Everything Rope Drop

[Tom_E_D]

Just how many people are going to do that, though?

I don't really know. I'm just saying it can be done. I wouldn't be surprised if it is quite a few.

By the way, I'm not saying that driving to DHS instead of Epcot gets people into Epcot earlier. It just gets them into a line to enter earlier. The International Gateway line may be a longer line than the main entrance line.

 

[boltjames]

We are staying at the GF starting this weekend. We want to use our proximity advantage to rope drop and beat the crowds to the first couple of rides. When we go to MK we are going to use the new walkway. For the other 3 parks we are going to drive there in our rental car.

Is driving to EP, HS, and AK going to put us at a rope drop disadvantage compared to other resort guests who use Disney transportation, or does driving give us an advantage, or is it about the same?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Disney is coordinating rope drop crowds so that all forms of transportation begin arriving at approx the same time. There really is no great advantage to any 1 form of transportation. (The exception to this may be those who walk to DHS but even that is only a few minutes)

They don’t want crowds of people waiting at the gates so they’re timing it so that basically those walking are held at the temp checks, buses begin arriving, parking lots open so that guests arrive on first monorail/ferry/parking lot or Skyliner all at approx the same time.

One day walkers might get there a bit earlier and the next day it might be the monorail, etc.

People are putting a lot of weight into something they really cannot control and realistically will make the difference if only a few minutes. You may get to the front of one line first which will be great but by the time you enjoy that attraction it’s likely all forms of transportation have arrived so many guests have arrived and dispersed.

You may wish to choose the transportation option that works best for your party rather than the one that may get you there first.

Rope dropping in itself will put you at an advantage to accomplish more before many guests arrive but being ‘first’ is not necessary. Rope dropping in general is the key to accomplishing more first thing in the morning.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I can say last week, Mon, Tues and Wed, we walked from BLT to MK. The only day we were let in before busses, was Tues. Thank goodness that was our SDMT day. Otherwise we were behind all those people lining up to get in.
BTMRR didn't start running until 7:45, Space opened shortly after we got in the line, so I'm guessing 7:30ish. (rode 2x no wait)
Most everyone goes to SDMT, still...
YMMV.

 

[wilkydelts]

To those who enter Animal Kingdom via Buena Vista Dr then Osceola Parkway, if you get to the toll booths to early how did they re-route you to loop you back around? I plan to arrive right at 7 but if I am early, I wanted to know what to expect.

 

[scrappinginontario]

As a Disney travel planning site, discussions about Disney's policies and rules are very welcome here. However, discussions of or instructions for ways to circumvent those rules or "cheat the system" are not appropriate and will be deleted.

 

[edk35]

Can we uber/lyft to the parks from our resort to arrive 45 min. prior to parks opening? Are there restrictions? Or will we get there earlier using the buses?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can we uber/lyft to the parks from our resort to arrive 45 min. prior to parks opening? Are there restrictions? Or will we get there earlier using the buses?

You can Uber/Lyft to AK, DHS and Epcot. If going to MK you would take it to the TTC and then take either the monorail or ferry from there.

 

[LindaOwl1]

If EPCOT opens 30-45 minutes before official 11 AM opening, does anyone know if the Flower & Garden Food Kiosks are also open before 11?

 

[edk35]

You can Uber/Lyft to AK, DHS and Epcot. If going to MK you would take it to the TTC and then take either the monorail or ferry from there.

Yes I knew that about MK. Are there restrictions as to how early you can arrive via Uber/Lyft? TIA!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yes I knew that about MK. Are there restrictions as to how early you can arrive via Uber/Lyft? TIA!!

I believe they can access the TTC at the same time as regular cars so approx 60 mins before park opening.

 

[boltjames]

Disney is coordinating rope drop crowds so that all forms of transportation begin arriving at approx the same time. There really is no great advantage to any 1 form of transportation. (The exception to this may be those who walk to DHS but even that is only a few minutes)

They don’t want crowds of people waiting at the gates so they’re timing it so that basically those walking are held at the temp checks, buses begin arriving, parking lots open so that guests arrive on first monorail/ferry/parking lot or Skyliner all at approx the same time.

One day walkers might get there a bit earlier and the next day it might be the monorail, etc.

People are putting a lot of weight into something they really cannot control and realistically will make the difference if only a few minutes. You may get to the front of one line first which will be great but by the time you enjoy that attraction it’s likely all forms of transportation have arrived so many guests have arrived and dispersed.

You may wish to choose the transportation option that works best for your party rather than the one that may get you there first.

Rope dropping in itself will put you at an advantage to accomplish more before many guests arrive but being ‘first’ is not necessary. Rope dropping in general is the key to accomplishing more first thing in the morning.

Thanks!

I guess my question is if we are driving to each of the parks at rope drop time does that put us at any sort of disadvantage? Like is there a queue with people lined up to drive-in and pay for parking? If we are hotel guests and have a parking pass are we allowed to drive past the queue and be the first in the parking lot? That sort of thing.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks!

I guess my question is if we are driving to each of the parks at rope drop time does that put us at any sort of disadvantage? Like is there a queue with people lined up to drive-in and pay for parking? If we are hotel guests and have a parking pass are we allowed to drive past the queue and be the first in the parking lot? That sort of thing.

All lines enter at the same time. There is no separation for those paying at the gate vs. those with a pass. Disney is very efficient at getting cars through quickly.

 

[horse11]

We were there Valentine's/Presidents/Mardi Gras week and at most parks we were getting off our first rides before the 30 min prior for resort guests. MK we were off of Mine train at 8:24 and park opening was 9. HWS we got off Smuggler's Run about 15 min to park opening. AK we failed rope drop. Epcot we had a 5 min walk to get on Frozen and we were off that prior to the 30 min mark. for whatever reason Splash didnt open either day until park opening.

what was you transportation to each park?

 

[horse11]

How early do the bus and the Skyliner start running at CBR?

 

[scrappinginontario]

so it really would not be worth it to get a early reservation at Ale and Compass say around 7:30 then walk to HS.... for RD... we are staying at CBR

What time does the park open?

With your plan above you need to book a reservation at Ale and Compass that allows you enough time to eat your meal and then walk to DHS with enough time to arrive before the other forms of transportation arrive.

That timing should work fine for you.
I believe the park must open at 10 AM your day in order to arrive at your 7:30 dining reservation, eat and then walk to DHS, arriving around 9:00 for a 10 AM opening.

 

[horse11]

What time does the park open?

I actually deleted that post because I am thinking the walk may be too long and we would not get done eating in time.... but still have the reservation.... It says 9am for now.... would eating there and walking save us any time at RD? is the long walk worth it? Just changed the reservation to 7:05am.... would that work?

 

[horse11]

How early do the bus and the Skyliner start running at CBR?

sorry just saw 45 minutes to 60 minutes but that just does not seem like much time

 

[scrappinginontario]

I actually deleted that post because I am thinking the walk may be too long and we would not get done eating in time.... but still have the reservation.... It says 9am for now.... would eating there and walking save us any time at RD? is the long walk worth it? Just changed the reservation to 7:05am.... would that work?

Sorry but I really don’t see that working, even with a 7:05 reservation, without a lot of stress and rushing. It could be done but I’m not sure how enjoyable your meal would be and you would need to walk fast to get to DHS ahead of other forms of transportation , if that is your goal. With a 9am opening you would want to arrive around 8:00 if walking. According to Google maps the walk alone is 21 minutes which would give you about 30 mins to be seated, order, eat and pay.

If it were me I would book breakfast at Ale and Compass on another day (Epcot day?) and on our DHS day just arrive at the CBR Skyliner station no later than 7:00-7:15 to try and be on one of the first flights to DHS.

Hope this helps.

 

[horse11]

Sorry but I really don’t see that working, even with a 7:05 reservation, without a lot of stress and rushing. It could be done but I’m not sure how enjoyable your meal would be and you would need to walk fast to get to DHS ahead of other forms of transportation , if that is your goal. With a 9am opening you would want to arrive around 8:00 if walking. According to Google maps the walk alone is 21 minutes which would give you about 30 mins to be seated, order, eat and pay.

If it were me I would book breakfast at Ale and Compass on another day (Epcot day?) and on our DHS day just arrive at the CBR Skyliner station no later than 7:00-7:15 to try and be on one of the first flights to DHS.

Hope this helps.

So how far is the walk from Ale and Compass? thinking you are right.... and if it is a long walk will be too much for my older parents....