Gate Opening

Rope drop, refers to Park Opening. The Gates/Turnstiles open at 830 every day March - the end of October, no matter when the park opening/rope drop is scheduled. And the Ropes Drop/Park Opens at 9:30, right now.

The ticket booths, if you haven't previously bought your tickets, also open at 830, so before Park Opening/Rope Drop.

I like to get there at least 30 minutes before Gate Opening. So by 8 am, March thru the end of October. You shouldn't have hardly any, if any traffic getting there at that time. This way, you can take your time finding a parking that you want.

Gather all your things together that you want to take in. (Our stroller, refill cups, hoodies for if it gets colder at sundown in spring and fall, our cooler bag lunch, etc)

We try to be heading up towards the gate 15 minutes before Gate Opening. 

We use the restrooms behind the ticket booth. Usually someone has to by then, and it takes up a few minutes. 

Get some photo ops, there is at least 3 designated Photo Ops outside the gates.

If you have anything you need to pick up at Guest Relations, they open at the same time as the gates. Like if you are buying a photo pass or need a handicap booklet this is the time and place to get them. So you can be first in line to get them, and not take time out of your day in the park getting these.

Then it will be time to get in line and head in.

The entire square at the top will be open. 

You can shop in several stores at the top.

And there are more photo ops on the Square too.

Sometimes The Homestead Pickers or a visiting group will perform a show at the Gazebo about 20 to 30 minutes after Gate Opening. About 30 minutes before Park Opening. 

Everything in my screen shot below will be open at Gate Opening. With exception of The Ozark Mountain Marketplace and since 2020 it's hit and miss if the petting zoo will be open. But, most everything else is always open at Gate Opening.

My little kids always have to stop in Pheobe's Taffy Shop to pick a couple pieces of Taffy out at that time. The Brown's Candy Factory is also open! 

Me, I have to get my Starbucks from Sulivan's Mill first thing.

If you are buying a refill mug this is a good time to do that too, as Hannah's Ice Cream Parlor is also open and sells them. Some of my big kids get a Ice cream float at this time if we ate breakfast before heading to the park. 

Otherwise we eat at Molly's or grab a pastry and coffee at one of the bakeries. Mollys Mill is my kids, and especially my husband's favorite for breakfast. Molly's Mill is a full Breakfast Buffet - all the traditional Ozark breakfast foods. Biscuits and gravy, silver dollar pancakes, eggs, home fries, bacon, fresh fruit & much more. 

Or sometimes we go with a smaller Breakfast from Eva and Delilah's Bakery. My kids love the Sausage Kolacky & hot fresh Pretzels at Eva and Delilah's. I like the lemon Danishes best at Eva and Delilah's. 

If my kids choose Eva and Delilah's for breakfast, I usually head to the Apple Butter shop for a Apple Turnover and Cider. Their Apple Turnovers are my favorites! 

I also like to go to Sullivan's Mill and get Starbucks! The Pumpkin Spice Lattes in autumn are everything! A fairly new item at Sullivan's Mill is a Apple Cinnamon Biscuit. Nathan Crain, who is known for his photography of the park, suggested them, as one of his favorites. I had been eyeing them for a while, but after he praised them, I gave one a try and it was delicious too!

This is also a good time to pick up a Birthday Button at the General Store, if someone in your family has a birthday this week/month. The Birthday gifts change from year to year, but they have always been worth picking up. They will give you a list of gifts & discounts that come with your birthday button throughout the park.

Then around 15ish minutes before Park Opening, the Opening Ceramony begins, between the Gazebo and Hannah's Ice Cream Parlor by the Flagpole. A short comic act, a thank you to veterans, and flag raising/salute/national anthem. Right before this, like 15ish minutes would be a good time for one more potty break before Rope Drop. Bathrooms that are open at this time are beside The Hospitality House and inside Molly's Mill. 

Then the Ropes drop and the park is officially open.

This is a great YouTube video about things to do the first hour as well. Till I can make my own.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R83YL6zsNcw