What time to arrive for 7am rope drop?

[cpfolk]

Looking for those with past experience. Will it be as insane as a normal MK park opening? Should we be there by 6:15?

 

[Robo]

Looking for those with past experience. Will it be as insane as a normal MK park opening? Should we be there by 6:15?

The earlier the time, the fewer guests will make it.
However, since there will be a much larger OVERALL guest population during the dates when the park has the extra-early EMH, expect there to be lots of guests awaiting the opening.

Just know that first hour will be see the lowest number of guests compared to the rest of the day, regardless.

As to when to arrive...
Since it is nearly impossible for guests to accurately judge exactly how long it will take to actually get to the MK gates (variables of traffic and other timing issues... especially if you are driving,) it makes sense to at least PLAN on getting to the MK gates 30-45 minutes before the posted opening time...
and at/near Easter, the MK parking lot can actually FILL UP by early in the day.
If you really want to be SURE of arriving on time for gate opening. Go EARLY, early.


At MK, they will usually start the MK Welcome (Rope Drop show) at 15 minutes before the posted opening time.

 

[Disneylover99]

We've caught a 6am-6:15am bus for a 7am opening at MK in the past. It will start filling up starting at about 6:30am.

 

[wisblue]

In our experience, getting there by 6:30-6:40 is plenty early.

But, as Robo said, it is always hard to know exactly how long it will take you to get there. The one time we stayed at BLT and could walk to the MK, we arrived at about 6:45 and that was fine. When we have to take a bus, we usually get to the stop about 6. If a bus comes right away and we get to the MK before 6:30, we could literally count the number of people there. If the bus comes later and we arrive around 6:40, that is still fine.

For the 7 AM EMH openings the welcome show has usually been at 6:50. For non EMH openings recently the welcome show has been 20 minutes before the official opening. We try to arrive 45 minutes before those openings.

 

[SmallWorld71]

When we did this at Christmas time, we arrived at the bus stop at CSR a little before 6 and it worked out fine. I will point out that we were not trying to be at the front of the crowd for Mine Train. We headed to Tomorrowland which was practically empty.

 

[cpfolk]

The earlier the time, the fewer guests will make it.
However, since there will be a much larger OVERALL guest population during the dates when the park has the extra-early EMH, expect there to be lots of guests awaiting the opening.

Just know that first hour will be see the lowest number of guests compared to the rest of the day, regardless.

As to when to arrive...
Since it is nearly impossible for guests to accurately judge exactly how long it will take to actually get to the MK gates (variables of traffic and other timing issues... especially if you are driving,) it makes sense to at least PLAN on getting to the MK gates 30-45 minutes before the posted opening time...
and at/near Easter, the MK parking lot can actually FILL UP by early in the day.
If you really want to be SURE of arriving on time for gate opening. Go EARLY, early.


At MK, they will usually start the MK Welcome (Rope Drop show) at 15 minutes before the posted opening time.

Should have noted that we are staying at the Contemporary, so transportation will not be an issue. Thanks for the information. Our MK days is Good Friday, so we will get there early. We have a FP for SDMT so we will try to punch out a bunch of other items will the masses head that direction.

 

[Robo]

Should have noted that we are staying at the Contemporary, so transportation will not be an issue. Thanks for the information. Our MK days is Good Friday, so we will get there early. We have a FP for SDMT so we will try to punch out a bunch of other items will the masses head that direction.

Sounds great!

 

[Deena57]

7am opening? Wow, that's great! I was excited that they changed opening to 8:00am on Easter at MK. When are you going that there is a 7am RD?

 

[Robo]

7am opening? Wow, that's great! I was excited that they changed opening to 8:00am on Easter at MK. When are you going that there is a 7am RD?

That would be for an AM EMH opening when the regular park hours are for an 8AM opening, like Fri. March 25, 2016.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Looking for those with past experience. Will it be as insane as a normal MK park opening? Should we be there by 6:15?

Get out to your resort bus stop at 6

 

[Deena57]

The 4 days we are there during Easter week, MK isn't scheduling any morning EMH. But, glad they changed from 9:00 to 8:00am within the past few days.

 

[Mamaoftwo24]

Bummed that the whole time we are there it's opening at 9.... But glad that if we stay out late, give the kids a bit more time to sleep.