[acarballo]

The Animal Kingdom rope drop is a lot of fun, if you care to check it out!

Ciao,
Alfredo

[rhodisney]

I read somewhere that the "kiss goodnight," is actually after the fireworks and as everyone is leaving the parks. The different colors of light that bathe the castle "kiss" it goodnight. Is that not correct?? I also enjoy hanging out around the lagoon at Epcot till almost all the people have left the area. As you go slowly towards the exit. there are always several cast members from the different countries on a bridge (by thefountain)?? and they wave goodbye to you and wish you a goodnight. "Nice touch to a great evening", I thought.

[rhodisney]

We came upon the MK rope drop quite by accident one Tues. I had always been able to enter 1/2 hr. to an hour before scheduled time just to Main St., and I took care of all my shopping then. I arrived this particular day at 8:30 expecting to just walk in as normal, and was really irritated that we had to wait behind the rope till the stroke of 9 a.m. When the train arrived carrying all the characters I was moved to tears when it finally hit me that I wasn't in Kansas anymore,(or in my case Louisiana)and I was actually at the Magic kingdom. After a couple of songs, the family chosen for that day dusted the crowd with pixie dust and the park officially opened. My 24 yr. old was so happy with this little added bit of magic, we've specifically planned this "event" into our MK day!!!

[BDavis932]

Originally Posted by rhodisney

We came upon the MK rope drop quite by accident one Tues. I had always been able to enter 1/2 hr. to an hour before scheduled time just to Main St., and I took care of all my shopping then. I arrived this particular day at 8:30 expecting to just walk in as normal, and was really irritated that we had to wait behind the rope till the stroke of 9 a.m. When the train arrived carrying all the characters I was moved to tears when it finally hit me that I wasn't in Kansas anymore,(or in my case Louisiana)and I was actually at the Magic kingdom. After a couple of songs, the family chosen for that day dusted the crowd with pixie dust and the park officially opened. My 24 yr. old was so happy with this little added bit of magic, we've specifically planned this "event" into our MK day!!!

You have made me decide that on our trip in May that we are actually going to get up early enough to see it one morning!

Thank you!!!! It sounds so sweet!

[nicatene1]

I saw the rope drop for the first time in December. What a cute event. DD loved watching the characters and it just added a little more magic to our day at MK. By the way, does anyone know how the special family gets chosen?

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by nicatene1

By the way, does anyone know how the special family gets chosen?

People have asked this question many many times over the years, not only for the Rope Drop ceremony, but for the Grand Marshalls of the parades.

Having been fortunate to have my family selected as Grand Marshalls, I can assure that it's completely random and unpredictable.

My guess is that they tend to target couples and small families (6 or less) who seem to be well-behaved and reflective of what Disney considers to be ideal guests.

The odds of being selected are incredibly small, which is why I consider ourselves to be so lucky to have been chosen.

[KarenT]

My 4 y/o DD loves the opening of the MK. We get there early just to watch it everytime we go. It is worth seeing !

[tink74]

What happens during the AK open? The last two trips, I made sure my bunch was there early to catch the event (since I had read on allears that it was great), but nothing really ever happened. There were CM's with small animals, but that was it...is that all there is to it? I was hoping for some characters.

[LuvDisney24]

Wow!!! It's been a long time...Do they still do the rope drop at MK??? Leaving in 10 days!!!

[jimbo]

how long does it take?? and do the characters stay around for you to get photos with ?

It sounds like something you should see once in your life

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by jimbo

how long does it take?? and do the characters stay around for you to get photos with ?

It sounds like something you should see once in your life

Takes about 10 minutes and I don't know if the characters stick around.

They don't do it on EMH mornings. There's actually a schedule for MK ropedrop.
YouTube - Magic Kingdom Opening there are a bunch of videos on youtube

[LuvDisney24]

How early do you suggest we get there????

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by Dopey

Takes about 10 minutes and I don't know if the characters stick around.

They don't do it on EMH mornings. There's actually a schedule for MK ropedrop.
YouTube - Magic Kingdom Opening there are a bunch of videos on youtube

Thanks for that

[mickeysgirlz]

At least 20 minutes before opening. The characters are up high, they pull in on the train.

The last 3x I was at MK, there were character meet and greets right after you enter the turnstiles.

They do rope drop ceremonies at all the parks now.

[gingles]

Originally Posted by rhodisney

I read somewhere that the "kiss goodnight," is actually after the fireworks and as everyone is leaving the parks. The different colors of light that bathe the castle "kiss" it goodnight. Is that not correct?? I also enjoy hanging out around the lagoon at Epcot till almost all the people have left the area. As you go slowly towards the exit. there are always several cast members from the different countries on a bridge (by thefountain)?? and they wave goodbye to you and wish you a goodnight. "Nice touch to a great evening", I thought.

You're close, but that's not quite all. Everyone should stay for the kiss at least once. We do every trip since we found out (it's a tradition, I guess).