rope dropping the disney parks

The siren song of a Disney vacation beckons, promising magical memories and thrilling rides. But seasoned Disney goers know the truth: the parks can be a battleground against crowds and scorching Florida sun. Enter a surprising tip for consideration: ditch the rope drop strategy and arrive at the parks later in the day.

The first time I brought my kids to Walt Disney World, I was eager to get out the door and to the parks early. That is after all, what my research had told me was the best strategy for doing a Disney vacation with young kids. So imagine my surprise when my daughter wanted nothing to do with getting out the door early, but instead preferred to leisurely wake up on her own schedule (which was well after the time we needed to leave in order to rope drop!). So we called an audible and have been arriving at the parks well after rope drop ever since!

Why does this strategy work?

You can embrace the afternoon dip in crowds:

Disney World parks often see their peak attendance in the mornings. By arriving in the afternoon, you might encounter shorter wait times for popular rides. You can strategically schedule Lightning Lane Single Pass or Lightning Lane Multi Pass during busier mornings while enjoying a leisurely resort poolside escape in the afternoon.

A later arrival offers an escape from the midday sun:

Florida heat is no joke. The afternoon sun can be brutal, especially for young children. Arriving later allows you to maximize cooler evening temperatures, making the park experience more comfortable for everyone. Enjoy nighttime shows and fireworks with a refreshing breeze instead of battling the midday heat.

spaceship earth lit up at night at epcot

It allows you to experience the Magic of Disney After Dark:

Walt Disney World transforms at night. Park lighting becomes even more immersive, rides take on a whole new feel, and nighttime spectaculars like fireworks and character projection shows come alive. Seeing Cinderella Castle illuminated or catching the dazzling lights of Spaceship Earth during nighttime hours can be a truly magical experience.

How does this strategy work?

For us, we will typically purchase Multi Pass as well as Lighting Lane Single Pass for the parks if we are visiting during a busier time so that we can ensure that we are riding our must-do attractions. However, when we visit during the late summer, the crowds are very low and so we take advantage of these low crowds by spending the mornings in the pools and waiting until 3 PM or 4PM in the afternoon to head to the parks. By the time we arrive, many of the attractions and rides have posted wait times below 15-20 minutes and we simply choose which ones we want to experience prior to the parks closing. Another strategy to extend your park hours even further into the evening is to stay at a Deluxe Resort for their extended evening hours or purchase an After Hours or special event party ticket, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party that typically takes place on select nights between August and October.

Planning Your Later Arrival Strategy:

  • Resort Pool Time: Take advantage of your Disney resort amenities! Relax by the pool, grab a poolside lunch, and let the crowds thin out before heading to the parks.
  • Character Dining: Book a character dining experience for an earlier time slot. This lets you enjoy a delicious meal and meet favorite characters while the parks are busiest.
  • Nighttime Shows and Fireworks Research: Plan your park visit around the nighttime entertainment you most want to see. Arrive in time for the evening spectacular and enjoy shorter wait times for rides beforehand.

Remember, the perfect Disney World experience is all about what works for you! While mornings offer a certain energy, a later arrival can be a strategic way to dodge crowds, enjoy cooler weather, keep both young kids and teens happy, and experience the magic of the parks in a whole new light!

a photo of liz larochelle standing in front of one of the disney parks castles

You can find Liz LaRochelle over on her Facebook Page or her Instagram handle, @sharethemagicwithliz