Rope drop?

[bocaj1431]

Can someone please tell me the tips for Successfully using rope drop. We usually travel to DW in Sept and have never needed to use rope drop before but we are going in June this year. What is the best time to arrive at rope drop for each park in June? Thanks

 

[Robo]

Can someone please tell me the tips for Successfully using rope drop. We usually travel to DW in Sept and have never needed to use rope drop before but we are going in June this year. What is the best time to arrive at rope drop for each park in June? Thanks

Arrive early before the crowds.

Here's what's been happening with Theme Park Openings:

Only MK still offers an actual Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15-20 min. "early."
But, the Rope Drop show is timed so that guests will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time.

MK's Rope Drop Ceremony called "Magic Kingdom Welcome" (see location HERE.)

Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before
the posted opening time, to WAIT just inside the gates, in front of the train station (near the "flower Mickey face.")

The ceremony lasts 6-7 minutes or so and starts 6-7 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
There is also a "mini" version (far less "hoopla") that lasts about 2-3 minutes.
There is also an "AUDIO ONLY" version (no characters at all) that lasts under minute.
Which one you will see can be tough to guess.

----------------------------------

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
AND recently, no longer has an inside-the-park guest holding area.
DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early," and guests can enter the park and head
for their attractions of choice at that time.

Epcot does not offer an internal Rope Drop SHOW,
AND no longer offers an inside-the-gates holding area.
There might be a "Welcome to Epcot" audio recording played as a chosen family waves "hello"
to other guests, maybe some confetti involved. (But, it is far below what could be called a "Show.")
Epcot gates (including the International Gateway) will likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(Sometimes, on rare occasions when the park is very busy... as much as 30 minutes early.)

DHS no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW.
DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(DHS has opened as much as 30 min. early, but that's not been the case every day.)

AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.)
On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show
(may or may not be the "full show")
only for AM EMH guests,
and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning.

As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

If staying at a WDW resort, plan to be at the bus stop about 45 min. before you want to ARRIVE at a given park.
(Arriving far too early beats arriving just a minute or two late.)

 

[jcieutat]

I would arrive at least 30 minutes before the park opens if you want to get towards the rope. Even at that time, there will be plenty already there.

 

[bocaj1431]

Arrive early before the crowds.

Here's what's been happening with Theme Park Openings:

Only MK still offers an actual Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15-20 min. "early."
But, the Rope Drop show is timed so that guests will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time.

MK's Rope Drop Ceremony called "Magic Kingdom Welcome" (see location HERE.)

Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before
the posted opening time, to WAIT just inside the gates, in front of the train station (near the "flower Mickey face.")

The ceremony lasts 6-7 minutes or so and starts 6-7 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
There is also a "mini" version (far less "hoopla") that lasts about 2-3 minutes.
There is also an "AUDIO ONLY" version (no characters at all) that lasts under minute.
Which one you will see can be tough to guess.

----------------------------------

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
AND recently, no longer has an inside-the-park guest holding area.
DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early," and guests can enter the park and head
for their attractions of choice at that time.

Epcot does not offer an internal Rope Drop SHOW,
AND no longer offers an inside-the-gates holding area.
There might be a "Welcome to Epcot" audio recording played as a chosen family waves "hello"
to other guests, maybe some confetti involved. (But, it is far below what could be called a "Show.")
Epcot gates (including the International Gateway) will likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(Sometimes, on rare occasions when the park is very busy... as much as 30 minutes early.)

DHS no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW.
DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(DHS has opened as much as 30 min. early, but that's not been the case every day.)

AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.)
On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show
(may or may not be the "full show")
only for AM EMH guests,
and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning.

As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

If staying at a WDW resort, plan to be at the bus stop about 45 min. before you want to ARRIVE at a given park.
(Arriving far too early beats arriving just a minute or two late.)

Wow, this is great! Thank you for all the information.

 

[bocaj1431]

I would arrive at least 30 minutes before the park opens if you want to get towards the rope. Even at that time, there will be plenty already there.

Thanks for the info. So, if the park opens at 9am I should be at the park gate for 8:30? If the crowd levels are high because it is the end of June, do I need to arrive an hour before opening or is that not necessary?

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the info. So, if the park opens at 9am I should be at the park gate for 8:30? If the crowd levels are high because it is the end of June, do I need to arrive an hour before opening or is that not necessary?

At WDW, it is better to be far "too early" than be one minute "too late."

Since there's no way to know if, say, DHS was going to open the gates at 8:45 or 8:30 on an announced 9AM opening day, you're safer to arrive earlier than 8:30, just in case. (Also, you'll be that much more ahead of the pack.)

 

[newlywed mice]

Thanks for the info. So, if the park opens at 9am I should be at the park gate for 8:30? If the crowd levels are high because it is the end of June, do I need to arrive an hour before opening or is that not necessary?

No! Because some parks open 10-15 mins early I don't think 30 mins from posted opening is enough. Our goal was always 45-40 mins before posted opening time so for a 9am we would try to be there by 820 (or at bus stop at resort by 8am) this allowed us to be close to the entranceway and scanners. At the 830 mark there were already long lines behind us.

We also went at a slow time of year. You might want to add time if it's during the busy season

 

[J_Rasmussen]

Don't mean to hi-jack a thread - but I was wondering how MK did rope drop on days where they have EMH in the morning? Do they still do the rope drop at the normal time or before the EMH?

 

[wiigirl]

I would arrive at least 30 minutes before the park opens if you want to get towards the rope. Even at that time, there will be plenty already there.

 

[Robo]

Don't mean to hi-jack a thread -


1. but I was wondering how MK did rope drop on days where they have EMH in the morning?

2. Do they still do the rope drop at the normal time

3. or before the EMH?

1.They will do the Rope Drop ceremony at the early EMH opening.
(It may or may not be the "full" version of the show.)

2. Nope.

3. Yes. One Rope Drop show per day.

 

[Minnie222]

Thanks for the detailed info. Really appreciate it.

I want to make Rope Drop but it really is hard with kids. Because it means getting out of bed at 7:30am, and rushing the breakfast to get to the park at 8:30am. I hope to be able to do it, but DH wants a vacay that is more enjoyable (not so rushed).

One question here: Are the buses target for rope drop fairly packed? I think we will be riding with sleepy eyes.

 

[ciera321]

We've found that unless you're doing RD at the park that has EMH, the buses are fairly empty that early. (We always plan on leaving our resort at least 75 minutes before posted opening time) So many people choose the EMH park, if there is one, that it lightens up the other buses. One of the reasons we don't do EMH anymore. Works for us!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

At WDW, it is better to be far "too early" than be one minute "too late."

So much THIS.

Some people say "you are just waiting now so you don't have to wait later". My usual answer to that is "I'm not doing anything else at 7:45AM anyway, might as well be waiting to get into the park."

 

[tndisneyfan]

Thanks for the info. So, if the park opens at 9am I should be at the park gate for 8:30? If the crowd levels are high because it is the end of June, do I need to arrive an hour before opening or is that not necessary?

We try to be there by 8:15. 15 minutes makes a lot of difference in how far back you are lined up at the entrance.

 

[mill4023]

I hope to be able to do it, but DH wants a vacay that is more enjoyable (not so rushed).

Ask your DH if it would be "more enjoyable" to stand in line for 60 minutes to ride Peter Pan or to just walk right on with little or no wait.

Trust me, I understand not wanting to get up early. I am definitely not a morning person. But for me, the least enjoyable part of a theme park vacation is standing in long lines. So I find it much more relaxing and less stressful to get up early and avoid those long lines. Doing the popular rides early allows us to be much more relaxed and do less planning for the rest of the day.

 

[bocaj1431]

At WDW, it is better to be far "too early" than be one minute "too late."

Since there's no way to know if, say, DHS was going to open the gates at 8:45 or 8:30 on an announced 9AM opening day, you're safer to arrive earlier than 8:30, just in case. (Also, you'll be that much more ahead of the pack.)

You are right. If I am going to go through the trouble of getting up early on vacation for rope drop I might as well make sure I arrive early rather than later. Thanks again.

No! Because some parks open 10-15 mins early I don't think 30 mins from posted opening is enough. Our goal was always 45-40 mins before posted opening time so for a 9am we would try to be there by 820 (or at bus stop at resort by 8am) this allowed us to be close to the entranceway and scanners. At the 830 mark there were already long lines behind us.

We also went at a slow time of year. You might want to add time if it's during the busy season

.

This is was very helpful. Thank you.

I think we will try to get to the bus stop by 7:30 to 7:45am. That seems like it should be enough time for a 9am opening for the month of June. I hope. If anyone who usually arrives for rope drop during June knows this will not be enough time, please let me know.

We've found that unless you're doing RD at the park that has EMH, the buses are fairly empty that early. (We always plan on leaving our resort at least 75 minutes before posted opening time) So many people choose the EMH park, if there is one, that it lightens up the other buses. One of the reasons we don't do EMH anymore. Works for us!

Good to know. Thanks

So much THIS.

Some people say "you are just waiting now so you don't have to wait later". My usual answer to that is "I'm not doing anything else at 7:45AM anyway, might as well be waiting to get into the park."

. I would also think waiting in line during the early morning hours of summer is much more preferable to waiting in line in the afternoon, when the heat and humidity has risen. No thanks.

 

[TreeSapp]

Something can even be said for arriving 1.5-2hours early at Magic Kingdom... For the chance at getting picked as Family of the Day, there's no guarantee and I'm not even sure if they do it on EMH days... But if you've got the whole clan already awake and dressed early that day... Might be worth taking breakfast "to go" and eating it in front of the gate.... Just saying

 

[GotLabradors]

Arrive early before the crowds.

Here's what's been happening with Theme Park Openings:

Only MK still offers an actual Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15-20 min. "early."
But, the Rope Drop show is timed so that guests will actually enter the PARK very near the actual opening time.

MK's Rope Drop Ceremony called "Magic Kingdom Welcome" (see location HERE.)

Guests are usually admitted starting about 15-20 minutes before
the posted opening time, to WAIT just inside the gates, in front of the train station (near the "flower Mickey face.")

The ceremony lasts 6-7 minutes or so and starts 6-7 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
There is also a "mini" version (far less "hoopla") that lasts about 2-3 minutes.
There is also an "AUDIO ONLY" version (no characters at all) that lasts under minute.
Which one you will see can be tough to guess.

----------------------------------

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
AND recently, no longer has an inside-the-park guest holding area.
DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early," and guests can enter the park and head
for their attractions of choice at that time.

Epcot does not offer an internal Rope Drop SHOW,
AND no longer offers an inside-the-gates holding area.
There might be a "Welcome to Epcot" audio recording played as a chosen family waves "hello"
to other guests, maybe some confetti involved. (But, it is far below what could be called a "Show.")
Epcot gates (including the International Gateway) will likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(Sometimes, on rare occasions when the park is very busy... as much as 30 minutes early.)

DHS no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW.
DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(DHS has opened as much as 30 min. early, but that's not been the case every day.)

AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.)
On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show
(may or may not be the "full show")
only for AM EMH guests,
and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning.

As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

If staying at a WDW resort, plan to be at the bus stop about 45 min. before you want to ARRIVE at a given park.
(Arriving far too early beats arriving just a minute or two late.)

And this is why I joined DIS.....Some of the posters on here are just a wealth of information on planning/park touring. Thanks, Robo!

 

[MommyJack]

If one is not interested in the Rope Drop Show or actually being the first in the park, what is the difference between arriving at 8:15 and 9:00.

 

[sbrost13]

We try to be there by 7:15 for 8:00 EMH. Bus is NEVER crowded. We always grab breakfast on the go and eat it while we wait at the front of the line. It's also a good time to get that sunscreen on while you're hanging out. I love rope drop! Can't beat those first couple of hours. We're also early risers so that helps.