Rope Drop first timer questions

I already can see in my mind the mean comments so let me say first I'M NOT A MORNING PERSON!!! I have been told by countless people how much you can get done if you are at rope drop, and let's face it parks no longer stay open as late as they use to. Even though I have been to WDW more times then I can count I haven't done a rope drop since I was to young to remember with my dad dragging me with him. My big question is, what time do our butts need to be on transportation (staying at WL) to make a good run for rope drop this yr?? An hr or hr and a half before opening or EMH???? Looking for good advice PLEASE!!!?????
 

DryerLintFan

Well-Known Member
It's my understanding that the timing of butts in seats on the transport will vary from park to park. What park are you planning on visiting for rope drop? I've seen 1.5 hours recommended for MK and at least 1 hour recommended for everywhere else.

As an aside, I've never seen mean comments directed at someone asking the question "what time do I need to be on Disney transport to make it for rope drop" before. You might catch more responses with a less dramatic delivery ;)
 
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Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
What time of year are you visiting? That can make a huge difference.

We generally visit at times of "moderate" crowds (4-7 on the touringplans 10-pt scale). We aim to arrive at our park of choice about 45 minutes before it opens (keeping in mind that there are often several "rope drops," one occurring before the scheduled opening after which guests are held at a central point, and then others throughout the various "lands" that occur simultaneously closer to opening time), and we plan on waiting for a bus for up to 15 minutes. Depending on whether we get a bus right away, or have to wait awhile, this typically puts us anywhere from first in line to 100th in line at a set of tapstiles. (Either way, we're among the first to reach our desired attraction.) If you were visiting during a time with higher crowds, you'd want to show up even earlier.

So, to do the math: for MK from WL (~10 min. trip) - be at the bus depot 70 min. before the MK's scheduled opening (add a few extra minutes if taking the ferry boat, as they don't come as frequently as the buses in our experience).

For Epcot (~20 min. trip) - be at the bus depot at least 80 min. before scheduled park opening.

For HS or AK (~30 min. trip) - be at the bus depot at least 90 min. before scheduled park opening.

All this being said, due to transportation delays we've also arrived just as a park opened -- breezing in on the heels of the rope drop crowd -- and have enjoyed all the same advantages. This was even true on our last visit, when the kids and I waltzed into MK at around 8:50am (9am opening, but gates opened no later than 8:45am) on the Monday of Thanksgiving week (a crazy-crowded time to visit), and hit half a dozen headliners in 2 hours with virtually no wait. As a responder below said, the most important thing is to be there at rope drop, regardless of whether you're among the first in line.

Good luck, and may the caffeine be with you!
 
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Delgado

Active Member
I already can see in my mind the mean comments so let me say first I'M NOT A MORNING PERSON!!! I have been told by countless people how much you can get done if you are at rope drop, and let's face it parks no longer stay open as late as they use to. Even though I have been to WDW more times then I can count I haven't done a rope drop since I was to young to remember with my dad dragging me with him. My big question is, what time do our butts need to be on transportation (staying at WL) to make a good run for rope drop this yr?? An hr or hr and a half before opening or EMH???? Looking for good advice PLEASE!!!?????
I would aim for an hour and a half. That way when it's an hour you'll be good. When we do rope drops I try to get there with about 15 min before opening (mk, epcot, ak before pandora). I have had great success others might disagree. I don't understand the logic of getting up insanely early to hurry up and wait for an hour at the gate. That just sounds awful.

Since you're not a morning person. If you can swing it, find a pre park adr. these have been amazing for us. And we are not morning people either.
 
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correcaminos

Well-Known Member
We have had good luck with rides getting there right at opening. None of this 1hr+ for us. We leave about 30 mins before the park opens and do fine. It's the first 1-2 hours that are good. We also do NOT do EMH and prefer that. This was for 6-7 on the busy scale and even 8s during spring break.

If you are night people, skip the morning as a lot of rides do dwindle in time for night hours. We have a younger kid though so morning is better for us.
 
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