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Disney’s Rope Drop Proves Dangerous As Scooter Causes Guest Injury

disneyland-scooter-incident

Rope drop at Disney’s theme parks can be a scary experience.

Though theme parks have a variety of health and safety protocols in place, with thousands of Guests enjoying the magic of theme parks daily, accidents, falls, and injuries are sometimes an unwanted occurrence during a trip.

Disney Parks like Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as water parks like Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, create magic for Guests every day, but it doesn’t mean they’re not prone to incidents and accidents from time to time.

“Rope drop” is Disney terminology for the time when a theme park opens for the day, a time that can be chaotic, busy, and fill Guests with adrenaline.

And for one Guest at rope drop, their experience became a perilous trek to their favorite attraction!

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Credit: Disney Tips

Being at a Disney Park for its opening (or “rope drop”) is a crucial decision for many Disney Guests to get that popular attraction done with little to no line.

Rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Radiator Springs Racers, Avatar Flight of Passage, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Slinky Dog Dash are often seen with swarms of Guests running towards them at rope drop in Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

But with crowds increasing at theme parks since their pandemic reopenings and Park Pass Reservations booking up, it’s no surprise that rope drops have become hectic – and sometimes dangerous.

One unlucky Guest found out the hard way at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, when they experienced a scooter injury when entering the Park:

She literally darted in front of me and ran over my foot ? #disneyplusvoices #disney #disneyland #ropedrop #ouch #intheairtonight #disneyadults #fyp

@kisstiana656

She literally darted in front of me and ran over my foot ? #disneyplusvoices #disney #disneyland #ropedrop #ouch #intheairtonight #disneyadults #fyp

♬ original sound – Cheryl Otis

 

TikTok user @kisstiana656 is shown in their video to suffer a foot injury as a Guest in a scooter (or ECV) runs over their foot when walking through Fantasyland.

Of course, the Guest in the scooter probably has the same adrenaline-filled goal to get to their favorite attraction but is clearly not looking where they are going in their mission.

Guest services at Walt Disney World offers ECV rentals for $50 per day on a first-come, first-served basis, alongside scooter rentals, stroller rentals, and wheelchair rentals. Although seeing so many of these around busy theme parks can be frustrating for Guests, they are of course essential for certain Guests and families to be able to navigate Disney’s huge Parks. 

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Credit: Disney

We highly recommend hitting Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom at rope drop if you want to ride a popular attraction without the need to purchase Disney Genie+.

With a posted opening time of 9:00 a.m., you will likely be able to scan your entry ticket at the gate as early as 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. At Magic Kingdom, for example, will be allowed onto Main Street, U.S.A. and the hub around the castle, with the entrances to the various lands (Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, etc.) blocked by ropes.

You should position yourself at the rope closest to the attraction you want to experience first. You will then be positioned ahead of the hundreds of Guests who don’t show up early for “rope drop.”

Just watch out for rogue scooters!

About Melissa Cannioto

Melissa is an author, adventurer, and chatterbox, who has worked at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Adventures by Disney! A British native, she has traveled the world seeking new experiences, and now resides in Florida with her husband, an Air Force pilot. Find her children's book at @bear.hug.book