15 Reasons to Get to the Disney Parks for Rope Drop

You’ve waited all year for your Disney vacation.  You’ve made it to your hotel.  Your plans are all set.  You’ve got all your FastPasses lined up.  You’ve got an entire week at Disney World ahead of you.  So do you really need to wake everyone up early and get to the parks when they first open?

The answer is yes!

Here’s how the morning entrance procedure works.  About an hour before the parks open transportation and security operations will begin.  You are typically allowed to enter a select area of the parks, such as Main Street, up to 30 minutes before opening.  This is where the magic begins.

“Rope Drop” is a Disney term for the moment the theme parks officially open to guests.  At this time Cast Members will lead the way into the parks and open up attractions.  It is a time filled with excitement and anticipation for the day ahead.

Here are 15 reasons I recommend getting to the parks for “rope drop”:

1. Less Crowded Transportation

Getting up early gets you the best seats on the Disney Resort buses.  The early buses are less crowded and make for a much more comfortable ride.  You’ll also be able to pick the best view from the ferry boat to Magic Kingdom!

2. Get a Better Parking Spot

A long walk to the car at the end of a day at Disney can wear down even the toughest family.  If you’re taking your own car, get to the parks early and score one of the closest parking spots.  Tip: Take a few photos of your car’s location so you can find it at the end of the day.

3. Less Time to Get Through Security

Security lines can get crowded later in the morning, so get it out of the way when the lines are shorter.  Remember that you can skip the bag check line if you don’t have one with you.

4. Have Time to Grab Coffee Before the Fun Begins

Why waste precious park time stopping for coffee when you can leisurely grab a cup before the park even opens?  Main Street has bakeries open before rope drop, so it’s a great time to fill up and enjoy the welcome show (more on that later).

5. Explore Main Street with Minimal Crowds

This is my favorite part about being one of the first people in the parks.  You know those photos you want of your family in front of the castle without the crowds?  This is when you’ll get them.  It’s a great time to explore the shops along Main Street and check out the view from the train station too.

6. Enjoy Special Park Opening Entertainment

While most of the parks have opening announcements, Magic Kingdom is the place to be for a grand welcome.  “Let the Magic Begin” is a welcome show that debuted early this year in front of Cinderella Castle.  It is full of song, dance, and your favorite characters so don’t miss it!

7. Be the First to Sign Up for Special Experiences

If you have a young Jedi in your party, you’ll definitely want to be at Hollywood Studios for rope drop.  Lines will form at opening to sign up for the Jedi Training Academy, so head straight there to get your choice of show times.  If you’re looking for walk-up availability for a tour or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, check first thing in the morning.  And if you’re at Disneyland, head to Main Street Station and ask if there’s an opportunity to ride the Lilly Belle (trust me on this one).

8. Take Full Advantage of Extra Magic Hours

Walt Disney World Resort guests get at least an extra hour in a park every day.  Many guests know to stay late for evening Extra Magic Hours (which get crowded), but morning Extra Magic Hours are offered as well.  Wake up early and you can spend an entire hour enjoying the shortest lines of the day before regular guests can even enter.

9. Experience Minimal Lines on Major Attractions

Speaking of lines, how would you like to ride Space Mountain with a 10 minute wait?  Head straight to your choice of the major attractions at rope drop.  Most likely the opening crowd will be heading there too, but the lines will still be shorter than any point the rest of the day (skip any that you have FastPasses for).

10. Maximize Your FastPass+ Options

FastPass+ allows you to reserve up to three advanced FastPasses in a park.  However, most people want to experience more than three of the major attractions with minimal lines.  The answer is to reserve your three picks and head to the others within the first hour of the park opening.  Tip: Use this advice when choosing between Soarin’ and Frozen Ever After.

11. Stay Ahead of the Crowds All Day Long

Let’s say Family A gets to the parks at rope drop and spends the first hour riding Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Peter Pan’s Flight.  Family B arrives at 10:30 and the lines for those three attractions are already over 30 minutes each.  While Family B is waiting in line for the big tickets, Family A is already heading to attractions with shorter lines.  Combined with FastPasses, Family A experience shorter waits all day long!

12. Eat Lunch Earlier

Going along with staying ahead of the crowds, you’ll be ready to take a lunch break much earlier in the day than families who don’t arrive until mid-morning.  This means shorter lines at the counter and getting to ride more attractions while everyone else is just sitting down to eat.

13. Maximize Your Morning and Leave Time for Afternoon Breaks

The more attractions you enjoy in the morning, the more time you leave to take a break back at your hotel pool after lunch.  Cool off, and then return to the parks for dinner, more rides, and fireworks.

14. Enjoy Cooler Temperatures

And speaking of cooling off, the parks can get pretty hot and humid during summer afternoons.  Mornings are cooler and bring less showers.

15. Get the Full Experience of the Disney Parks

I am the type of person who likes to stay in the parks from opening until close.  There’s just so much to do and see!  From the welcome shows to the fireworks, the entire day is filled with a special kind of magic.

 

I know it’s not always easy to drag the family out of bed (even when you’re at Disney World), but if you can do it you’ll enjoy less lines, find special experiences, and maximize your Disney fun.  It’s not about racing to the parks; it’s about giving yourself the time to explore the parks and be present in the moment.

 

Ready for your next Disney trip? Let me help design your dream Disney vacation! I offer stress-free vacation planning, personalized itineraries, 1-on-1 concierge services, and more at no cost to you. Request a free, no-obligation quote through my web form, email me at jtullino@themouseexperts.com, or call me at (321) 222-DSNY. I’d love to help your plan your most memorable vacation yet!