If there’s anything we stress as a priority, it’s that you should consider always rope dropping Magic Kingdom.
Cinderella Castle
First, Magic Kingdom has more rides than all the other parks in Disney World, so you’ll need more time there. But, also, rope drop could get you a ride on a popular ride with a shorter wait — and all you have to do is get up a little earlier and be at the park when it opens. However, if you rope drop Magic Kingdom NOW, you might find that it’s changed. Let’s talk about how it’s different.
So what IS rope dropping? Rope dropping refers to the actual rope that Cast Members use to close off lands when you’re allowed into Magic Kingdom before it officially opens (which usually happens about 30 minutes before the official opening time). Although you’re allowed to visit shops and grab food and snacks on Main Street, U.S.A., you do not have access to the park until official opening, which right now is at 9 AM. Therefore, you must wait for the rope to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland to “drop” at exactly 9 AM. Then you can start getting in line for rides.
Cast Members at Magic Kingdom entrance
However, some Disney World visitors have a distinct advantage. If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you qualify for Early Theme Park Entry. Early Theme Park Entry means you can not only enter a theme park 30 minutes before opening, but you also have access to ride select attractions in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland 30 minutes before the park officially opens. Usually, there’s a Cast Member at the ropes on the bridges to both lands checking resort guests’ MagicBands and tickets.
Rope drop crowds
So what’s changed? Well, if you qualify for Early Theme Park Entry, you can go directly to a ride and get in its line even if it doesn’t open early. For example, TRON Lightcycle / Run does not open until 9 AM (with the rest of the park), but you can still get in line for it during that 30 minutes before the park opens. Considering the popularity of this ride, this gives those with Early Theme Park Entry a distinct advantage of being first in line for the ride.
TRON Lightcycle / Run opens at 9 AM
We also learned that Early Theme Park Entry visitors are actually allowed to even get their things put in lockers at the ride at about 8:45 AM BEFORE TRON Lightcycle / Run officially opens. So you could technically use Early Theme Park Entry to get in line for TRON, have your stuff stored by 8:45 AM and be among the first to ride it when it opens at 9 AM. Granted, this means that the rope drop line for this ride is going to be long even before the park officially opens, so this might not be the best use of rope drop if you don’t have Early Theme Park Entry.
TRON Lightcycle / Run line at rope drop
We spoke with a Cast Member who told us this had been going on for about a week, so if you plan on using Early Theme Park Entry or rope drop in Magic Kingdom, you’ll want to keep this in mind.
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8 Disney World Hotels That Make Rope Drop 10X Harder, and 8 You Should Stay at Instead
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Is this still for hotel guests only(staying in rushed property)
I am so sorry! I read this article twice and not sure I understand. Does this mean there are no longer ropes holding you back once you get in MK? That you can now go directly to the ride and get in line for that ride? Thanks!
I was wondering if anyone experienced this problem with early entry. I did not see a designated Early Entry turnstile at MK. It appears everyone is checked in and headed towards rope drop. I could not make it thru the crowd to get to Tomorrow Land to check in again to enter 30 minutes early. I look forward to people mover and my son heads to Space Mountain. Honestly 30 minutes is really not enough time.
We were at Magic Kingdom Feb 18. We stayed on property. Rope drop was 730. Every time we have ever been there b4, we were allowed to tap into the park 30 mins early to wander down main st b4 scanning again to get into rope drop line. However without any announcement, they didn’t let us in until 715 so we had to scramble to get to rope drop. Has there been a change in procedures? It was very upsetting because we didn’t get our usual pictures on main st or in front of castle.