Current rope-drop procedures at DL & DCA

[PA*]

OK, I've read the threads I could find on rope-drop procedures, but none of them really specify any seasonal variation. What kind of rope drop am I likely to find in early Dec. (or now) at Disneyland Park and DCA?

From what I read Main St. is opened 1/2 hr. early and there is one rope at the end of Main St., after which there is a mad stampede. Is this correct? (The stampede is probably used year-round, I mean is the rest of it correct?) I also read there are separate ropes for the different Lands, but again I don't know which is used when.

I also read that DCA turnstiles open 1/2 hr. early with 3 ropes up and Soarin' open at 9:30? Is this still current?

Here's what I experienced at WDW two years ago (late Sept.): prior to opening, guests were admitted through the turnstiles and held at the entrance area right in front of the Main St. train station. The train would arrive just prior to opening with Mickey, et al. and there would be an opening ceremony, following which we were allowed to pass through Main St. Upon arriving at the entrance to the Land of our choice, we were held for another 5 min. (?) at a second rope, whereupon we were then let through into the Land with everything operating. There was no running, and a fast mall-walker could overtake most people strolling down Main St.

So, is any of the above similar to what DL & DCA use? Thanks!

[Sillyup10]

I am not very sure when they do the Main Street rope drop. They usually start letting people through the turnstiles around 15 minutes before park opening. Then the rope drop happens at opening (of course). Its not really a stampede, most people just walk.

I believe they also have a rope drop everyday, as long as it is not a Magic Morning day.

As for DCA, yes they allow people in at 9:30. You can either wait for a rope drop, or ride Soarin'.

[PA*]

Originally Posted by Sillyup10

I am not very sure when they do the Main Street rope drop. They usually start letting people through the turnstiles around 15 minutes before park opening. Then the rope drop happens at opening (of course).

Cool! A reply already. Thanks!

So where exactly is the rope? At the train station? End of Main St.? Entrances to each Land?

[disneylandkitty]

it's at the end of main st i think they only do it on day they have early admission. only done it once but it fun they welcome u to the park and have a count down. how i go every weekend it's too early for me.

[Radiobarry]

To the best of my knowledge, the rope drop at the end of Main Street is done every day ...

[sir clinksalot]

That is correct, the rope is at the end of main street, where Coke Corner and the Photo Shop meet.

If the park opens at 8am there is no rope drop. The gates just open at 8am. If the park opens at 9am or later, they will generally open the gates 30 minutes prior to opening and do the roap drop at the opening time.

For DCA, the front entance and Soarin' open at 9:30am. There are roap drops at the entrance to the Hollywood area, near the Sun Fountain and on the way from Soarin' to Grizzly.

[SusieP.]

There's no ceremony or anything at Disneyland. They just wind up the rope and you are on your way.

[techskip]

If you participate in Magic Morning then there are also land specific rope drops located at the entrance to Adventureland, the entrance to Frontierland, and the entrance from Fantasyland to Big Thunder Trail.

[mycroft16]

Depending on the CMs there, they do have some fun with it. My wife and friends were waiting at Adventureland once and the CM was asking who had a watch... when everyone raised their hands he asked who had a Mickey watch and a little girl in the front had one. "Ok, we're going off this watch!" and he had the girl up on her dad's shoulders do a countdown from 10, leading the whole crowd.

[Walt Jr.]

Originally Posted by SusieP.

There's no ceremony or anything at Disneyland. They just wind up the rope and you are on your way.

Are you sure?

Traditional rope drops usually start with the announcer welcoming you and then when the song "Welcome" from POD starts, they drop and you get to go into the park with the Welcome track following you.

Also, the park opens the gates at 8AM or 8:15AM on 9AM openings. Then at the 30 they open all the shops and attractions on Main Street. Excluding vehicles. Then the announcement for rope drop.

[SusieP.]

I guess I don't really consider that a "ceremony", unlike having Mickey arrive at the Main Street Station on a train, per the OP's post. It sounded like he was expecting a bit of an official show.

Either way, it's a great time to be in the park!

[PA*]

Originally Posted by SusieP.

I guess I don't really consider that a "ceremony", unlike having Mickey arrive at the Main Street Station on a train, per the OP's post. It sounded like he was expecting a bit of an official show.

Well I'm not expecting an official show any more...(insert smiley face)

Thanks everyone, this is some good solid info. I appreciate it. I discovered this site a week or two ago and have learned a few things that weren't in the guidebooks.

[ralfrick]

They do pick a family to go through the gates and lead a countdown to open the park if it's an 8 opening; I can actually speak from experience on this. Here's the view from inside:


The waits build more slowly without a rope drop. Although it sounds cool to get in 30 minutes early, it allows everyone to move to the attractions en masse, instead of filtering slowly through the gates. When we got to do both on the same trip, the line for PP was about 20 minutes in the time it took to run for an Indy FP before riding. No rope drop, same plan, the line was about 1-2 minutes. There is also the fact that more people will wake up for 9 than for 8.

A bientot.

[Rex Dopey24]

people love getting up early don't they ? lol.