Turning Rope Drop Strategy Upside Down: Don't Hit Headliners First

[smithleg]

I know the conventional wisdom is to get to MK at rope drop so you can hit the headliners with minimal wait. But has anyone thought of instead hitting the non-headliners multiple times instead??

Here's why I'm asking.

I'm planning out a 6-day Easter 2016 trip (yes, I know this is madness in itself, only time we can go.) and are planning on spending 3 mornings at MK. That's gives us 9 fastpasses to apply to less than 9 headliners. So that means we have the headliners covered with fastpasses and no longer need at rope drop to join the masses walking, not running, to 7DMT, PP or Elsa. So my thought is to plan our rope drop day by instead walking on to Buzz, Astro Orbiter (ride twice), Speedway (twice), Dumbo, and Barnstormer (twice) then grabbing the best cinnamon bun on the planet at Gaston's Tavern. After this we start using our fastpasses for three headliners.

Is this idea madness and a waste of a perfectly good rope drop???

 

[DisneyJoe]

I know the conventional wisdom is to get to MK at rope drop so you can hit the headliners with minimal wait. But has anyone thought of instead hitting the non-headliners multiple times instead??

Here's why I'm asking.

I'm planning out a 6-day Easter 2016 trip (yes, I know this is madness in itself, only time we can go.) and are planning on spending 3 mornings at MK. That's gives us 9 fastpasses to apply to less than 9 headliners. So that means we have the headliners covered with fastpasses and no longer need at rope drop to join the masses walking, not running, to 7DMT, PP or Elsa. So my thought is to plan our rope drop day by instead walking on to Buzz, Astro Orbiter (ride twice), Speedway (twice), Dumbo, and Barnstormer (twice) then grabbing the best cinnamon bun on the planet at Gaston's Tavern. After this we start using our fastpasses for three headliners.

Is this idea madness and a waste of a perfectly good rope drop???

Perfect strategy. I see no issues. That's why I love FP+.

 

[Kate Alan]

If it works for you and your travel party, it's not madness or a waste. If you've got the headliners covered with FP+, why not enjoy a leisurely stroll up and on to some of the other less crowded rides? Seems to me you've got a perfect strategy considering your circumstances.

 

[lunchbox1175]

That would depend on what you consider a headliner. Personally, I am disappointed if I don't get to ride the mountains a couple of times each day, so we like to use them for the FP as well as doing them at rope drop. Plus you can't make a FP for all three mountains, it will make you chose one of them, possibly two of them, I can't remember, so we often end up using one on Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise as those are two of DW's favorites.

 

[DManRightHere]

I know the conventional wisdom is to get to MK at rope drop so you can hit the headliners with minimal wait. But has anyone thought of instead hitting the non-headliners multiple times instead??

Here's why I'm asking.

I'm planning out a 6-day Easter 2016 trip (yes, I know this is madness in itself, only time we can go.) and are planning on spending 3 mornings at MK. That's gives us 9 fastpasses to apply to less than 9 headliners. So that means we have the headliners covered with fastpasses and no longer need at rope drop to join the masses walking, not running, to 7DMT, PP or Elsa. So my thought is to plan our rope drop day by instead walking on to Buzz, Astro Orbiter (ride twice), Speedway (twice), Dumbo, and Barnstormer (twice) then grabbing the best cinnamon bun on the planet at Gaston's Tavern. After this we start using our fastpasses for three headliners.

Is this idea madness and a waste of a perfectly good rope drop???

I don't necessarily think everyone flocks to the biggest attractions, many kids will want to ride the non headliner rides lol. Your plan should work for the most part though!

 

[Kate Alan]

That would depend on what you consider a headliner. Personally, I am disappointed if I don't get to ride the mountains a couple of times each day, so we like to use them for the FP as well as doing them at rope drop. Plus you can't make a FP for all three mountains, it will make you chose one of them, possibly two of them, I can't remember, so we often end up using one on Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise as those are two of DW's favorites.

As of right now, unless they've changed their policies, Magic Kingdom has no ride tiers. So as long as there are time slots available, you can get FP+ for Space, Splash, and Big Thunder (or swap in 7DMT for one of them). We've done it.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

That would depend on what you consider a headliner. Personally, I am disappointed if I don't get to ride the mountains a couple of times each day, so we like to use them for the FP as well as doing them at rope drop. Plus you can't make a FP for all three mountains, it will make you chose one of them, possibly two of them, I can't remember, so we often end up using one on Peter Pan and Jungle Cruise as those are two of DW's favorites.

I think that was when FP+ first started. You could only choose one mountain and not another. Now, you can choose all 3 if you want. We did this last year- we did Space, Splash and BTMR and another day 7DMT, Space and Big Thunder.

 

[lunchbox1175]

I think that was when FP+ first started. You could only choose one mountain and not another. Now, you can choose all 3 if you want. We did this last year- we did Space, Splash and BTMR and another day 7DMT, Space and Big Thunder.

That's good to know, I feel it was that way when we were there in January, I was hoping it would change.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

That's good to know, I feel it was that way when we were there in January, I was hoping it would change.

I sure hope it didn't change! lol These are actually the ones I like to FP together as our first 3, since the lines can get pretty long. I don't mind doing stand by for POTC, HM etc...

 

[Tuvalu]

MK never had tiers.

 

[graphite1326]

sounds like good plan to me

 

[Cosmic Commando]

It really depends what your "big picture" plan is. If you just want to cover the whole MK in those three days, it's a perfectly fine plan. My goal is usually to do as much of my favorite things as many times as possible. I haven't been since FP+ started, but I think the best plan is to hit up a couple of higher wait attractions that you don't have FP+ for first, then use your FP+, then see if there are any additional FPs available for some of those smaller attractions that have FP+, but aren't headliners. My wife says my motto is, "Just one more thing!"

 

[CheshireCat12]

I think that was when FP+ first started. You could only choose one mountain and not another. Now, you can choose all 3 if you want. We did this last year- we did Space, Splash and BTMR and another day 7DMT, Space and Big Thunder.

We ONLY FP+ mountains as our initial 3 unless we are late to the party (making changes day-of) in which case we FP whatever bigger attractions are available. Have gotten BTMRR day-of.

 

[epcotisbest]

I know the conventional wisdom is to get to MK at rope drop so you can hit the headliners with minimal wait. But has anyone thought of instead hitting the non-headliners multiple times instead??

Here's why I'm asking.

I'm planning out a 6-day Easter 2016 trip (yes, I know this is madness in itself, only time we can go.) and are planning on spending 3 mornings at MK. That's gives us 9 fastpasses to apply to less than 9 headliners. So that means we have the headliners covered with fastpasses and no longer need at rope drop to join the masses walking, not running, to 7DMT, PP or Elsa. So my thought is to plan our rope drop day by instead walking on to Buzz, Astro Orbiter (ride twice), Speedway (twice), Dumbo, and Barnstormer (twice) then grabbing the best cinnamon bun on the planet at Gaston's Tavern. After this we start using our fastpasses for three headliners.

Is this idea madness and a waste of a perfectly good rope drop???

The madness is thinking that cinnamon bun is the best on the planet. Heck, it is not even the best at WDW. Hint...Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

I go at rope drop and hit every ride a few times with minimal waits if not walk on with out using a fast pass. No need to skip anything if you go right at rope drop. Then you've already hit your headliners and still have your FP for later on. I dunno depends on time of year to, summer time you can still hit everything first thing in the morning but lines form quick. If you do rope drop, just go to whatever ride you want, there won't be a wait except 7dmt but never has been a wait when I went but that one forms very quick.

Few ways people use FP+ me personally I'll pick my 3 for whatever park for that evening or night and go at rope drop and hit a much as possible in the morning and still have my 3 for later on. Unless you are going to park hop. Then I'll do my 3 early as possible so I can access more through out the day at any park