Menu

Top Disney World Attractions You MUST Do at Rope Drop

Credit: Disney

There are so many amazing experiences that Guests can enjoy while on vacation in Walt Disney World, so may so that it can actually feel overwhelming at times trying to do it all. One of the biggest things that Guests can do to make sure that they have the best vacation ever is to be smart about their time management to avoid losing precious hours that could otherwise be spent enjoying attractions, restaurants, and more.

Credit: Disney

One way to save a lot of time is by prioritizing certain attractions to be enjoyed first thing in the mornings before the Disney Parks experience heavier crowds and wait times become longer. These attractions are all very popular ones that tend to have long wait times for most of the day. Enjoying these attractions first thing in the morning is a great way to have the experience without losing lots of time waiting in line.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – One of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom is located right in the middle of Fantasyland. It is a favorite of many Guests thanks to its perfect combination of thrills and beloved characters. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train whisks Guests around a mountain on a mine train comprises individual carts that independently sway with each twist and turn. Not only can Guests enjoy the thrills and views of Fantasyland, but they can also move through the mines where the Dwarfs are hard at work collecting gems and singing the classic “Heigh-Ho.”

Credit: Disney

Space Mountain – Space Mountain is another popular attraction in the Magic Kingdom that many Guests enjoy experiencing, often resulting in lengthy waits. Located in Tomorrowland, the attraction brings Guests to Starport 75, an intergalactic transportation hub where they can board rockets and blast off into the inky darkness of space. With twists, turns, and drops occurring in the darkness, Guests love to enjoy the surprising adventure on the Alpha or Omega tracks.

Credit: Matthew Cooper: www.thetimethespace.com

Peter Pan’s Flight – A classic attraction that many consider being a must-do experience in the Magic Kingdom notoriously also has very long wait times. Peter Pan’s Flight sprinkles Guests with pixie dust and has them soar high over London and Neverland aboard flying pirate ships. Featuring classic characters and scenes from the Disney animated film, the attraction is fun for the entire family and brings the magic of flying to life. While the standby line is beautiful in detail and brings Guests through the Darling’s home and nursery, visiting first thing in the morning definitely saves lots of time!

Test Track Presented by Chevrolet – EPCOT is home to several popular attractions that are quieter in the mornings and accrue lengthier wait times as the days go on. Test Track Presented by Chevrolet is situated in Future World East. It allows Guests the opportunity to get creative and design unique SIM cars that are then put to the test in a series of scenarios. Guests can experience the thrill of an antilock brake test, zip around tight curves, and finish the experience with a high-speed loop around the attraction’s exterior with a thrilling tilted angle. After disembarking, Guests can also check out a scoreboard to see how their designs rated in efficiency, capability, responsiveness, and power.

Credit: Disney

Frozen Ever After – Another great attraction to opt to enjoy first thing in the morning in EPCOT is Frozen Ever After in the Norway Pavilion of the World Showcase. The attraction is a favorite of many Guests after the huge popularity of the film and sequel. Frozen Ever After welcomes Guests into the kingdom of Arendelle, where Elsa is hosting a summer celebration. Guests board Nordic boats and set off through a series of scenes where they can spot favorite characters, including Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, and hear hit songs, including “Let It Go,” which Elsa sings from her ice castle’s balcony.

Credit: Disney

Slinky Dog Dash – Of the four Disney Parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to the biggest thrills, and several attractions can have very long wait times as the days progress. Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land is one of those top-rated attractions, and Guests who want to enjoy it should opt for it first thing in the morning. Once onboard Slinky himself, Guests can launch into a track that Andy built himself and enjoy curves, small drops, and camel hump hills that provide Guests with moments of feeling weightless.

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run – Star Wars fans flock to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to enjoy the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. They can take part in their own galactic adventure and even pilot a famous ship. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run invites Guests to board the ship made famous by Han Solo and embark on an adventure to smuggle goods for Hondo. Each adventure is completely unique as the six Guests in the cockpit have to work together in real-time as pilots, gunners, and engineers to have a successful mission.

Credit: Disney

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – The fastest and most thrilling attraction in all of Walt Disney World is also found in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the end of Sunset Boulevard. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith begins with Guests touring G Force Records and ends with a high-speed race across town to make it to the Aerosmith concert on time with VIP passes. Guests board super stretch limos and rocket through the neon lights of nighttime in Los Angeles while experiencing a zero-to-sixty in seconds launch and several inversions. Since this is the only true high-speed roller coaster with inversions in Walt Disney World, Guests are smart to enjoy it first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Credit: Disney

Avatar Flight of Passage – The attraction that has consistently had the highest wait times in recent years is located in Pandora – The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Avatar Flight of Passage is a thrilling and immersive attraction that allows Guests to link with an Avatar and experience the Na’vi rite of passage of flying on the back of a banshee through the Valley of Mo’ara. Each Guests boards an innovative seat that is similar to a motorcycle and suddenly finds themselves in front of a massive 3D screen that takes them on an unforgettable adventure through the breathtaking world of Pandora. Combining amazing technology, thrills, and beautiful scenes, Avatar Flight of Passage is a must-do attraction that has long wait times during any day, so Guests are smart to visit first thing in the morning.

Kilimanjaro Safaris – Another popular attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is worth visiting first thing in the morning for two reasons. Kilimanjaro Safaris has Guests board authentic safari vehicles and explore the Harambe Reserve for up-close encounters with animals such as elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, cheetahs, and more. Since the attraction offers such a unique experience, it tends to be busy throughout the day, making it a great choice to visit early on to avoid the wait. But Kilimanjaro Safaris is also a great choice to visit in the early mornings. The animals tend to be more active thanks to cooler temperatures and breakfast being put out throughout the habitats by Cast Members.

Credit: Disney

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane first started visiting Walt Disney World when she was two years old, and despite spending most of that trip quarantined with the chicken pox she managed to fall in love with the place. Visiting WDW every year since, she especially loves learning all about the history and small details of the parks and eating/drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each fall. When she's not in Disney, Caitlin lives in New York and spends her time counting down the days to her next trip.