What is rope drop?

[whatname]

I see this here all the time. I assume it is the opening of the park, but what actually happens there?

 

[Robo]

I see this here all the time. I assume it is the opening of the park, but what actually happens there?

In all of the parks EXCEPT Magic Kingdom.
Nothing really "happens."
They just open the gates and allow guests to enter the park.

At MK, there is a "Welcome Show" held just inside the front gates, then guests are allowed to enter Main Street, and beyond.

 

[Robo]

More specific info-

Here's what's been happening with Theme Park Openings:

MK still offers an actual Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 20-30 minutes "early."
But, the Rope Drop show starts about 8:45AM.

MK's Rope Drop Ceremony is called "Magic Kingdom Welcome" (see location HERE.)
Again, guests are usually admitted through the entrance gates starting about 20-30 minutes before
the posted opening time, but must then WAIT just inside the gates, in front of the train station (near the "floral Mickey face.")

The ceremony lasts 6-7 minutes, or so, and starts about 15 minutes before the scheduled MK opening time.
There is also a "mini" version (far less "hoopla") that lasts about 2-3 minutes.
There is also an "AUDIO ONLY" version (no characters at all) that lasts under minute.
That one starts about 2-3 minutes before the top of the hour.
Which one you will see can be tough to guess.

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DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW,
AND recently, no longer has an inside-the-park guest holding area.
DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early," and guests can enter the park and head
for their attractions of choice at that time.
Expedition Everest may likely not start admitting guests until the top of the hour.

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Epcot does not offer an internal Rope Drop SHOW,
AND no longer offers an inside-the-gates holding area.
There might be a "Welcome to Epcot" audio recording played as a chosen family waves "hello"
to other guests, maybe some confetti involved. (But, it is far below what could be called a "Show.")
Epcot gates (sometimes including the International Gateway) will likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(Sometimes, on rare occasions when the park is very busy...
the front gates, at least, may open as much as 30 minutes early and guests may head to Soarin' or Test Track.)

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DHS Gates likely open approx. 15 min. "early."
(DHS has opened as much as 30 min. early, but that's not been the case every day.)

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AM EMH entrance times seem to not be affected (figure entering 2-10 minutes before the AM EMH time, as usual.)
On AM EMH days, MK will offer some form of their Rope Drop Show
(may or may not be the "full show")
only for AM EMH guests,
and no show at all for the regular hours open time that morning.

As always, for better positioning in the crowds, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

If staying at a WDW resort, plan to be at the bus stop about 45-60 min. before you want to ARRIVE at a given park.
(Arriving far too early beats arriving just a minute or two late.)

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[auntyjenn]

Most people just use the term 'rope drop' to mean being at the park the second it opens

 

[whatname]

Thanks for the info. I thought I might be missing something big. It doesn't look like I am. Good to know the options though.