Rope drop - how long?

[Pluto777]

I hear rope drop is great because there are usually less crowds. However, I wanted to know, for how long do those crowds actually last? Assume for example MK in mid August with a 9 am opening. Should I wait to make my first fast pass 9:30-10:30 because it starts getting crowded after 30 minutes? Or do the crowds maybe not start getting bad until 10:30? Opinions welcome : )

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I hear rope drop is great because there are usually less crowds. However, I wanted to know, for how long do those crowds actually last? Assume for example MK in mid August with a 9 am opening. Should I wait to make my first fast pass 9:30-10:30 because it starts getting crowded after 30 minutes? Or do the crowds maybe not start getting bad until 10:30? Opinions welcome : )

The "rope drop advantage" window can really vary by the time of year and overall crowd levels. During non-peak times, I generally think you can get a good 1-1.5 (maybe even 2) hours of quality park time in on most attractions (I'm ignoring major headliners in that statement).

But sometimes if it's crowded, the "rope drop advantage" can quickly disappear. Like the first week of April (Easter week) - we RD'd MK on that Wednesday (8AM opening) and by 8:45-9ish I felt the advantage was just about gone. Very busy week and it quickly got packed.

Personally, I often do the first FP at 9:30-10:30, or even earlier - with the intent of using the first FP at the very end of the window. The quicker I can get through my initial three and then start searching for more, the better (that's the goal, at least).

 

[rwdavis2]

I would make FP+ about 11 or later. If you do the popular attractions first that puts you ahead of people coming in later that want to do these same attractions. Although I can't disagree with getting them out of the way earlier. I just prefer putting them off til later. Most any fastpass you can get as 4, 5, ... should not be too hard even a littler later in the morning.