What time do the gates REALLY open?

[DharmaLou]

The week of Thanksgiving the parks opened at 7:45 every day. Two days we had to wait at the end of Main Street for Rope Drop, one day we were able to walk into the circle by the Partners statue and were held at a rope drop by each "land". Ropes are dropped at 8am.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Last week DL was all over the place on gate openings, on Tuesday for our MM gate wasn't opened until 7:10. CA gates were open 7:30 every morning for a rope drop, side gate open at 7 for EMH days.

 

[Love Tink]

I think this would be better - this way you don't have to wake up as early! If nobody else is getting into the parks early, you don't need to either.

In theory, yes. But in practice, no. Because people do still arrive early. So to be near the front you have to also arrive early, but then you have to stand in a cramped security line for a long time, instead of being able to just go to a turnstile or (even better) go inside and wait behind the rope.

Having not been to DL in about five years, I forgot how different park opening is than the one at WDW and, when we went last August, I was really surprised and annoyed when they didn't even open the security lines until 6:51 (nine minutes before MM started). The turnstile we chose opened about five minutes after MM started. Aaaaah! My family couldn't understand my reaction but I knew that those MM minutes are GOLD.

 

[Geemo]

Scheduled opening times is a challenge for a couple in my group. I try to get there early. Want to make those early mornings count.

I don't wear a watch so once I'm there in line, I have no idea what time it is.

Geemo

 

[jetskigrl]

The week of Thanksgiving the parks opened at 7:45 every day. Two days we had to wait at the end of Main Street for Rope Drop, one day we were able to walk into the circle by the Partners statue and were held at a rope drop by each "land". Ropes are dropped at 8am.

We never know from one visit to the next what the opening will be

For MM, the gates always seems to open right at the start time so no "rope drop" inside. For regular opening we have encountered it all. Sometimes they leave the gates closed until right at the official opening time. Other times they let you in 1/2 hour early but have a rope at the end of Main Street that drops at the official time (I like this the best because I love hearing the speech before opening). Then other times they rope off each land so that you can also wait in the hub area.

I have also found no correlation between where they hold people on non-MM days vs. MM days.