What time is rope drop at disney world

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If there’s anything we stress as a priority, it’s that you should consider always rope droppingMagic Kingdom.


Cinderella Castle


First, Magic Kingdom has more rides than all the other parks in Disney World, so you’ll need more time there. But, also, rope drop could get you a ride on a popular ride with a shorter wait — and all you have to do is get up a little earlier and be at the park when it opens
. However, if you rope drop Magic Kingdom NOW, you might find that it’s changed.
Let’s talk about how it’s different.





So what IS rope dropping? Rope dropping refers to the actual rope that Cast Members use to close off lands when you’re allowed into Magic Kingdom before it officially opens (which usually happens about 30 minutes before the official opening time).
Although you’re allowed to visit shops and grab food and snacks on Main Street, U.S.A., you do not have access to the park until official opening,
which right now is at 9 AM. Therefore, you must wait for the rope to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland to “drop” at exactly 9 AM. Then you can start getting in line for rides.


Cast M


"Rope drop" is Disney terminology for the time when a theme park, or part of a theme park, opens for the day. Historically, when a Walt Disney World theme park is closed, Disney often used ropes stretched across the entrance to prevent guests from coming in; thus, when the park is opened the rope is "dropped."

Being at a park for its opening (a.k.a. rope drop) is a critical step in many of our Touring Plans, and being aware of the way rope drop works gives you an edge.

Today, an actual rope is sometimes, but not always, part of this process. And when the park (or part of the park) is opened, the rope may not be physically dropped. Rather, the rope is often slowly pulled aside a few moments before people are allowed to pass, with guests being asked to remain where they are until an appointed time. Or, in the case where there is a new or particularly popular attraction, cast members will prevent guests from running to that attraction by continuing to hold the rope as a barrier while slowly walking with it to the attraction.

How Being at the Park for Rope Drop Helps You

When Disney states that a theme park opens at 9:00 a.m., that's the time when the rides and other attracti

Magic Kingdom Rope Drop & Early Entry Tips 2025: Morning Rides to Do & Avoid




Morning is one of the best times at Magic Kingdom, and a great way to beat crowds at Walt Disney World’s busiest park is at opening. This strategy guide for Early Entry and rope drop shares tips & tricks–prioritizing TRON Lightcycle Run, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, what time to arrive, where to start & where to avoid, 4 different step-by-step plans, and everything you can do
without
Lightning Lanes. (
Updated March 28, 2025
.)

For starters, this is specifically a Magic Kingdom park opening guide for 2025. It’s been “rebuilt” from the ground up as we’ve done field-testing of new strategies following changes, ride openings & closures. We have over a dozen step-by-step photo reports of our morning experiences at Magic Kingdom from the last few years, but those are mostly irrelevant (for now).

Suffice to say, a lot has changed at Magic Kingdom over the last year. This includes the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Country Bear Musical Jamboree and year-plus closure of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in F


One of our biggest complaints about mornings at Magic Kingdom
might
have just been eliminated now that Disney has introduced an updated Rope Drop procedure.

For years, the Early Entry Rope Drop procedure was one of our least favorite things about touring Magic Kingdom. But with the latest changes (we hope these are more than a test!), things are *finally* more structured and less chaotic.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what has changed and how we recommend you spend your time.

What is Early Entry at Magic Kingdom?

Early Entry is a perk for guests staying at Disney-owned hotels and select partner resorts, allowing them to enter Magic Kingdom 30 minutes before official opening and ride select attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

In the past, guests were held on the bridges near either Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. However, as of March 18, 2025, Disney has changed the process. Now, Early Entry guests are being allowed into the opened lands and into the lines as early as 7:45 AM (for an 8:30 Early Entry), though rides still do not open until 8:30 AM.

Why This Matters:


This new procedure eliminates the chaos of being squished together in a huge crowd of