Rope Drop – What’s all the Fuss?

Saturday, July 9, 2011 Jenn 5 Comments

As a Florida resident, most of my trips until the past few years were day trips. We would leave early in the morning and arrive around 10, not thinking much about the going-ons before we arrived. We rarely did multi-day trips and didn’t think about arriving early, even then.

Until I “discovered” the Rope Drop Ceremonies. Starting 10-15 minutes before the park opens, cast members come out in different shows, welcoming the day and opening the parks with typical Disney magic.

At the Magic Kingdom, I’ve seen both the Mayor and the Fire Chief host the show, leading the cast members into song, and welcoming the Train and the Family of the Day into the Main Street U.S.A. train station along with Mickey Mouse and many other characters. I always love watching the show and then heading into the parks a few minute before the parks claim to open. Yes, the parks open a few minutes before printed!

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’re invited to participate in the filming of a commercial, or whatever the director and actors happen to be shooting in the morning. Make sure to participate – the Citizens of Hollywood love to interact with guests!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom brings in the Mickey Mouse and friends to start the morning off with a big party, though for extra magic hours this past June, they didn’t actually have the show. No word on if the show is no longer running! EPCOT doesn’t have a big ceremony – sometimes music and characters, but nothing to set an alarm for, unless you’re hoping to beat the crowds to Soarin’!

Epcot where is your Rope Drop Ceremony???

If you’re headed to the parks, make sure to get there early to watch the Rope Drop Ceremonies. If you’re like me, you’ll be happy you did!

Ask a Disney Question – Rope Drop for Extra Magic Hours (chipandco.com)
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About Jenn

Jennifer Lissak has written 75 post on Chip and Co..

With family in Florida, Jenn started traveling to WDW as a baby and hasn't stopped. She regularly brings her husband and her toddler son, who has already been 3 times. Jenn runs regularly and has already completed 2 half marathons, starting the challenge at Walt Disney World. Jenn regularly writes about marathon training and offers advice to those considering taking on the challenge.

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Posted in: Blogging, Do and See, Florida, Parks & Resorts, Planning, Tips and Tricks Tags: animal kingdom, Disney Magic Kingdom Opening, rope drop, Walt Disney World Resort

Ms. Hewey

We let our boys sleep in so they aren’t too tired to do everything during the day, but this is sure a good motivator to set an alarm and get there early.
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CoreyA

My daughter’s favorite part of rope drop at MK was all of the streamers. My husband had her on his shoulders so that she could see the train station better, and she was pretty excited about those streamers landing on her head.
http://www.facebook.com/lynn.g.brooks Lynn Green Brooks

Love Rope Drop!!! In 2007, me, my husband,and my son went to EPCOT and were the first ones off the bus and first to wait to get in. They had a countdown then opened. We walked past Spaceship Earth where there was a rope. Mickey and Characters came out and then we were approached by a cast member and were chosen as Family of the Day. We got our pics taken with all the characters. A Test Track car came riding up and we got to ride in the car. They took us to Test Track before they even droped the rope. We rode TT twice before anyone else did. We were given fastPasses for Soarin and the character meet. Also had a special seat for Illuminations. That was one of the most memorable trip to WDW.