Tell me about rope drop....

[alibeau]

So, it may seem like a silly question but can you tell me about rope drop at the parks....

Getting up early whilst on holiday would be a new concept for us We usually get to the parks before lunch and find that the full afternoon is enough time for us to do all that we want to......

But DD1 has watched a Disney DVD of the MK and saw the empty main street and likes the idea of getting there early.... She seems to think that she might get to see the characters at rope drop? Is it really busy at this time or really quiet??

Any experiences to share with me?

Thanks

Ali

 

[luke]

As with the parks in general, how busy ropedrop is will depend on a few factors.
Time of the year, day of the week, EMH's etc.

There is a show at all 4 parks, usually at the entrance - MK's is on the train station, AK's is as you approach the Tree of Life, DHS is just before the Sorceror's Hat, and Epcot's is a little way past Spaceship Earth (I think, these are just from sketchy memories).

You'll see the main characters at these too

 

[alibeau]

Thanks for your reply!

We are going a week tomorrow and will be avoiding the parks on the days they have extra hours....

Ali.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

MK - they do a show with the song 'Casey Junior' where the train arrives at the station with all of the characters on board. We would hate not to see it once each trip. Starts with dancers singing 'Zippiddee doo dah' (how do you spell that LOL) and then the train pulls in. Causes great excitement still for my DD.

EPCOT they have a bus in front with the characters on which they get off for a meet and great, wouldn't go for that.

DHS they have a 'camera crew' who let youin gently and then do a little sketch before opening. Definitely not worth being there early for although if you want to go onToy Story Mania this is the time to arrive!!!

Can't recall ever being at AK for rope drop as we always go on Monday for early opening.

 

[Neoshoegal]

Rope drop at the MK is THE BEST! I nearly cry when I see it We like going early in the morning even though I am anything but a morning person! We get a lot done before lunch time and then take the afternoon off, have nap, lounge by the pool or something and go back in the evening.

We love the opening show at the DS, but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that we were chosen as the "star couple" for the show the first time we went to see it.

At AK it's a fun little show with Minnie, Goofy, ... telling you not to forget about suncream and drinking plenty of water while on safari.

At Epcot it isn't quite so magical, but still nice to experience it at least once.

 

[The Real Cinderella]

Sounds a stupid question- probably is, but how do you know what time to get there (MK) for rope drop and make sure you're in the right place

 

[torsie24]

Sounds a stupid question- probably is, but how do you know what time to get there (MK) for rope drop and make sure you're in the right place

Aim to be there about 8.30am and you will get a good spot. It's just in the little holding area between the ticket barriers and station.

Here's a photo of the show, we had a great view, right in the centre. (Most people seem to choose to crowd at the arches into the park to the right and left so they get in first rather than enjoy the show.)

We LOOOOVE this show and would not miss it on any of our future trips!!

 

[luke]

Sounds a stupid question- probably is, but how do you know what time to get there (MK) for rope drop and make sure you're in the right place

get there just before opening and the show is just before you pass under Main St station

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I always aim to get to one but never have. I am going to write it in the planner this year to see if that helps!! We do not like moving quickly in the morning.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

The only rope drop show worth seeing is the MK one IMO - we love it tho.

 

[torsie24]

The only rope drop show worth seeing is the MK one IMO - we love it tho.

If it weren't for wanting to get to TSM I would go out of my way to avoid the DHS one! Very painful...

 

[brightspark]

For the first time ever we were at the parks almost every day at rope drop... the difference this made to waiting in line was unbelievable! We did a couple of days at the end, when we were later into the parks, and I couldn't believe the difference. It helped that we had DS 18 months with us, who was up at 5am due to jetlag... but I'll never go back to going late in the day!

If you want to know how to really get the most out of your trip - get to Tour Guide Mike to help!

PS the people waiting to the sides in MK are doing so to be first into the park - and are probably there for that reason, not the show! Try going at Rope Drop one day early in your trip, and you'll see how quiet it can be for yourself!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Quick question about TSM. When we were there July 2008 this was not that hard to get on - we could pick up a fastpass for the evening at around 11am. It seems as though this is not now the case and that passes are gone early morning -- is it as bad as all that?

 

[brightspark]

Quick question about TSM. When we were there July 2008 this was not that hard to get on - we could pick up a fastpass for the evening at around 11am. It seems as though this is not now the case and that passes are gone early morning -- is it as bad as all that?

We were just there, and didn't discover this amazing ride until late on (I did know about it but thought DS would be too young - how wrong could I be?). We went to it around 11:30 one day and the earliest fass pass was approx 4:30pm... this was on a fairly quiet day. The waits for Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller, were really short, so I think TSM has taken the priority of people entering the park! The standby lines were really long at all times other than the parade I think... If you really want to ride then I would suggest getting that fastpass early!

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Without a shadow of a doubt - MK is the best rope drop show!

But I enjoy seeing them all - there all pretty good to get you in the right park / disney frame of mind and atmosphere right at the start of the day!

 

[paul_toria96]

Without a shadow of a doubt - MK is the best rope drop show!

But I enjoy seeing them all - there all pretty good to get you in the right park / disney frame of mind and atmosphere right at the start of the day!

Thanks for the info, we are there for 3 weeks this year and hopefully will manage to do all of them but I'll get all 8 of us up for one on the first day

 

[alibeau]

Thanks for all your replies

I'm not making any promises but I think we are going to try to get to MK for rope drop, I think we should make the effort to try to experience it at least once and perhaps we will be converted to early risers in the process

Ali