What if I don't want to run with the bulls?

[Slartibartfast]

I've noticed that every guidebook advises you to get to the park early (no problem), and "walk briskly" or "walk as fast as you safely can" to the super headliner ride of your choice at the rope drop. This is probably a euphamism, I have no doubt there are many people who actually run, but the guidebooks cannot advise that without facing a lawsuit.

The thing is, my family's had just about all they can take of my type A planning - there's NO WAY they'd put up with me dragging them through the park at a "brisk walk", and frankly, I don't blame them.

So my question is, just how much will it hurt us if we "stroll" to Dumbo or K. Safari instead of power-walk? Mind you, I intend on making a beeline with no stops, just a leisurely beeline. Will the lines be terrible at Dumbo or Safari by the time we get there? We have no intention of doing Test Track or Tower of Terror, so it probably isn't an issue at Epcot or MGM.

Keep in mind, we're not hypersensitive to lines - we don't consider a 20-minute wait to be excessive. However, I don't want to stroll to Dumbo and have a 2 hour wait by the time we get there.

 

[Texian@WDW]

We've taken our time on EE mornings getting to FL. We aren't first in line, but we don't have to wait long to ride Dumbo.

 

[laceemouse]

We have 4 lazy kids. We always go to WDW when school is out (high crowd times.) We don't get up super early and we certainly don't run when we do get to the parks. While we are not really the "thrill ride" types, we do go on everything in Fantasyland at the MK. We have never had super long waits at anything in the early to mid morning time period. I would play it by ear if I were you, see how the crowds are, but don't MAKE your family run all over the place and be miserable. It is a vacation after all!!!

 

[lisadam]

our commando styled park visits have come to a halt - and we still get to see what we want - its all a matter of change in attitude - and sometimes dh or I will have to remind the other of that. you'll still get to do plenty of things and have a great time

 

[Harambe]

We also do EE, but don't run at all! We usually try for the ride most folks don't go to and enjoy that! (For example at AK we go to It's Tough to be a Bug first - not the safari. At MK we try for BuzzLight Year rather than Dumbo. At MGM we will go over to Star Tours instead of the TOT/RRC area.)

We still get tons done! Hey - you don't want your first ride of the day to feel like nothing more than an accomplishment!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We kind of do both. For the very first ride of the day, we will be at the rope drop and often at the front of the crowd and do the swarm to the big ride of the park. For us this is SM at MK, TOT or R&R at MGM, or TT at Epcot. At AK we always do Breakfastsarus so we are in the park at opening. After we do that first rush, we slow it down and tour for the rest of the day at a slow relaxed pace. We go off season with low crowds so we would not really even need to do this, it just gives us a cool rush to start the day. I do think that in busy times being near the front of the swarm and a least doing a brisk walk, could save you a lot of time.
I notice that the OP mentioned that she no intention of doing TT. Please remember that this is not really a thrill ride at all. It is fast, but very smooth and fun. Our very favorite ride at WDW.


Jordan's mom

 

[DrTomorrow]

Don't panic. Strolling from the rope drop to your first ride - and other rides after - will only turn a no-minute wait into a 3-5 minute wait. And one the Early Entry Disney Dash is over, you don't see swarms of people power-walking all over. One thing, though - right in the middle of the rope drop dash is NOT the time to stop and tie your shoes or load your camera with film. Just stroll on one side or the other and let the stampede go through.

 

[grinningghost]

No problem. We don't run, we don't even walk briskly - we let all the other crazies go ahead of us, and we still manage to get on what we want with a very short wait.

 

[sunking]

slartibartfast,
first of all, hello to another hitchhikers guide fan...glad to see that i'm not the only one who like both disney and the hitchhikers guide....
regarding running like a madman at rope drop...if the family don't want to, don't do it...if you are there for rope drop, take a nice stroll to the first attraction that you want to ride and you should be able to do so with a few minute wait...you'll be fine....
have a great time!!!
sunking

 

[Bex0909]

I totally agree with those who say don't run. I will say that if you want to see the most active animals as possible on the safari, do go in the a.m. hours. We always do that ride first when we go to AK. Other than that, we've learned to slow down and take our time. Also, don't forget about Fast Pass. We often go right to the big ride we know we want to do and grab a Fast Pass to secure a spot in line while we go and enjoy a ride that doesn't have such a long line. I'm there to have fun, not to run a race!

 

[Hadjii]

I'm with you. No running allowed for us. We used to do the crazy rope drop race and to be truthful, felt kinda dumb. Jeesh, it's not like the rides were going anywhere. Now, we enter the park, enjoy that first glimpse into the MK and grab a fast pass for the ride we want to do first. Much more enjoyable. Gotta love those Fast Passes. - Nancy