Animal Kingdom Rope Drop

Being at Animal Kingdom for rope drop is important if you want to beat the crowds and go on rides with little to no wait. The following tips will help you make the most of Rope Drop at Animal Kingdom. Note that Disney occasionally tinkers with its opening procedures, so the information here is subject to change.

Animal Kingdom generally allows guests through the turnstiles anywhere from 30-60 minutes prior to official opening depending on the time of year and expected crowd. You can walk through the Oasis to Discovery Island, where you'll be held behind one of a few ropes near the entrances to the various lands. Near opening time, Disney cast members will lead guests to their first attractions. You'll be able to tell which one is the path to Pandora because 95% of guests will be there.
If you are riding Flight of Passage first, you should arrive 60 minutes prior to opening. That attraction often begins operating 15-30 minutes before the park officially opens, so you can be getting off of the ride at park opening if you're in the front 10% of the crowd. Other attractions do not begin running until park opening.
The rightmost turnstiles are reserved for character breakfast guests only and thus have no lines. However, once the other turnstiles start operating, all park guests are allowed through these turnstiles. To shorten your wait at the turnstiles, you may be able to hover near these "breakfast only" turnstiles and then jump in line quickly once the turnstiles start running for everyone.
Since the paths of the Oasis are narrow, it is difficult to pass people. For this reason, it behooves you to be at the front of the pack at rope drop.
If you want to ride Expedition Everest first, going through Dinoland U.S.A. to get to the attraction may get you there faster than following the cast members through Asia past Yak and Yeti.

Video Outlining the Procedure for Riding Flight of Passage At Park Opening

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