The short version is well. We rode Crush’s Coaster twice, Ratatouille twice, Tower of Terror (only once or Little’s complain), and Rockin Roller coaster twice all before 10:30.
As usual, real life is not so simple. Starbucks app said they opened at 7. Walk in at 7:15 to an empty store and surprised employees. They’re not open yet, unclear as to why the door was unlocked. They were kind enough to let us sit inside out of the cold and rain until they did open at 7:30. They locked to door at that point though, much to confusion of later patrons who had to wait in the rain while we were warm and snuggly. Get to the gate by 7:45ish. We’re the only ones. Is this right?? The app said there were EMH that day in the Studios, but the runDisney Event Guide said there wasn’t, so I had assumed the app was correct, but now I’m doubting myself. I rope drop as a rule, but have never actually been first and the only one in line. We shelter down from the rain under the awning of World of Disney and a few ladies join us. A look at one of their feet reveals very cute Mickey tattoos on her foot. Aha!!! My point of contact! This lady is going to know what’s up! We strike up a conversation and sure enough, she knows everything I need. She notices that they don’t open the gate like they should and people are arriving from the Parc side of the gate, so we leave our shelter and go around the gate. We queue with all the other arriving EMH’ers but instead of the turnstiles opening at 8:10-15 as predicted, 8:30 comes and goes. Computer glitch. They don’t know when or if they’re going to be able to open the park. Really? It’s pouring freezing rain at this point and if I’m going to lose rope drop, then I could have gone to DLP....decisions....leave or stay?? We decided to stay and thrankfully they open just minutes later. My youngest is shivering and sick of standing still for so long, so once through the turnstile, she bolts! The result of chasing her down in the rain equals third shell of the day on Crush’s, so I’ll take it!! Nice Mickey tattoo lady told us if when we got off the line was less than 25 minutes, to get back in line. It was 15 so we did. Great advice!! She also confirmed Ratatouile was next on adgenda and pointed us in the right discretion. Woohoo! Love friendly Disney-philes!