Rope Drop

[b5sgqueen]

I will be in WDW for my first time in 25 years and have questions regarding rope drop.
I am definitely going to RD b/c it just seems so useful, but I am unclear on when they actually open the turnstiles and when you should show up? It seems like turnstile opening may vary depending on hours that morning?

Assume that I want to ride 7DMT at MK and SDD at HS(I'm not even trying for FOP) and no EMHs in effect. Any guidance would be really appreciated. I want to make sure I am there early enough to minimize wait on headliners so I can move to other things quickly.

 

[DisDreaming4116]

Be at the park entrance 45-60 minutes early. It's nice to be in the front of the rope drop crowd and being at MK early means a low crowd walk on Main Street USA. Also, FOP can be done in the same manner and is amazing!!

 

[wfjny]

MK now tends to open and let you walk around Main Street, blocking you from going up and of he fingers off the hub. Getting there up to an hour before is really a good thing.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just a heads up that 'rope dropping' a park in no way ensures it will be an easy stroll to the ride you (and many, many others) wish to ride.

This picture (from easyWDW) shows a fairly average crowd in the hub at MK at Rope Drop.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Honestly, try and get those FPs if you can. If we rope drop we go elsewhere while the masses run to the "big 3" as I call them. It's a really pleasant experience knowing you have those FPs booked for later and the rest of the park is empty

 

[dakotix]

This is how we do it.... Get a 7DMT fast pass for sometime around lunch time and then whatever else for the rest of the afternoon. Rope drop and head to Adventure/ Frontier Lands and do those rides. Once done with that side of the park head to your FP+ for 7DMT and the rest of your FP+ rides. This way you can easily conquer much of the park. 7DMT is a 3 minute ride and is fun but not at all worth fighting a stampeding crowd.

 

[DisArmyWife215]

Honestly, try and get those FPs if you can. If we rope drop we go elsewhere while the masses run to the "big 3" as I call them. It's a really pleasant experience knowing you have those FPs booked for later and the rest of the park is empty

Ditto. The rush of people doesn't do it for me so we hit it Tomorrowland or Frontierland while everyone rushes to 7DMT. You get so much done in that first hour that it makes up for some waits you may have later.

 

[dakotix]

Honestly, try and get those FPs if you can. If we rope drop we go elsewhere while the masses run to the "big 3" as I call them. It's a really pleasant experience knowing you have those FPs booked for later and the rest of the park is empty

We'll be rope dropping together! Happy Mardi Gras!

 

[dakotix]

Be at the park entrance 45-60 minutes early. It's nice to be in the front of the rope drop crowd and being at MK early means a low crowd walk on Main Street USA. Also, FOP can be done in the same manner and is amazing!!

When do you leave to get to rope drop this early? We'll be at AKL.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We'll be rope dropping together! Happy Mardi Gras!

I was vetoed on rope drop for our trip!!!

I told them they have no choice on our AK day, because of the EMH LOL

 

[Ds4angels]

I'll 3rd get your 7D FP for around noon and head to Adventure/Frontier lands 1st, we did BTMRR 4 times in a row before the line built. I'd say plan to be at MK no later then 8:15 and stand to the left, facing the castle. Because of the Opening show, MK always opens right on time,
The other parks, it seems like they open in waves if you will, letting people slowly head to the headliner, so an hour before at least to put yourself at the front of the crowd for SDD and FOP.
Epcot for some reason seems to take the longest for security (at least the last time we were there) I'd plan about an hour early for there, maybe a little later. When we were there at the front of RD we got to see the Jaminators before RD, so that was fun.

 

[dakotix]

I was vetoed on rope drop for our trip!!!

I told them they have no choice on our AK day, because of the EMH LOL

oh bummer. I think we're only doing one rope drop at MK this year because of waking up so early (with a 4yo) in order to get there in time.

Well anyway have fun!

 

[gharter]

Agree with above sugestions to be by the turnstiles about 45-60 minutes for MK, you can walk to the hub, but want to stay near the front of the hub. They may let you in early, but not very often.
HS arrive at turnstiles 60 minutes before park opening. They will let you in about 30 minutes before park opening and walk you to TSL about 15 minutes before opening. the line to SDD builds very quickly. We were on the 3rd train. then rode AS2 and did TSMM. Leaving, the line to SDD was nearly back to Pixar Place.
AK arrive 60 minutes before. They will let you in 30 minutes before opening, and walk near the entrance to Pandora. They will walk you into Pandora about 15 minutes before opening. Again, you want to be near the front if possible as the line builds quickly. Its possible to near walk on Navi when you get off FoP as most everyone is going to FoP.
EPCOT, won't let you in early, but still want to be near the front when it opens. Entering from IG has much less crowd and a similar distance to walk to which ever ride you are headed to.