Disneyland Resort quietly rolled back a COVID-era change on Wednesday, September 10, returning to a rope-dropping procedure guests haven’t seen since the 2010s. The shift quickly caught the attention of Disney Parks fans on social media, with many celebrating the return to a familiar routine.
Rope-dropping, for those new to the concept, is when guests arrive at Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park well before official opening. Disney cast members scan tickets and allow guests into a designated area, while others hold crowds back with a rope until the park opens. This strategy is often used to access popular attractions with minimal wait times or to grab exclusive merchandise early in the day.
Over the past few years, rope-dropping guests were allowed to disperse into different Disneyland Park lands while waiting behind a rope near their desired first attraction. Previously, everyone was funneled onto Main Street, U.S.A., and held near Sleeping Beauty Castle until the park officially opened.
On Wednesday, it appeared that Disneyland Resort reinstated the Main Street, U.S.A., holding pattern. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DisneyScoopGuy rope-dropped Disneyland Park and shared:
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 gained significant traction online, with many Disney Parks fans expressing excitement about the return to pre-COVID procedures.
“That’s how it used to be done every day,” @FrshBakedDisney replied. “I kind of miss it.”
that's how it used to be done every day. I kind of miss it.
— Fresh Baked! (@FrshBakedDisney) September 10, 2025
“When I first went in 1988, they did it that way,” said @wookiedawg. “I was off to the right.”
When I first went in 1988, they did it that way. I was off to the right.
— Wakonda Robertson (@wookiedawg) September 10, 2025
It’s unclear if this rope-dropping policy will continue permanently, or if Wednesday’s rollout was a one-off situation. Disneyland Resort has not issued a public statement regarding the procedural change.
Have you ever rope-dropped Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
