Arriving 10 minutes after RD?

[kayjaybe]

Has anyone tried this approach? What if you arrive about 10-15 minutes after the park opens? Would this allow all those people that have been crowding around the opening for 30 minutes prior to RD to clear out and you can get through more easily?

We will not be touring commando-style. I'd rather get to a park 10 min after opening if we can almost walk right in then get there 30 minutes before and deal with huge crowds.

We're going from May 22-28, if that makes any difference.

[Janine]

But all those people that have been crowding around the opening for 30 minutes prior to RD, are now in front of you at all the attractions. Pretty much, the point of arriving 20-30 mins prior to RD is to get ahead of the crowds, not behind them.

IMHO, it doesn't make as much of a difference at AK, but it would at the other parks - depending on if you're riding the headliners, of course.

[vicki_c]

I don't think that's a very good plan for getting on rides in the morning. If you just want to do it because you are not trying to get a lot accomplished in the morning, and you don't want to deal with crowds, then it could work. I have heard of some people with real issues with crowds and claustrophobia and that type of thing that have done that, but doing that would put you far behind at something like Dumbo or Toy Story.

[blyday]

Just to give you an example of what a difference 10 minutes makes let's use MK as an example:

You walk through the gates at 9:10 AM and walk up Main Street arriving at Dumbo at 9:15 AM. The wait will be about 15 minutes. (not bad....right??)
Then you go to Peter Pan at 9:30 AM with another 15 minute wait (again.....not bad)
After Peter Pan you go to Pooh with a 20 minute wait. With wait and ride times.......it is now close to 10:30 AM and you have been on 3 attractions.


OK....in comparison.....you arrive at the gates at 8:30 AM. Enjoy the morning opening show (very cute by the way!!!)
You get to Dumbo at 9:05 AM and wait for one cycle (less then 3 minutes)
Walk over to Peter Pan with less then a 5 minute wait
Walk over to Pooh with less then a 5 minute wait
Next you go on Tea Cups, Carousel, and Snow White all with less then a 3 minute wait.
It is now about 9:45 AM and you have been on 6 attractions!!! Wow....what a difference.....in 45 minutes less time....you have accomplished double what you did with being 10 minutes behind the crowd!!!

Now.......I know what you are thinking......you don't want to go commando. Well, you don't have to when you are ahead of the crowds. You can enjoy your stroll in between the attractions and notice.....you have an additional 45 minutes to do other things and stop and smell a few roses because you are not wasting your time standing in lines. Sure.......there will be a bit of a rush to get to Dumbo but in the scenario above......I have you taking a little time as you aren't on the first cycle....which is fine. Ultimately.......it is all about choices.......if being behind the crowd makes you feel more comfortable.....then fine.....but realize that there is a price to be paid!!!!

[kayjaybe]

Thanks. That's exactly the kind of feedback & was looking for.

What is the opening show? I didn't know there was anything going on in that 1/2 hour when you are standing in the crowd. Is that just at MK or at all the parks?

[MichaelColey]

Just to give you an example of what a difference 10 minutes makes let's use MK as an example:

You walk through the gates at 9:10 AM and walk up Main Street arriving at Dumbo at 9:15 AM. The wait will be about 15 minutes. (not bad....right??)
Then you go to Peter Pan at 9:30 AM with another 15 minute wait (again.....not bad)
After Peter Pan you go to Pooh with a 20 minute wait. With wait and ride times.......it is now close to 10:30 AM and you have been on 3 attractions.


OK....in comparison.....you arrive at the gates at 8:30 AM. Enjoy the morning opening show (very cute by the way!!!)
You get to Dumbo at 9:05 AM and wait for one cycle (less then 3 minutes)
Walk over to Peter Pan with less then a 5 minute wait
Walk over to Pooh with less then a 5 minute wait
Next you go on Tea Cups, Carousel, and Snow White all with less then a 3 minute wait.
It is now about 9:45 AM and you have been on 6 attractions!!! Wow....what a difference.....in 45 minutes less time....you have accomplished double what you did with being 10 minutes behind the crowd!!!

I really question these numbers.

First, is Dumbo less than 3 minutes at 9:05am but 15 minutes at 9:15am? I doubt that there's that big of a difference. Maybe if you're at the very front (which would mean you got there much earlier than 8:30am) and you sprint to it.

Can you really ride Snow White or Pooh with less than a 3 minute wait around 9:40am? I highly doubt that. Is Peter Pan less than 5 minutes at 9:15am (about the time you would get there if you did Dumbo at 9:08am)? Highly unlikely.

Plus, you're not factoring in the 30 minutes waiting before rope drop. From 8:30am to 9:45am is 75 minutes for those 6 rides (if you truly could get 6 done in 40 minutes).

When you arrive before rope drop, you really only get a big advantage on that first ride, IMHO. For instance, someone arriving at 9:10am could skip Dumbo and ride all of the other rides you listed at the same times you did. (If you got to Dumbo at 9:05am, waited 3 minutes, rode for 3 minutes, then walked to Peter Pan, you would get there about 9:13am, pretty close to the same time that someone arriving at 9:10am could get there.)

I'm sure I'm probably in the minority on this, but I personally think arriving shortly after rope drop isn't a bad idea. You won't get quite as much in as someone who arrives 30-60 minutes before rope drop, but you're still getting a huge advantage from being there early and you're missing the mob at the ropes.

[josh]

There's usually a little show with characters at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Hollywood Studios has some "producers" come out and rile up the crowd and Epcot usually has the Character Spot characters greet people in the morning. Just type "rope drop" followed by the park name into youtube and you'll find some videos.

There's actually some truth to reduced wait times about 20 minutes after rope drop, particularly at Toy Story Mania. Pretty much everyone goes to Toy Story Mania first and not a lot of people arrive between 9:15am and 9:40am or so. They'll either arrive before 9am or after 10am. You'll see the wait time go up considerably immediately after Park opening and then actually decrease between 9:20am and 9:45am or so, before it rises substantially after 10am. That's less of a "phenomenon" at the other Parks because people are more spread out as far as where they head first, but will then head to the other morning priorities. For example, 50% of the people in line at rope drop might head to Soarin' and 30% head to Test Track (and 10% to Spaceship Earth????????!!!!!!!). After riding that ride, most of them will head to the one they didn't immediately walk to (either Test Track or Soarin). That usually keeps the wait time consistently longer in the morning.

Brenda is right that in the grand scheme of things, you would be better off being in the very front of the pack as far as number of attractions you could get through. But if you do arrive a little later, you will find short waits at those first few attractions. But the difference between a 15 minute wait and 5 minute wait in the morning is more substantial than it might sound.

[blyday]

First, is Dumbo less than 3 minutes at 9:05am but 15 minutes at 9:15am? I doubt that there's that big of a difference.

Yes.....I've seen it happen just like this in early December (you know.....when the crowds are still pretty low). My DSIL decided to not listen to me tell her to go to Dumbo first and so she went to Peter Pan first (it's a DLR thing!!) and got to Dumbo second. They waited 15 minutes to get on Dumbo just about 9:13.

Now.....you are correct that if you skip Dumbo.....you can pick up at Peter Pan arriving at 9:15ish and go on from there. Dumbo's line gets longer not necessarily because more people go there but because of the time it take to load and unload the ride. Anything after the first 2 cycles and you are going to be looking at longer waits......it is just a fact of the type of attraction it is. When you figure that loading and unloading plus ride time takes a minimum of 5 minutes.....that is where the issue is. And many people in the "know" know that Dumbo is a ride you want to do early so they will head there first. So.....the line gets longer with each cycle. Where arriving in time for the second cycle will have you walking off about 9:10ish....the 3rd cycle will be about 9:15 and so on. At the same time.....more people are coming into the park and getting into lines, increasing wait times. It seems so nominal at first but over time......it really can spread out. I've seen it with my own eyes. That walk on at Peter Pan at 9:15 is a posted 15 minute wait at 9:30 AM. Now......when the new FL opens up.....this might become less of an issue as more people can go per cycle.

Oh and I've easily been able to do those 6 attractions in less then 40 minutes.....even on very busy mornings. So yes......it really is possible to do. And you are correct......I didn't count that 30 minutes before the park opened....so with Dumbo on my must do list, in less then an hour and half......I can see the opening show and go on 6 attractions where showing up 10-15 minutes later....I miss the show and will get 3-4 rides in that same amount of time. If Dumbo, TSMM at HS, or multiple ride on Soarin' and Test Track are not on your list of must dos......then the little bit later start is a good option for someone who doesn't want to deal with the crowds. But if they are on the list.....then a true RD really does make a difference.

[lisapennie]

I really question these numbers.

First, is Dumbo less than 3 minutes at 9:05am but 15 minutes at 9:15am? I doubt that there's that big of a difference. Maybe if you're at the very front (which would mean you got there much earlier than 8:30am) and you sprint to it.

Can you really ride Snow White or Pooh with less than a 3 minute wait around 9:40am? I highly doubt that. Is Peter Pan less than 5 minutes at 9:15am (about the time you would get there if you did Dumbo at 9:08am)? Highly unlikely.

Plus, you're not factoring in the 30 minutes waiting before rope drop. From 8:30am to 9:45am is 75 minutes for those 6 rides (if you truly could get 6 done in 40 minutes).

When you arrive before rope drop, you really only get a big advantage on that first ride, IMHO. For instance, someone arriving at 9:10am could skip Dumbo and ride all of the other rides you listed at the same times you did. (If you got to Dumbo at 9:05am, waited 3 minutes, rode for 3 minutes, then walked to Peter Pan, you would get there about 9:13am, pretty close to the same time that someone arriving at 9:10am could get there.)

I'm sure I'm probably in the minority on this, but I personally think arriving shortly after rope drop isn't a bad idea. You won't get quite as much in as someone who arrives 30-60 minutes before rope drop, but you're still getting a huge advantage from being there early and you're missing the mob at the ropes.

Honestly - Brenda's times are pretty accurate. In June and at Christmas we've managed to do the following in MK doing RD in about an hour (we don't do Dumbo, as a rule - we're all adults and it's not worth the time lost):
Peter Pan
Pooh
Snow White
Small World
Tea Cups
Speedway

or

Peter Pan
Pooh
Snow White
Magic Carpets
Pirates
Haunted Mansion

I get that it might seem like ten minutes isn't a big deal - but it is. You're also assuming that there aren't crowds at the front if you skip that first ten minutes, but in my experience, the lines to get into MK are longer and you're still stuck dealing with a crowd.

[off2neverland]

I totally agree with Brenda's timeline. We don't do Dumbo but start in TL:

FPV Space
Ride Buzz
Ride Peter- usually here anywhere from 9:08-9:12- I always make a point to look over at Dumbo as we pass and the wait is always over 15 min- often as much as 25/30 min by the latter time. Keep in mind it's a very slow loading, low capacity ride so the later you get there the longer the wait.

We then do Pooh and SW- (then take a quick BR break) and are over to FRL walking on to BTMRR by 9:45 or so.

We once did the KTTK tour- 9:30 tour and arrived for RD- took our time walking up Main to get FP for Peter and were heading back down Main St just before 9:15- this was a 4 blue Green day- actually a Grad night- I was blown away by the number of people still coming in and up Main St- it really was a fight to get thru them going in opposite direction!

Most people do not arrive for RD-- they continue to straggle in to park at 9, after 9, etc. The lines at turnstiles/security check will not necessarily be any quicker at 9 or 9:15 then they will be at 8:30. I tend to think they'll be longer later.

True- that if you don't want Dumbo or any other must do at RD ride- like Speedway or AO- and don't mind waiting just that little bit longer at every ride thru the am, or getting 3-4 rides less done in that first hour or not getting first FP til 10/15/20 min past RD- which means all your FPs for the day are pushed out- than missing RD can certainly work.

We hate to wait anywhere, we enjoy all the opening shows, esp MK-- and love being just that many steps ahead of all the crowds! We bring our coffee and bkft snack and enjoy the excitement of waiting for park to open- never have found it to be too crazy, pushy or claustrophic.

[MichaelColey]

FWIW, we arrived about 40 minutes after rope drop this morning, and still got a good tour of Fantasyland in before things got busy. I'm not positive about these times, but I think they're pretty close.

8:40am - Dumbo (about a 10 minute wait)
8:50am - Got FPs to Peter Pan and rode it (listed 10 minute wait, more like 5 minutes)
9:00am - Caurosel (no wait)
9:05am - Snow White (no wait)
9:10am - Winnie the Pooh (about a 10-15 minute wait)
9:30am - Got FPs to SM and rode it (listed 10 minute wait, more like 20-25 minutes)
10am - Went to Monster's Inc.
10:20am - Picked up FPs to Buzz
10:20am - Went back to the timeshare for lunch and a nap, due to a meltdown.

FWIW, I prefer to get there earlier, but I still don't think there's a significant difference between the waits at RD vs. RD+10 (or even RD+40).

[Janine]

Do you think being an EMH day had anything to do with that? I'm thinking this may not be typical on a 9am opening day?
(this sounds like a sarcastic remark to me, but it's not at all - it is a sincere question)

[josh]

They're not 8am morning Extra Magic Hour openings this week, they're 8am openings for the general public and there is a pretty significant difference between the wait times you would find at 8:40am when Magic Kingdom opens at 8am and 9:40am when Magic Kingdom opens at 9am

[blyday]

I agree with Josh. A perfect example is with DLR. We did their Magic Morning in June (a busy season) at 7 AM and pretty well had Fantasyland to ourselves for that full hour!!! However, when we did it in early December (much slower time of year!!!) at 9 AM.......Fantasyland had 15 + minute waits on most of the rides by 9:15 AM. The earlier the park opens......the less of an impact that 10-15 minutes actually makes. The reality is that people still sleep in and arrive at the parks about the same time.....no matter when the opening actually is.

[MichaelColey]

Yep, I think the earlier opening (and the late schedule change - MK was originally scheduled to open today at 9am until they updated it 10 days ago) definitely makes a difference. It's amazing how many people were still pouring in when we left. There was a continual mob of people coming up Main Street when we left. The incoming boat and Monorail were jam packed. And even when we got back to the timeshare, we saw families obviously heading out to the parks. Many people go to the parks on a "vacation schedule", despite the fact that an earlier start would give far less stressful results.

Another factor that might have helped this morning is that Undercover Tourist (and possibly other touring sites) rated MK a "Yellow" day (and Epcot as the only Green park). Josh has MK as Green and the best park to visit today. UT probably sent many "commando" tourists to other parks instead of MK.

[josh]

Never seen the Undercover Tourist recommended park days. Do they do any sort of explanation or just a straight color coded recommendation?

[Janine]

I just downloaded the UT app last night and checked the recommended park days for my May trip, just for the heck if it - and they seemed way different. May 15 was rated red for MK, but Monday, May 16 was green?? There were no explanations on the app, just green/yellow/red colored dots.

[vicki_c]

Just colors on the iPhone app. I don't really use it so I'm not sure what they have on their website these days.

[JW73]

UT app just has colors and they rarely agree with Josh. I'm going with Josh for recommended parks each day, but I'm hoping the UT app is fairly accurate with wait times.

ETA: Today, UT has EP green, MK yellow, HS and AK red. Josh has MK HS EP |AK

[Trueblue63]

Rope drop is less of a mob scene than you might think. My only word of advice is keep a close eye on the electric scooters. They can't maneuver, and i think they get frustrated. One guy decided he had had enuf and almost ran over my son.

10 minutes can be a much bigger deal than you think depending on the attraction. But if you are OK with seeing less and getting later fast passes, it won't ruin the day.

Far more important, heed the advice on parks to avoid and parks to visit. Its very accurate. On my Feb Break trip, I had to go to Hollywood Studios cause I wanted to see Fantasmic and don't really dig park hopping. It was a zoo, and the most stressful day of our trip. The other days were all calm in comparison. (the day we went to AK I spent 10 minutes ez swapping a special MK FP for an AK special FP, and we were able to ride EE 3 times in a row no significant wait, and then go to the Safari with a short wait (20 minutes or less)

[josh]

What days this week and next week does Undercover Tourist recommend Magic Kingdom? Not sure why they wouldn't be recommending Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom today. Studios was much busier both of the last two days and will be again tomorrow. Just based on the "facts of wait times."

[Janine]

Tomorrow - red
Fri - green
Sat - red
Sun - red
Mon - green
Tue - yellow
Wed - yellow
Thu - red
Fri - green
Sat - red
Sun - red

And then the pattern repeats (mon green, tues yellow, wed yellow, thu red, fri green, sat red, sun red)

[josh]

Interesting, I think that disagrees with what this site/touringplans/tourguidemike would tell you. But there's something to say for being different I guess?

[Janine]

The more people that listen to UT, the better for all of us!

[josh]

Can't beat a good misinformation campaign