What’s your favorite unconventional rope drop?

[teeeera]

We usually do the parks at night, but I do enjoy those first couple of hours after opening when the walkways are clearer and some of the less popular attractions/areas are ghost towns. I’m looking for some more ideas and to share ideas with other people who like to enjoy the parks this way.

Some examples that my family loves to do -

Arrive a few minutes before rope drop and ride Everest over and over until the line builds.

“Rope drop” creature comforts and enjoy an empty discovery trails.

Arrive a few minutes before rope drop and go to Nemo/the seas pavilion to enjoy the empty aquarium.

My son gets overstimulated can’t handle the crowds or parks for very long, so we have gravitated towards these kinds of things. Then we’ll come back at night and do a few of the bigger attractions. My kids love this stuff and it ends up being more memorable than the attractions, so I’m excited to get some more ideas!

 

[philharmagic fan]

My best rope drop experiences: DH and I have been on Carousel of Progress when we were the only guests in our theater section, and it was GLORIOUS! We've also been in Mickey's Philharmagic with only 6 other people (all adults) in the theater. Nothing beats an unobstructed view, no lights from phone screens, and absolute quiet except for the show audio.

 

[kylenne]

I like rope dropping Na’vi River Journey just because watching that massive horde of people veer off to the right for Flight of Passage is weirdly hilarious to me. I laugh like a lunatic every time. Also the ride is just a very chill start to the day, I genuinely enjoy it in the early morning when there’s like nobody there. Pandora when the sun comes up is gorgeous and the Flight of Passage stampede never gets to appreciate it.

 

[teeeera]

My best rope drop experiences: DH and I have been on Carousel of Progress when we were the only guests in our theater section, and it was GLORIOUS! We've also been in Mickey's Philharmagic with only 6 other people (all adults) in the theater. Nothing beats an unobstructed view, no lights from phone screens, and absolute quiet except for the show audio.

Ooh I’ve never thought of doing shows! I’ll definitely be trying that.

 

[teeeera]

I like rope dropping Na’vi River Journey just because watching that massive horde of people veer off to the right for Flight of Passage is weirdly hilarious to me. I laugh like a lunatic every time. Also the ride is just a very chill start to the day, I genuinely enjoy it in the early morning when there’s like nobody there. Pandora when the sun comes up is gorgeous and the Flight of Passage stampede never gets to appreciate it.

I love Navi River Journey. I love Pandora at night, but the early morning sounds so nice especially since AK opens super early. The FoP rope drop crowd stresses me out, so I’ve never rope dropped Navi. Is it pretty easy to get to? Will I get trampled if I have a stroller?

 

[kylenne]

I love Navi River Journey. I love Pandora at night, but the early morning sounds so nice especially since AK opens super early. The FoP rope drop crowd stresses me out, so I’ve never rope dropped Navi. Is it pretty easy to get to? Will I get trampled if I have a stroller?

It’s really easy, but if you want to lessen the stress, I would aim to be a bit further back than the people jockeying for front of the pack. It won’t affect you at all because so few people are headed for NRJ.

Just keep left once they release everyone from the bridge. The hordes will peel right for FoP. Just keep going straight and left.

 

[teeeera]

It’s really easy, but if you want to lessen the stress, I would aim to be a bit further back than the people jockeying for front of the pack. It won’t affect you at all because so few people are headed for NRJ.

Just keep left once they release everyone from the bridge. The hordes will peel right for FoP. Just keep going straight and left.

Alright I’m going for it when I go in June! Wish my luck - I will cackle at the FoP people in your honor lol

 

[lilmc]

Arrive a few minutes before rope drop and ride Everest over and over until the line builds.

This is what we do! It’s perfect

 

[loves to dive]

I rarely rope drop but I tend to get me some breakfast and find a quiet place to sit and enjoy. At MK I go to the little cart in Frontierland and get a chicken biscuit and a cup of coffee (hot black) and sit on one of the little platforms and just watch the park wake up. Sometimes Big Al will come out and just walk around. At AK I go to the little hole in the wall place near Safari and get a biscuit and then go on the Tree of Life trail where the tortoises are and watch them wake up. At Epcot, I go to either the bakery in France and sit at the little tables in a little cul de sac near the perfume shop or get a crepe and find a seat and just watch the crowd. It's a little harder at HS since I refuse to step foot inside a Starbucks and that is pretty much the only place you can get a breakfast sandwich type thing. I'll usually order a kid's bowl at Woodys and take it over to the little crate type sitting areas between TS and GE and watch the people.

 

[OP95]

Going to the emporium at MK. Very strange ( and nice !) to be in there without any people. Also did figment once and was the only one on the ride which was kinda funny.

 

[slo]

We love to rope drop the gifts shops, especially The Emporium. We buy a Joffrey’s, relax and meander around without the crowds. We take pictures of what we’d like to come back for before we leave the park.

One thing we learned a few weeks ago at the main gift shop at AK, is that you can make a purchase and they will hold it for you while you’re at the park. My DD21 found a nice jacket there and there was only 1 large, so I asked if they’d hold it if I bought it and they said yes. It was great! I will be asking this at other gift shops on our next trip, I really miss the days when your purchases were taken to your resort - that was an awesome perk.

 

[Skywalker3]

Sometimes I"ve found myself doing a few unconventional things while waiting for others to ride things I don't.
MK-People Mover. I have been the only one in my whole train, and nobody ahead/behind. Also, last 2 trips, I did one of those Main Street vehicles at rope drop.
HS-Toy Story Mania. The land is very busy, but vast majority doing Slinky Dog, so unless something's wrong (like SDD down,) TSMM is almost a walk on, and often can do it a couple of times.
HS-Star Tours first thing, had 2 other people on it. (I was the Rebel Spy.) and then shopping in Tatooine Traders was much easier than later in the day. Shopping at Dok Ondar's is really nice first thing in the AM. And the back part of GE, like getting Blue Milk, or riding the Falcon. MFSR almost a walk on at rope drop, not totally , but almost. And can get some good pictures back there.
AK-YES Everest over and over at rope drop is great. Kids did that one time, Lost count of how many times they rode. Then walking some of the trails, and just other animal viewing.
Epcot-I don't know....I think we're often rope dropping big stuff, but I dont' think Soarin is busy in the AM. Or Living/Land.

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

HS-Toy Story Mania. The land is very busy, but vast majority doing Slinky Dog, so unless something's wrong (like SDD down,) TSMM is almost a walk on, and often can do it a couple of times.

That would be terrific! Then I'd like to walk through Star Wars Land since it's always too busy for me to stroll through and enjoy all the details.
In Epcot, I enter through the IG, and one time I noticed that all of World Showcase was accessible, even though the pavilions were closed. I remember being able to stroll around and I loved that in Japan, I went up the hill to where the QS restaurant is (can't remember the name), and sat at the tables in the picture, listening to the background music and enjoying the peace and quiet. Gotta admit it was a little strange to be so quiet.

 

[angryduck71]

We usually do the parks at night, but I do enjoy those first couple of hours after opening when the walkways are clearer and some of the less popular attractions/areas are ghost towns. I’m looking for some more ideas and to share ideas with other people who like to enjoy the parks this way.

Some examples that my family loves to do -

Arrive a few minutes before rope drop and ride Everest over and over until the line builds.

“Rope drop” creature comforts and enjoy an empty discovery trails.

Arrive a few minutes before rope drop and go to Nemo/the seas pavilion to enjoy the empty aquarium.

My son gets overstimulated can’t handle the crowds or parks for very long, so we have gravitated towards these kinds of things. Then we’ll come back at night and do a few of the bigger attractions. My kids love this stuff and it ends up being more memorable than the attractions, so I’m excited to get some more ideas!

Walking around Galaxy’s Edge.

 

[teeeera]

Walking around Galaxy’s Edge.

We were unintentionally at Disney for the opening of Galaxy’s Edge. The park was opening at like 6:30am because they were anticipating huge crowds, which they did not get. Idk if it was because there was a hurricane brewing or because it was the end of August, but there was no one there. We did Galaxy’s Edge one morning at 6:30am with the lowest crowds I have ever seen at any Disney park. It was still kind of dark out and the decorative lights were on… it was DREAMY

 

[teeeera]

So many good ideas! I’m making a list as I daydream about trying everything on my June trip

 

[emilyann704]

My partner and I rope dropped Living with the Land and we were in the alone in the front row of our boat with nobody in the boat in front of or behind us. It was just really peaceful. Then we were able to hop over to Soarin' with a minimal line.

 

[kylenne]

Epcot-I don't know....I think we're often rope dropping big stuff, but I dont' think Soarin is busy in the AM. Or Living/Land.

We rope dropped Soarin on our last trip and it was relatively empty. Most people coming in the front were beelining to Frozen. They're all going to Guardians now that it's off the VQ. Given we like to zig when others zag at rope drop I think this is going to be our new go to when coming in from the front. It was SUCH a chill start to the day.

In Epcot, I enter through the IG, and one time I noticed that all of World Showcase was accessible, even though the pavilions were closed. I remember being able to stroll around and I loved that in Japan, I went up the hill to where the QS restaurant is (can't remember the name), and sat at the tables in the picture, listening to the background music and enjoying the peace and quiet. Gotta admit it was a little strange to be so quiet.

That little area up by Katsura Grill is usually pretty quiet--most guests don't seem to know it's there. It's one of my favorite spots if I'm having sensory issues and need to decompress.

 

[bakerworld]

I miss rope drop. DH loves to sleep in & it's his vacation too so....

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

People Mover. Little or no line and you can sit back, relax, take a tour of tomorrow line, and watch people stand in a ridiculous line for Tron