Rope Drop & Buses

[Nakkira]

I am certain this question has been asked before, yet I did not find anything recent on it.

On average, if staying on property, what time would you need to get to the bus stop to make a 9am rope drop (any-park)

I realize that the answer will vary depending on which resort you are at vs which park you are heading to, but again, just kind of looking for an average.

Is 8:20am a reasonable guess?

To be honest I really don't want to stand in a crowd for too long waiting to be let in, I get a bad anxiety in thick crowds sometimes, but I am trying to rope drop a couple of attractions in September that I was unable to get FP for. (see my trip report if looking for specifics) Also I am trying to let my DH sleep as long as possible.
So I am trying to strike the balance of getting there early enough to make rope drop, but not being there so early we have to wait around forever and DH gets grumpy about being awakened to early to "hurry up and wait"
LOL

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hate to say it, but it 100% depends on which resort and park. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable even giving an “average” answer without that info given the variables involved - eg, sharing with other resorts, driving distance, different parks have different security setups, varying rope drop procedures, etc.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would be at the bus stop by 8am for a 9am opening. If you get there early yes, you’ll have to wait a bit longer, but you’ll be up near the tapstyles. The thick crowds that you’re looking to avoid will be behind you. Earlier is better.

 

[Nakkira]

Ok, so All Star Music.

MK one day
AK the next

 

[gap2368]

I stay at sports a lot and for most parks, I tend to do 8 am for MK I do 7:45

 

[Nakkira]

Hate to say it, but it 100% depends on which resort and park. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable even giving an “average” answer without that info given the variables involved - eg, sharing with other resorts, driving distance, different parks have different security setups, varying rope drop procedures, etc.

The only reason I din't provide that right off is I wasn't sure if a general estimate could make this thread useful to more than just me.
So my answer below and thank you

Ok, so All Star Music.

MK one day
AK the next

 

[GADisneyDad14]

With the MK opening procedure for a 9am park opening (Main Street opening 7:45ish-8ish with guests free to roam Main Street / the Hub, castle opening show at 8:55am)... you generally have some flexibility with your timing and crowds. You really don’t have to be in any crowds at all unless you’re heading to 7DMT and need to congregate with the typically large group that gathers outside the bridge towards Tea Cups as that is generally the most direct route to that ride.

Other than that, with the freedom to roam Main Street and the Hub, MK rope drop is usually relatively easy. It’s definitely not like it was in the old Train Show days where you’d be in a large sea of people outside of the front gates.

So when it comes to bus timing, you have roughly a 8-8:45am target to be arriving at MK, assuming you don’t need to be the absolute first person at any Hub rope heading into any given land.

 

[Calee]

I give it at least an hour.

 

[gap2368]

Just note AK sometimes opens earlier then the posted time. If you want to do FOP you really should be at AK 30-45 minutes before RD and I mean though bag check

 

[DisDreaming4116]

If you're concerned about bus availability, just spend the $6-10 and take Uber/Lyft. Prevents the "where is the bus" stress.

 

[norrsund]

We did rope drop and pre-park opening breakfasts in June last year. We went out to the bus about 45min to 1hr before we needed to be at our reservation or rope drop and were fine every time. Always lean on the side of earlier. For reference, we stayed at All Stars Movies.

 

[wfjny]

Like others have said, going to AK from AKL is a short trip, but going to MK is somewhat longer. Likewise, the Floridian is one stop away from the MK, but probably a 25 minute bus ride to get to Animal Kingdom. Even more, also depends on time of year, as some bus routes get combined during slower periods...

I would also remind people that it takes time to get thru security, and the entrance too. I have seen people staying off-site and leaving their hotel at 8:30, expecting to be at MK by 9:00. Not going to happen. Parking, tram, security, monorail, tickets, you are probably looking at 90 minutes before you are in the park...

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

9am RD I tend to walk out of my room at 7:45am.
Usually get an appox 8am bus.
I like to be in the crowds ready to RD by about 8:30am.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

There's significant variability based on many factors. Sometimes the bus shows right away, and you get on it. Other times, you might wait 20+minutes for a bus that gets full before you have a chance to board it.

Bus ride alone is roughly:
ASMu to AK = 10 min
ASMu to MK= 20min

But as above poster noted, that is just the bus ride.

Second, it also depends whether you want to arrive roughly around 9am vs. absolutely making sure you are through security by 9am.

If you aren't die hard, then you can leave a little later. If you are die-hard, then you'll want to leave an extra allowance.

Third, if you are going over a holiday, special event, or other busy time period, then you might need to add even more extra time.

Roughly though, you should generally aim to be at the bus stop about an hour before RD for MK and 45min for AK from your hotel. We usually drive + don't care if we're a few minutes past RD, so we usually allow more like 30-40 min. most times of the year. An uber or taxi can help a little if you end up running a few minutes behind.