Is Disney experimenting with opening times?

[Dusty11]

A couple of weeks ago I read somewhere that Disney is experimenting with opening times at Hollywood Studios. Published opening was 9:00 but they we were allowing people into some sections of the park at 8:30 with no rope drop. Did I dream this or is it true and is it still going on? We will be in the parks on Sunday!

[Altair]

We were at the studios on 1/5 and arrived at 8:45 and walked right in. Fast Pass return times were also pushed back. We rode TSM and were off before official park opening. At Epcot, the way to Soarin' was different than before also.
It seems they do try to adjust things a bit to help out.

[MickeysBestPal]

Is Disney experimenting with opening times?

Yes.


Only MK still offers a Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW, but still has an inside-the-gates holding area.
DAIK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."

Epcot and DHS no longer offer a Rope Drop SHOW, AND no longer offer an inside-the-gates holding area.
Epcot and DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."

As always, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

[cer]

When we were there in Sept 2011 we experienced some of this.

We did not make it to AK, but...

At DHS, they DID do a rope drop in a holding area, but no pre-show. - I guess this has probably changed since we visited.

EPCOT - like the previous poster said, no pre-show/no holding area. - We really liked this entry. The turnstyles controlled the flow of traffic into the park and there was no foot race or need to be escorted to Soarin'...this is one change I think I can embrace.

[HiHoKermitTheFrogHere]

I was in Epcot on either Oct. 14 or 15 and experienced this, too. I arrived at the International Gateway turnstiles around 8:30 a.m. We were held there until about 8:45, at which point we were allowed into the park. I have been to Epcot at park opening before, always through the International Gateway, and expected to walk through International Showcase and be stopped behind a rope somewhere in the vicinity of Journey Into Your Imagination. To my surprise, I just kept on walking, straight into The Land pavilion, right to the Soarin FP machines where I got a FP, then right through a no-wait line for Soarin. I was OFF of Soarin at 8:58, two minutes before the posted opening time for the park (AND I had a FP to ride again with a return time soon after that!). I was rather shocked and surprised (but pleasantly). As one previous poster alluded to, it was nice not to be shoulder-to-shoulder with people in a footrace to the Soarin FP machines.

[Darbylew]

This sounds great. We will try it next time we are there.

[cuteduck223]

no more rope drops anywhere but in MK? I think i might be devastated. For real though, we loved the HS drop.

[MickeysBestPal]

no more rope drops anywhere but in MK? I think i might be devastated.

No more Rope Drop CEREMONIES except at MK.

There still is a DAK "rope drop" (they hold guests behind the ropes until opening time) just inside the DAK gates. (But, no "show" anymore.)

[HiHoKermitTheFrogHere]

There still is a DAK "rope drop" (they hold guests behind the ropes until opening time) just inside the DAK gates. (But, no "show" anymore.)

When I was at DAK for opening in October, the rope location was on the bridge past the Oasis and before the main pathway in front of Tree of Life. At rope drop, there was no ceremony. We simply were allowed to continue into the rest of the park at that point.

[MickeysBestPal]

When I was at DAK for opening in October, the rope location was on the bridge past the Oasis and before the main pathway in front of Tree of Life. At rope drop, there was no ceremony. We simply were allowed to continue into the rest of the park at that point.

I always thought that was a better place to have the ropes.
(That's where they did used to have the ropes and the SHOW for years... before they changed the show and moved it -and the ropes- to just inside the DAK gates.)

The Oasis area may be where they will daily have the ropes, but, at WDW, nothing ever stays the same way forever.

Time will tell.

[ronandjulie]

I truly miss being "Welcomed" into the parks in the morning. I guess the crowds are just too much for them anymore. Another bit of Disney magic gone.

[MarkC]

Went to Disney Studios on January 3rd. Got there at 8:40am for a 9am opening. Wondered why there was no one at the front of the street and thought I missed an EMH. Found out they just opened early. We rode ToT and RNRC with no waits as hardly anyone was even there. I loved it.

[Ross]

We have been there every 2 years for the last 10 years and have always been held at the gate. We always go around spring break, stay off site and go to a non EMH park so maybe that all is a factor. We arrive at the gate...get held until official opening and and my family thinks I'm an idiot for showing up early.

Last Fall we were at Epcot in early Nov experienced the same thing.

Getting ready to head down again so will have to keep an eye on this.

[MickeysBestPal]

We arrive at the gate...get held until official opening and and my family thinks I'm an idiot for showing up early.

Your experience is very unusual (unless maybe you don't keep a very close tab of the actual time.)

Disney has been letting guests into the parks at least 15 minutes "early" (before the top of the hour) and then holding guests inside the parks at an internal "rope..."
for years and years.

That's what "Rope Drop" was all about, and it was experienced by nearly all guests who arrived at least 15 minutes (or more) before the published opening time.
(30 minutes before opening time is a better goal, for a myriad of reasons.)

And NOW (as is the subject of this thread,) the internal "ropes" are only found at MK and DAK.
(Epcot and DHS do not now utilize an internal rope) and, at all parks expect to be let through the gates 15-30 minutes before the "straight-up" posted opening time.

[AuntLaura]

We were at DHS the Marathon Weekend - they opened the turnstiles at 0830 and there was no rope drop. It was great. We did TSM twice before 0900am. A cast member said they had been doing that since Christmas. We weren't sure if it was a temporary thing, or more permanent. Personally, I think it's safer that way. I've seen people fall and get hurt in the rush associated with rope drop. I'm wondering if Disney is just "changing things up" to keep us on our toes.

[Kairi_7378]

In September, we were the first family at the rope inside DHS. There was a little show that went on before they dropped the rope, and they filmed the crowd saying something like "Hi Disney" or something like that. Was that just for whatever promotion was going on at the time?

[MickeysBestPal]

In September, we were the first family at the rope inside DHS. There was a little show that went on before they dropped the rope, and they filmed the crowd saying something like "Hi Disney" or something like that.



Was that just for whatever promotion was going on at the time?

No. That was the regular daily DHS Rope Drop Ceremony.

They have stopped doing that, and now do not have any Rope Drop Ceremony (or any internal rope) at DHS.

[badkitty]

A related note: The last couple of times I was at DLR, California Adventure opened 1/2 hour early and we were able to "walk" to the fastpass distribution for World of Color and ride Soarin Over CA before the park's official opening. My thought was it was a great way to ease the traffic problems at opening with all the construction.

[ronandjulie]

We tested this out yesterday. We were at HS at 8:30. At 8:45 sharp they turned on the turnstiles and let people in. We headed straight to TSMM. We got FP for 9:30-10:30 . We walked right on with no wait and then went and rode RNR and ToT with no wait. When we wer done, it was FP time for TSMM. Very productive 45 minutes but no rope and no ceremony.

[nickcapp]

It was magical. I especially enjoyed the HS rope drop. However, it quickly became a mad dash to the Jedi training/Toy Story/Sunset Blvd.

I reluctantly approve the change.