Rope Drop at DCA

[mrswh]

I understand from another thread that DCA rope drop (or at least one of them) is now closer to Paradise Park rather than all the way up at GRR.

Are the people in line at rope drop near Paradise Park only from the GCH entrance or can anyone who arrives at the park before 10 line up there like they used to at GRR? (I can't recall from last trip whether the GCH entrance was closer to TSM than the GRR line or if those folks lined up at the same rope near GRR as those who entered from the front gates.) Are the rest of the guests still lined up all the way back at Sunshine Plaza?

What I am wondering is whether, if I show up at the GCH entrance a few minutes before 10 and head down to TSMM at rope drop, will I beat all the non-hotel guests?

 

[krash2501]

When we were there last we lined up right next to GGR for rope drop and only people entering from the GCH entrance, which are people staying at the Disney hotels, or who have purchased something from GCH that morning. Both rope drops are done at the same time but every time we made it to TSM before the main gate people. Its closer and a faster route then from the main gate.

 

[mrswh]

Hmm. So on my last trip, when I lined up at GRR (not via GCH entrance), it took significantly longer to get to TSMM than when I lined up at Sunshine Plaza. I think because the path by GRR gets so clogged up with people whereas the path from Sunshine Plaza is much wider and people can spread out so you have room to pass people that are slower. Are there two separate rope drops near GRR - one from GCH and another for non-hotel guests that came in the front gates?

So the Paradise Park rope drop location that someone mentioned is not the norm now?

 

[krash2501]

the one by GGR was right in front of the GCH entrance just up the way from condor flats. Its the way they send people from the main gate to go to Arials for there early reservations. Yes it can get crowded but we were always out front.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

If krash2501 was at DCA more recently than I was, then things have changed yet again, but, yes, we did rope drop much closer to Paradise Pier than GRR. We were there June 19-22 and July 23-26. Rope drop was held in the tiny corridor next to the Little Mermaid construction. You can get to this location prior to 10 AM whether you are a Disney hotel guest or not. If coming from the front gates, just go around the Condor Flats/GRR side of the park. This new rope drop location does seem to be a shorter distance than from Sunshine Plaza. We waited in the new location and easily crossed the bridge before the Sunshine Plaza rope drop people got to the bridge.

 

[krash2501]

You been there more recent then I. I was there before they started the WOC FP stations at GGR. So I am sure your are correct.

 

[gatorfreud]

AUg 1 weekend the rope was up by Paradise Park. I imagine it will stay that way - I can't see that they would hold it back by GRR with all the WoC FP mess.

Anyone can go there - we did enter from GCH, but I went up to get Soarin' FP then back to the rope - so you could just come in from the front and go back to the rope there also.

Kim

 

[marcemc]

Anyone can go there - we did enter from GCH, but I went up to get Soarin' FP then back to the rope - so you could just come in from the front and go back to the rope there also.

Kim

Thanks for mentioning this, I was just about to ask.

What time were your Soarin' FP for?

 

[gatorfreud]

I got them right at 9:30am with a return time of 10:40am - same both days.

Re-read the OP .... If you get to the rope at 10am, you are too far behind the crowd IMO. I would get there by 9:30 ish... maybe 9:40. EVERYONE is let in at 9:30.

Kim

 

[disneymum58]

The gates open at 9 am for Disney hotel guests to get WOC fastpasses. If I go directly to Soarin' (cause I don't need a FP for WOC) what time is the earliest I can get a FP? Do I have to wait till 9:30? What time does Soarin' open?

 

[gatorfreud]

We did it two days...

First day, they had a rope up as you approached Soarin'. A CM was there and about 9:25 she took that group of people into the ride (before the front gates opened). I waited at the FP machines since they were still off - they came on right at 9:30 and I got my FP.

Second day, when I went down there about 9:20ish... there was no rope and no people (I assume they already went into the ride - I have no idea if there was a rope or not). The FP machines were already on and I got mine at about 9:25 (RT was still 10:40).

Kim