Everything you need to know about the new start to the day at the Magic Kingdom

Jan 09, 2017 in "Magic Kingdom"

New Magic Kingdom rope drop procedure
Posted: Monday January 9, 2017 12:11pm EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Magic Kingdom began its new start-of-day experience today, aimed at improving the guest arrival process.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of your next trip.

Early entry onto Main Street U.S.A.

Instead of being held at the main entrance area, the tap-styles now open at least an hour ahead of regular park opening, meaning that typically you can now enter the park at 8am when the park opens at 9am. PhotoPass is on hand for photo opportunities with a less crowded background.

Breakfast and Shopping

Entry to Main Street U.S.A. early gives more time for shopping and breakfast before the park officially opens. All of the shops are open, as is the Main Street Bakery Starbucks. Casey's Corner is also open, with a breakfast menu including Muffins, Bagels, Croissant Doughnuts, Corn Dogs, and Hash Brown Dog.

Rope Drop

Although Main Street U.S.A. opens an hour early, none of the attractions are open, and ropes block entry to each land.

Guests congregate at each rope as soon as they are allowed onto Main Street, with Fantasyland and Tomorrowland being among the most popular.

Let the Magic Begin welcome show

In place of the Welcome Show on the Main Street U.S.A. train station, a new opening moment takes place on the Cinderella Castle forecourt stage. The 5 minute "Let the Magic Begin" show begins at 8:55am on most days, culminating in the rope drop at the entrance to each land.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

View all comments →

ToTBellHopMar 15, 2017

That's the norm. The counter service breakfast places open at 8.

DryerLintFanMar 15, 2017

When I first heard of this I thought it was going to be like a corn dog but with a tater tot shell, lol. Which sounds amazing! But this,... I could definitely pass on this.

DisneyDreamer08Mar 15, 2017

Just a bit of an update in regards to EMH/8am opening. Kenny the Pirate is there now according to FB. He tapped his band at 7:15 but everyone is being held at the entrance to the tunnel. Someone commented that this same thing happened to them a few weeks ago and they weren't let in til 7:55. Does anyone know if this is the norm? It could certainly throw off some plans if you were hoping to grab an early breakfast.

wdriveMar 09, 2017

They open at normal park opening

slackhouseMar 09, 2017

we went to MK on the Sunday of the Princess Race (2/26). Due to the road closures, it took us an hour to get from PO FQ to MK (including the bus dropping us off at the Transportation Center, and us having to take the monorail to MK). We arrived at MK maybe at 9:05 or 9:10. There was maybe a 10 minute wait to see Mickey and the Tinker Bell line was way, way shorter. I had this same question and didn't really know what to do. We just kind of winged it and it worked out okay for us. We weren't there early enough to see if it was open prior to 9 though.

ml123_9Mar 09, 2017

So with the new procedure, is the meet and greet for The Main Cheese and/or Tink opening early, or are people queing up and waiting for it to open at normal time?

Mark P.Feb 17, 2017

There's no mention of EMH in that post.

cjkeatingFeb 17, 2017

When did e-a-s-y-w-d-w become an enemy of the site?

wdriveFeb 17, 2017

This may be of some help http://www.*******.com/easy/blog/magic-kingdom-seven-dwarfs-mine-train-rope-drop-with-new-opening-procedure/ EDIT: The website seems to be an enemy of WDWMagic. Put 'e-a-s-y-w-d-w' without the dashes in place of the stars.

Mark P.Feb 16, 2017

It's been a few weeks now -- does anyone have any update on the EMH situation? Our current plan has us at MK from "rope drop" to close (with an obligatory midday Mizner's break) on a day with AM EMH, and while seeing the show isn't a "must-do" I'm curious how it will affect crowd flow that morning...

GoofyernmostJan 30, 2017

This is how I think they figured it out. 1. Main Street USA. 2. Adventureland, 3. Frontierland. 4. Liberty Square. 5. Fantasyland. 6. Tomorrowland and 7. What used to be Toon Town or Mickeys place or whatever they called it. Which was torn down and became part of Fantasyland again. Or 6 lands now.

HauntedMansionFLAJan 29, 2017

Are lines longer now at 9 till 10?

slackhouseJan 24, 2017

Any insight into how this affects lines for Mickey and Tink at Town Square Theater? Is it open when guests are waiting for the new show to start? We normally go straight to see Mickey at rope drop on our 2nd MK day. I need to know if I need to adjust plans to get there early now that this change is in effect.

NannaaaJan 23, 2017

I am interested in an answer to this as well. Whoever gets to experience Extra Magic Hours with the new rope drop, please post.