When to arrive for rope drop

[adriane812]

Hi! We're first time DLR visitors (but WDW regulars). We're visiting DLR 8/16-8/18 and staying at Park Vue. When should we plan to walk over if we want to be toward the front of the rope drop crowd? We're going to each park on non-EMH/MM days.

 

[Winnowill]

We like to arrive a good 45 minutes before opening, but there are always people in line when we get there. Not a huge number, generally, but they're there.

 

[rentayenta]

We're comfortable with being in line 20-30 minutes prior to rope drop.

 

[MICKEYFIL]

There is no set amount of time before hand to be there and each situation is a bit different. As an example, I have shown up 75 minutes before the park opening and I have stood first in line at the ticket booth. On one occasion I was actually the first person there. Other times there will be a line already at the booth. As long as you are within the first twenty to forty people in any particular line you will be there for rope drop. However you should keep in mind that rope drop is a lot more laid back compared to WDW openings (just using past experience). If you are not within the first three or four rows of people at the rope drop you will not be able to hear the staff.

As a piece of advice, be very aware of where people are lined up at the gates as sometimes people leave some of the entry points empty and you can get into shorter lines (this is for the disneyland side).

The only big tip I can give you is for California Adventures. If you go there on a day where there is early entry and you don't have it, there will be some lines for regular patrons and some gates dedicated to early entry. As the early morning wears on they will slowly convert these entry points to regular patrons and lines will form immediately. You want to line up in the right most lane every time and as a new line become converted your line will divide in half with half staying put and the other half will go to the new line. Play your cards right and you can be at the front of a line very quickly.

The gates for both parks usually open about fifteen to twenty minutes before the rope drop actually happens.

 

[chickapin parterre]

wednesday, thursday , friday......Wednesday morning will be you best block of hours, rope drop should be at main street, so don't panic if it is deep with folks, it is a narrow opening, and half of the space is strollers anyhow.

if you are turning right off the hub, west, into the ROA area, then no problem with timing, reports are still coming out that the ROA area is still empty in the morning

And you could be lucky and not have rope drop at all, a recent trip report had a gate entrance on a Sunday

 

[onlyoneash]

The only big tip I can give you is for California Adventures. If you go there on a day where there is early entry and you don't have it, there will be some lines for regular patrons and some gates dedicated to early entry. As the early morning wears on they will slowly convert these entry points to regular patrons and lines will form immediately. You want to line up in the right most lane every time and as a new line become converted your line will divide in half with half staying put and the other half will go to the new line. Play your cards right and you can be at the front of a line very quickly.

Dang that's some good advice! Didn't know that...we will have to hit DCA on an EE day when we unfortunately won't have it...good to know to stay in the right lane.

 

[Rabb it]

About 45 should be good, that's when we try to get there and we're always first to walk onto whichever ride we're trying to go to.

 

[apple9117]

Great tips!

 

[adriane812]

Thanks, everyone--this was all really helpful! We're planning on doing California Adventure for a couple of hours on Friday, so the EMH tip is going to be useful. We're really looking forward to our trip! We're especially excited to just be able to walk across the street and be there instead of waiting for a bus.

 

[Guy in Fargo]

Get there two hours early. Look cute. Be picked as Disney Family of the day.