EPCOT Tests New Rope Drop Process Ahead of Cosmic Rewind Standby Queue Change

Posted: Saturday February 22, 2025 9:22am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

EPCOT is testing a new morning rope drop entry process as it prepares for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to move to a standby queue on February 25, 2025.

EPCOT has a new arrival process for rope drop

The updated procedure changes how guests are directed after passing through the park entrance.

This morning, regular entry guests were directed to the left of Spaceship Earth, continuing past the attraction before being held just outside Connections Café. Meanwhile, Early Entry guests—those staying at Disney Resort hotels and select partner resorts—were directed to the right of Spaceship Earth.

Previously, non-resort guests were held directly in front of Spaceship Earth before being allowed further into the park at official opening time.

Cast Members we spoke with indicated that this new process is likely a permanent change, designed to help manage morning crowds once Cosmic Rewind begins using a standby queue. The adjustment will help reduce congestion in front of Spaceship Earth and improve guest flow toward high-demand attractions like Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, and Cosmic Rewind.

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind will operate a standby line starting February 25, 2025

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

TheMaxRebo29 days ago

right, but I am wondering before they open for early entry where they will hold people. So if early entry starts at 8:30 and I get there at 8, where will I be waiting? If it is at Canada vs people coming from the front being held by SSE, they have a much shorter walk to Guardians than those coming from the IG - so would be harder to be at the front of the Early Entry for Guardians ... but if they let you in further so that when they open for early entry your walk is about the same as those coming from the front then it would be more fair/even (on the flip side, those entering the IG could have easier time being at front of Early Entry line for Remy or Frozen so could just be a trade off)

wdwfan2229 days ago

Anyone coming from the international gateway should be a resort Guests they will go straight to the attraction as it is open for early entry next week.

esskay30 days ago

A much welcome change. Felt pretty daft that those most likely to take advantage of early entry were being hampered by it!

marni197130 days ago

This. For decades the various parks have pre scanned guests and held them in their respective hubs. Guests think they’re getting value by them “opening early” and ops can better manage demand (it used to be left for Test Track, right for Soarin’) We used to play spot the deliberately placed security guard or slowly walking manager in the pinch points.

MisterPenguin30 days ago

I would presume moving the on-time rope droppers further up... 1. reduces the length of the sprint-track to get to the most popular rides. 2. gets the on-time people out of the way for the resort-early-entrance people to get around the crowd for their early admittance to the rides.

Cmdr_Crimson30 days ago

Sooo, they are just bringing back the idea they did in 2003... Corral the Guests at Innoventions plaza Bring the character bus out Rope drops Done. This isn't new....

surfsupdon30 days ago

Where does the international gateway entrance let you line up?

James Alucobond30 days ago

Indeed, who cares about order and safety?

lysM1730 days ago

Those coming from International Gateway get to go all the way up that way now. It's apart of the new process. No more line in Canada.

monothingie30 days ago

Why run like a pleb to a ride when you can buy a $300 Premium Lightning Lane?

dmc49330 days ago

They already achieve that by holding people at the fountain. I guess moving them slightly up past spaceship earth will help with the crazy runners

WorldExplorer30 days ago

Every park does this. I presume it's to make the entrance process easier; it lets them scan hundreds of guests before the official open so they're all ready to go as soon as the clock hits the right time.