OK Disney World, Why Does This Problem Even Have to Exist?

Disney4me · August 13

Waking up and arriving at the Disney World theme parks can be like an Olympic sport as well as a team effort.

Magic Kingdom

We totally understand wanting to soak in as much time as possible in the parks, especially if you have saved up for a trip to Disney World for years. There is so much to think about when it comes to getting to the parks early that we are stressing ourselves out just thinking about it, and it made us wonder, why does this Disney World problem even have to exist?

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If you want to perfect the art of Rope Dropping, you’ll have to go through a few extra steps before you can ride that first attraction at the park.

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Hollywood Studios rope drop crowds

Rope Dropping is when you get to the park before it opens so that you can start pounding the pavement the minute you can get in. Cast Members have entrance areas in the park roped off until the park opens, and then they literally drop the rope. Rope Dropping can help you get to ride certain attractions with a smaller wait since you are one of the first people in the park. Rope Dropping can get even more confusing if you are staying at a Disney World hotel and can participate in Early Theme Park Entry.

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Rope Drop Crowds

If you want to Rope Drop, you will have to make sure that everyone in your party is up and ready to go, has eaten breakfast, and is on Disney transportation at a certain time, get through security, and scan into the park all before the park officially opens.

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There’s that famous rope at Magic Kingdom!

So how do you do it? We have some tips for you!

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EPCOT Rope Drop

The first thing you are going to want to do is make sure you have breakfast taken care of by the night before you are planning to Rope Drop. Many Disney World hotels start serving breakfast after most people leave to Rope Drop the parks. There is the exception of some Value Resort food courts that usually open around 6:30 AM.

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Make sure to have breakfast plan!

We like to pack foods like Pop-Tarts and mini boxes of cereal before we leave for our trip. If you forget to pack some light breakfast foods, don’t sweat it! You can always go grocery shopping once you arrive at your hotel, or you can use Kroger Grocery Delivery. We love to use this service, and it is so easy! Kroger Delivery drivers know their way around the resort and can deliver your groceries to your hotel directly!

Step By Step Guide to Kroger Grocery Delivery at Disney World

Delivery!

You can also hit up your resort’s gift shop for small breakfast bites the night before. That way, when you wake up in the morning, you have your breakfast ready to go!

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Pick up snacks the night before

Now, what time should you wake up? That is a tough one, as there are so many factors that play into this question. It all depends on which park you are going to, what time the park opens if there is Early Theme Park Entry, and what type of transportation options you have available.

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Can we hit snooze?

For our example, we will use Magic Kingdom. If you take the Disney bus to Magic Kingdom, you are in luck because you can bypass the Transportation and Ticket Center! If you decide to drive to the park, you will have to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center, get through security, and then take either the Monorail or ferry to the front of the park, which can take a lot of extra time.

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Transportation and Ticket Center

The Monorail begins to run about 30 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry begins, which is about one hour before Magic Kingdom opens for everyone. We suggest that you arrive to the Transportation and Ticket Center at least one hour before Early Theme Park Entry begins. So if Magic Kingdom opens at 9 AM, and Early Theme Park Entry is at 8:30 AM, and the Monorail starts running at 8 AM, we would suggest arriving at the Transportation and Ticket Center parking lot by 7:30 AM.

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Magic Kingdom Monorail station at Transportation and Ticket Center

If you arrive at the park before it opens for all guests, that is totally fine! You can spend extra time on Main Street, taking in all the sights before it is time to Rope Drop. The earlier you arrive, the better!

Main Street

Disney Busses normally start running 30-45 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry. Although the buses bypass the Transportation and Ticket Center, we suggest getting on the first bus to ensure you have plenty of time!

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Disney Bus

If you are heading in for Early Theme Park Entry or Rope Drop from a Skyliner Resort, the Skyliner will start running one hour prior to Early Theme Park Entry. Lines for the Skyliner can be long in the morning, and if you want to be in the park early, we suggest getting in line for the Skyliner right as it opens.

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Skyliner Station at Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts

With all this in mind, you and your party will have to decide how much time you need to get ready to be out the door to make it to Rope Drop. While there is no perfect answer, and everyone is different, we say the earlier, the better! That way if anything goes wrong along the way, you have some added cushion.

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It is time to rise and shine!

We go to Disney World every day, and we have still perfected our Rope-dropping strategy, but we really wish this problem was not as stressful as it is.