January 22nd, 2021

Some of you may still be asking, what is rope drop?  The Disney theme park cast members would literally hold up a rope and lead guests into the park.  It was an interesting way to control the influx of guests and keep them from LITERALLY running into the park.

I haven't seen this done since before COVID, but the phrase rope drop has come to mean "the first thing you do in the park at open."  

Guests will typically go to their favorite or busiest rides first thing.  This is a good way to get a jump on the crowds and avoid long wait times.  Without Fast Passes now you have to find the best time to ride each ride, as wait times can build up.  Granted wait times since COVID have been fairly short, you still don't want to lose over an hour waiting for one ride.

Magic Kingdom

YOUR favorite ride may not be the best choice to rope drop.  Some rides will have a long wait the entire day, others will go up and down throughout the day.

In Magic Kingdom the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has consistently long wait times.  Even at the beginning of the day usually won't be less than an hour.  We recommend going their first or watching the app for a miraculous lull during the day.

Most other rides at Magic Kingdom will ebb and flow, so it's easy to watch for a good time to ride.  Each of the "mountains" can have a long wait, but their times will still get you in at under an hour (during COVID).

Hollywood Studios

This is one of the more difficult parks to rope drop because there are some really good rides that have a long wait.   The newest ride is usually the ride that will hold the longest consistent wait.

Since it's opening Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway has held wait times of over an hour pretty constantly.  We highly recommend you rope drop this guy!

Excluding Rise of the Resistance because of it's virtual cue, there are two other REALLY GOOD rides that can have a substantial wait time.  You'll want to keep an eye on wait times for The Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run and for the Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster.  Both are great rides that can have a long wait, but they can go up and down a little bit.

Epcot

Epcot has the fewest rides to concern yourself with.  I know I'm usually more concerned with where the next yummy food/drink is located, but there are two rides to keep in mind throughout your day.  Both Test Track and Frozen Ever After can have longer wait times.  My recommendation is Test Track for your first ride.  The ride itself is fun, but with COVID there isn't much to experience before going on the ride.

Frozen Ever After will have a longer wait time, but their is more to look at while you wait in line.  You are walking through the streets of Arrendale and passing through Wandering Oaken's shop.  Even if you have a little princess who loves Elsa, she'll be more entertained in that line than waiting for Test Track.

Animal Kingdom

There is only one SOLID answer to what ride to rope drop at Animal Kingdom:  Flight of Passage.  I'm not even that big of an Avatar fan, but it is a cool ride that will regularly have a LONG wait.

We recommend spending some time in Pandora land before you run off to the rest of the park.  Though I suggest you return to Pandora once it gets dark, as it's very pretty all lit up by its bio-luminescence.

You will still want to make your way over to the Kilimanjaro Safari before it gets too hot.  The animals are more active during the early hours before the heat sets in for the day.

When Fast Passes return your plans will have to adapt based on what you are able to get a Fast Pass for, but most of these recommendations will still be pretty useful till the next batch of new rides open up.  I'm sure Remy's Ratatouille ride will be a long wait once that opens up in Epcot!

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We'd love to help you plan out your next Disney Dream vacation!  Ask us for more tips and tricks!

When it's time to plan for Disney:  It's Mouse O'Clock!