Strategy For Rope Drop - No Car

[Unearned Happiness]

Hey all, I just read this post at EasyWDW and I'm curious what you think of his rope drop strategy for resort guests. Josh recommends that people be ready for their resort bus/boat at 7:45 in order to guarantee making it in time for a decent spot at rope drop. Does this advice seem legit for those staying at the Fort?

A little background: we'll be there August 5-13. We'll have no car or golf cart and we're staying at a non-preferred full hookup site. We'll be walking and relying on the internal buses in order to get around. Also, one of our group members has some mobility issues which means that walking takes about twice as much time as a fully-abled group.

Just over two months away. Can't wait! Thanks!

 

[2goofycampers]

Buses start running 1 hour before the park opens. Be THERE (outpost) then and you'll make rope drop. We always left our camper 1 hour 30 minutes before rope drop to make it. The boat to MK runs 30 minutes before opening. Be at the dock 45 minutes before to make sure.

 

[Robo]

Buses start running 1 hour before the park opens.

Sorry, but that information is simply an often-repeated myth.
They run much earlier than that.
The park buses start running at about 6:30AM every day.

And, on the select days of the year when a park has a special 7AM EMH opening, the buses will be rolling even earlier.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

You will NOT make rope drop if relying on the boat. Even if you are on the first boat to MK you will still miss 1/2 the opening ceremony and 2,000 people are already in line in front of you to enter the park.

From my understanding, the Fort has recently added a bus that now takes you to MK. This was a trial, I believe. Maybe it is a permanent thing now.

 

[joelkfla]

You will NOT make rope drop if relying on the boat. Even if you are on the first boat to MK you will still miss 1/2 the opening ceremony and 2,000 people are already in line in front of you to enter the park.

From my understanding, the Fort has recently added a bus that now takes you to MK. This was a trial, I believe. Maybe it is a permanent thing now.

I think that bus was only in the late afternoon & evening, to relieve pressure on the boats for HDD and Mickey's BBQ. I don't know whether it is still running.

But you can always take the boat to CR, which starts at 6:45, and walk the rest of the way (about 1/2 mi.) to MK.

You could also take the bus to WL & get the bus to MK from there, but that will involve 2 transfers if you're campsite is not on the Yellow route. I have heard of bus drivers offering to drop off Guests at MK or TTC early in the a.m., but that's not something you can rely on.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Original poster has a member in their party with mobility issues. Resort boat to CR and then walking to MK would be a challenge & you can not make rope drop with the direct boat from Fort to MK. Disney does know this and they're not changing it anytime soon.

Bus from Fort to WL? I didn't think this is an option unless something has changed.

Another alternative to make rope drop would be to take the early boat from the doc to WL and then a bus to MK. If going this option and walking/relying on the internal bus service, I would allow myself 1 hr 30 min from my site to MK. But opening show, starts 10-15 min before park opening and if wanting to make show too, then I would say 1 hr 45 min.

If your party can swing it, I would look into renting the golf cart. Saves lots of time and would help with mobility issues.

But you can always take the boat to CR, which starts at 6:45, and walk the rest of the way (about 1/2 mi.) to MK.

You could also take the bus to WL & get the bus to MK from there, but that will involve 2 transfers if you're campsite is not on the Yellow route. I have heard of bus drivers offering to drop off Guests at MK or TTC early in the a.m., but that's not something you can rely on.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

last time we were at the Fort, there was one of the internal buses, yellow I think, did go to the WL. but with having to change buses there I am not sure that will help you as you will have to get in line for bus there

 

[joelkfla]

Original poster has a member in their party with mobility issues. Resort boat to CR and then walking to MK would be a challenge & you can not make rope drop with the direct boat from Fort to MK. Disney does know this and they're not changing it anytime soon.

Bus from Fort to WL? I didn't think this is an option unless something has changed.

Yes, as the poster after you stated, the Yellow bus continues on to WL after the Settlement. It would probably be better than the boat for someone with mobility issues, as it's a bit of a hike from the WL boat dock to their bus stop, in addition to the step down into the small motor launches which are often on the Fort-WL route.

The internal shuttles have serviced WL for at least 7 years, although it may have been a different route at some time in the past.

As for the walk from CR to MK -- Well, there's always the Resort Monorail on days when it opens at 7, or a bus on days when the monorail opens later. But either would require extra time.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

I was thinking you were referring to going to the outpost and then catching a bus to WL. I didn't know the internal bus would route to over there. That sure would be a much better option then.

Last trip we were on an early resort bus to make rope drop and we always walk from CR to MK as we are pushing a double stroller and the hassle of folding and unfolding to make the fit on the monorail is just not that appealing. We chatted with a family on the boat ride over to CR and they planned to take the monorail, not sure if it was just delayed or what but we beat them over.

I guess for mobility issues the least amount of walking distance would be to stay on that bus that takes you to WL and then second bus to MK.

Original poster, just an idea....If you make early breakfast ressie at MK (like an hour before park opening ressie) you might be able to get a Fort driver to pick you up at your site and deliver you to MK. We had an 8 am BBB appt with a 9am park opening and a driver picked us up at our camp site.

Yes, as the poster after you stated, the Yellow bus continues on to WL after the Settlement. It would probably be better than the boat for someone with mobility issues, as it's a bit of a hike from the WL boat dock to their bus stop, in addition to the step down into the small motor launches which are often on the Fort-WL route.

The internal shuttles have serviced WL for at least 7 years, although it may have been a different route at some time in the past.

As for the walk from CR to MK -- Well, there's always the Resort Monorail on days when it opens at 7, or a bus on days when the monorail opens later. But either would require extra time.

 

[joelkfla]

Last trip we were on an early resort bus to make rope drop and we always walk from CR to MK as we are pushing a double stroller and the hassle of folding and unfolding to make the fit on the monorail is just not that appealing. We chatted with a family on the boat ride over to CR and they planned to take the monorail, not sure if it was just delayed or what but we beat them over.

Yes, MK is the last stop before CR, so a ride from CR to MK goes all the way around the loop with all stops on the way, taking a good 15 minutes. Add in the time to get up to the 4th floor of CR and a few minutes wait for a train, and walking will always be faster for anyone who can maintain a good walking speed -- no delays needed.

 

[2goofycampers]

We always take the boat to the MK and have seen plenty of rope drops. Be sure to be on the 1st boat.

 

[PEC]

You probably need a definition of Rope Drop. If you catch the 1st Boat to MK 30 minutes before scheduled park opening you will get there to see the opening show but do not expect the Rope on your chest. You will be way back in a crowd. Of course if you are not in the rush to 7DMT or Anna and Elsa it will not be that big of a deal. As far as the other parks if you catch athe bus to the park 1 hour before opening you will be fine. You may not be the 1st guest but you will not be too far back.
If all the guest in your party can do a boat to the CR and then walk to MK then you can easily be there an hour before opening. For the resorts I try to catch the internal Fort Bus 1:30 - 1:20 minute before the park I am going to.

 

[Unearned Happiness]

Original poster here. I think we'll plan on taking the boat to MK rather than transfer. What time do you recommend arriving at the dock in order to snag a spot on the first boat? What time does that first boat arrive at MK?

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd be at the dock 45 minutes before MK opens.

 

[PEC]

I'd be at the dock 45 minutes before MK opens.

Concur. I would try to catch the internal FW bus 1 hour before. If not careful you could find yourself on the 2nd boat and then you mayl miss RD completely.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

I'm confused by the posts stating that you can make the parade if you catch the first boat...

From my experience, over the past three trips and this last trip being some 23 odd days and 10 days in the parks, not one time did the first boat make it in time to catch the full parade. The tail end, yes not at the start. I witnessed this several times over the last trip and also the two years prior.

Again, just from my experience, you can not make the start of the parade by catching the first boat.

 

[Circlep98]

I was thinking you were referring to going to the outpost and then catching a bus to WL. I didn't know the internal bus would route to over there. That sure would be a much better option then.

Last trip we were on an early resort bus to make rope drop and we always walk from CR to MK as we are pushing a double stroller and the hassle of folding and unfolding to make the fit on the monorail is just not that appealing. We chatted with a family on the boat ride over to CR and they planned to take the monorail, not sure if it was just delayed or what but we beat them over.

I guess for mobility issues the least amount of walking distance would be to stay on that bus that takes you to WL and then second bus to MK.

Original poster, just an idea....If you make early breakfast ressie at MK (like an hour before park opening ressie) you might be able to get a Fort driver to pick you up at your site and deliver you to MK. We had an 8 am BBB appt with a 9am park opening and a driver picked us up at our camp site.

Ilovedisneymm can you tell me how you set this up? We have an early dining reservation (45 mins before open) and it sounds exactly like what I need.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[amylevan]

I'm confused by the posts stating that you can make the parade if you catch the first boat...

From my experience, over the past three trips and this last trip being some 23 odd days and 10 days in the parks, not one time did the first boat make it in time to catch the full parade. The tail end, yes not at the start. I witnessed this several times over the last trip and also the two years prior.

Again, just from my experience, you can not make the start of the parade by catching the first boat.

Does this have something to do with how long it takes your party to get through security and the turnstiles? We take the first boat in the morning and catch the parade. We are NOT at the front of the crowd, but we see the ceremony (which isn't a priority for us anyhow, but we catch it nonetheless). Though we usually are traveling during value season, so the lines for security are short.

 

[KristinU]

We had no problem making rope drop and seeing the entire opening ceremony during the peak crowd week between Christmas and New Year by taking the first boat from FW to MK. We even waited a little bit for it to start once we were standing past the turnstiles, then we were pretty darned close to the rope at the left castle walkway. Since we don't have to see A&E and weren't after the 7DMT, we did Splash Mt. first thing - we had to wait for the Frontierland RD, which we were at the front of, and DS was the very first guest on Splash that morning.

Maybe it helps us that we're a family of 3 and DS is older and doesn't require any "gear" anymore. Oh, and we also don't carry any bags or purses, so we don't have to go through security. That probably buys us time.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

We have two kids in a double stroller that pushes like a dream and my hubby and I both walk fast. We only go through one line and that is the guest line, no baggage. We travel in January, value season.

Does this have something to do with how long it takes your party to get through security and the turnstiles? We take the first boat in the morning and catch the parade. We are NOT at the front of the crowd, but we see the ceremony (which isn't a priority for us anyhow, but we catch it nonetheless). Though we usually are traveling during value season, so the lines for security are short.

This is great that you all can you all can make it on the first boat. The only thing I can think of is the boats must run on a better schedule during Christmas, but I don't see how this could be true as the first park boat from the fort runs 30 minutes before park opening all year round right??

This is interesting how you all make it. We are there on the dock early and usually the first/second/third family in line so it's not like we have to catch the second one.

I'm saying when we go in January and for the past three years, getting on the first boat will not get you to MK at the start of opening ceremony. We have seen the parade as we approach the docs and we unload from the boat as they are singing the songs.

We had no problem making rope drop and seeing the entire opening ceremony during the peak crowd week between Christmas and New Year by taking the first boat from FW to MK. We even waited a little bit for it to start once we were standing past the turnstiles, then we were pretty darned close to the rope at the left castle walkway. Since we don't have to see A&E and weren't after the 7DMT, we did Splash Mt. first thing - we had to wait for the Frontierland RD, which we were at the front of, and DS was the very first guest on Splash that morning.

Maybe it helps us that we're a family of 3 and DS is older and doesn't require any "gear" anymore. Oh, and we also don't carry any bags or purses, so we don't have to go through security. That probably buys us time.