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Celebrating America at Walt Disney World
Independence Day is right around the corner, and there are many ways to celebrate America in the Walt Disney World theme parks. Though Disney World is a place of magic and wonder, there’s plenty of edutainment sprinkled around these parks for the history buffs as well. Walt Disney the man was extremely patriotic; he enlisted in the military in 1917 to fight in World War I, designed insignia for military units during World War II, and eventually created the first major audio-animatronic in the figure of President Abraham Lincoln. Throughout his life and now in Disney parks, we can see and appreciate Walt’s love of our country.

Magic Kingdom

As you enter the park and step onto Main Street U.S.A., you are walking through the embodiment of small-town America, with all the necessities you’d see in a local downtown, including the Main Street Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, and Fire Station. Guests can shop at the Emporium, mail postcards from the Post Office Box, or get a haircut at Harmony Barber Shop. And of course, grab the quintessential convenient American food item – a hot dog from Casey’s Corner.

As you stroll down Main Street, you’ll smell popcorn wafting from the carts and hear the background ragtime music playing, immersing you in nostalgia. During the summer months, this gateway land is decorated with additional American flags and bunting, and it really gives you the Norman Rockwell Americana vibe, with the makings of a real downtown.

Visiting Liberty Square transports you to Colonial America, with Philadelphia and the Hudson River Valley of New York setting the stage for this immersive area. Centered by a replica Liberty Bell and the Liberty Tree, this entire land is classic Disney edutainment, intersecting history and fun. You can dine at Columbia Harbor House, themed after the many shipping ports Northeast, or grab a tasty waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow – complete with references to Ichabod Crane.

The major attraction in Liberty Square is Haunted Mansion, a fan-favorite many times over, but the Liberty Belle Riverboat is the visual marquee of this land. Docking just outside the Haunted Mansion, the Liberty Belle Riverboat is a working reproduction of the riverboats that traveled along the Mississippi River in the 19^th century and it (currently) travels along the Rivers of America, ferrying guests past Frontierland and around Tom Sawyer Island. This attraction is sadly set to close on July 7, 2025 to make way for the upcoming Cars attractions at Piston Peak, so this will be its last 4^th of July in operation. I do hope the Liberty Belle is dry-docked in Liberty Square when this area is reimagined – there is no better view than this beauty lit up at night.

If you are looking for a nice place to take an air-conditioned nap, the Hall of Presidents reopened from refurbishment just in time for 4^th of July and the summer heat. While this is a nice educational attraction that would be good to mention in a letter to a teacher if you are taking your kids out of school to visit Disney World, it’s one that I have skipped for many, many years. It is, however, 25-minutes long, so if you do need to rest your feet and your eyes, this is the spot.

And let’s not forget, “Great Moments in History (But Only the American Parts)” – this was a wonderful Muppets show that was performed from the windows of the buildings across from the Liberty Tree. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy, Gonzo, of course, Sam Eagle, took us through the founding of the country, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This was an absolute gem, especially if you didn’t know it was a thing and happened to stumble upon it.

A snippet from “Great Moments in History (But Only the American Parts)” circa 2016

Check out a full video of it I found here: The Muppets Present Great Moments In American History – Show 1 of 2 – Magic Kingdom Disney World)

If you are visiting Magic Kingdom in the evening, you can witness the Flag Retreat at 5pm every day, as the American Flag is lowered and the Star-Spangled Banner plays. This is a tribute to veterans to thank them for their service and dedication to our country. Veterans are often selected to assist with the ceremony, so if you are in the armed services feel free to chat with a Cast Member about participating. Note: The Flag Retreat time can be adjusted by 15 to 30 minutes depending on other events happening at the park that day. You can check with a Cast Member in City Hall on Main Street to confirm the time.

Extra Credit: Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress takes guests through the various decades in American culture, as depicted through four seasonal scenes. The “Roaring 20s” scene happens on “the hottest 4^th of July in years” as the family gets ready for the local Independence Day celebration. Our narrator talks about Babe Ruth, aviation travel from New York to California, and the invention of the radio. Carousel of Progress is a 20-minute long attraction, and with recently upgraded seats, it’s another great, air-conditioned naptime destination on a hot July day. Check out this scene here: Carousel of Progress – 4th of July

Extra Extra Credit: Guests staying at the Magic Kingdom Resorts can enjoy a patriotic finale to the Electrical Water Pageant, which runs nightly through the Seven Seas Lagoon after park close.

EPCOT

I will admit, I frequently skip the American Adventure Pavilion in the World Showcase. I suppose that’s because I live in the United States and have had to take US History classes, and would like to stamp my imaginary passport in other countries along the lagoon. Here a few worthwhile exhibits to check out as you celebrate America in EPCOT:

The Voices of Liberty ensemble perform stunning a cappella renditions of patriotic tunes throughout the year and put on a special performance of Echoing the Sound of America on July 4. You will feel inspired watching this 15-minute melodic performance, and it’s a treat to see the singers in their colonial costumes on the 4^th. (Showtimes are listed in the My Disney Experience app.)

Portraits of Courage, George W. Bush’s collection of oil paintings of military veterans, is on display until 2026. This is a great opportunity to see a collection of art depicting the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. Also within this pavilion is the American Adventure audio-animatronic stage show, a 35 min long trip through American history narrated by Ben Franklin and Mark Twain. This is another opportunity to rest your feet and enjoy some air-conditioning, and perhaps another nap. (I am noticing a trend, are you?)

Guests can celebrate regional American barbecue dishes (and our favorite Muppet, Sam Eagle) at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue. I am certainly not an expert on brisket or ribs, but the menu offerings cover cooking styles from Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, and North Carolina – and if you are looking for a fun culinary tour of American barbecue, this is a safe bet. The interior of the quick service restaurant is also adorned with American flag bunting and drapes, and perfectly fits the patriotic vibe of this pavilion.

Extra Credit: Over in the Land Pavillion, Living with the Land showcases the various types of landscapes in the USA and how we’ve farmed them over the years. This is a fun look at various ecosystems across the country, different from your own backyard.

Seasonal Snacks

Disney offers fun food and drinks each year for the 4^th of July, and you can snack patriotically with red, white, and blue themes and fireworks designs. A couple of Independence Day items offered in 2025 are the Red, White, and Blue Waffle at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments (a waffle topped with mixed berries, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and festive sprinkles), a Patriotic Cake Bar at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs (vanilla chiffon combined with passion fruit, orange, and guava juice), and a Red, White, and Blue Slushy in Liberty Square (frozen Fanta blue raspberry and Fanta cherry layered with whipped cream and topped with popping candies).

Fireworks!

In addition to the nightly fireworks offered at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT throughout the year, there are special offerings on 4^th of July. Nobody does fireworks like Disney, and the Independence Day displays really cannot be beat!
- Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky at Magic Kingdom July 3^rd and 4^th at 9:20p
- Heartbeat of Freedom following Luminous: A Symphony of Us at EPCOT showing on July 4^th only
If you’re not in the parks, you can enjoy the Magic Kingdom fireworks from any of the Magic Kingdom resorts around the Monorail loop, and can see the EPCOT show from the Crescent Lake resort area as well as the Dahlia Lounge in Coronado Springs Resort.

Please note that at the Polynesian Resort, guests will need to be staying at the Polynesian and will be provided with wristbands on July 3rd from resort cast members in order to enjoy the fireworks from the beach on July 3^rd and 4^th. The beach area is not open to the public for this event. There are no restrictions at either Grand Floridian Resort and Spa or the Contemporary Resort main building. Viewing from Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary Resort will be available for DVC members and guests only.

The Park that Never Was

Did you know that Disney planned to open a third theme park in Virginia, based on American History? It’s true! During the Eisner Era, conceptual art was created and permits requested to build another park in Haymarket, VA, called “Disney’s America.” The types of attractions that were drawn up were a military plane dog fight-style air show, a Lewis & Clark river expedition raft ride, and a roller coaster themed to the Industrial Revolution – all of these honestly sound pretty cool! Imagine Liberty Square on steroids, portraying the evolution of American society.

Like other Disney parks, the plans would have involved hotels, restaurants, and shopping locations. While it was praised by politicians, the idea was lambasted by historians and locals, with many raising serious concerns about the park’s planned proximity to the hallowed battlefields of the Civil War. Haymarket, VA is just 5 miles from Manassas National Battlefield Park.

“What the Disney Corporation plans to do is build a new city. They want to move in and destroy real history, in order to create facsimile – something synthetic, plastic. It doesn’t make sense. We object to the place they’ve picked. The issue is location.” – David McCullough, speaking against “Disney’s America” at a Protect Historic America event in May 1994.

These concerns were valid, and Disney obviously scrapped this project. While we can wonder what might have been if we did ever see this park built, we know for certain what they did instead with the money planned for Disney’s America – Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened just 4 years later in April 1998. (And for that, I am so thankful!)

Logistical Tips

Like any major holiday, the 4^th of July is extremely busy at Walt Disney World. With school out for the summer and people cashing in on holiday time, you can guarantee that the parks will be busy and the fireworks viewing areas will be shoulder-to-shoulder at night. (I waited 2 hours for Space Mountain on the 4^th of July in 2003; the line snaked outside into Tomorrowland. I remember just being happy when I got inside the ride building, and into the dark air-conditioned queue.) A little bit of prior planning can help ensure you don’t miss a minute of the fun during the big celebration:

#1. Decide how important the fireworks are for you and your group – does it make sense for you to scope out the perfect spot of hub grass and have a picnic dinner before the show? Or would you be happy to watch the fireworks from an attraction? Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Dumbo, The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (currently closed for refurbishment, but my personal favorite) are all great rides that you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from. (This isn’t an option at EPCOT.)

#2. Skip the parks during the fireworks show and watch from a nearby resort. I don’t usually mind a large crowd for fireworks, but it really is a different level of “packed” for a holiday like the 4^th of July, with fireworks being the big showstopper that everyone is there to see.

#3. Relax at the resort during the day (or perhaps head to a water park) and save your walking energy for the nighttime fun. Rope Drop to Fireworks is not for the faint of heart, especially in the summertime, and I would recommend either a long break in the middle of your day, or a resort day before the fireworks. This will ensure you have more patience in your tank as you head into the busy parks for an epic fireworks spectacular.

#4. Hydrate to feel great. You always need to stay hydrated in Florida, but the July (and August) heat can really be dangerous. Keep drinking H2O after the sun sets, and don’t let the nighttime fool you.

#5. Head to at least one attraction that focuses on the history of the USA. It will help you connect with the ideas that this country was founded on, and Walt would be proud.

Ready to plan your perfect summer vacation to Walt Disney World? Let’s map out your next Magical Quest today!!

References:

“Hit or Miss” The Imagineering Story, created by Leslie Iwerks, Season 1, Episode 4. Disney, 2019.

Walt’s Patriotism | The Walt Disney Family Museum
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July 1, 2025
Rainy Days in Disney World – How to Prepare for Disney Downpours
Just a heads up: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and buy an item, Magical Quests Blog might earn a tiny commission—no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping keep the magic going!

While Florida is known as “The Sunshine State,” it still sees its more than its fair share of rain events throughout the year. The rainy season in Florida is long, lasting from mid-May to mid-October, and covers the hottest months of the year as well. The June – September time frame in particular sees an average of 7 inches of rain per month, much of which falls during brief, heavy downpours and thunderstorms. Getting caught in a Disney Downpour is a rite of passage, but being prepared and knowing what attractions and activities will be accessible can make all the difference in your day.

Magic Kingdom

There are many outdoor attractions that will close during storms when lightning is in the area, but there are still plenty of attractions to keep the fun going at Magic Kingdom. Indoor attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, and many of the Fantasyland rides will stay open during downpours and lightning. This is also a great time to take in a show like Mickey’s PhilharMagic or Enchanted Tales with Belle, or meet characters who have indoor meet and greets, like Cinderella, Tiana, and Friends at Princess Fairytale Hall, as well as Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Sideshow. Always check the app to see which attractions are open and which close when lightning is nearby. I was surprised to learn that the canopy covering the outdoor section of Tron: Light/Cycle Run offers enough protection to allow the coaster to continue to run with lightning in the area.

Leaving the park during a downpour can be a bit of a nightmare. If you are not hopping on a Disney bus, you will be waiting for the Monorail which pauses during storms when lightning is in the area. The Magic Kingdom Ferry will continue to run, but you’ll be drenched if you get stuck on the outside deck. The Magic Kingdom Launch Boats to Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge will stop during severe weather as well (they’ll complete their last run, of course) so if you are staying at these resorts, plan to wait out the rain at the park.

EPCOT

EPCOT is, in my opinion, the best park to be in on a rainy day or during a downpour. Every ride attraction is fully indoors, and almost all of the queues are fully indoors as well. Even better, two rides are housed within The Land pavilion which also has character dining at Garden Grill and an often-overlooked quick service location at Sunshine Seasons. If you’re trapped for a longer rain delay, you can also check out Awesome Planet – a 10-minute long movie film of various ecosystems from across the globe, and how humans are impacting climate. One of the only attractions that will close, ironically, is Moana – Journey of Water. While the main cause of this is the potential for lightning in the area, it does close as if it were an outdoor ride.

If you find yourself in the World Showcase during a downpour, this is a great time to explore the exhibits and shops within each country pavilion. In Japan, you can pass time in Mitsukoshi, a replica of the famous department store that has everything from samurai swords to unique snacks to a pearl selection experience. Over in Mexico, you can watch glass blowing at La Princesa de Cristal, sample some tequila or mezcal at La Cava de Tequila, and say “Hola” to Donald and friends on Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros – all housed completely within the pavilion. A few other fun options are grabbing a beer in Canada and catching Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 (though it could use an update!), finding your family crest in the UK if your ancestors are from those countries, or listening to the Voices of Liberty perform inside the America Pavilion.

It’s important to note that in severe weather, Disney’s Skyliner will close – I certainly wouldn’t want to be stuck in a flying metal bucket in a lightning storm, would you? If you are staying at any of the Skyliner Resorts (Art of Animation, POP Century, Caribbean Beach, or Riviera) check the app before heading out of the park. Disney will run bus lines to these resorts if the Skyliner closes for a prolonged period.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The majority of the ride attractions at Hollywood Studios are indoors, making this a great park to be on a rainy day. While there are only 9 ride attractions at this park, only Slinky Dog Dash typically closes during heavy rain and lightning. However, outdoor shows will also typically close during rain and lightning, which will close the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular theater and the Beauty and the Beast theater. On a busy day, these two shows hold nearly 3,500 guests so you can see a ripple effect throughout the park — be prepared to wait a bit longer even for “filler” attractions like Star Tours – The Adventure Continues. You can avoid some of these longer lines by using MultiPass Lightning Lane, or you can use this opportunity to check out the indoor shows like the new villains show Unfairly Ever After, the recently returned Voyage of the Little Mermaid, or stretch out your vocal chords at For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Out of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom can have the biggest risk versus reward scenario on a rainy day. If there is no lightning in the area, some outdoor attractions will remain open, and the animals are more active in the cool rain than they are in the middle of a hot sunny day. Kilimanjaro Safaris is a fantastic attraction to hit during or immediately after a rain shower – if you’re lucky, you could catch the parade of elephants playing in their watering hole, lions stretching from their midday nap, or hippos walking around in the water. Both the Gorilla Falls Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek will remain open during brief showers, but will close during heavy rain, with or without lightning. Because of the nuanced closures and the fact that a couple of these attractions are specifically “walking paths,” it’s important to pack your patience and have a good poncho handy while exploring Animal Kingdom in the rain – but the animal activity that you get to experience is absolutely worth getting a little wet. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for real-time attraction closure updates.

A post-rain safari is a great time to catch some lion activity!

Prior Preparation Prevents Pour Performance

As Scar warns us in The Lion King, you have to Be Prepared in Walt Disney World. From packing your suitcase and prepping your park bag, to making sure you have the right weather forecast technology, it’s key to be equipped for whatever Mother Nature sends your way.

Packing

High-Quality Poncho

I prefer a slightly thicker poncho that doesn’t feel like I am wearing cling wrap, with a zipper or snap close in the front, and pockets. This makes it easier to put on quickly, and makes it easier to take off after you’ve slogged through a thunderstorm in 90-degree heat and 110% humidity. The thicker material actually feels a bit cooler because it doesn’t stick to your skin in the same way the cheap see-through ponchos do. Choose a poncho that you can easily reuse, and want to reuse. While the cheap ponchos are good for a one-time use, you’ll need to bring several with you on your trip during the rainy season, and might need to use more than one in a single day. Here is my choice for a durable poncho with a storage bag to bring to the parks: https://amzn.to/3Gbx1aL

Water Shoes

This one is a little odd but hear me out! Sometimes you head into the theme parks knowing full-well there will be a downpour while you are there. In the summertime, this is almost a guarantee. Rather than choosing between your “good” park shoes or your “back-up” park shoes, or doing mental math to figure out if your shoes will be dry enough for rope drop the next morning, consider bringing water shoes with you to the park. You’ll need to have a backpack or wet-dry bag large enough to put your shoes in, but a quick change as dark clouds are rolling in can keep you moving while others scatter for dry ground. It’s important to note that it is against park rules to walk around barefoot – make sure you are throwing on the new flippers quickly and not taking time to air out your toes. And, refrain from the urge to take off your shoes and splash around in puddles. (Or, you’ll be having a friendly conversation with a Cast Member before you can say Thunderbolts.) These are my preferred water shoes, with good grippy bottoms and a fun color scheme: https://amzn.to/4kke8Ar

Wet-Dry Bag

If you are following my tip above and are bringing water shoes to the park, a wet-dry bag will be clutch for post-storm fun. Downpours in Disney are typically brief, and guests can carry on with their park day shortly thereafter. But – if your sneakers are now soaked, it’s going to be an uncomfortable couple of hours of walking, and you might form some sort of ugly blister or chafing due to your wet shoes and hot weather. (Gross.) Wet-dry bags are lightweight, can fold up, and won’t take up much room in your park bag if they aren’t needed. It might seem a little “extra” but for me it is worth it to keep my dry shoes dry during the rain, and to contain my wet shoes after the storm clears and I’m back in my good shoes. Even if you aren’t using water shoes, it’s a good idea to throw flip flops in your bag. This is also great to have if you’re bringing an extra t-shirt with you. These wet-dry bags are available all over, but here is a link to a product on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4khVI3f

Second Pair of Park Shoes

You should always bring more than one pair of shoes with you to Disney World. You’ll need good comfortable footwear for walking long distances, pool sandals, maybe evening wear, or something casual when hanging out at the resort. But, if you get caught in the rain and aren’t prepared with a change of shoes for your next park day, your feet will be miserable in semi-soggy sneakers. I like to kill two birds with one stone and bring a pair of comfortable sandals that can be worn at the pool or for longer walking. Besides my trusty walking sneakers, I also pack these Sketchers brand sandals for pool time and evenings because they are good for a full park day as well if needed: https://amzn.to/3Tc18Sl

Weather Apps

While there is a myriad of weather-related apps you can download to any smartphone, I happened to chat with a Disney Cast Member about this in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, during an unexpected rain shower on a sunny day. I was headed to Kilimanjaro Safaris (obviously!) and she mentioned that they didn’t hear about this shower during their morning briefing. I said something to the effect of, “Wow, that’s some cool logistics to prep early in the day for delays. I didn’t see this on AccuWeather either.” And she responded something to the effect of, “AccuWeather ShmAccuWeather… WeatherBug is where it’s at. That’s what Disney uses!”

Considering there is a weather beacon in EPCOT where every app is getting their information from for the area, it’s interesting to hear that one app is favored over others for forecasting. But, since ride closures are linked to lightning in the area (even when it is not raining) it is helpful to have this app on your phone, so you can have a little insight into when/why attractions are closed, based off the data Disney is using in real time.

Staying Home – Resort Activities at Walt Disney World

A rainy day is a great time to hang out at your resort and take advantage of the amenities and activities offered. If you are staying at the Magic Kingdom Resorts, you can embark on a culinary adventure at the many top-tier restaurants and lounges available – Grand Floridian alone has more than 7 dining locations, including a character buffet at 1900 Park Fare, a Beauty and the Beast-themed lounge at Enchanted Rose, and Victoria & Albert’s, a Michelin-star restaurant. While the Monorail does close temporarily during severe weather, you will usually find that it runs during light-to-moderate rain (without lightning) and this can be a fun time to fit a Monorail Bar Crawl (or Snack Crawl!) into your trip. The Polynesian Resort and Village is home to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a must-do immersive bar experience, as well as Tamu Lounge – a great place to grab a bite while you wait for your “Table is Ready” text for the Grotto.

The Walt Disney World Resorts also offer recreational activities, many of which will continue during the rain. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests can create a String of Memories and collect beads at locations throughout the resort, learning about African culture along the way. Over at Port Orleans French Quarter, guests can partake in the Hidden Character Hunt and find photo props of Louis from Princess and the Frog throughout the resort. Most resorts offer pin trading, and all resorts have an arcade (typically located near the pool) to pass time on a rainy day. You can find these activities listed on your resort’s website in through the My Disney Experience app.

During hurricane closures, Disney Cast Members go above and beyond to ensure guests continue to have a fun time while hunkering down at their resort. Characters will often pop over and hang out in the lobby for impromptu and unscheduled greetings, and there are usually recreational activities held indoors.

Head to Disney Springs for a Shopping Day

If you’re looking to venture out from your resort but aren’t up for tackling the parks in the rain, Disney Springs offers over 90 stores and 60 dining locations to satisfy any shopaholic who sees a rainy day as a prime opportunity for a little retail therapy while on vacation. Disney Springs has everything from Disney and LEGO merchandise to high-end clothing, accessories, and art, and you can find souvenirs as well as essentials you may have forgotten to pack. I once went sneaker shopping at Disney Springs with a friend who had a rough day with her park sandals, and needed new footwear before we tackled Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure the next day. We got an errand done and then went out for drinks at Raglan Road! Win-win!

Disney recently announced that they will be opening at Level99 location at Disney Springs, and I am so excited! This social gaming experience for adults with mental and physical challenges, art installations, and craft beer and snacks will elevate the experiences offered at Disney Springs. Level99 will be located in the building that previously housed the NBA Experience, and Disney Quest (which I still miss!) and will offer the perfect rainy-day hang-out. (The opening date for this location has not yet been announced. Check out the official Disney Parks website for updates: LEVEL99 — Social Gaming Experience | Disney Springs)

You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather…

The key to having fun in Disney World on a rainy day is to just keep going! There is always something fun to do when the rain rolls in, and if you use the weather to your advantage, you’ll be able to see shows you may have cruised past before or try a sit-down restaurant you didn’t have time for on prior trips. Rainy days can force you to slow down and appreciate the comforts of your Disney resort, or they can show you just how much of a Diehard Disney Fan you really are, ready to tackle the parks no matter what Mother Nature has in store.

Ponchos? Check! Back-up Shoes? Check! WeatherBug alerts on? Check! Let’s plan your rainy season Magical Quest today!
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June 28, 2025
Why You Should NOT Rope Drop at Walt Disney World
Many longtime Disney theme park fans will tell you that waking up early and arriving at the gates for park opening, also known as “Rope Drop,” is the only way to have a successful day in Walt Disney World. While I am a huge proponent of hitting these early hours in Disney for reasons beyond low wait times (slightly cooler temperatures to name one!), it is certainly not for everyone. If setting your alarm whilst in Florida sounds like the antithesis of vacation, read on for my solid reasons against heading to Rope Drop at Disney World.

#1. If you’re not an early riser, do not change your sleep schedule at Disney. There is a lot of walking involved at these parks, even if you are not rushing from ride to ride. It’s also very hot and humid the vast majority of the time, and instead of being moderately tired, you will be EXHAUSTED after day 2 if you change your sleep schedule. Even if you ARE an early riser, it can be an aggressive, early morning to have everyone up and out (sometimes moving with serious hustle) before the sun is up. Many guests will be logging close to 20,000 steps per day at the theme parks, and if you hit a wall early on due to lack of sleep, you could find yourself scheduling an unplanned rest day later during your visit.

#2. Arriving for Rope Drop doesn’t mean you aren’t waiting at all. Your wait is at the bus stop, getting through a longer security line, waiting outside the gates to be let in, getting scanned again to show your resort reservation, waiting again outside of a specific land or ride. It’s actually a LOT of waiting, you just aren’t waiting during park hours when you could be doing other things. For some, this logic isn’t enough to justify setting a 6am alarm.

#3. Rope Drop can be a bit stressful! Once the gates open you are rushing (but not running) to your first ride. You can take a leisurely pace if you want, but most guests will keep up with traffic. You might want to stop and take pictures of the park icon but depending on what your plan is for that morning, it is probably not a great idea. For example, if you are at Magic Kingdom Rope Drop and are trying to make it to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, that beautiful Castle picture absolutely has to wait until after the ride, or even later, since most of the crowd is headed to that queue. (I have sacrificed about 10 minutes of line time at Avatar Flight of Passage for a quick sunrise picture of the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom Rope Drop though, it was worth it for me.)

#4. Any hiccup in the day, especially due to things completely out of your control, can deter your morning and leave you feeling like you’ve missed out. While there is always another attraction to ride, it can feel frustrating if you’ve planned every step of your morning around riding a certain popular attraction at Rope Drop, only to have it not open in the morning (which can happen from time to time). Or, maybe there was a transportation snafu or delay leaving your resort, and you are now at the back of the crowd. If you didn’t also purchase Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, you could find yourself waiting in a long queue later.

In January 2024 I made it to Rope Drop at EPCOT on my departure day, which is a feat itself. I fully intended to ride Frozen Ever After, only to receive a notification from the app upon entering the park that it would be closed for unscheduled maintenance all day. I was bummed because I hadn’t been on this attraction in several trips (specifically because I didn’t want to wait for it!) but I don’t mind a pivot. At this time, though, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind was still on virtual queue, so I hustled all the way to France and waited about 20 minutes for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Considering that’s a 12 minute walk from the front of the park at a fast pace, that was my entire Early Entry Rope Drop. Not exactly an efficient use of my morning.

#5. Recent updates to Lightning Lane MultiPass and Virtual Queues at Disney World let guests plan ahead and sleep in. In the past, Lightning Lane bookings only opened up at 7am on the day of your visit, and were only for “next available” time slots. With the updated MultiPass system, guests can pick three rides based on tiered levels, 7 days in advance of their arrival when staying onsite. (Individual Lightning Lanes can also be booked in advance.) This allows guests to plan out their visit and sleep in if they want, with the ability to choose return times as well. If you visited the parks in the 2010’s, this is just a paid version of the old FastPass+ system, and for non-local guests it is vastly superior to the prior iterations of this service post-COVID.

Disney World also moved its last Virtual Queue attraction to standby wait in 2025, which previously required frantic button-mashing on your phone (and a silent prayer) at 7am to obtain a “boarding group” for newer rides like TRON Lightcycle / Run. With the end of Virtual Queue (for now), you no longer need to wake up early just to have a chance at racing for Team Blue. With these updates, Disney has once again made it easy sleep in, grab breakfast at the resort, and waltz into the park whenever you are ready.

#6. Speaking of grabbing breakfast at the resort – while there some options available very early in the morning, you really need to be prepared to have some sort of breakfast in your room at an obscenely early hour or bring a snack with you to the park for a successful Rope Drop. I have made the mistake of not eating a snack during a Rope Drop morning and becoming viciously hungry by 10a, which can damper a lovely time. And, because of the stressful timetables you are working within to make the most of the morning, it would be very inefficient to stop for a breakfast bite when you arrive at the parks. If eating on the go isn’t your vibe, Rope Drop might not be either.

#7. Strategically utilized queues are not the worst thing at Disney World. Many of the queues in the parks are indoors and air conditioned, and sometimes a 30-minute wait in low-lit tunnels for Space Mountain is exactly what you need. When I am at the mercy of the crowds, I will choose to wait for rides that will give me a respite from the heat (EPCOT is ideal for this, with almost all indoor queues) or see a show for a nice 20 to 30 minute seated break.

Don’t want to wake up early and don’t want to wait in lines? That’s the dream! And luckily, there are other strategies for avoiding peak wait times that don’t involve setting a wake-up call from Mickey Mouse (though, that is still fun to do regardless).

#1. One of the best ways to capitalize on low waits at night is to skip the fireworks. GASP! For some this is a hard pass, but if you have more than one evening at the parks, consider just seeing the fireworks once. At Magic Kingdom you can often enjoy a lot of rides during the fireworks, and some will offer a great view – rides like the PeopleMover in Tomorrowland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Frontierland, and Dumbo in Fantasyland can really create a magical Disney moment during the fireworks. While EPCOT does close at the start of the Luminous: A Symphony of Us (meaning you need to be in line just before the show begins), Magic Kingdom is typically open for a bit after the fireworks end. There will be shorter wait times between the end of the show and closing as well, because many families start to head home. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, wait times will go down as the amphitheater fills up for Fantasmic! – which can hold up to 6,900 seated guests, and has standing room for about 3,000 more.

#2. At any park, you can hop in line for an attraction up until (approximately) one minute before the park closes. That means that if there is a 20-minute posted wait for Tower or Terror, or even at 60-minute wait for Rock’N’Roller Coaster, you can get in line at 8:59pm for a 9:00pm park closure. This follows the same logic as waiting prior to park opening at Rope Drop, in that you are not waiting during operational hours. (And of course, if you get to a ride and the queue is closed, don’t argue with the Cast Member!)

#3. Depending on the time of year, the early afternoon can have a little lull as early risers head to the exits for a midday break, and you can capitalize on some low-to-moderate wait times. If you live in a hot and humid climate and are comfortable with the high temperatures, you can take advantage of lower crowds as other guests leave during peak heat times. (It’s me, I am the one leaving!)

#4. If you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort on Disney property, you can enjoy Extended Evening hours, allowing for 2 extra hours after official park closing, 2 nights per week. This is usually held at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT during non-holiday seasons, with Magic Kingdom often running until 1am, and EPCOT until 11pm. When there are Halloween or Christmas parties happening at Magic Kingdom from August – December, Extended Evening hours will be offered at either Animal Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is a great way to experience attractions with low wait times and avoid the blistering heat of the day.

If you are staying at a Deluxe resort and want to work this into your trip, I would plan for a resort/pool day or some other relaxing daytime activity, so you are rested and ready to go later. Shows and other entertainment are typically not offered, but the ride attractions are – and what’s better than flying through the lit-up canopy of TRON Lightcycle / Run at night?!

Choose, but choose wisely… What is the best strategy for your group?

Do I head to Rope Drop every day of my Disney trips? No way! But, on those days that I am sleeping in a little and taking my time, I am definitely utilizing Lightning Lane Multi-Pass or planning to head to the parks again at night to make the most of my evening.

If you are worried that you’re going to miss out on the fun by sleeping in a little on vacation, don’t be. Sometimes Rope Drop is not all it’s cracked up to be, and there are plenty of other ways to avoid long waits in the parks to keep the magic going.

Ready to hit the snooze button and luxuriate all day in Disney World? Wondering how to layer MultiPass bookings, Extended Evening hours, and resort days to craft the perfect relaxed itinerary? As an Authorized Disney Travel Agent, I can be your expert guide to the magic. Let’s map out your next Magical Quest today!

P.S. Are you curious about the pros of planning to Rope Drop the theme parks? Here are my reasons for Rope Drop in Disney!
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May 18, 2025