Rope Drop Procedures - 8:00 AM Opening

[2boysmommy]

Everything I found on here when I searched gave the rope drop procedures for a 9:00 am opening. Does anyone have any insight into procedures now that both parks have an 8:00 opening? We love to knock out as much as possible in the AM and have a break during the afternoon so I would love to know just how early we can get things started right now. Thanks!

 

[JoMarch]

I was in DL last week. We did numerous rides at rope drop before 11am!

ticket gate opens (scans you in) at about 7:25-7:30am. You can line up outside each land. At 8am they “drop the rope.”

Every day we chose a different section (land) to stand at before the rope drop. We did a really good job knocking out a section per pay. We were there for 5 days

 

[DLRExpert]

Disneyland - 8am Opening - Note that this covers the Halloween Season and is written on 9/25 - This will change once Genie+ is out. DOES NOT include Big Thunder
7am: Get the BG for Rise of the Resistance
Arrive and park at the parking lot by 720am
They usually let you into the park and at the Rope Drop area by 730am or 745am.
Fantasyland Attractions as being important
8am-840am: Peter Pan first (ONLY if you are near the front of the rope drop, if not choose Snow White first), then Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio
Goal is to be leaving Fantasyland by 840am and heading to the Haunted Mansion
845am-9am: Ride Haunted Mansion Holiday
9am-950am: Ride the Jungle Cruise, then Pirates of the Caribbean. If time is cutting close to 950am (say 915am), choose one. Pirates is the better choice as the line for Jungle Cruise tends to die down just before 5pm.
950am: Ride Splash Mountain
Goal is to ride Splash Mountain before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
Thrill Rides as being important
8am-830am: Space Mountain first, then the Matterhorn.
Goal is to be heading to the Haunted Mansion by 830am
830am-845am: Ride Haunted Mansion Holiday
845am-950am: Ride the Jungle Cruise, then Pirates of the Caribbean. If time is cutting close to 950am (say 915am), choose one. Pirates is the better choice as the line for Jungle Cruise tends to die down just before 5pm.
950am: Ride Splash Mountain
Goal is to ride Splash Mountain before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.

Disney California Adventure
7am: Get the BG for Web Slingers
Arrive and park at the parking lot by 720am
They usually let you into the park and at the Rope Drop area by 730am or 745am.
Radiator Springs Racers first version
8am-830am: Radiator Springs Racers first (ONLY if you are near the front), then Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout. Use the path between Luigi's and Cones to get to Avengers Campus and Guardians.
830am-840am: Rollicking Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Choose one.
Goal is to be heading to Pixar Pier 840am
840am-9am: Ride Toy Story Midway Mania, then Incredicoaster.
9am-950am: Ride the Pal Around, Inside Out, Goofy's Sky School.
950am: Ride Grizzly River Run..
Goal is to ride Grizzly River Run before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
To Late at Rope Drop for Radiator Springs Racers
8am-830am: Ride Soarin Around the World (the line will form as soon as you enter the park early, get in line, then ride Guardians. Use the path between Luigi's and Cones to get to Cars Land faster.
830am-840am: Rollicking Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Choose one.
Goal is to be heading to Pixar Pier 840am
840am-9am: Ride Toy Story Midway Mania, then Incredicoaster.
9am-950am: Ride the Pal Around, Inside Out, Goofy's Sky School.
950am: Ride Grizzly River Run..
Goal is to ride Grizzly River Run before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
Only RSR will have a long line all day unless you use Single Rider.
Radiator Springs Racers SINGLE RIDERS only
8am-830am: Ride Soarin Around the World (the line will form as soon as you enter the park early, get in line, then ride Guardians. Use the path between Luigi's and Cones to get to Radiator Springs Racers.
830am-845am: Use Single Rider for Racers (it should be a walk on), then Rollicking Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Choose one.
Goal is to be heading to Pixar Pier 845am
845am-9am: Ride Toy Story Midway Mania, then Incredicoaster.
9am-950am: Ride the Pal Around, Inside Out, Goofy's Sky School.
950am: Ride Grizzly River Run..
Goal is to ride Grizzly River Run before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
Only RSR will have a long line all day unless you use Single Rider.

Boarding Group Info
- At this time you can use your Boarding Group anytime after you have been called. For example, I have been called for ROTR at 11am, but not use it until 7pm. I was still allowed in.
- The wait time for Web Slingers can be quite long even with a BG. It is usually under 30 minutes until 10am, then you can expect it to be 40-60 minutes after that. In my opinion it is better to still follow the above plan and worry about doing WS after you have finished Grizzly.
- REMEMBER if you are park hopping and want an opportunity to get a BG for both ROTR and WS, you need to have the first BG scanned before 12pm. If you are cutting it close to not being scanned in time. Ask a Cast Member at the attraction to scan you in early. The CMs will know why you are requesting this and they should have a scanning device nearby.
- REMEMBER 2 - If you are trying to get a BG at 12pm you need to have been scanned into the park before 12pm.

Park Hopping Info
- In my opinion Park Hopping if you only have one day at the DLR is currently not worth it. You can start at a park and follow the above advice, but once you park hop you are going to see longer wait times.
- Once Genie+ is released it will make things much easier for Park Hoppers. As long as it shares many of the things MaxPass offered.

SPECIAL NOTE about the plans above
- This plan also works if you arrive after ROPE DROP. For example, say you arrive at Disneyland just before 850am. Skip everything listed before 9am and start at what is listed for 9am. So that would be the Jungle Cruise and Pirates.

ME

 

[dieumeye]

Here’s some info from my recent experience at the structure on Saturdays:

If you are planning on parking at the M&F structure, they open access to the structure at 6:45am. Prior to that, it is coned off. At 6:45 you can drive into the structure and wait at the booths. At 7am they open the booths.

If you are planning to be at the front of the pack at rope drop, you should aim to enter the structure as early as you can. You’ll be one of the first to park, and breeze thru security. By the time you make the walk to the gate there will be people lined up at the gates, but it hasn’t been too bad at that time the past couple weekends. They’ll open the gates around 7:30 and hold people for rope drop until 8:00am.

 

[RJstanis]

Disneyland - 8am Opening - Note that this covers the Halloween Season and is written on 9/25 - This will change once Genie+ is out. DOES NOT include Big Thunder
7am: Get the BG for Rise of the Resistance
Arrive and park at the parking lot by 720am
They usually let you into the park and at the Rope Drop area by 730am or 745am.
Fantasyland Attractions as being important
8am-840am: Peter Pan first (ONLY if you are near the front of the rope drop, if not choose Snow White first), then Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio
Goal is to be leaving Fantasyland by 840am and heading to the Haunted Mansion
845am-9am: Ride Haunted Mansion Holiday
9am-950am: Ride the Jungle Cruise, then Pirates of the Caribbean. If time is cutting close to 950am, choose one
950am: Ride Splash Mountain
Goal is to ride Splash Mountain before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
Thrill Rides as being important
8am-830am: Space Mountain first, then the Matterhorn.
Goal is to be heading to the Haunted Mansion by 830am
830am-845am: Ride Haunted Mansion Holiday
845am-950am: Ride the Jungle Cruise, then Pirates of the Caribbean. If time is cutting close to 950am, choose one
950am: Ride Splash Mountain
Goal is to ride Splash Mountain before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.

Disney California Adventure
7am: Get the BG for Web Slingers
Arrive and park at the parking lot by 720am
They usually let you into the park and at the Rope Drop area by 730am or 745am.
Radiator Springs Racers first version
8am-830am: Radiator Springs Racers first (ONLY if you are near the front), then Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout.
830am-840am: Rollicking Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Choose one.
Goal is to be heading to Pixar Pier 840am
840am-9am: Ride Toy Story Midway Mania, then Incredicoaster.
9am-950am: Ride the Pal Around, Inside Out, Goofy's Sky School.
950am: Ride Grizzly River Run..
Goal is to ride Grizzly River Run before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
To Late at Rope Drop for Radiator Springs Racers
8am-830am: Ride Soarin Around the World (the line will form as soon as you enter the park early, get in line, then ride Guardians.
830am-840am: Rollicking Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Choose one.
Goal is to be heading to Pixar Pier 840am
840am-9am: Ride Toy Story Midway Mania, then Incredicoaster.
9am-950am: Ride the Pal Around, Inside Out, Goofy's Sky School.
950am: Ride Grizzly River Run..
Goal is to ride Grizzly River Run before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
Only RSR will have a long line all day unless you use Single Rider.

ME

Thanks for posting this!

 

[AndrewMickey86]

Last week I got to the rope drop crowd at 7:45am, wasn't even near the front of the line, and was still able to ride Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise all within the first hour of the park being open. At DCA I got to the park just before 8, and the line at RSS was already too long to do, so I diverted to Toy Story. If RSS is a priority, get in line at rope drop at least 30 mins early. My worst luck was doing Space Mountain at rope drop, then it immediately shut down, and I was stuck doing Autopia at rope drop

 

[2boysmommy]

Disneyland - 8am Opening - Note that this covers the Halloween Season and is written on 9/25 - This will change once Genie+ is out. DOES NOT include Big Thunder
7am: Get the BG for Rise of the Resistance
Arrive and park at the parking lot by 720am
They usually let you into the park and at the Rope Drop area by 730am or 745am.
Fantasyland Attractions as being important
8am-840am: Peter Pan first (ONLY if you are near the front of the rope drop, if not choose Snow White first), then Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio
Goal is to be leaving Fantasyland by 840am and heading to the Haunted Mansion
845am-9am: Ride Haunted Mansion Holiday
9am-950am: Ride the Jungle Cruise, then Pirates of the Caribbean. If time is cutting close to 950am, choose one
950am: Ride Splash Mountain
Goal is to ride Splash Mountain before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
Thrill Rides as being important
8am-830am: Space Mountain first, then the Matterhorn.
Goal is to be heading to the Haunted Mansion by 830am
830am-845am: Ride Haunted Mansion Holiday
845am-950am: Ride the Jungle Cruise, then Pirates of the Caribbean. If time is cutting close to 950am, choose one
950am: Ride Splash Mountain
Goal is to ride Splash Mountain before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.

Disney California Adventure
7am: Get the BG for Web Slingers
Arrive and park at the parking lot by 720am
They usually let you into the park and at the Rope Drop area by 730am or 745am.
Radiator Springs Racers first version
8am-830am: Radiator Springs Racers first (ONLY if you are near the front), then Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout.
830am-840am: Rollicking Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Choose one.
Goal is to be heading to Pixar Pier 840am
840am-9am: Ride Toy Story Midway Mania, then Incredicoaster.
9am-950am: Ride the Pal Around, Inside Out, Goofy's Sky School.
950am: Ride Grizzly River Run..
Goal is to ride Grizzly River Run before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
To Late at Rope Drop for Radiator Springs Racers
8am-830am: Ride Soarin Around the World (the line will form as soon as you enter the park early, get in line, then ride Guardians.
830am-840am: Rollicking Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Choose one.
Goal is to be heading to Pixar Pier 840am
840am-9am: Ride Toy Story Midway Mania, then Incredicoaster.
9am-950am: Ride the Pal Around, Inside Out, Goofy's Sky School.
950am: Ride Grizzly River Run..
Goal is to ride Grizzly River Run before 10am.
After this it is up to you. Keep an eye on the app, any ride 30 minutes or less is worth waiting for.
Only RSR will have a long line all day unless you use Single Rider.

ME

You are my kind of people!! Thank you!!

 

[2boysmommy]

Here's a follow up question...we are staying at GCH - rope drop DCA (with RSR goal) from the hotel entrance or go through the main entrance plaza? Last time (years ago) we went to the main entrance because I was too worried about backups at the hotel gate.
We have 2 mornings to start at DCA and we will definitely use the hotel gate for the second morning going straight to Soarin' or Incredicoaster depending on how the first day went.

 

[DLRExpert]

Main Park entrance.

 

[BriannaRuth]

It's been a little while since we stayed at the GCH, but my experience with the GCH entrance is that it can be very hit and miss. The problem is that there are only two lanes (if I remember correctly) and they can back up quickly, especially if someone has an issue or something isn't working right. I would use the main entrance if there are more than a couple of groups in front of you.

 

[DLRExpert]

Added strategy to the original post if you are okay with using Single Rider for Radiator Springs Racers.

 

[Raech]

I am always confused about parking lot opening times. It is fine to say when you can line up... But what parking areas open at what times? I was in tears circling around in Nov 2019 waiting for Mickey and Friends to open.

 

[DLRExpert]

I am always confused about parking lot opening times. It is fine to say when you can line up... But what parking areas open at what times? I was in tears circling around in Nov 2019 waiting for Mickey and Friends to open.

Operating Hours
Parking locations for the theme parks open 60 minutes prior to the earliest standard Disneyland Resort theme park opening time. Plan to arrive at the Disneyland Resort at park opening time.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

 

[BriannaRuth]

We're staying at the Fairfield Marriott our first couple of days and DD wants to be first in line at one of the gates on her birthday, which would also mean being at the very front of the line when security opens. What time should we arrive for an 8 AM opening? And if we wanted to do the same thing from the GCH, what time would you try to be out the door from the GCH into DTD?

I found one of my old schedules from 2018 and found a note "leave hotel by 6:45." Does this still sound right?

 

[jadepansy459]

Hi, does the single rider line open with rope drop? Or does it open a bit later?

 

[RJstanis]

We're staying at the Fairfield Marriott our first couple of days and DD wants to be first in line at one of the gates on her birthday, which would also mean being at the very front of the line when security opens. What time should we arrive for an 8 AM opening? And if we wanted to do the same thing from the GCH, what time would you try to be out the door from the GCH into DTD?

I found one of my old schedules from 2018 and found a note "leave hotel by 6:45." Does this still sound right?

I have no experience but from my research and help from the early worms ARRIVING at 645 puts you near the front but to be the very front prob needs to be earlier. I could be wrong but that's what I've collected