Rope Drops??? (Are they worth it?)

Hello Shawna and welcome! The MK is the only park that really does a rope drop anymore.

Shawna to the best Disney blog.

DS went to AK Weds.for rope drop and said they did do a little ceremony type thing. He said it wasn't quite the MK but it had the Lion King and some other characters. We were at EPCOT last weekend for rope drop and there was nothing at all but it was the marathon and crazy with the runners running through, traffic was re directed so maybe that had to do with it. I don't think EPCOT does much at all though. Last time we were at HS they didn't do anything either.

Have to do MK. Have to. Every trip. Don't know about AK, but other than maybe some special music and etc, they don't really do much at Epcot or MGM. As far as rides, it's definitely worth it. You can ride whatever you want with no wait for the first 30 minutes. It's awesome. And this was in June of last year. That's the best part about getting early.

At DHS, the rope drop itself isn't worth it, but if you want to ride Toy Story Mania more than once without spending 90 minutes in line, you NEED to be at the gate for rope drop. Go in, get FastPasses, and then get in the standby line. The FastPass line won't be open yet, so you'll spend maybe half an hour in line the first time, and less on the Fast Pass.

If you head straight ot Soarin' at RD then all the CMs are lined up on the path through SS cheering, High 5-ing, banging drums and waving mickey hands. We really enjoyed being part of the soarin' stampede

It is definately worth going. We go, ride the rides we want with little or no wait times and by 11:00 -11:30 are ready to head back to resort for some pool time just as the crowds come rushing in.

That's our strategy too, hit all the big wait time rides and be done as the crowds begin. It's so cool to go from ride to ride with little to no wait, and around 11 the whole atmosphere changes as the crowds roll in. Last week we were leaving about 11:00 and the lines to get into the park were crazy!

I've seen the cms lined up in EPCOT with their Mickey hands high-fiving, I guess it was different with the marathon and the runners running through to the right (as you come in) of Spaceship Earth. The CMs were positioned along the route to cheer the runners on and there was major traffic control for the runners and the guests.

Epcot gives a greeting from every country in the World Showcase and then shoots off some confetti and streamers. Nothing big, but I like it.

Welcome, shawna!

We're glad to have you!!

If you're going in April during Spring Break, I'd say def make rope drop for each of the parks, just to able to get to do the popular rides quickly. Might be a good strategy for any time, though!

This doesn't apply to April, but I really love the Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends rope drop! While you wait, the stormtroopers on the rooftop of the entrance talk to each other, and it's hilarious! They also pick on guests and comment on their appearance. When the gates open, they play iconic Star Wars music that makes fans like me giddy with excitement! Plus, if you're there early enough, you can get tickets for celebrity autographs.

What is the celebrity autographs?

You get a "fastpass" ticket with specific time on it and for a specific Star Wars actor (one of the ones that's visiting for the weekend). Also, you can only get 1 per person. You head to the autograph booth at your scheduled time, which is usually at Echo Lake. Then, you get to talk with the actor, get a signed picture of them, and then you get to take a picture with them. It's a lot of fun! Last year, I got pictures with the voice of Watto, Yoda (in the animated series), Clone troopers (animated series), Obi-Wan (animated series), and Ahsoka (animated series).

Wow, sounds pretty cool. How can I find out if anyone will be there the weekend I am there?

This year, Star Wars weekends are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 17 " June 9, 2013. They normally announce the schedule of celebrities a few weeks in advance. In the past few years, they've had one or two "hosts" that are there every weekend, and then others actors who come to one or two.

What time is the rope drop at Magic Kingdom?

It's when ever the park opens Poppet.

Thank you! We've never gotten to MK that early to see it but will try for our upcoming trip in March.

I'm lovin' all of that excitement with the Star Wars weekend Rope Drops....that sounds SUPER FUN. Thanks for the intel....can't wait to make that happen for our family!!

It's really more like being there before the park opens now instead of rope drop. We've always been there for park opening and love it!

As teachers, we only go in August, when the parks tend to get pretty crowded.

So we ALWAYS make rope drop! Those first few hours in the parks, while other people are sleeping in, are gold! We get more done in the first few hours than in the rest of the day.

That said, I tend to miss the official rope drop. My husband and the kids hang back and enjoy it. I'm just a little type A, so I go up closer to the front, and head to our first fastpass choice, then meet the rest of the family at a pre-arranged location for our first non-fastpass ride.

But the plus side is that we get to go to WDW in Summer!!! The days are endless, the pools are wonderful and the park hours stretch on and on.

Even if I COULD travel at a different time of year, I think I would miss my summers.

Exactly, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the Magic Kingdom. Summers are my favorite time to visit, just because i can more. Last I got a button staying I Celebrtated Summer.

And even though I have to get up pretty early to make it there on time, I think the Magic Kingdom rope drop is always worth it.

Have to agree that if you only do one RD, do the one at MK.
The first time I did it (a big burly bloke) it had me in tears at the excitement on show in the crowd.

Whilst AK don't necessarily do a rope drop, if you like small animals (of all sorts) then it's worth being there early as the have CMs dotted about with animals to show you and if you're lucky enough, handle (be gentle!).

I also recall a RD at DHS where they did a mock 'crowd scene' for the start, with a comedy duo being the cameraman and director - very funny!

Having been at differing times, I would say that early May is my favourite time. Christmas was insane (and cold), summer too hot, but May? Lovely. And we got the Flower show at Epcot

Oh, neato, Art! I didn't know that about the animals at the rope drop at AK....cool!