The Crowd at Rope Drop

[WayTooExcited]

Hi! New question!

We're going to Disney in November and it's going to be my daughters', ages 5 and 18 months (when we go), going. We're not staying on the grounds so our Fast Pass selection is going to happen 30 days out (boooooo). I understand for the most part it won't be a big deal except for the big rides. One of the big rides I would like to ride with my 5 year old is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (I checked the MK map to make sure I spelled 'dwarfs' right). This is going to have to be our rope drop ride.

Here's my question. How long does it take after rope drop for rides to get a super long line? It'll be her first time, I don't want to be like, "Look there's the castle RUN FOR YOUR LIFE CHILD!!" I'd like to maybe get a family picture in front of the castle, get a Mickey balloon (which I've always wanted but was never allowed to get when I was a kid and by golly I'm getting one this time!), and let her just take in being in Disney World.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[Alesia]

Hi! New question!

We're going to Disney in November and it's going to be my daughters', ages 5 and 18 months (when we go), going. We're not staying on the grounds so our Fast Pass selection is going to happen 30 days out (boooooo). I understand for the most part it won't be a big deal except for the big rides. One of the big rides I would like to ride with my 5 year old is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (I checked the MK map to make sure I spelled 'dwarfs' right). This is going to have to be our rope drop ride.

Here's my question. How long does it take after rope drop for rides to get a super long line? It'll be her first time, I don't want to be like, "Look there's the castle RUN FOR YOUR LIFE CHILD!!" I'd like to maybe get a family picture in front of the castle, get a Mickey balloon (which I've always wanted but was never allowed to get when I was a kid and by golly I'm getting one this time!), and let her just take in being in Disney World.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks so much!

Plan on the wait being about 60 minutes.

If you are at the front of the pack and walk directly to the ride, the wait will be more like 15 minutes.

I recommend that you get fastpasses for it

 

[WayTooExcited]

Plan on the wait being about 60 minutes.

If you are at the front of the pack and walk directly to the ride, the wait will be more like 15 minutes.

I recommend that you get fastpasses for it

I would love to get fast passes for it, but I don't think we'll be able to get them.

 

[kengquist]

We were just there on 5/4. We wanted to do the same thing but my girls also wanted to see Anna and Elsa. So we booked a pre-rope drop ADR at BOG. That way we'd be in the park before rope drop and only steps away from both 7 dwarfs and Anna and Elsa. Both of them have VERY long wait times. The pre-rope drop ADR guests were in line already when the park opened. So by the time the regular guests got in the wait for 7 dwarfs was already getting long. If you don't do a pre-rope drop ADR and you want your daughter to ride 7 dwarfs without a FP, you HAVE to go straight to the ride when you enter the park or be willing to wait in a long line. Take her to the castle, balloon, etc, after you ride.
However, if you go on a day that has EMH in the evening, 7 dwarfs line isn't that bad close to park closing.

 

[Shanti]

Hi! New question!

We're going to Disney in November and it's going to be my daughters', ages 5 and 18 months (when we go), going. We're not staying on the grounds so our Fast Pass selection is going to happen 30 days out (boooooo). I understand for the most part it won't be a big deal except for the big rides. One of the big rides I would like to ride with my 5 year old is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (I checked the MK map to make sure I spelled 'dwarfs' right). This is going to have to be our rope drop ride.

Here's my question. How long does it take after rope drop for rides to get a super long line? It'll be her first time, I don't want to be like, "Look there's the castle RUN FOR YOUR LIFE CHILD!!" I'd like to maybe get a family picture in front of the castle, get a Mickey balloon (which I've always wanted but was never allowed to get when I was a kid and by golly I'm getting one this time!), and let her just take in being in Disney World.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks so much!

Even if you run for your life at rope drop, with two small kids and being unfamiliar with MK, you'll have a very long wait by the time you reach Seven Dwarfs. We tried rope drop once (moving fast, with a 10 year-old & no stroller), and were greeted with an hour line. Alternate suggestions:

• Try to get an ADR for Be Our Guest for anytime between 8 and 8:30am, and then arrive by 7:40am. You'll be let in to MK at 7:45, and can go straight in to BOG at 8am. Eat promptly (you'll be able to order in advance, and should do so), then be out in front of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (right next to Be Our Guest) by 8:35. They typically let the breakfast guests on the ride before the rope drop hordes show up. We did that in January and got to ride twice with no line at all that way. No guarantees, but this seems to work in most cases.
• Try to get a FastPass, checking back every day if one isn't available immediately. People do change their plans, so things occasionally become available.
• Participate in Early Morning Magic, if it ends up being offered this fall. Currently, for 1 or 2 days per week you can pay to do this (not cheap- about $75 per person I think). It will let you into the Magic Kingdom at 7:45 and those who purchased this have exclusive access to riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan, and Winnie the Pooh from 7:45 - 9am. All three rides have long waits without FP's, so I would give this serious consideration if it ends up being available at the time of your trip. It also includes breakfast, which you can eat anytime between 7:45 and 10am.

No easy answers for uber-popular rides like Seven Dwarfs. Now you can see why so many people shell out to stay onsite.

 

[kengquist]

Even if you run for your life at rope drop, with two small kids and being unfamiliar with MK, you'll have a very long wait by the time you reach Seven Dwarfs. We tried rope drop once (moving fast, with a 10 year-old & no stroller), and were greeted with an hour line. Alternate suggestions:

• Try to get an ADR for Be Our Guest for anytime between 8 and 8:30am, and then arrive by 7:40am. You'll be let in to MK at 7:45, and can go straight in to BOG at 8am. Eat promptly (you'll be able to order in advance, and should do so), then be out in front of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (right next to Be Our Guest) by 8:35. They typically let the breakfast guests on the ride before the rope drop hordes show up. We did that in January and got to ride twice with no line at all that way. No guarantees, but this seems to work in most cases.
• Try to get a FastPass, checking back every day if one isn't available immediately. People do change their plans, so things occasionally become available.
• Participate in Early Morning Magic, if it ends up being offered this fall. Currently, for 1 or 2 days per week you can pay to do this (not cheap- about $75 per person I think). It will let you into the Magic Kingdom at 7:30 and those who purchased this have exclusive access to riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan, and Winnie the Pooh from 7:30 - 9am. All three rides have long waits without FP's, so I would give this serious consideration if it ends up being available at the time of your trip. It also includes breakfast, which you can eat anytime between 7:30 and 10am.

No easy answers for uber-popular rides like Seven Dwarfs. Now you can see why so many people shell out to stay onsite.

Agree 100% with the ADR at BOG for pre-rope drop. Definitely preorder food. It's by far the least stressful way to enter the park and ride. And if you're not interested in eating breakfast, you can preorder coffee and a muffin and be on your way.

 

[WayTooExcited]

Well option number 2 is that we're probably going to MVMCP and from what I understand, sometimes the ride longs are a lot shorter. Fingers crossed.

 

[kengquist]

Well option number 2 is that we're probably going to MVMCP and from what I understand, sometimes the ride longs are a lot shorter. Fingers crossed.

What is MVMCP?

 

[WayTooExcited]

What is MVMCP?

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

 

[Kathryn777]

We got 7dmt fast passes at 30 days. I had to split our group up and book them individually but after many days of trying (I would just go online once or twice a day in the app) I got us overlapping passes.

 

[WEDWDW]

Well option number 2 is that we're probably going to MVMCP and from what I understand, sometimes the ride longs are a lot shorter. Fingers crossed.

JMHO,but I wouldn't spend too much time on rides(there will be lines-especially for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train,etc.)during MVMCP,but would concentrate on the things ONLY available during MVMCP-the Parade,the Fireworks,the Dance Parties,the MVMCP shows,etc.

 

[quagmire0]

Fastpasses for 7DMT at the 30 day window are going to be scarce. Just hit our 30 day window for our trip in June and they were nowhere to be found. Fortunately, I already have an early ADR for Be Our Guest, which should get us 7DMT and Peter Pan before the huge crowds get there. My advice is to try and nail an early ADR at BOG or Crystal Palace. BOG is a little better because it's right by 7DMT and will take less time to eat than at CP with the characters.

 

[TAK]

Well option number 2 is that we're probably going to MVMCP and from what I understand, sometimes the ride longs are a lot shorter. Fingers crossed.

They are. And there's plenty of time to ride 7DMT and do all the party activities, too.

 

[dae3dae3]

Get your balloon on the way out or you're going to hate that thing. What are you planning on doing with it while trying to go on rides or seeing a show?

 

[Sunshinegrl243]

I was able to get 2 FP+ for my husband and I just two weeks out from our trip last month. Even if you can't get them at your 30 day mark, keep checking back. It's not completely impossible. I would much rather enjoy entering the park, taking it all in and getting pictures rather than rushing for a ride. The whole point (IMHO) is the overall experience, not just one ride. Have fun!!!

 

[redsbe]

EMHs morning or evening may be another option to secure short line for 7DMT, also be flexible looking for times into the evening hours.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you want to be at the head of the rope drop mob, plan to be at the park (AT the park, not getting on the bus) 45 minutes before the scheduled opening time. It makes a huge difference between being at the front of the crowd or behind a few thousand other guests.

 

[WayTooExcited]

Get your balloon on the way out or you're going to hate that thing. What are you planning on doing with it while trying to go on rides or seeing a show?

Tie it to the stroller.