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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Rope Drop at Disney: Worth It or Way Too Early? (Ep. 2)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Places & Travel, Society & Culture

4.71.5K Ratings

🗓️ 17 September 2025

⏱️ 23 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this second episode of The Case For with Chris Cox, the gavel drops on one of the earliest theme park traditions. Rope dropping: brilliant strategy or brutal wake-up call? Chris Cox and Len Testa make their cases while Judge Jim Hill listens for signs of sleep deprivation and theme park strategy gone too far. What’s on trial this week: The origins of rope dropping and why the ropes are mostly symbolic these days How jet lag gives UK visitors a secret advantage Whether staying at a Disney resort is now a requirement to rope drop effectively First-family perks, empty Main Streets, and cinnamon rolls the size of your face Why reverse jet lag might make “closing the park” the new rope drop TouringPlans data on who actually does rope drop and what the stats say Pro tips for maximizing your early hours and what not to rope drop Have you set an alarm for 5 a.m. to ride Rise of the Resistance? Or are you happy to sleep in and skip the stampede? We want to hear from you. Weigh in with your verdict on social media and let us know which side you're on. Follow the Hosts Chris Cox – https://www.magiccox.com Instagram - @magiccox Twitter/X - @bigcox Len Testa – https://www.touringplans.com Instagram - @len.testa BlueSky - lentesta.bsky.social Jim Hill – https://jimhillmedia.com Instagram - @jimhillmedia Twitter/X - @jimhillmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

The Monopoly game at McDonald's is back. There's over two million pounds worth of cash prizes to be won.

0:06.5

And a chance to get your hands on some epic prizes. Go on. It's your go.

0:12.9

18 plus UK ends 21st of October. Selected menu items. At may be required. May depend on winning moment.

0:18.4

See macdre rules.co.com. Welcome to the case four with Chris Cox.

0:23.7

The pretend procedural, that is said not in the court of the last resort, but rather the

0:28.2

court of the Walt Disney World Resort.

0:31.0

This is the podcast where theme park expert, land tester, and mind reader Chris Cox,

0:36.6

will regularly debate on some of the more trivial

0:39.3

aspects of vacationing in Orlando, which makes visiting either a complete joy or an absolute misery.

0:46.2

I'm the less than honorable James Robespierre Hill. I'll be presiding over today's proceedings,

0:52.4

and after Mr. Cox and Mr. Tess's arguments, I will render my verdict.

0:58.3

All verdicts are final, unless, of course, they're not, which means that we'd love to have you, the listener, also weigh in with your thoughts on these not-so-weight topics.

1:09.7

And the matter before us today is rope dropping. Okay, rope dropping,

1:15.7

really? Does that mean what I think it means? Is I now a hanging judge? Because hang on, I have a

1:22.9

list. No, Your Honor, and I can't believe you made me say that. Rope dropping is the practice at Disney World, where guests arrive at the place prior to the actual

1:33.1

scheduling opening, in fact, well in advance, and that allows them to be first in line for

1:39.0

whatever ride they want to go on when the park actually opens.

1:41.6

Yeah, and there used to be an actual rope, right, which they'd sort of stretch across Main Street at the bottom of the hub in front of Cinderella's castle. And that rope would hold the crowds back until the park's official opening time. There'd be some music. There'd be a little announcement. And then they'd drop the rope and the guests would enter the park. Yes, and there'd be a cast members telling guests walk don't run, but inevitably everyone's tail ran. Yeah, that's whether named Rope Trop or Tripping Over a Rope comes from. Got it. Okay, so just to be clear here, I don't actually get to hang anyone. Alright, this is concerning me now. How did you become a judge, Jim? I can explain that, Chris. It's the

2:18.3

way things typically work here in the United States. If you look like you're ready for the job and you've got the clothing for it, you get the job. By the way, I also have a set of surgical scrubs. And Chris, if you're not fielding especially attached to your appendix, you know, I can make I do need some dental work, Chris, don't you?

2:34.7

I do need some dental work, but scrubs aren't going to cut it.

2:38.1

In fact, your appendix, you know, I can make that. You need some dental work, Christ, don't you?

2:54.3

I do need some dental work, but scrubs aren't going to cut it. In fact, there's going to be no cutting of anything, Jim. I'd like to end this podcast with the exact same number of internal organs that I started. That is, of course, your call. Is that too much to ask for? Well, I'm just saying if you change your mind, I have an especially

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