How to get on the most popular rides with the least amount of wait time

You may have heard about rope dropping and wondered what this Disney terminology means. When a Disney park closes, a rope is stretched across the entrance to prevent anyone from entering. The rope is then “dropped” when the park opens for the day and the guests already waiting on the other side are typically the first to enter.

There are so many ways to visit the Walt Disney World theme parks. And while there is no right or wrong way, there are ways that might benefit you and your family. Rope dropping is definitely one of them. When we started hearing this phrase being used on social media we asked around about the strategy that was allowing people to make the most of their Disney day. We tried rope dropping ourselves during a very busy holiday weekend visit and we were pumped with the results.

Timing is everything when it comes to the rope drop strategy. Arriving at the park really early, (anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes before the park officially opens) is your priority on a rope drop day. Hopefully this is after a good night’s sleep! Why would you want to arrive to a Disney theme park that hasn’t even opened its gates yet? So you can get on the most popular rides with the least amount of wait times. Read below for some tips on how to have a great rope drop morning that will create your best Disney day.

Choose your park: Take a look at the Disney World website for hours and operating schedules so you can choose park you want to rope drop and on which day. If it’s a busy week, you will often see the Magic Kingdom and Epcot open to the general public a half hour earlier than normal. Even earlier for those guests who opt to stay at a Disney Resort who are granted early entry access. Those are good days to rope drop.

Rise & Shine: Try to get to your chosen park at least 45-60 minutes before opening time. If you are driving, the Disney parking lots usually open an hour before the park open to early entry guests. Walt Disney World Resort guests have the option to use the free Disney transportation (Monorail, Bus, Skyliner, Boats). Most Disney resorts begin bus and boat service an hour before parks open but the Monorail usually starts 30 minutes prior to the first park opens.

Security: Make sure you know what can and cannot come through Disney security before you enter (like no Selfie sticks!). Getting stuck at the metal detectors can eat up precious time. Disney secrutiy has the right to look through all bags and personal items but they also waive people through (especially if you have no bags). While we know it’s impossible not to carry something to haul around all those Mickey Ears and water bottles, we have heard pulling out all your battery chargers, cords etc and walking through the metal detectors with them in your hands is helpful.

Make your list of priorities: Decide beforehand what is on your top list of must do’s. Whether it’s a party of two or 20, try to find out what’s the most important so that you can try to accommodate everyone’s wishes. You might also want to figure out if you are going to buy Genie+ and how you are going to use it. And also remember that you might not get everything in one day.

Check out the park map: If you have never visited a particular Disney theme park, having a general idea of where certain rides and attractions are located is extremely helpful. With rope drop you get a lot of people moving very quickly to their first destination (we call it race walking). Most people will head straight to the attraction that usually has the longest wait times throughout the day. At Animal Kingdom, this is usually Avatar: Flight of Passage so you will want to head straight to Pandora. At Hollywood Studios a lot of people head to either Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog Dash. Helpful cast members will also be out and can guide you to the quickest route possible.

Make the Disney World app your new best friend: On the My Disney Experience app you can pretty much do everything, from checking wait times, finding attractions, make dining reservations, and access cool interactive maps of the park. Use it to plan your day and make any necessary changes on the go. It’s also liquid gold when it comes to booking Genie+ and grabbing Lightening Lanes and Virtual Queues.

Enjoy the experience: Even with all the research and planning, rope dropping isn’t a guarantee. Stay flexible and patient because things arise that will be out side of your control (weather, rides going down). When the crowds get high and it’s midday, catch a show inside where there is AC, check out some pin trading locations or grab a sit down meal or quick service meal in the shade. This will help everyone catch their breath and take a moment to enjoy the atmosphere. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort you can easily take a midday break after a rope drop morning. And most importantly, remember to enjoy the magic that is Disney World.