Magic Kingdom is one of 4 parks at Walt Disney World. It’s a favorite of many, there’s something for everyone, all ages. It’s a classic with rides like Dumbo, Peter Pan’s Flight, and all the mountains – Space, Big Thunder, and Splash (soon to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure).
What is Rope Drop?
Rope Drop is Disney Lingo for arriving before park opening to ensure that you are through security and at the gate the minute it opens. Some parks are known to open earlier than posted – so recommended arrival times vary. Back in the days of Walt, the parks opened with an actual velvet rope. Hence the term – rope drop.
PRO TIP: Disney Resort guests can get into the parks 30 minutes before the posted park opening time. It doesn’t seem like much, but it makes a big difference – trust me!
Why is Rope Drop Important?
If waiting in lines is not your jam, then getting to the park early will make you happy. You can accomplish more in the first two hours of your day if you rope drop, than in a whole afternoon of peak time.
It’s slower in the morning which means better photos, more opportunities for Photo Pass memories, and a little bit of quiet to sneak in a breakfast snack or coffee.
How to Get to the Park for Rope Drop
Disney resorts provide transportation from your resort to all of the parks. While it’s the most reliable and inexpensive way to get there, it might not always be the quickest. If time is of the essence, you’ll want to avoid the bus. If it’s the only option from your resort – try Uber, Lyft, or Minnie Van. If you’re ready to wake with the singing birds like a real Cinderella – then allow yourself 60 – 90 minutes to get where you want to be.
If you’re at a Monorail resort, you’ll be able to zip right over to Magic Kingdom.
- Contemporary Resort
- Polynesian Resort
- Grand Floridian Resort
Enjoy some grown up time with a Monorail Bar Crawl.
From the Magic Kingdom area resorts like Fort Wilderness Campground and Wilderness Lodge, a boat ride will get you to the dock just in front of the entrance.
PRO TIP: Check the bus times in the MyDisneyExperience app and get on the first bus available.
What to Ride First at Magic Kingdom
If you want to avoid paying for Lightning Lanes, prioritize rides in this order.
- TRON – this one is worth riding twice. Rope Drop in the morning, and buy the Single Pass Lighting Lane (SPLL) at night.
- Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train – Probably the most popular ride in the Magic Kingdom. This ride offers Single Pass Lightning Lane (SPLL) purchase. Wanna ride twice? Purchase SPLL and Rope Drop.
- Space Mountain
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Jungle Cruise
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
What to Expect at Rope Drop
At Magic Kingdom, everyone (even off site guest) is typically allowed through the front gates about 30 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry officially begins. That early access window works a little differently depending on where you’re staying, though.
- Guests staying offsite can enter Main Street, U.S.A. and make their way toward the Hub near Cinderella Castle, but they’ll pause there until regular park opening.
- Guests eligible for Early Theme Park Entry will scan their tickets or MagicBands at designated checkpoints, either near the Fantasyland bridge for attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight, or at the Tomorrowland bridge if you’re heading toward rides like Space Mountain.
You’ll want to have a direction in mind when you arrive, so that you know which direction to flow for your first ride choice.
Rope Drop and Early Mornings Not Your Thing?
If early mornings are not your thing but you still want to get in all the rides, you’ll want to purchase all the Lightning Lanes.
PRO TIP: I offer detailed strategy flyers and graphics for Lightning Lane, and Rope Drop for purchase here or free to clients who book with me at Orange Grove Travel Company.
Find the Yummiest Snacks in the Magic Kingdom.
Learn How to Rope Drop other parks:
