What time should we line up for DCA rope drop?

[DisneyJulieZ]

Do they even DO a rope drop at DCA, actually!??

We're thinking of making our 1st day our DCA day.

Monday, 3/16--DL opens at 8 AM, (which I'm thinking indicates BUSY) but DCA doesn't open until 10 AM.

3/16 is a family b-day, so we were thinking of heading into DL to get his fun card activated and grab a FP before heading over to line up for DCA's opening...

So...I need advice as to what time I should be heading over to DCA to line up...

Is there a rope drop?

Would 9:30 AM be early enough for a 10 AM DCA opening time?

TIA!!

OOH! One more question!
How does it work if we want to 'walk purposefully' to be among the 1st in line for Toy Story Mania? I read a while ago that there is a separate rope drop for that by GRR? Is that still the case?
Does anyone have any experience with being there for opening of DCA with the express intention of being on TSM immediately??

THANKS!

 

[DLR29]

At 9:30, DCA's gates open to the public and there is a rope:
a) At the entrance of Hollywood Pictures Backlot
b) Just before Grizzly River Run
c) At the path that leads to A Bugs Land and Paradise Pier

Soarin opens (and its FPs) at 9:30. Then at 10, the ropes are "dropped" and the whole park is open to the public.

As for the opening procedures for TSMM, I have experienced both. In August, everyone lined up by Grizzly River Run and at 10 a huge line walked back in order to the ride and we entered the line like that. In October everyone who wanted to ride TSMM lined up by rope c) and at 10 the rope was basically dropped and it was whoever was the fastest to TSMM's line. Not sure which is more common, just both have occurred in the past.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Along the same lines I was wondering what time we can enter DCA from the GCR enterance? Is there usually a line? I was thinking of grabbing a bite at WWS and then go in from there? What time are we allowed in?

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Oh Mom2Joce--GREAT question! That might be a good way to get a jump on the TSMM line, huh? If they let you in at 9:30 from WWS, you'd be in good position to head back to TSMM!
Anyone know how that works?

DLR29--you are always so full of great advice! Thanks so much for your wisdom/input...we'll be sure to be there well before 9:30 AM rope drop, regardless of how the rest of the "procedure" works (ropes or no ropes at GRR...)

You're all the best! Thanks so much!!

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

DLR29--Just re-read your post...I'm thinking you meant rope b) (GRR rope) for the line for TSMM??

Just wanted to be sure I was going to the right place!
Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

No I meant rope c for the 2nd scenario. Well I guess you could line up at rope b also, but I was just saying that it was not an organized line up for TSMM. It was a "whoever could get there the fastest" kind of situation.

 

[farmfresh]

You can use GC entrance onlyif you are staying in disney resorts for mornining entry (they don't seem to worry after that). But if you are, you enter at 9.30 and are held around the GR area - so yes you are further ahead!

 

[ballarinamom]

When we were there in November there were two ropes. One by the Winery and one at GRR. The CM told us to go to the GRR line because they would walk us over a little earlier than he would. That gave us a chance to grab FPs for Soarin'. We all brisk walked over to ToyStory. The only wait we had was walking through the queu line. We were able to get right back in line after riding it and had a less than 10 minute wait for the second time around.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I agree. If you are a hotel guest go to the GRR line, but first grab a FP for soarin. I think everyone walks quickly but hopefully doesn't do anything foolish like run to get into a line. lol you will all get a chance to ride, the people that literally run kinda make me laugh

 

[Kayla's Mom]

When we were there earlier in the month, we lined up at GRR, but they did not walk us over in a line. It was whoever walked the fastest...! We were there during the week, not sure if it varies by the day.

 

[Hound 109]

We're thinking of making our 1st day our DCA day.

MAKE EVERYDAY A DCA DAY (for 2-5 hours).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961 (benefits of parkhopping)




Monday, 3/16--DL opens at 8 AM, (which I'm thinking indicates BUSY) but DCA doesn't open until 10 AM.

3/16 is a family b-day, so we were thinking of heading into DL to get his fun card activated and grab a FP before heading over to line up for DCA's opening......

Great idea.

& if inclined, you could ride a few slow loading rides & pick up 2 FPs prior to lining up at DCA (assuming your DH is the runner).

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Hound--I like the idea of 2 FP's before heading over to DCA! Woo hoo!!

Thanks for the input on where to line up...

Just want to be sure: if we go to eat something quickly at WWS (say around 9 AM-ish), we would be able to enter throught the GC entrance to the park (by GRR), EVEN IF WE AREN'T staying there?

(This is in hopes of getting to TSM as quickly as possible)
TIA!!

 

[Rapunsel]

Hound--I like the idea of 2 FP's before heading over to DCA! Woo hoo!!

Thanks for the input on where to line up...

Just want to be sure: if we go to eat something quickly at WWS (say around 9 AM-ish), we would be able to enter throught the GC entrance to the park (by GRR), EVEN IF WE AREN'T staying there?

(This is in hopes of getting to TSM as quickly as possible)
TIA!!

The GC Entrance. You have to show proof of either eating at the Character breakfast there or one of the DL hotels... Tried it with not being a guest and they denied us entrance untill 10 am

 

[Rapunsel]

Hound--I like the idea of 2 FP's before heading over to DCA! Woo hoo!!

Thanks for the input on where to line up...

Just want to be sure: if we go to eat something quickly at WWS (say around 9 AM-ish), we would be able to enter throught the GC entrance to the park (by GRR), EVEN IF WE AREN'T staying there?

(This is in hopes of getting to TSM as quickly as possible)
TIA!!

The GC Entrance. You have to show proof of either eating at the Character breakfast there or one of the DL hotels... Tried it with not being a guest and they denied us entrance untill 10 am

 

[HydroGuy]

Great idea.

& if inclined, you could ride a few slow loading rides & pick up 2 FPs prior to lining up at DCA (assuming your DH is the runner).

Here are some details on this FWIW: "Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197