Rope Drop In Magic Kingdom Has CHANGED

If there’s anything we stress as a priority, it’s that you should consider always rope dropping Magic Kingdom.

Cinderella Castle

First, Magic Kingdom has more rides than all the other parks in Disney World, so you’ll need more time there. But, also, rope drop could get you a ride on a popular ride with a shorter wait — and all you have to do is get up a little earlier and be at the park when it opens. However, if you rope drop Magic Kingdom NOW, you might find that it’s changed. Let’s talk about how it’s different.

So what IS rope dropping? Rope dropping refers to the actual rope that Cast Members use to close off lands when you’re allowed into Magic Kingdom before it officially opens (which usually happens about 30 minutes before the official opening time). Although you’re allowed to visit shops and grab food and snacks on Main Street, U.S.A., you do not have access to the park until official opening, which right now is at 9 AM. Therefore, you must wait for the rope to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland to “drop” at exactly 9 AM. Then you can start getting in line for rides.

Cast Members at Magic Kingdom entrance

However, some Disney World visitors have a distinct advantage. If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you qualify for Early Theme Park Entry. Early Theme Park Entry means you can not only enter a theme park 30 minutes before opening, but you also have access to ride select attractions in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland 30 minutes before the park officially opens. Usually, there’s a Cast Member at the ropes on the bridges to both lands checking resort guests’ MagicBands and tickets.

Rope drop crowds

So what’s changed? Well, if you qualify for Early Theme Park Entry, you can go directly to a ride and get in its line even if it doesn’t open early. For example, TRON Lightcycle / Run does not open until 9 AM (with the rest of the park), but you can still get in line for it during that 30 minutes before the park opens. Considering the popularity of this ride, this gives those with Early Theme Park Entry a distinct advantage of being first in line for the ride.

TRON Lightcycle / Run opens at 9 AM

We also learned that Early Theme Park Entry visitors are actually allowed to even get their things put in lockers at the ride at about 8:45 AM BEFORE TRON Lightcycle / Run officially opens. So you could technically use Early Theme Park Entry to get in line for TRON, have your stuff stored by 8:45 AM and be among the first to ride it when it opens at 9 AM. Granted, this means that the rope drop line for this ride is going to be long even before the park officially opens, so this might not be the best use of rope drop if you don’t have Early Theme Park Entry.

TRON Lightcycle / Run line at rope drop

We spoke with a Cast Member who told us this had been going on for about a week, so if you plan on using Early Theme Park Entry or rope drop in Magic Kingdom, you’ll want to keep this in mind.

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Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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Do you rope drop or take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry in Disney World? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!