yup. I mean I don't get it you pay close to 80 bucks for a ticket and instead of enjoying the atmosphere, you spend your time trying to beat everyone to rides?
I do rope drop, and usually could be near the front of the line if I went over by the ropes as soon as I get there, but I hang back and let the crowds go ahead of me. I don't do a lot of rides, and I have never done any of the ones you're supposed to rush to at rope drop. Might do Test Track sometime, I dunno, but not even interested in doing any of the mountains in the Magic Kingdom or Soarin' or Toy Story Mania, etc.
My touring style is to try to catch the performers (Jack Sparrow Pirate Tutorial, Citizens of Hollywood), to admire the architecture and theming, and just to wander around soaking up the ambiance (I'm also trying to get better at using my camera so it's worth the effort to bring that along
).
First time I did rope drop at the MK, I watched the show and remained where I'd been sitting until the crowds thinned, then went looking for Lady and the Tramp's footprints in front of Tony's Town Square. Trust me, not fighting any crowds to get that done.
2. Naturally a morning person and enjoy waking up in the parks.
3. Want to avoid crowds.
4. Want to do afternoon breaks (like naps at hotel for small children).
Yep. I'm never out in the morning at home, so I love that aspect, and hate crowds. I don't have any small children, but I hate heat and sun, so by noon I'm ready to take a break. My mother -- who has only done
Disneyland in my dad's commando style -- cannot understand why I would like any Disney park, because to her they're all the things I hate; heat and sun and crowds and noise. Not the way I do them, they aren't.
The only way you'll know what you've been missing is to make it to rope drop on your next trip.
After that one morning, you'll know if it's worth it to you or not and can plan the rest of your vacation accordingly.
Excellent advice. Rope drop isn't worth it for a lot of people -- people who get a buzz of of crowds and value talking to friends or making conversation with the other people while in line as part of the whole experience aren't going to value rope drop as high as people who just want to do the rides, and they aren't going to value it as much as people who get overwhelmed by too much human interaction. But they could end up valuing it for other reasons (being there in the cool of the day, having more time later to wander and chat, or for some reason few others appreciate); only way to know is to try.'
If you're someone who hates mornings, no matter what great things that morning holds, then trying it might be too high cost and isn't worth the effort. Or if the crowds and noise and line experience are very important to you, ditto -- you'd be risking something you know works for you for something that might not work at all. But if getting up for other stuff is no great hardship, and if the ruckus and heat are not a major part of the appeal, might as well give rope drop a shot.
