Epcot and DHS rope drops

Slippin' Falls

Slippin' Falls

Member
Original Poster
Hey guys, will be heading to WDW on Thanksgiving and into the first week of December and am very excited. My family and I have been to WDW several times but we have never managed to make it to the parks early enough for rope drop. My family is big on re-rides of the major attractions, so I'm trying to get them to being awake and ready to tackle the parks at rope drop. This is particularly the case for Epcot and Hollywood Studios, as we will only be spending one day at those parks (Going to MK twice with the MVMCP and can still probably get everything done that we would like to AK without having to be there at park opening).

So after doing some research I came across these reviews of rope drops that were implemented at Epcot and DHS. However, the links are over two years old and was just curious to know if you guys are aware if the same procedures are still followed out now.

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/new-epcot-rope-drop-procedure-september-16-2011/

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...-procedure-what-you-can-expect-to-see-and-do/

Any insight as to recent rope drops would be greatly appreciated. Being able to enter DHS at 8:30 and ride some of the big attractions seems like a great opportunity!
 
real mad hatter

real mad hatter

Well-Known Member
Whit!!!:jawdrop:...Set your room alarm for Mickey wake up call..6.30am...Tell your family you are in command today and slackers will be punished...Although we have only been to WDW five times, we have made rope drop for HS and Epcot many times...That said,we always go in July and love the quietness of the parks..So you know what to do...;)....
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
I can't open the OP's links, but we were there for rope drop last October for every park -- it is SO worth it! (Then again, we have small children so we're all getting to bed early, and it's easy to get up at the crack of dawn.)

In each case, there was a brief announcement (or in the case of the Magic Kingdom, the morning show with characters arriving on the train!) and then they started letting people through the turnstiles about 10-15 minutes before the official park opening. In the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, you were free to go wherever. In Hollywood Studios, guests were "herded" by CMs so that there was only one route to get toward TSMM, for e.g., (nobody dashing around the hat to bypass the crowd). At Animal Kingdom, we were held at the hub for a few minutes at a second rope.

Especially going in July -- you'll want to get there early in the "cool" of the day! Hit everything you want and head back to the resort at lunchtime for a nice air-conditioned siesta. :)
 
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dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
As of now, AK DHS and Epcot all open prior to their published opening time. May be as early as 15 mins, may only be a few minutes. MK still has their Good Morning show that will open the park promptly at 9. If you can get your whole family up and going, it's a great way to crank through some of the headliners well in advance of the crowds.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
The MK as noted still has a decent show to watch. The other three parks have had all their shows cut to the bare minimum now if not eliminated.
 
SyracuseOrange

SyracuseOrange

Well-Known Member
dreamfinder said:
As of now, AK DHS and Epcot all open prior to their published opening time. May be as early as 15 mins, may only be a few minutes. MK still has their Good Morning show that will open the park promptly at 9. If you can get your whole family up and going, it's a great way to crank through some of the headliners well in advance of the crowds.
Click to expand...
I was there a few weeks ago, and the opening show finished early and we were permitted to go back towards various sections of the park, and then even those ropes were dropped early. I had already finished riding Peter Pan before the park "opened" at 9am!
 
real mad hatter

real mad hatter

Well-Known Member
DisneyDebNJ said:
You know.... after 25 plus trips to Disney, I have never made rope drop to ANY park?!?!?!?! I'm usually up by 6am, just never did it. I am making a promise here and now, to @figmentfan423 and @real mad hatter I WILL make rope drop this year!!!!
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Whit!!!:jawdrop:...25 years and never done a rope drop...That's a confession even our Father O'Reilly can't forgive...:eek:..Repeat after me..." I @DisneyDebNJ....Promise all my magic friends....To make at least one rope drop on my next Disney trip..So help me god...Amen.." ;)
 
D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
real mad hatter said:
Whit!!!:jawdrop:...25 years and never done a rope drop...That's a confession even our Father O'Reilly can't forgive...:eek:..Repeat after me..." I @DisneyDebNJ....Promise all my magic friends....To make at least one rope drop on my next Disney trip..So help me god...Amen.." ;)
Click to expand...
Well, I promised 2... LOL BUT... I WILL do it this year!!! (and forgive me Father, for I have.... wait.... what?!!?!??!!?) Sigh......
 
75disney

75disney

Well-Known Member
I have done rope drop at Epcot and HS (and MK) many times. At Epcot , they will usually let you through the turnstiles about 15 minutes before opening. You can get pictures of SSE and the fountains. Sometimes a few characters are on hand as well. We always head to the top right to Innoventions West. CMs will be standing behind a rope blocking the path to the right side of Future World (specifically the Land and Soarin'). Right at 9, they drop the rope and walk the crowd to the Land. We are usually on the ride by 9:10 (it takes a few minutes to navigate the Land's ramp, steps, and the queue). I have never done rope drop on the left side of the park, but I am sure it is similar for TT.

HS isn't as pleasant of an experience. Disney will usually let you in the park about 15 minutes before opening. The lines at the turnstiles and security are very long because there aren't as many as MK and Epcot. Once through, you can stroll down Hollywood Boulevard. The crowd all gathers at the end of use street and all access to other park areas are roped off. It is very crowded and you feel like a sardine. Get a spot on the far right side. When the rope drops at 9, a huge mass of people will all surge in the same direction, up Pixar Place to TSMM. The line for fast pass distribution gets long very quickly. It backs up within minutes to the Little Mermaid attraction. The rest of the crowd heads down Sunset boulevard to ToT and RR. My advice have the fastest person in your party head to get fast passes for TSMM (although Magic bands and FP+ may make this unnecessary). Have the rest of your party head to your first attraction. My DH gets the fast passes, while the kids and I head to ToT; DH doesn't care if he rides. Then we all join back up afterwards. Some people head to sign up for the Jedi Training Academy (I have girls; they are not interested inn Star Wars).

Rope drop is a rush. You can really knock out the biggies before the hordes arrive.

We are going at Thanksgiving as well. We will be at rope drop, even with our FP+. Perhaps we will see you in line.
 
G00fyDad

G00fyDad

Well-Known Member
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