Rope Drop: Is it for you?

Rope Drop: Is it for you?

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Rope Drop is the term used in the theme park world when one arrives at the park before opening (usually an hour early) and waits at the rope (real or not) for the park to open (rope drop) so they can “get in front of the crowd.” Before we get into the details of this strategy for park touring you must know, I LOVE to rope drop.  This is a great strategy for me and my family.  It may not be for you.  It is up to you to decide!

Rope Drop – The Good

  • You WILL be ahead of the crowds.  This will allow you to experience more attractions in a shorter amount of time.  We often knock out entire areas of a park (Fantasyland, Pandora, Toy Story Land, etc) by lunchtime. 
  • You can skip paying for Individual Lightning Lane attractions by riding them first thing in the morning. Those attractions are currently Rise of the Resistance, Flights of Passage, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • If planned correctly, you will likely get more done in a day than you would if you entered the park after it has already opened. 
  • It’s less likely to rain first things in the morning. Florida weather is still unpredictable.

Some of my favorite memories have come from waiting for rope drops.  I’ve chatted with cast members, watched them make magic for kids, experienced great opening shows, and met wonderful like-minded park guests. There is a palpable energy in the air when you rope drop.  The crowd is just so darn excited to get their day started it is hard not to smile.

Rope Drop – The Bad

  • The makes for long days. You will have very early mornings and late nights.  Even if you are there early you still are going to want to see the nighttime spectaculars. 
  • You still have to WAIT at the “rope.” This wait depends on when you arrive.  However, the wait will often be less than the sum of the waits you will experience if you arrive after the park opens. 
  • Mornings are more rushed. Breakfast & Coffee is usually on the go. We often grab yogurt, muffins, bagels, bananas, and other snacks to eat on our way to the park or while waiting for the “rope to drop.”
  • No one wants to get up this early. The head planner of the family is often left to lead the group by encouraging them to get up and move. I’m the leader of my group and this can sometimes be frustrating.

Rope Drop – The Ugly

Rope Dropping is NOT sustainable for multiple days in a row.  You will end up exhausted. My husband likes to say you hit a wall about midway through your vacation. He’s not wrong. After two days of the strategy, YOU ARE DONE. You’ve already said something you didn’t mean to your partner and have given the kids your phone/tablet more times than you want just make them stop whining. You absolutely will need to take a day off to sleep in, go to the pool or do whatever it is that is relaxing for you and your family; RE-ENERGIZE. If you have to have some Disney magic during this day, consider a trip to the Contemporary to watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. No park ticket or reservation is required and no crowds.

Is Rope Drop for You?

I recommend this strategy for you if: 

  • You are a first-time visitor and don’t plan to come back in the next 5 years.  
  • You have young children who still get up really early and go to bed early.
  • You understand this is not relaxing.  You can find relaxing moments but getting up early every day is exhausting. 
  • Your priority is to see and do as much of Walt Disney World during your vacation.  Again, only if you are not coming back in the next 5 years. 
  • You have the time and budget to build in rest days for your vacation.

This strategy is NOT for you if: 

  • You visit the parks yearly or even every other year.  
  • You don’t do early mornings and late nights. 
  • Maximizing the number of attractions you experience is not your priority during your time at WDW.

Whether your choose to rope drop or not will be up to you and what is best for your vacation. You can visit my Tips and Tricks for a sample itinerary. It is my job as a travel consultant to listen to your needs and desires and craft a personalized itinerary and vacation for you. Please make sure to take the time to contact me if you are considering a vacation to any Disney destination. These destinations have been my playground for many years and it brings me great joy when I am able to help you enjoy your times with your loved ones while at Disney. Make sure to visit Wishful Wanderings Travel for all your vacation needs.