re: My Disney World Thanksgiving Trip Report

Most days the parks open at 9am but they let people through security/gates an hour before to a portion of the park. For instance, in Magic kingdom they let you into the Main Street area and the Hub at 8am but stop you at each of the “spokes” leading to each land. There’s a park opening show in front of the castle that technically “opens” the park just before 9am. Rope dropping means you’re getting to the park well before park opening to be there when the “ropes” blocking you to each land drops and the crowd floods in.

Don’t think you are going to beat crowds by showing up at 9am. Plan to show up 30mins-1 hour before park opening. Going though bag check/security always takes longer than u think.