Rope drop at Disneyland Park: where to go first

Why mornings matter

An early start can fit several rides into the day before queues build. This is a suggested route, not a promise that the first 90 minutes always have the shortest waits. Early Entry for Disneyland hotel guests has ended; check the posted opening and any special arrangements for your date.

• Check how busy your date will be

Before the rope drops

• Allow time for parking, security and the walk to the entrance. Our 45–60-minute target is a buffer, not a requirement; arriving earlier means more waiting before opening.
• Choose your first land before arriving. Follow Cast Member directions and walk to the designated holding area.
• Eat beforehand or bring breakfast. A sit-down meal can use the morning time you wanted for rides.

Route A: Fantasyland first

1. Start with Peter Pan’s Flight if it is a priority and the line is still manageable. If it is already long, start with the neighboring rides instead.
2. Continue to Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. They are close together; how many you finish depends on the day.
3. Try Matterhorn Bobsleds on the way out, then Space Mountain if the posted wait still suits your group. Check height requirements before choosing these two.

Route B: coasters first

Try Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, adapting to the posted waits and any delayed openings. This is a larger walking loop; Fantasyland is the simpler choice for a group focused on smaller rides.

When to try Rise of the Resistance

It is a long walk from the hub and can have a delayed start. Check its status after your first rides rather than building the whole morning around it. A later opportunity may work, but there is no guaranteed mid-morning dip. Check its own operating hours before saving it for evening.

Closures and changing parks

Use the live box below for ride status; a dated closure list can become wrong quickly. With eligible Park Hopper admission, begin at your reserved starting park and follow today’s crossover rules in the Disneyland app. Availability and capacity restrictions still apply.