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How to master the power hour
9 ways to make rope drop your success story
What is the best way that anyone can skip long lines at Disney or Universal? Show up for rope drop.
Rope drop is that moment when the park truly opens, when guests are free to rush to favorite attractions. It's called "rope drop" because both Disney and Universal often open their gates in advance of the official park opening time. Guests are allowed into the park, but held behind a temporary rope. When the rope drops, the fun begins.
Since it's the only time when all the attraction queues are empty, rope drop is a huge advantage for anyone willing to make the effort. A relatively small number of guests actually show up so early, and the park's opening hour almost always has the lowest wait times of the day.
I always recommend rope dropping (yep, it's a verb too) as a crowd-busting tactic. Anyone can do it, and it doesn't cost anything extra.
Here are a few rope drop pro tips I've learned over the years:
Arrive at the gate least 30 minutes prior to the official park opening time
At most theme parks, the gates actually open at least a few minutes before official park opening time. By arriving at least a half-hour early, you should be near the front of the line even before anyone is admitted in. 45 minutes early is even better.
Know where to go
Sometimes there's more than one rope, so know which ride you want to go to from the start. Have a plan for the next 3 attractions too - you can often knock out a handful of top rides in that first hour, if you don't waste time deciding where to go next.
Be ready to pivot
Be aware that sometimes rides don't run right at rope drop. The more technical an attraction, the more likely it will have trouble starting up in the morning. Have a Plan B in case your first choice isn't available.
Bring a light breakfast with you
You might be too rushed for breakfast when you're racing that rope drop clock. Buy a banana or a muffin the night before & bring it along to nibble while you wait at the rope.
Get an extra head-start by staying on-site
Most of the Disney and Universal theme parks offer early entry for on-site hotel guests. This is a HUGE advantage because not only will you be first in the park, the eligible group is very limited.
If you're not staying on-site, you can still rope drop the regular park opening. Know that there will be some people already in the park but you'll still be ahead of the vast majority of guests.
Plan a break for later in the morning
Let's face it: getting up early on vacation is a bit of a sacrifice. Give yourself a break, literally, by planning a nice breakfast for later in the morning, after the crowds get there. Or take an afternoon break/nap at the pool.
You don't have to go with the crowd
If you're more into photography than thrill rides, rope drop is the perfect time to explore with no one around. Let the crowds rush off to the attractions. In just a few minutes everyone will disappear and you'll have the entire place to yourself.
Set expectations with your group
Getting up early may not be everyone's idea of a vacation. Let your group know that this effort will pay off. Getting there before everyone else gives you the best chance to see the most popular attractions with the shortest wait.
Try it early in your trip
If it's not for you, you can skip the early mornings after that. But don't wait till the last day when you're already worn out.
More rope drop tips on Goinformed.net and the Go Informed Podcast
Here's my post with even more rope drop tips & insider info
GoInformed Podcast episode 44 is all about rope drop. Listen now on your favorite podcast app, including:
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