly, the process of bringing your magic band up to the Mickey head and watching it light up, just plain takes longer with little kids (and newbies who have no clue and have to listen to CM and ask questions, but you can't always spot them as easily, as the little kids).

It's really pretty easy to tell what you're supposed to do when you arrive....because everyone else is doing the same thing, so follow their lead, plus there are plenty of CMs and guards directing people.

I know it sounds like it's some long drawn out process what with two lines to get into before you even get into the park, but Disney does have it down, and it typically only takes a few minutes. The longest wait is because the park hasn't yet opened and you're waiting for the CMs to start letting people in!

 

[Pamnkevin]

This video might help! At about 0:31, the video pans to the right towards a big tented area with tables. That's the bag check. The video goes through the no-bags area, but you won't miss the bag checks! Then you get to another area where you get in line to scan your tickets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsTg1u6NlY

Thank you

 

[Pamnkevin]

There will be more than one bag check line, you can go into any of the lines that you want. A hint...don't simply choose the shortest line based on number of people being checked.....look ahead...the family with each member carrying backpacks and another bag in their stroller will take longer than the family with Dad carrying a backpack and the rest of them bag free. Once you've made it through bag check you will then get to again choose another line to go through to scan your ticket/magic band to enter the park. And again, you can choose whichever line you want.....my preference is to choose a line with the least number of small children. Love kids, have two of my own, but honestly, the process of bringing your magic band up to the Mickey head and watching it light up, just plain takes longer with little kids (and newbies who have no clue and have to listen to CM and ask questions, but you can't always spot them as easily, as the little kids). It's really pretty easy to tell what you're supposed to do when you arrive....because everyone else is doing the same thing, so follow their lead, plus there are plenty of CMs and guards directing people. I know it sounds like it's some long drawn out process what with two lines to get into before you even get into the park, but Disney does have it down, and it typically only takes a few minutes. The longest wait is because the park hasn't yet opened and you're waiting for the CMs to start letting people in!

Great advice...thank you so much. This helps a lot

 

[JanaDee]

Thanks for your help. I was worried that it was going to be super long lines just to get in the park at RD. Then to have to get back in the line or cut in line was stressing me out a little

Bag check is before you enter the area where the turnstiles are and once you see it in person, it is very easy to understand and say "oh, I get it now".

 

[Hannathy]

and be organized and quick and follow directions!

All zippers mean all zippers, not "oh I didn't think that one would count it's inside"

You can step away from the guard to put things back in alphabetical order you don't need to stand at the table for 2 minutes rezipping and organizing everything perfectly!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Go to the left, especially at the MK. Left side of the bag check table, on the far left end of the bag check stations, and then far left to get through the tapstiles and use the tapstiles on the left. You may find that people aren't queing up in places where they can (especially at bag check). Bypass all the lemmings and go to the point where you can get through the quickest.

As others have mentioned, they'll check your bag as well as under the stroller and in any compartments on the stroller or on in the bags that may have zippers, so have everything unzipped. Then step forward and rezip...don't hold others up by standing there getting re-organized. There are four of us in our party, including two young kids and a stroller. It has never taken longer than 1 minute for us to get through bag check because we look for the shortest line/no line and are ready to rock when we step up to the table.

 

[11290]

Love kids, have two of my own, but honestly, the process of bringing your magic band up to the Mickey head and watching it light up, just plain takes longer with little kids (and newbies who have no clue and have to listen to CM and ask questions, but you can't always spot them as easily, as the little kids).

Actually the smaller children can be better at it than the adults. Kids just do it and go on, a lot of adults have to be instructed what to do, then helped some more and then just stand there and smile at us when the light goes green. I sometimes ask if they drive and then when they say "of course" I will say "green means go, just like a traffic light". Some laugh, some don't. Try to have some fun but some just aren't in the mood.