Rope dropping is an art at Disney World!
Rope dropping can be really popular!
The term rope drop can mean different things for different people, but typically, rope dropping is when you are in the park, past the turnstiles, BEFORE the park opens. Usually, people arrive about an hour prior to park open to ensure that they are at the rope in front of each of the lands. Believe it or not, at some parks there is a physical rope that keeps you from going into parts of the parks where the attractions are. This rope is then dropped when the park opens. Unfortunately, even the pros make rope drop mistakes, and these are four unfortunate things that always happen to us when we rope drop!
Now, why would you want to get up even earlier than you already have to at Disney World? Well, rope dropping can be beneficial to your park day! You may be able to get on one of the most popular attractions with a shorter wait by being one of the first people in the park. No rope drop strategy is always perfect, and even though we go to Disney World every day, we still have a rope drop hiccup from time to time.
Crowds can be pretty hefty at rope drop!
Forgetting About the Lines for Transportation and Security
Not only do rides have lines, but transportation, security, and even the turnstiles tend to have long lines, especially during rope drop.
Skyliner at Caribbean Beach Resort
As pros, we even sometime forget to account for all of these extra lines. If you want to beat these lines, the earlier you leave, the better! Lines for resort buses, the Skyliner, and monorail, can be super long in the mornings, if you can’t bring yourself to wait in the long line for transportation, you could always take a Minnie Van to the park — you book these through your Lyft app and there are fees involved, but you will avoid the free transportation lines.
Minnie Van
Security, as well as the turnstiles, tend to also have a wait. If you want to make it through swiftly, make sure you are prepared to go through both of these lines. Remove any metal from your bags that might set off the detector and hold them in front of you. The most common items to set off the detector are umbrellas, sunglass cases, metal water bottles, and some portable chargers. At the turnstile, make sure you have your ticket ready to go and know what finger you use to scan in.
Security Line at Transportation and Ticket Center
By being prepared for these lines, you can expedite your process through them!
Forgetting that Not All Rides and Lands are Open
Some rides and lands need a little extra time to wake up in the morning, and because of this, the entire park is not always available during rope drop.
There’s that famous rope at Magic Kingdom!
No matter how many times we rope drop, we sometimes plan our strategy around a ride that is not even running at rope drop. Do not be like us, and instead, make sure the rides you want to ride during rope drop are open during this time!
Click Here to See What Attractions Are Available at Park Open!
You can save yourself so much time by having a clear plan of where you are going to first, so long as you know it is open right when the park opens!
Make a plan for where you want to go first!
Still Waiting in a Long Line Due to Poor Strategy
This mistake plays off of the mistake from above. Sometimes, rope drop does not go the way you plan. You can do everything correctly, you can beat the lines for transportation and security, you can be in the park before open, and still unfortunately wait in a long line for a ride.
Hollywood Studios entrance crowds at rope drop
You and your party are not the only ones rope dropping, and that means that other people will also be trying to beat the lines. Having a good strategy is so important during rope drop. Mistakes like not knowing what rides are open, can cost you to end up waiting longer than you hoped for an attraction.
Hollywood Studios rope drop crowds
While this can be frustrating, you can always look on the bright side, as it was a cool experience to be in the park before it was even open! To avoid this disappointment, make sure to do your research and have a plan of where you are going to first!
Rope drop at International Gateway in EPCOT
Hitting a Wall Mid-day
Rope dropping is not for the weak. After probably staying in the parks late the night before, getting up early to rope drop can make you extremely tired.
Adventureland rope drop
As much as we love going to Disney World, we can sometimes hit a wall. To avoid this, you can call it an early night the night before you rope drop. You can also grab some caffeine on your way to rope drop or grab a caffeine boost right after you finish up those few rope drop rides you want to get in.
Grab yourself a coffee!!
We sometimes even like to go back to our resort for a mid-day nap. This helps us feel refreshed and ready to conquer the parks in the evening!
No shame in a mid-day nap!
Rope dropping can be tricky, no matter how many times you do it, and it is not always for everyone! Learn from our mistakes and make sure you are prepared for rope drop on your next visit to Disney World!
This Can Help You Make Rope Drop Easier in The Mornings!
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Here’s quick reminder… if you have reservations, for a sit down meal, at the time of rope drop at Epcot, it doesn’t mean you get to go around the rope early. Cast members aren’t being unnecessarily stubborn or uncooperative. They hear you. They understand, however, they are also doing their job as Disney dictates it. You may have a reservation first thing in the morning, but the restaurants already know to allow guests 15 minutes for arrival at the time of rope drop. Don’t panic. You won’t miss your reservation. You can walk, not run. You can use the boat to go across the lake. Believe me, as long as you are in that 15 minute grace period, you are golden. I’ve been doing Disney trips over 40 years now and I learned long ago, don’t let your plans drive you. You control your plans and you can add, cancel, adjust, re-adjust and then set out to enjoy the parks with minimal stress. Be flexible. No need to get upset. No need to take out your frustration on a cast member. Everyone else surrounding you have their own plans for a good time. We have to remember to be kind, respectful… more patient than maybe we are internalizing at the moment… to hold onto this negative energy only ruins your own experience. Taking it out on other guests and/or cast members can only cause a major plummet in your ‘well made out’ plans. If you do meet the snarky or selfish or rude, remember to tap into your Disney heart. Give passage with a smile, a wish, and a sprinkle of fairy dust. Don’t let negative people drag you down into their bad day. As long as your Disney spirit shines through, you’ve got them beat… who knows? You may even bring them around to your Disney inner child. At least you can try – with nothing to lose. Disney is a vacation. Go back to your resort pool and relax in the afternoon. Bring the kids to the arcade. Kids can only last so long in the hub-hub and heat, even if you’ve scheduled the ‘perfect day’ for them. Go at your kid’s pace and you may find you’ll have more fun and less stress. It’s kind of a stop and smell the roses kind of deal. Live in the true spirit of Disney throughout your vacation.
Janny, thanks for the Epcot reservation reminder. As for the rest of your comments, we can all use an occasional reminder that “humankind” should be both!!
Rope drop is good for young adults,families with older children (10+) they for the most part can tolerate the crowds and the waiting. Experience adults and families with little children hang back get on the transportation after the park open.Transportation line will be shorter busses more able to accommodate your stroller. Us more experience adults your not going to “run” for the ride,so walk enjoy the Disney theming of the park and most of all enjoy the less crowed entry. You’all will have a much better day.