Overview
- Disney cast members confirmed the rope drop change is permanent on July 23 after a week of testing that moved pre‑opening crowd holding out of the Oasis.
- Under the new routine all guests are brought onto Discovery Island during the 30‑minute early‑entry window instead of keeping non‑resort visitors confined to the narrow Oasis walkway.
- Resort hotel guests continue to receive Early Theme Park Entry and are scanned at three staffed checkpoints—near Island Mercantile toward Pandora, in front of Zootopia toward Asia/Expedition Everest, and at the former DinoLand bridge—to control access into the park.
- Discovery Island shops remain closed until the official 8:00 a.m. opening but PhotoPass photographers operate at the Tree of Life and the broader holding area gives non‑resort guests more space and photo opportunities before lines form.
- Walt Disney World has not issued a formal corporate announcement and the procedure is described as subject to future change, notably as the planned 2027 Pueblo Esperanza expansion could alter morning routing and crowd flow.