Rope Drops and Fastpasses...

[LadyDiznee123]

Hello to All:

This is another case of my feeling certain about my time-management itinerary and then being smart enough to rethink it and ask DISers first. You guys redirect and save me over and over again, and that's why I love this forum.

Anyway, my MK strategy is to do a rope drop and head off to my favorite rides (no longer can I just come later in the morning, stroll Main Street and then do my rides... time is of the essence. Back in the 90's I could do that). So my plan is to do the Rope Drop in order to just walk on to my favorite 3 to 6 rides with minimal wait time. With no FPs. Part two of the plan was to still plan FP's for after 3pm to either get on them again, or get on another ride.

My question is - is it smart to presume that (with the out of control crowds these days) that I can EASILY get on those rides within my first 90 minutes or so, or are those days over?

I remember reading or hearing about rides quickly jumping up to 90 minute wait times in as little as a half hour after Rope Drop. If this is the case... then perhaps I should schedule those Rope Drop Rides as FP's (more can always been added later) which will ensure I can still get on them fair quickly and have the rest of the day for more FPs. I hope my question is being understood here. I will be arriving for this first MK day on Wednesday, November 8th, 2017. There will also be a day two of MK ONLY the very next day on the 9th (Rope Drope). I made a bad mistake during my last 2015 visit with time-management. I was not used to the crowds and thought I come later in the morning and still everything in my itinerary. Needless to say.. I got my feelings hurt. Not letting that happen again. My plan is to rope drop and work two full days of MK magic! Rides, Characters, Food, the works! I am going solo so there will be no other souls hindering me.

Please advise!

As always, Thank you guys so much!

 

[sharonabe]

Your plan is very dependent on what those favorite rides are. If you can give us an idea of which rides you're hoping to do without FP and what order, we can help you a bit more with the time management.

 

[KrazeeK120]

It would be helpful if we knew to which rides you were referring. You don't mention anywhere which rides you're trying to get on at rope drop. Experiences can vary greatly from ride to ride.

I'll say I don't think you should have a terribly hard time anywhere other than 7DMT, although PP builds rather quickly too.

 

[mousehockey37]

My mantra with a lot of schedule questions is that you need to have flexibility. 2 days sounds like a lot of time, but remember that Rope Drop now allows people down to the hub. You aren't outside the park anymore. Also, if there is EMM (early morning magic) you'll already have people back there on those rides, as it's a hard ticket event. So check into that as well.

 

[Asherry25]

Also, there will be crowds, as it's Jersey Week.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

My mantra with a lot of schedule questions is that you need to have flexibility. 2 days sounds like a lot of time, but remember that Rope Drop now allows people down to the hub. You aren't outside the park anymore. Also, if there is EMM (early morning magic) you'll already have people back there on those rides, as it's a hard ticket event. So check into that as well.

Yes, it was the EMM that I heard about that scared the bejeebers out of me. I already know to work it out differently if Nov 8th and 9th turn out to be EMM days.

Here are my main favorites rides:

7DMT first!
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
and
Peter Pans Flight.

then..
Jungle Cruise
Pirates

The others can wait, and I have retired myself from Space Mountain.

Thanks!

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Also, there will be crowds, as it's Jersey Week.

What!!!!

 

[LadyDiznee123]

My mantra with a lot of schedule questions is that you need to have flexibility. 2 days sounds like a lot of time, but remember that Rope Drop now allows people down to the hub. You aren't outside the park anymore. Also, if there is EMM (early morning magic) you'll already have people back there on those rides, as it's a hard ticket event. So check into that as well.

I know about the hub, which is great!
Yes, I think two days is indeed a lot of time and that's the way I want it. If you could have seen the way I rushed around in 2015 you'd just be shaking your head at me with utter pity. I want to do MK my way. Have chill time. Maybe do a ride a second time, etc. This was how I did it in the 90s. (my first four years were 97 98 99 00). Those days are over, but given enough TIME.. I can enjoy it the way I did in the 90's. Mind you, the 2nd day has an alternative plan to hop over to a half day of EPCOT if I really think I've met my fun satisfaction at the MK.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Your plan is very dependent on what those favorite rides are. If you can give us an idea of which rides you're hoping to do without FP and what order, we can help you a bit more with the time management.

Thanks Sharonabe. Please see my post below - with the listed rides!

 

[sharonabe]

7DMT first!
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
and
Peter Pans Flight.

then..
Jungle Cruise
Pirates

Go find easywdw.com's tips for where to position yourself for 7DMT at rope drop. You will need to be at MK early and at the front of that line. As soon as you finish that, head to Peter Pan, then Big Thunder, Splash, Jungle and Pirates. I don't know if you'll get all of it done in 90 minutes, but you should be able to do it all well before lunch.

Yes, Jersey week will pull in some crowds, but they're not like Christmas, Easter, or July 4 crowds. It just means that week will be more like a 7 or 8 instead of a 5 or 6.

 

[davkata]

Is either of the RD days an EMH morning? Not EMM, but EMH? If so, then I would say, you can probably get all of those in closer to 2 hours, maybe a bit more...We did 7DMT, SpMtn, IASM, HM, BTMRR, Pirates in about 2 hours, but the first hour was EMH from 8-9. If it is not an EMH morning, then Frontierland opens same time as rest of park, so yes, lines will build rather quickly all over the park, slowing your plan.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

It would be helpful if we knew to which rides you were referring. You don't mention anywhere which rides you're trying to get on at rope drop. Experiences can vary greatly from ride to ride.

I'll say I don't think you should have a terribly hard time anywhere other than 7DMT, although PP builds rather quickly too.

Thanks KrazeeK. Please see my rides listed in a post below. MY FIRST PLAN is 7DMT and PP is also in the mix!

Actually ( so you don't have to search down):

THE BIG FOUR:

7DMT
Splash mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
PeterPans Flight

and
Jungle Cruise
Pirates

I have retired myself from SPACE MOUNTAIN which will save me a lot of time.

 

[mousehockey37]

I don't want to say your top 4 are unreasonable for RD, but if you're going for all 4 at park open, you need to think about this again. You'd have to be at the front of the crowd to get to 7DMT with minimal wait, and I would honestly FP the rest to be on the safe side.

I know you loved the Disney of the 90s, but like you said... it's long long gone and the crowds of then would be a dream today.

Currently there is no EMM past the end of September, but that can change.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Go find easywdw.com's tips for where to position yourself for 7DMT at rope drop. You will need to be at MK early and at the front of that line. As soon as you finish that, head to Peter Pan, then Big Thunder, Splash, Jungle and Pirates. I don't know if you'll get all of it done in 90 minutes, but you should be able to do it all well before lunch.

Yes, Jersey week will pull in some crowds, but they're not like Christmas, Easter, or July 4 crowds. It just means that week will be more like a 7 or 8 instead of a 5 or 6.

Whoo-hoo! You see! THIS is what I'm talking about! Before lunch is a great start and within the plan I had in my head! Will definitely get there super early and find out where to position myself for 7DMT!!!
Being there solo... I can definitely handle 7 - 8. This is my reason for my RopeDrop Strategy! Thinking that I have 9 MK hours after that to work in the other things... was exactly my plan. I can till pull in some FPs for after 3pm and even for after 6pm.. correct? I will not worry about energy. I will have gotten to bed early, and I don't have problems with energy. My day one is a No-park, "chill" day (at resort and DS, with back in room plan for 8pm tops. Bed time by 10pm. Will have been up since 3am in NYC).

Thanks again!!!!!!!

 

[MischaOz]

I hate to be the one to inform you of this, but Splash is scheduled to be down for refurb until Nov 16. I know this because it is one of my fav rides and I'm going to miss it too (I'll be there just a couple days after you).

 

[LadyDiznee123]

I don't want to say your top 4 are unreasonable for RD, but if you're going for all 4 at park open, you need to think about this again. You'd have to be at the front of the crowd to get to 7DMT with minimal wait, and I would honestly FP the rest to be on the safe side.

I know you loved the Disney of the 90s, but like you said... it's long long gone and the crowds of then would be a dream today.

Currently there is no EMM past the end of September, but that can change.

Thank you MouseHockey37!!!
You all are getting me properly tuned! This is the advice I was looking for!
Thanks again!!!!! I love you guys!!!!!!

 

[LadyDiznee123]

I hate to be the one to inform you of this, but Splash is scheduled to be down for refurb until Nov 16. I know this because it is one of my fav rides and I'm going to miss it too (I'll be there just a couple days after you).

Oh well... I shall carry on! Maybe it will get done earlier!
Thanks for the info!

 

[mousehockey37]

Thank you MouseHockey37!!!
You all are getting me properly tuned! This is the advice I was looking for!
Thanks again!!!!! I love you guys!!!!!!

Again, you have 2 days set aside for MK. I would spread out the FP's each MK day and do what you can. If you aren't worried about watching the fireworks at night and they have evening EMH's, THAT'S when you should hit some of your rides. Rides are always better at night anyway! Everyone will be sucked to Main St. to see the new show and you're free to run the park with minimal wait times. Watching Wishes from on Dumbo was a different experience.

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Is either of the RD days an EMH morning? Not EMM, but EMH? If so, then I would say, you can probably get all of those in closer to 2 hours, maybe a bit more...We did 7DMT, SpMtn, IASM, HM, BTMRR, Pirates in about 2 hours, but the first hour was EMH from 8-9. If it is not an EMH morning, then Frontierland opens same time as rest of park, so yes, lines will build rather quickly all over the park, slowing your plan.

Thank you Davkata!
So far I think my plan is to go straight to 7dmt, and FP the others. The bottom line seems to be that I can do them all before Noonish which is my strategy. Thanks so much for your input.
I am learning from you all!

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Again, you have 2 days set aside for MK. I would spread out the FP's each MK day and do what you can. If you aren't worried about watching the fireworks at night and they have evening EMH's, THAT'S when you should hit some of your rides. Rides are always better at night anyway! Everyone will be sucked to Main St. to see the new show and you're free to run the park with minimal wait times. Watching Wishes from on Dumbo was a different experience.

Yes, MouseHockey37... the way I see it ,the two days will ensure that I get on all of my favorites at least once, but I do still want to see the new Happily show. If it was still Wishes... I could skip it or watch from the back of the crowds.. would not bother me. But I can see myself doing that (skipping the fireworks)on the second night. I heard back in 2015 how Dumbo is beautiful at night, and I think I want to do it.. fireworks or not!
Thanks again!