Rope Drop DHS strategy

[Bon1423]

we are going in early September and doing DHS for the first time. My three must dos there are unfortunately JTA, RnRC and TSMM. Only one of my kids are big enough for RnRC so I was thinking of getting DH and him to ride standby at rope drop and get a rider switch for me to do later. Then use our FP for for TSMM.

If we rope drop straight to RnRC, would there still likely be availability for my kids to do Jedi training academy? And if so how long should we expect to wait in line for sign ups?

 

[soniam]

Last week, 3/15, they were signing people up for JTT before park open. This may have only been because it was a busy time. I would definitely get an FP+ for TSMM. Get to the park 45 minutes for opening and stand to the left. DH should stand to the right. Head with the JTT child to sign up, while your husband heads to RNRC with the other kid(s). You can head over to RNRC right after sign up and meet them. The line shouldn't be too bad for RNRC at that point. Otherwise, your husband and older child can try the single rider line for RNRC later in the day.

 

[siskaren]

The problem though is that it sounds like the only kid who is tall enough for RnRC would also want to do JTA.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

If your child who wants to ride RNRC wants to also do JTA, they must be with you when you sign up. When we were there in early March they were doing JTA sign-ups before park open. Get there early. If they are doing this, being towards the front will mean that you get your choice of times and should be done signing up and to the rope before rope drop. We were not right at the front of the lines but we were still done signing up and to the rope before they let everyone else in for rope drop. Then head straight to RNRC. Most people will head for TSMM. We did two days rope drop at HS. One we went to RNRC and were through very quickly, the other we signed up for JTA and headed for Chewie and Kylo Ren.

 

[Bon1423]

The problem though is that it sounds like the only kid who is tall enough for RnRC would also want to do JTA.

This is true, so I know he needs to be at JTA sign ups.

I am hoping by September the sign ups might be more predictable, as I read sometimes they do let you sign up before rope drop, which would solve all my problems.

I guess it comes down to, if both are must do, without a FP, and there's no early sign up, which should I do first?

We are planning on being there the whole day so I'm not particular on which time we get.

 

[Kimberly9701]

If your child who wants to ride RNRC wants to also do JTA, they must be with you when you sign up. When we were there in early March they were doing JTA sign-ups before park open. Get there early. If they are doing this, being towards the front will mean that you get your choice of times and should be done signing up and to the rope before rope drop. We were not right at the front of the lines but we were still done signing up and to the rope before they let everyone else in for rope drop. Then head straight to RNRC. Most people will head for TSMM. We did two days rope drop at HS. One we went to RNRC and were through very quickly, the other we signed up for JTA and headed for Chewie and Kylo Ren.

We did not get to do the Jedi training academy last time bc we arrived too late..our Ohana breakfast wait- with reservations, took longer than expected.
This time I can NOT miss it. What time do you recommend getting to the park? I'm planning on 1900 park fare that morning first. We will be there in early December

 

[siskaren]

We did not get to do the Jedi training academy last time bc we arrived too late..our Ohana breakfast wait- with reservations, took longer than expected.
This time I can NOT miss it. What time do you recommend getting to the park? I'm planning on 1900 park fare that morning first. We will be there in early December

I would say that if JTA is that important to you, that you should do the 1900 Park Fare breakfast another day.

 

[Kimberly9701]

I would say that if JTA is that important to you, that you should do the 1900 Park Fare breakfast another day.

That's what I'm trying to figure out. With earliest reservation-if not a long wait. We should be done between 8-8:15. The bus does not stop at any other resorts going to HS from GF. So is it a situation were we need to be at the park @ 8am?

 

[River Country]

Early September? If you mean the week of Labor day you should have no issue getting signed up first then heading over to RnRC. If there is a slow time or period this week would be it. Northern Schools are just back this week and southern schools go back the third week of august. There is no Food and Wine yet that usually starts around September 16th. The only thing that is starting is MNSSHP on September 2nd. If they are not doing pre park Sign ups which that week the probably will not unless it is on Labor Day would sign up and get a FP for later

 

[asbyrneva]

We did not get to do the Jedi training academy last time bc we arrived too late..our Ohana breakfast wait- with reservations, took longer than expected.
This time I can NOT miss it. What time do you recommend getting to the park? I'm planning on 1900 park fare that morning first. We will be there in early December

I wouldnt do a prepark breakfast at 1900 if you were trying to do JTA. Depending on when DHS opens on your day, you could do a 730 one at Cape may and still make it there but that would still be cutting a 9 am opening close, depending on how you make your way to DHS. Pre-opening breakfasts outside of the park you are going to aren't usually advised if you are trying to utilize Rope drop.

 

[River Country]

That's what I'm trying to figure out. With earliest reservation-if not a long wait. We should be done between 8-8:15. The bus does not stop at any other resorts going to HS from GF. So is it a situation were we need to be at the park @ 8am?

Not advisable for several reasons.

1. usually a short wait at 1900PF and you want to see all the characters. Mad Hatter is awesome
2. Bus transportation to HS from GF could take 45 minutes depending on when the bus arrives.
3. Early December can be crowded.
4. You need to be there before 8 AM

 

[Kimberly9701]

I wouldnt do a prepark breakfast at 1900 if you were trying to do JTA. Depending on when DHS opens on your day, you could do a 730 one at Cape may and still make it there but that would still be cutting a 9 am opening close, depending on how you make your way to DHS. Pre-opening breakfasts outside of the park you are going to aren't usually advised if you are trying to utilize Rope drop.

Not advisable for several reasons.

1. usually a short wait at 1900PF and you want to see all the characters. Mad Hatter is awesome
2. Bus transportation to HS from GF could take 45 minutes depending on when the bus arrives.
3. Early December can be crowded.
4. You need to be there before 8 AM

Ok will change up my itinerary then. Thanks!! Too much to do in too little time!!!

Early September? If you mean the week of Labor day you should have no issue getting signed up first then heading over to RnRC. If there is a slow time or period this week would be it. Northern Schools are just back this week and southern schools go back the third week of august. There is no Food and Wine yet that usually starts around September 16th. The only thing that is starting is MNSSHP on September 2nd. If they are not doing pre park Sign ups which that week the probably will not unless it is on Labor Day would sign up and get a FP for later

We went last year 9/6-9/15 because I read that it was the 'slowest time of year' and crowd calenders like a 2-3..
Everyone I met said the same thing as me- we were shocked by the crowds! Not on a June time level for sure. But still a lot of 90 minute + wait time for rides. On Labor Day we just did a resort day..although did venture out to Mickey's winter Summerland. This was the line for the boat to MK..pretty much like that most of the day. I don't know what the monorail was like though.. We only used it once, our room location made more sense to use the boat.

 

[soniam]

We did not get to do the Jedi training academy last time bc we arrived too late..our Ohana breakfast wait- with reservations, took longer than expected.
This time I can NOT miss it. What time do you recommend getting to the park? I'm planning on 1900 park fare that morning first. We will be there in early December

You need to be at the park gates/turnstiles a minimum of 45 minutes before park opening. You should allow at least an hour at 1900PF. The characters can take a while, and you don't always get seated immediately. Plus, transportation, either park or your car, will take time. Don't do a breakfast outside of DHS, if you want to sign up for JTT.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

We did not get to do the Jedi training academy last time bc we arrived too late..our Ohana breakfast wait- with reservations, took longer than expected.
This time I can NOT miss it. What time do you recommend getting to the park? I'm planning on 1900 park fare that morning first. We will be there in early December

We got on the bus at 8 for a 9 AM opening, there about 8:15. There were 3 lines, maybe 40-50 people ahead of us in each line. We did not wait long and they let those signing up for JTA in. We got lucky, our line seemed to be the fastest moving of the 3, other lines were held up by issues going through the tapstiles. That is just the luck of the draw. The first time was gone by the time we got to sign up but we were still done signing up and to the rope before they let in the rest of the guests not wanting to sign up for JTA. I would change your breakfast to another day if JTA and RNRC at rope drop are important. However, there are more shows and more spots for each show now. Lots of reports of people not being there at rope drop and still having spots available through mid-morning. But if you want to play it safe, be there an hour before open.

 

[Kimberly9701]

We got on the bus at 8 for a 9 AM opening, there about 8:15. There were 3 lines, maybe 40-50 people ahead of us in each line. We did not wait long and they let those signing up for JTA in. We got lucky, our line seemed to be the fastest moving of the 3, other lines were held up by issues going through the tapstiles. That is just the luck of the draw. The first time was gone by the time we got to sign up but we were still done signing up and to the rope before they let in the rest of the guests not wanting to sign up for JTA. I would change your breakfast to another day if JTA and RNRC at rope drop are important. However, there are more shows and more spots for each show now. Lots of reports of people not being there at rope drop and still having spots available through mid-morning. But if you want to play it safe, be there an hour before open.

Thanks. In my perfect world we would get an early time..and be able to leave the park within a few hours, returning later for H&V Fantasmic package etc. I'll have to scratch the breakfast to have a hope of doing that it seems.