Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Rope Drop

[Thinking]

what type of wait time can we expect to get through the SDMT if we are there for rope drop (this Thursday the 4th)?

We do not have FP for SDMT.

Trying to figure out how many other rides we will be able to squeeze in before our character breakfast at 10:20 -- so it really depends on when can logically expect to be finished with the train ride.

Any advice or insights are greatly appreciated!!

 

[Isildur's Bane]

if your at the front of the rope drop crowd maybe 5 minutes, if your at the back maybe 45 minutes

 

[Alesia]

if your at the front of the rope drop crowd maybe 5 minutes, if your at the back maybe 45 minutes

^This.

It completely depends on how early you arrive.

 

[Thinking]

Thanks. That was what I was curious about.

I'll guess I'll just hope that the forecast for bad weather later in the day has folks pushing off MK until later in their visit.

Guess I'll have to wake the family up even earlier.

 

[stinkpickle]

Agreed. Or just get in line five minutes before the park closes. There's going to be a long line at the buses back to the resorts, anyway.

 

[biondagirl]

Last August, we were towards the middle at rope drop and by the time we got to 7DMT, the line was tremendous. It had to be 45 to 60 minutes. We waited later in the day for it, but I wasn't given up my rope drop time!

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks. That was what I was curious about.

I'll guess I'll just hope that the forecast for bad weather later in the day has folks pushing off MK until later in their visit.

Guess I'll have to wake the family up even earlier.

Does the Magic Kingdom open at 9? If so, get your group to the Magic Kingdom by 8:30 at the very latest. And by that I mean thru bag check and into the courtyard in front of the park. You need to be at the front of the mob waiting to get in, not in the middle or at the rear.

 

[robinb]

We were pretty close to the front for rope drop but we went to the left of the castle. Others went to the right past the tea cups and they were led on first while we were held up. I think we ended up waiting about 15 minutes but the wait time sign was 45 from the get-go.

 

[jrt1176]

This! My niece and I made our first rope drop and went on the left side of the castle... The line was estimated at 30 minutes! Granted, we were probably toward the back of the crowd. We had already ridden it and had FP's to ride it later anyway. We ended up using the early time in the park to knock out some autographs!

Rope drop, to me, is overrated. I'm able to about everything I want getting to the parks an hour or so later. Obviously, opinions will vary, but I'd rather stay in the park late and walk on rides than get up early and hustle on my vacation.

We were pretty close to the front for rope drop but we went to the left of the castle. Others went to the right past the tea cups and they were led on first while we were held up. I think we ended up waiting about 15 minutes but the wait time sign was 45 from the get-go.

 

[larryz]

Rope drop, to me, is overrated.

I guess I'm one of those who can't wait to get onto my favorite rides. I have trouble understanding how people can sit there in their resort CS sipping their coffee for another 20 minutes.

 

[stinkpickle]

I guess I'm one of those who can't wait to get onto my favorite rides. I have trouble understanding how people can sit there in their resort CS sipping their coffee for another 20 minutes.

My dad used to do that, and it drove us nuts as kids. We stopped inviting him.

 

[sunshine1]

Weave in and out of people, safely, as you walk at a fast pace and you will be fine.

 

[jrt1176]

I sleep!

It's vacation, so I relax. We got everything done that we wanted; most of them 2 or 3 times.

Different strokes...

I guess I'm one of those who can't wait to get onto my favorite rides. I have trouble understanding how people can sit there in their resort CS sipping their coffee for another 20 minutes.

 

[MisterPat]

We rope drop every trip and our running joke is about a couple we saw at the front of rope drop at DHS. They were obviously not there with anyone else in that line. As everyone hustled to their first headliner, we watched the couple head into Starring Roles. When we got off TSMM and headed toward RnR, we saw them sitting there enjoying their muffin.

Now, we tell everyone that you have to get to rope drop or you won't get the best muffins.

My advice: Arrive by 8:15 and stay to the right of the castle. That side gets let into the queue first.

 

[hopeful4fl]

IF (big if), you enjoy BOG breakfast (looking at cheaper options, cause you can have a CP or CT breakfast too, but those are $$$$), there is a way to beat all the crowds and get to any ride sooner than anyone else. Your name with a confirmed ADR will be on a list. If the park opening is at 8, and your ADR is between 8-8:30, they will let you in about 3 minutes before the rope drop. This (to us), gave time to get a quick snap with the castle in the background (and hearing the count go to 0 for the rope drop) and then walk to 7DMT and get on with no wait.
Then, on to b'fast (we were at CP since Pooh for my nephew was a must do, but as stated BOG is a good value).
I got this tip from this board, so is a pay it forward and a reminder for anyone who has not done it before.

 

[goodeats]

I agree with hopeful4fl. We were able to snag an 8:15 BOG ADR. We went in with everyone else at 8:05 and finished our meal quickly. We were on the 2nd Mine Dwarves train of the day and got to get in line again before the rope drop crowd arrived. The breakfast was fairly mediocre, but that experience was worth $20. Of course if you are late for your ADR or eat slowly it might not work out as well!

 

[DisneyKidds]

I agree with hopeful4fl. We were able to snag an 8:15 BOG ADR. We went in with everyone else at 8:05 and finished our meal quickly. We were on the 2nd Mine Dwarves train of the day and got to get in line again before the rope drop crowd arrived. The breakfast was fairly mediocre, but that experience was worth $20. Of course if you are late for your ADR or eat slowly it might not work out as well!

Thanks , great tip on the BOG am reservation to beat the rope drop rush! Just made an ADR for the first morning of our next trip.

Because of a diversion to Aulani last summer it's been over a year since we've been to WDW, and another 6 months to go before our trip. Love these boards because there are always great tips, and a lot has changed since I've been actively planning on these boards. This tip should make for a nice start to our first morning at WDW in the MK in a year and a half!

 

[WEDWDW]

Thanks , great tip on the BOG am reservation to beat the rope drop rush! Just made an ADR for the first morning of our next trip.

Here is a Thread that may be of interest.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/bog-breakfast-how-many-trips-through-the-mine.3421388/

 

[DisneyKidds]

Here is a Thread that may be of interest.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/bog-breakfast-how-many-trips-through-the-mine.3421388/

 

[cindyfan]

I guess I'm one of those who can't wait to get onto my favorite rides. I have trouble understanding how people can sit there in their resort CS sipping their coffee for another 20 minutes.

OMG!!! I agree with you!! Sometimes I feel I am the only one that thinks that way!!! Drives me NUTS when my 35 yr old DD and family take their time sitting, eating, drinking (coffee, juice, whatever!!) and then casually stroll over to the bus stop and into the park 20-40 minutes after opening!! And then can't understand why there are lines already!!!
Anyway... I haven't quite figured out the SDMT opening rope drop! Tried a few times and still end up towards the end.
So... what walkways do they have open to try and get back there??
Good tip for BOG. We tried 8:10 ADR at Crystal Palace and didn't make it. Got stuck in the bottle neck at the hub.