Rope Drop Advice

[Rigby]

Planning on checking out our first MK rope drop on our upcoming Feb trip. Not doing it to get in early for any rides but just wanted to see what it's all about. Any advice on time to arrive, where to watch from, etc.. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

So funny! Some people just love torture! I mean that in a tongue in cheek kinda way. I like your energy, OP, very fun! Want to be right in the middle of the action!

 

[siskaren]

Are you talking about the rope drop show then? Because normally when people talk about making rope drop, they just mean getting to the park when it opens so that they can hit the rides with minimal waits without FP. If you mean the show they do at MK, it takes place about 20 minutes before the park opens. Basically standing in the center of the courtyard will give you the best view.

 

[Rigby]

I'm talking about the show. We won't be in any kind of rush so was wondering about best vantage point and timing so thanks! Is it worth seeing if you're not planning on bolting to a ride?

 

[colarey]

From what I've read (easy wdw basically), you definitely have to get there at least 45 minutes ahead of park opening to make sure you get through the tapstiles to see the show, and stay to the middle. If you get there even a half hour beforehand there's a solid chance you'll be held outside the tapstiles and won't really be able to see the show.

 

[Graciegirl5]

I'm talking about the show. We won't be in any kind of rush so was wondering about best vantage point and timing so thanks! Is it worth seeing if you're not planning on bolting to a ride?

We did this last month and enjoyed it. We weren't interested in bolting to a ride either. Overall waits on the less desired rides were really short and we got quite a bit done even without rushing.

 

[Allison's Mommy]

We were just there Saturday 12/12. We left Pop Century at 7:20 and arrived in time to go through security and turnstiles before the show started. We were not concerned with being at the front since you can see the train arrive and the show is up on the platform. My kids could see just fine and once the show ended we made our way in. I know you said you aren't interested in heading to any rides, but rope drop is my favorite time to be there. It is so fun to walk onto rides before it gets crazy!

 

[okilydokily]

How early you need to leave, depends on how you are getting there. If on property, take a bus and it drops you off near the entrance. If driving, make sure to consider the time it takes to get from the TTC to the gate. They have people park in the back and use the trams to get to the TTC starting pretty early, so even if you get to the lot 1/2 hour before opening, you will not have front lot parking unless you have a handicapped sticker. Then you have to boat or monorail over to the gate.

Once in, lots and lots of people just mill about on Main Street. A good chunk of the rest go to fantasy land and 7DMT. If those are the things you want to see and want less of a crowd, you need to get there real early so you are one of the first people in through the gates. But that is not prime location to see the opening show. It gets crowded fast on Main St. For the most relaxing time, head back towards frontier land right away. SM, BTMR and POTC will be walk on for a while even n real busy days. Even if you just want to walk around, few people head back there right away and you can just leisurely walk around for a good hour or so.

I went on Thanksgiving and missed the opening show by a few minutes because I didn't plan well, but the crowds were pretty manageable until about 11, and by that time we had got on 10 rides and then used our 3 FPs and left.

 

[ksueboo]

Rope Drop at MK is our favorite way to start a trip. I may or may not tear up when the train arrives and the singing begins.
We are usually through baggage check about 20-30 min before show time. The sweet family beside us was chosen as the family to open the park one time. We got to ride with them in the fire truck down main street after the park opened. Definitely, an exciting and unforgettable moment!

 

[PurpleKomodo]

If you drive, I second making sure you allow plenty of time to monorail or ferry over from the parking lot. We had some trouble getting everyone out of the room on time (grr.) and did not get there as early as I would have liked. I remember standing on the ferry watching my watch and thinking "come on ferry. go" because we were cutting it so close. We sent a couple people in our group through bag check with all the bags and those of us that really wanted to see the show went straight through the gate. We caught the very end but at least got to see Mickey open the park. PP - you are not the only one who may or may not get teary eyed. Next time, I will get there earlier even if I have to leave people behind at the resort!

 

[asbyrneva]

I may or may not tear up when the train arrives and the singing begins.
Shhhh dont tell- that was me over in the corner pretending something was in my eye!

 

[wollydoodle]

I think it's definitely worth it to see at least once. My avatar is a shot of my kids watching the show during our first visit. We all love it and try to make it at least once when we visit. I say go for it!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

If park opening is 9 am we try to be at our resort bus stop by 7:15 if we are at big resort with multiple bus stops. If we arrive very early we don't mind and hope to be the family of day - which is yet to ever happen

 

[Rigby]

Thanks everyone! We'll be staying at the VGF so will most likely monorail over for a 9 am opening. So do you watch the show from Main st or from outside the park but just past baggage check? I'll be with my 4 yr old and my in-laws so really just looking for best vantage point with least amount of pushing and jockeying for space. Have fast pass for later in the day but thought everyone would get a kick out of it and they're all early risers.

 

[siskaren]

So do you watch the show from Main st or from outside the park but just past baggage check?

You watch the show from the courtyard after you go through the tapstiles but before you go through the tunnels to get to Main Street. If you're outside the park, your view is pretty much non-existent, as it says in this post from EasyWDW:

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/ma...ntry-bears-swiss-family-and-enchanted-tiki-r/