How crazy are rope drops at each park?

[goofygonewild]

Another thread talks about how crazy it can be at rope drop at HS and that CM's walk the crowd to TSM. Is it that way in the other parks as well? If there is morning EMH is it still the mob at HS like normal opening?
A few threads I have seen mention how in other parks they send their fastest "runner" to get FP so I was concerned that people start running in all directions at each park at opening or does everyone keep pretty calm and just walk briskly? I would think Disney keeps it pretty under control but as I read more I also wonder more. Thanks!

[cer]

I would not define it as 'crazy', but it is crowded. It is best to send one person ahead with everyone's tickets to the fast pass stations, that way you don't have to try and keep a group together in the crowd. The cast members do a great job at keeping everyone walking at a reasonable safe pace. Your best bet is to be there early and near the rope at rope drop and then walk with everyone. And yes, it is the same at EMH, you will still experience a crowd.

The other rope drops don't seem to have as much hype, but still cast members lead the crowds to the more popular park attractions in the same manner for safety.

[jodijo]

If you are getting a fast pass for a popular rides after the rope drop, be advised that the CM's walk everyone to those rides. My DH and I wanted to sprint to EE in AK and they had CM's walking everyone there. And trust me, they had all the routes covered!

So, if someone was able to send a fast runner up ahead, it must have been for a ride that is not as popular as the E ticket rides.

[crltkcagle]

Epcot- Rope drop isn't all that bad. Usually people begin chanting Test Track or Soarin and after Mickey and Friends leave the Cm's let you in and the crowds go in either one of those directions. Nothing really nuts though.

MK it gets crowded but again after the little show people just walk in. I haven't really seen anything crazy happen here.

HS- HA!! LOL this is the only park that i have literally sprinted to a ride/ fp line. It does get quite crazy!

AK- I have never seen anyone race to anything here either. The park is so big and has so many different routes I think it seems like everyone just goes there separate way.

[goofygonewild]

HS- HA!! LOL this is the only park that i have literally sprinted to a ride/ fp line. It does get quite crazy!

So have they just recently begun "walking" the crowds to the popular attractions or does it vary day to day, and some days they let the crowd go without being escorted by CM's?

[Fastpasssteve]

I travel with guys in their 20's, so getting up early for the rope drop isn't on the top of our list. So, I'm not much help here.

HOWEVER,

I love getting early to the Magic Kingdom at least once per trip. I love seeing the "Official Opening of the Magic Kingdom" that happens each morning. It is truly a piece of Disney magic that brings me to tears. As adults, we all know how few moments of pure joy exist. So many moments in day to day life are tainted or bittersweet in their own way. When I watch the opening ceremonies there, I think, "Yes...this is the way it should always be...the giddy anticipation of great things to come!" So much seems possible in those few moments before the park opens.

[cer]

So have they just recently begun "walking" the crowds to the popular attractions or does it vary day to day, and some days they let the crowd go without being escorted by CM's?

We are park opener, rope drop kind of folk, and we have gone during the off season when crowds are lower and have been escorted to the popular attractions every time at rope drop. It would be a HUGE liability to let the crowds go on their own. So in our experience, it has not varied from day to day.

I will say at DHS, we are escorted at a pretty good clip, but still a quick WALK.

[brivers222]

While i am a totally fine getting up early while at disney (i don't think I ever sleep actually) my fiance is not.

So, my question is, for the Rope Drops do you have to actually got into the parks to see the "ceremony" or can you just see the ceremony hop back on the monorail and go back to the poly for breakfast and back to sleep for awhile longer lol

[crltkcagle]

So have they just recently begun "walking" the crowds to the popular attractions or does it vary day to day, and some days they let the crowd go without being escorted by CM's?

I guess I should say this. We are never at the rope for rope drop. Usually in the back of the crowd a bit. So by the time the front starts "walking" we are going a little bit faster than speed walking to catch up.

[floridamom]

I love getting early to the Magic Kingdom at least once per trip. I love seeing the "Official Opening of the Magic Kingdom" that happens each morning. It is truly a piece of Disney magic that brings me to tears. As adults, we all know how few moments of pure joy exist. So many moments in day to day life are tainted or bittersweet in their own way. When I watch the opening ceremonies there, I think, "Yes...this is the way it should always be...the giddy anticipation of great things to come!" So much seems possible in those few moments before the park opens.



We did this at MK for the first time ever on our last trip, and it was well-worth it!

And ditto what the others said about DHS rope drop. Even though CMs walk you to TSM, it is still a pressure cooker.

[Victor Kelly]

A few comparisons come to mind, depending on the park.

STAMPEDE. The running of the Bulls. A fire in a building or a riot. Just to name a few.

I don't participate in this nonsense. I will get there when I get there and enjoy myself just the same. But just watching the nut jobs run and sometimes fall can be entertainment in itself.:thedolls:

Sorry feeling evil today.:sorry:

[hokies4life]

I was at opening of Epcot in April and I was surprised at how crazy crowded it was. The line for Soarin' FP was across the entire building. I went straight to the ride line and got through in 25 min. But I guess its the same with any popular ride.

I'm usually the one sent to get FP after we are all in the park. Not because I run fast but because I can maneuver though the crowds best. We have never been able to be at the front of the rope drop so once they open things up we try to "catch up".

[epceddie]

We've been in the MK before it opens to the public for an early breakfast at the Crystal Palace. When we first get there, Main Street USA is just about deserted. When the park opens, there's a tidal wave of people that rolls in. It's amazing how fast Main Street fills up. Then, everybody disperses (mainly to the Mountain rides) and we head over to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz Lightyear as many times as we can with no waits.