“Rope Dropping is a must. It is not a recommendation, but an absolute must if you want to ensure you are getting on all the rides you want to in a day,” says one of our readers.

Sleeping Beauty Castle- Disneyland

In this article, we will be giving you a list of the most important rides to “Rope Drop” in each Disneyland Resort park! Take notes, because this is an essential MUST-DO to ensure you have an efficient Disney Day.

What is “Rope Drop,” you may ask? It simply means arriving at Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure Park BEFORE the parks are actually open and walking in through the turnstiles. Once you make your way through the turnstiles, you will then be greeted by smiling Cast Members standing in front of a rope that is blocking the route leading deeper into the parks. Once they drop that rope, you are able to make your way to the ride you wish to go on first.

Disney’s California Adventure Park Entrance

Here are the top 2 rides to Rope Drop at Disneyland and California Adventure:

Disneyland

Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of Disneyland’s newer rides and arguably the best ride on property!

Rise of the Resistance

During any given day, Rise has an average wait time of about 60-90 minutes. Waiting that long could really put a wrench in your perfectly planned-out day, so we recommend that this be a must-do as soon as that rope drops! Once you get over to Rise and jump in line with everyone, you could possibly wait about 30-40 minutes, depending on how close up to the front you were when you actually made it in line.

Another Rope Drop ride you could rush over to would be Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Toontown.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway- Disneyland Toontown

Runaway Railway is Disneyland’s newest attraction. This ride generally has an average wait time of 40-60 minutes. If you were to Rope Drop this new ride, you could wait an average of 15-20 minutes, in some cases!

Now, let’s say you have reservations for Disney’s California Adventure Park! Here are the top 2 rides we recommend to Rope Drop over at California Adventure:

Disney’s California Adventure Park 

Radiator Springs Racers is a fan-favorite at California Adventure, and we know why! It is a combination of a dark ride and thrill ride that immerses you in Radiator Springs.

Radiator Springs Racers

The average wait time for Racers is about 70-90 minutes. Albeit, this ride is worth the wait, and we strongly suggest that this be the DCA ride you Rope Drop!

If you want even more of a thrill first thing in the morning, we suggest Rope Dropping Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: BREAKOUT!

Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!

Guardians usually has an average wait time of 65-75 minutes, so by Rope Dropping this attraction, you could possibly wait about 20-30 minutes. Most of the wait for Guardians is located inside and is part of a pre-show, so it won’t feel like long at all!

Disney California Adventure- Pixar Pier

Now that you have our suggestions for The Most Important Rides To Rope Drop at Each Disneyland Park, set that alarm, wake up early, rope drop like a pro, and go ride some rides!!

Click here to see how park passes are CHANGING at Disneyland. 

Have specific questions about Rope Dropping? Feel free to ask below in the comments!