Disneyland Returns to the 90s and 2000s, Erases COVID-Era Rules for Guests

Disneyland Resort quietly flipped the script on Wednesday, September 10, bringing back a rope-dropping procedure that hasn’t been used since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The change sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with long-time Disney Parks fans thrilled to see a familiar routine return.

For those unfamiliar, rope-dropping is the practice of arriving at Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park well before opening. Disney cast members scan tickets and allow guests into a designated area, while others hold crowds behind a rope until the park officially opens. Guests often use this method to minimize wait times for popular attractions or secure early access to exclusive merchandise.

During the last few years, rope-dropping guests were permitted to spread into different Disneyland Park lands, gathering near their first planned attraction. Before the pandemic, however, everyone was directed onto Main Street, U.S.A., and held near Sleeping Beauty Castle until the clock struck opening time.

On Wednesday, Disneyland Park appeared to reinstate that classic Main Street, U.S.A., holding pattern. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DisneyScoopGuy shared their experience:

Disneyland is holding guests at the end of Main St. for rope drop today instead of letting them disperse to the individual lands. I’ve rope dropped hundreds of times and have never seen this before.

Disneyland is holding guests at the end of Main St. for rope drop today instead of letting them disperse to the individual lands. I’ve rope dropped hundreds of times and have never seen this before pic.twitter.com/lvYYFOANMv

— Matt (@DisneyScoopGuy) September 10, 2025

The post quickly gained likes and comments, with Disney Parks fans sharing nostalgia for the pre-COVID rope-dropping process.

“This was how they always did it in the 90s and early 200s,” @AlexJChipman wrote. “We would line up as far to the right side so we could head straight toward Space Mountain for our first ride.”

This was how they always did it in the 90s and early 200s. We would line up as far to the right side so we could head straight toward space mountain for our first ride.

— Alex🇺🇸 (@AlexJChipman) September 10, 2025

“This is the way they used to actually do it,” said @Park_Journey. “Wonder why the change.”

This is the way they used to actually do it. Wonder why the change.

— Park Journey (@Park_Journey) September 10, 2025

Whether Disneyland will keep this rope-dropping policy permanently or if Wednesday was a trial run is still unknown. Disneyland Resort has not released any statements regarding the procedural change.

Have you noticed any other policy changes at Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Share your story with Disney Dining in the comments!