Rope Drop at each park

[Stacied68]

I understand rope drop is being there when the park opens. I heard MK does a show. What about the other parks? And what is the best time to be there for rope drop?

 

[Robo]

I understand rope drop is being there when the park opens. I heard MK does a show. What about the other parks? And what is the best time to be there for rope drop?

Here's what's been happening with Theme Park Openings:

Only MK still offers an actual Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15-20 min. "early."
But, the Rope Drop show is timed so that guests will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time.

MK's Rope Drop Ceremony called "Magic Kingdom Welcome" (see location HERE.)

Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before
the posted opening time, to WAIT just inside the gates, in front of the train station (near the "flower Mickey face.")

The ceremony lasts 6-7 minutes or so and starts 6-7 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
There is also a "mini" version (far less "hoopla") that lasts about 2-3 minutes.
There is also an "AUDIO ONLY" version (no characters at all) that lasts under minute.
Which one you will see can be tough to guess.

----------------------------------

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
AND recently, no longer has an inside-the-park guest holding area.
DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early," and guests can enter the park and head
for their attractions of choice at that time.

Epcot does not offer an internal Rope Drop SHOW,
AND no longer offers an inside-the-gates holding area.
There might be a "Welcome to Epcot" audio recording played as a chosen family waves "hello"
to other guests, maybe some confetti involved. (But, it is far below what could be called a "Show.")
Epcot gates (including the International Gateway) will likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(Sometimes, on rare occasions when the park is very busy... as much as 30 minutes early.)

DHS no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW.
DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(DHS has opened as much as 30 min. early, but that's not been the case every day.)

AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.)
On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show
(may or may not be the "full show")
only for AM EMH guests,
and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning.

As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

If staying at a WDW resort, plan to be at the bus stop about 45 min. before you want to ARRIVE at a given park.
(Arriving far too early beats arriving just a minute or two late.)

 

[SeaShelley]

Robo - I just wanted to say that the information you post is incredibly helpful! Thanks so much for taking the time to post!!!

 

[csmith041177]

Thanks ROBO!!!!

 

[redc]

Geez, What an incredibly thorough response! Thank You.

 

[Stacied68]

I agree. Thanks!!

 

[Robo]

You're welcome, all.
My pleasure to help!

Remember that those situations I mentioned can vary every day
(especially at Epcot, DHS and DAK) so just be prepared by arriving early.

Better to be far too early than just a minute or two to late.

 

[Stitch850]

Here's what's been happening with Theme Park Openings: Only MK still offers an actual Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area. MK Gates open approx. 15-20 min. "early." But, the Rope Drop show is timed so that guests will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time. MK's Rope Drop Ceremony called "Magic Kingdom Welcome" (see location HERE.) Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before the posted opening time, to WAIT just inside the gates, in front of the train station (near the "flower Mickey face.") The ceremony lasts 6-7 minutes or so and starts 6-7 minutes before the scheduled opening time. There is also a "mini" version (far less "hoopla") that lasts about 2-3 minutes. There is also an "AUDIO ONLY" version (no characters at all) that lasts under minute. Which one you will see can be tough to guess. ---------------------------------- DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW, AND recently, no longer has an inside-the-park guest holding area. DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early," and guests can enter the park and head for their attractions of choice at that time. Epcot does not offer an internal Rope Drop SHOW, AND no longer offers an inside-the-gates holding area. There might be a "Welcome to Epcot" audio recording played as a chosen family waves "hello" to other guests, maybe some confetti involved. (But, it is far below what could be called a "Show.") Epcot gates (including the International Gateway) will likely open approx. 15 min. "early." (Sometimes, on rare occasions when the park is very busy... as much as 30 minutes early.) DHS no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW. DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early." (DHS has opened as much as 30 min. early, but that's not been the case every day.) AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.) On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show (may or may not be the "full show") only for AM EMH guests, and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning. As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks. If staying at a WDW resort, plan to be at the bus stop about 45 min. before you want to ARRIVE at a given park. (Arriving far too early beats arriving just a minute or two late.)

Thanks!! Glad I found this.

 

[summerw]

Robo awesome post as always. So the gates open that early at dak and dhs even in low seasons? We've been debating per-park ADR's or not.

 

[Robo]

Robo awesome post as always. So the gates open that early at dak and dhs even in low seasons? We've been debating per-park ADR's or not.

The situations I mentioned can vary every day
(especially at Epcot, DHS and DAK) so just be prepared by arriving early.

Better to be far too early than just a minute or two to late.

 

[bethany0417]

Thanks for the info, Robo!

 

[Mikie]

Thanks so much! I was going to post looking for this exact info. I've never done RD (sometimes arrived a few minutes after when the initial rush was already through) but I have a few "must do" items this trip that I want to be at RD for. This will help tell the rest of my group what to expect. Thanks OP for posting & Robo for your thorough reply!

 

[Day-Day]

When we were at DHS and it opened 30 minutes early, RnR and ToT did not start operating until close to park opening time. We went directly to Toy Story Mania which was operating early and rode standby. When we got to RnR immediately afterwards, we had to wait a few minutes for the ride to open.

I don't know if this is normal for "very early" gate openings at DHS but it could affect your plans if it is. I don't think it comes into play when the gates open 5-15 minutes early.