Tell Me About Rope Drop.

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

Have never done it, so I'd like to know:

- How early should you get there if you want to be close to the front?
- Where is the best place to stand to watch the opening show? Where is the opening show?
- If you don't care about getting in first, but still want to see the show, how far "back" should you stand?
- Do you wait past bag check or inside it?
- Is there anything else obvious I should ask?

Thanks

 

[Dawnlight]

I've got the same questions; hope the veterans here can help!!

 

[disney world dreamer]

i'll take it as you are just asking about MK?

-i usually try to be there 15-20 minutes prior to opening and i've always been close enough to the front of the group as i care to be.

-the opening show takes place at the wdw rail road station. to have the best view you want to be centered but you can see the show from any angle and from as far back as you need to be since it takes place up at the station and not on the ground.

-if you don't care to rush in then i'd stand off to one side to watch the opening show so that you are not caught up in the people that are entering the park and trying to pack into the middle to allow for more people to enter behind them.

-if you have bags you'll need to go through bag check and then you can enter the park where the opening show takes place.

-i think you covered your bases with the questions above.

 

[Mikie]

As far as other questions - at MK there is some specific advice to be had if you're heading directly to A&E or 7dwarfs on how best to walk there quickly & safely. If that's not your goal, enjoy your low crowds elsewhere in the park!

 

[anniemae]

Do they open the parks before opening time? I know it's not MK, but we attempted to get to epcot for a 9 opening (was not an emh day), we got there a little before 9 and people were already in.

 

[Mikie]

Do they open the parks before opening time? I know it's not MK, but we attempted to get to epcot for a 9 opening (was not an emh day), we got there a little before 9 and people were already in.

Hopefully someone with more experience will come along with specifics, but yes. DHS is often 15-20 early on a regular opening day (not sure about EMH days) i think your epcot experience was typical (opens a few min early) and I've never tried to rope drop AK, so not sure there.

 

[PlutoFan10]

Earlier this month, we were walking up to the MK gates 15 minutes prior to park opening and the opening show was just wrapping up. This was when the train was still not running so perhaps RD was different.

 

[twoplustwins]

We got to HS this morning at 8:30 and it opened at 8:50.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Do they open the parks before opening time? I know it's not MK, but we attempted to get to epcot for a 9 opening (was not an emh day), we got there a little before 9 and people were already in.

yes all of the parks allow guests to enter the park about 15 minutes early BUT you are only allowed in so far.
not far enough to go on any attractions.
they hold you back by a rope and then when the park officially opens they let you go hence why its called rope drop.

 

[MermaidMommy]

yes all of the parks allow guests to enter the park about 15 minutes early BUT you are only allowed in so far. not far enough to go on any attractions. they hold you back by a rope and then when the park officially opens they let you go hence why its called rope drop.

Not at DHS. There's not a rope drop there anymore. They just open the turnstiles about 10-15 minutes early, and you can proceed to your ride.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Not at DHS. There's not a rope drop there anymore. They just open the turnstiles about 10-15 minutes early, and you can proceed to your ride.

my most recent trip was in july.
they no longer had a big showy count down but they certainly did have a rope drop.
you were let in a bit farther than you used to be but we were headed to RNRC and were held back by a rope halfway down sunset blvd.

 

[Itinkso]

my most recent trip was in july.
they no longer had a big showy count down but they certainly did have a rope drop.
you were let in a bit farther than you used to be but we were headed to RNRC and were held back by a rope halfway down sunset blvd.

When Frozen Summer Fun officially ended, the rope drop holding at the Hat also ended at DHS.

Enter through the tapstiles at DHS and head directly to your first destination.

 

[MermaidMommy]

my most recent trip was in july. they no longer had a big showy count down but they certainly did have a rope drop. you were let in a bit farther than you used to be but we were headed to RNRC and were held back by a rope halfway down sunset blvd.

That was because of Frozen Summer Fun and the opening show that was part of it. Internal ropes were temporarily re-implemented while that was going on. Now that Frozen Summer Fun is over, they've gone back to no rope drop - just enter and go straight to your ride.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

Thanks for your help, folks. To clarify yes, I was referring to MK.

We have an 8:35 CRT reso but I think we'll get there for the opening show just because we can

 

[SuzaBanana]

I have heard that not all the attractions are open at RD or EMH. Is there a list somewhere that says when each attraction opens? Does it vary by day?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have heard that not all the attractions are open at RD or EMH. Is there a list somewhere that says when each attraction opens? Does it vary by day?

http://allears.net/tp/emhour.htm

 

[CanadianPaco]

Great link! Thanks for sharing!