With the exciting debut of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind‘s traditional standby queue just days away, EPCOT has announced new rope drop procedures to prepare for the anticipated crowds.
After more than 1,000 days with a Virtual Queue in place, the standby queue will officially open on February 25, marking a new chapter for one of the park’s most popular attractions. As the crowds are expected to be larger than ever, EPCOT has made adjustments to its rope drop process, ensuring a smoother guest experience as the park prepares for this major change. Let’s dive into the details of what you can expect when you arrive for rope drop at EPCOT.
The New EPCOT Rope Drop Strategy
Rope drop at EPCOT is getting a new look in response to the growing interest in Cosmic Rewind. In the past, guests would enter the park and be directed to specific holding areas based on their eligibility for Early Entry, a benefit for guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. However, with the new standby queue for Cosmic Rewind opening soon, EPCOT has adjusted its strategy to accommodate the anticipated larger crowds.
Upon arriving at the park, you’ll notice that the parking lots open much earlier than usual, especially on days like today, which coincide with the Princess Half Marathon. Normally, the parking plazas open one hour before Early Entry begins, which translates to a 7:30 AM opening on a typical day, with the park officially opening at 9:00 AM. For those guests taking advantage of Early Entry, they will have a head start with exclusive access to select attractions, including Cosmic Rewind once the standby queue opens.
Early Entry Guests at EPCOT
For those staying at a Disney Resort hotel, Early Entry is a convenient perk that grants you 30 extra minutes to experience the park before the general public enters. The process for accessing Early Entry remains mostly unchanged, though there are a few new adjustments. When you arrive at EPCOT, you’ll head toward the right side of Spaceship Earth, where the designated Early Entry check-in point is now located. Guests will need to show their MagicBands, admission cards, or MagicMobile devices for verification.
Once checked in, guests will be held in the Early Entry area until 30 minutes before the official start of Early Entry or one hour before the park opens to everyone. This helps to streamline the process and ensures Early Entry guests can enter smoothly once the park’s gates are opened.
The New Holding Area for Regular Rope Drop Guests
For those who do not have Early Entry, there’s another new development to be aware of. In previous years, non-Early Entry guests were held near the fountain at the base of Spaceship Earth. However, with the expected surge in guests eager to rope drop Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT has made the decision to move the regular rope drop holding area further back to an area near Guest Relations, past Spaceship Earth.
This new location provides more space to accommodate larger crowds, ensuring that everyone can be comfortably organized before park opening. Non-Early Entry guests will be held in this area until the park officially opens. This change also helps with crowd flow, allowing Early Entry guests to head to the right of Spaceship Earth, while those waiting for the regular rope drop will move to the left.
Adjustments for Cosmic Rewind’s Standby Queue
The debut of the standby queue at Cosmic Rewind is one of the biggest changes coming to EPCOT, and it’s important to understand how it will affect the flow of guests. For nearly three years, Cosmic Rewind has operated with a Virtual Queue, allowing guests to secure a spot without having to wait in a traditional line. However, starting February 25th, guests will be able to join a standby line, which is expected to draw larger crowds during rope drop.
With this change, EPCOT has adjusted its rope drop procedures to prevent crowding at the front of the park. This move is designed to ensure that all guests—whether they have Early Entry or are participating in the regular rope drop—can enjoy the park with as little hassle as possible.
What’s Next for EPCOT?
While the new rope drop procedures are expected to help manage crowds on the debut of Cosmic Rewind‘s standby queue, we can anticipate that additional changes may be on the horizon as the park continues to adjust to the evolving crowds. EPCOT’s operational team is continuously working to improve guest experiences, and these recent updates show their commitment to creating a smooth and enjoyable environment for all park visitors.
If you’re planning to visit EPCOT in the coming days, it’s important to keep these changes in mind so you can make the most of your day. Whether you’re taking advantage of Early Entry or arriving with a regular rope drop, these new procedures will help ensure you get a great start to your day at the park. Keep an eye out for even more adjustments as the Cosmic Rewind standby queue rolls out, and as always, stay tuned for more updates on how EPCOT continues to evolve.
As EPCOT gears up for these major changes, it’s clear that Disney is doing everything they can to ensure that each guest has a seamless experience—whether you’re ready to rocket through space or just enjoy the beauty of the park.
