Being at Magic Kingdom for Rope Drop is important if you want to get a head start on the crowds that will arrive later in the day. The following tips will help you make the most of Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom.
Arriving at the Magic Kingdom 30–60 minutes before official opening ensures the shortest possible waits for rides. Off-site guests, who aren’t eligible for Early Theme Park Entry, should arrive 30 minutes before official opening on all days.
Once in the park, you’ll find most of the rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland running. Rides in Adventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square may start operations closer to the park’s official opening time.
Main Street’s larger shops, such as the Emporium, will be open when you’re admittedinto the park, in case you need sunscreen, ponchos, or aspirin.The Main Street Bakery (Starbucks) will also be open for coffee and breakfast items.
Upon entering the park, most guests head for one of the headliner attractions: Tron Lightcycle Run in Tomorrowland and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland get the biggest crowds, followed by Space Mountain in Tomorrowland, with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland in third place.
Transportation:
Monorail - Resort and TTC (Express) monorails will not drop guests at the Magic Kingdom until 60 minutes prior to Early Entry on 8:30 EE days. We have observed a 45 minute drop on 7:30am EE days with guests being let out at 6:45am. Resort monorails begin running 90 minutes prior to EE on 8:30am EE days and 60 minutes prior on 7:30am EE days but it is important to make sure you're getting on the right train. In our experience, CMs on the platform will loudly and clearly announce whether or not the approaching monorail will open doors at the MK or not. We do not suggest getting on a train early since any number of delays can cause the full loop to take longer than usual. CMs will allow you to stand and wait on the platform for the right train to arrive. If you're really ready to be first, we suggest getting to the platform early so you get your pick of cars when the first MK monorail arrives at your resort. We recommend loading in the first car of the resort monorails forward motion. Once in the car, cross to the door on the left - also forward motion. When the doors open, you'll be just 3 strides from the stairs and have a huge lead on everyone else scurrying to the main gate. If stairs aren't an option, select the very center car and stand at the center of the doors on the far left forward motion. When the doors open at the Magic Kingdom, you'll be first down the ramp. We do not recommend planning for the TTC Express monorail at rope drop since it is so unreliable and we have to take the Ferry more often than not. Monorail and TTC Ferry guests are the only folks that will not have to go through security once they arrive at the Magic Kingdom since they will have already passed screening at their point of origination.
Bus - Resort buses begin arriving at the Magic Kingdom up to 25 minutes prior to when they will open their doors. Buses will queue up in their assigned spaces and will open their doors at 7:30am for 8:30am EE and 45 minutes early on 7:30am EE days. Bus times can be found on the My Disney Experience App under the "Resort Hotel" tab. Once guests are off the buses, they will need to go through security before taking their place in line at the main gate.
Minnie Van - Minnie Vans also arrive early but are not allowed to drop passengers until they are given the same "all clear" as the buses. The number of Minnie Vans able to drop at open is also limited. The most we have seen at once is 3 vehicles. Just like the bus passengers, guests using Minnie Van will need to go through security.
Resort Launches / Boat- officially, resort launches begin running 60 minutes prior to early entry but there are several things that can delay their opening - weather, available captains, etc - and as a result, we do not recommend planning for the resort launches as a way to rope drop.
Ferry from TTC - the Ferry from the TTC can take as little as 21 minutes from boarding to debarkation but it can also take much, much longer depending on how many guests they load before they head off to the Magic Kingdom dock. TTC Ferry guests will have already passed through TTC security and will be able to proceed directly to the main gate when they dock.
Contemporary Walkway - it takes about 11 minutes to walk from the Contemporary lobby to the walkway security checkpoint. Security opens 60 minutes prior to EE on 8:30am days and approximately 45 minutes early on 7:30am EE days.
Grand Floridian Walkway - currently closed for construction.
Early Entry
All guests are allowed to tap into the Magic Kingdom when it opens. Guests planning to rope drop Early Entry will want to hustle down the right side of Main Street to be closer to EE tap in.
Tap in begins 45 minutes before EE on 8:30am days and 30 before EE on 7:30am days.
Main Street is open to all guests who enter. Starbucks and the shops on Main Street are all open as soon as the main gates open.
Early Entry tap in for resort guests is down Main Street and on the path to the right of the castle after you pass Plaza Ice Cream. There will be CMs with large signs but the bigger indicator is the flock of guests all headed in the same direction. Only one person in each party needs to scan their ticket / app / MagicBand so keep your party together.
Once you've tapped into EE, there are two options. One is waiting on the Tomorrowland bridge to gain EE access to Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear. The second option is the bridge to Fantasyland nearest the Castle and is the path you'll take if you want to rope drop Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Dumbo, Barnstormer, Peter Pan, or other Fantasyland attractions. Guests will be held at a rope between Cheshire Cafe and Cosmic Rays for Fantasyland and at the end of the bridge in Tomorrowland. When EE is 8:30am, CMs will drop the rope and walk you to your attraction at 8:25am. It is our experience that the 7:30 EE time is a hard time.
Liberty Square, Frontierland, and Adventureland will open to all guests at 9:00am on 8:30am EE days and 8:00am on 7:30am EE days. The fireworks at the end of the short welcome show at the Castle are the signal that all lands are open for all guests.
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