Just eight days ago, Inside the Magic reported on the updated rope drop procedures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Now, Walt Disney World Resort cast members have reportedly confirmed that the new rules for early-morning theme park entry are permanent.What is Rope Drop?Credit: Inside the MagicIt’s anything but a relaxing vacation… Still, rope drop is one of the best ways to experience the most popular Walt Disney World Resort attractions without waiting long or purchasing a Lightning Lane.Rope drop is just what it sounds like: arriving at a Disney park early enough to be there when cast members “drop the rope” and let everyone in. The people at the very front have often arrived hours before the theme parks open to make sure they’re among the first to experience their favorite attraction…without spending money on Lightning Lanes or waiting in long lines!Knowing that thousands of people rope drop daily, especially Disney Resort hotel guests with early theme park entry, each Walt Disney World Resort theme park has specific crowd-control policies to keep everyone safe. Guests are corralled into certain sections of each theme park before it opens, separated into two groups: off-property guests and those staying at Disney Resort hotels, who can enter 30 minutes early.Credit: Inside the MagicEach Central Florida Disney park has its own policies based on its layout, average guest count, and most popular attractions. Those rules occasionally change as guest behavior patterns evolve, or when new rides open.Permanent New Procedures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme ParkCredit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrOver a week ago, Walt Disney World Resort guests reported that cast members were enforcing new rope drop rules at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. On Thursday, WDWNT reported that Disney cast members had confirmed that those park entrance procedures were permanent.When Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park opens, most guests rush to Pandora – The World of Avatar to experience Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. Other popular attractions include Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa and Expedition Everest in Asia.Previously, off-property guests were held in the Oasis (the lush, dense rainforest-like area before the bridge to Discovery Island) until the park opened, typically at 8:00 a.m. Disney Resort hotel guests were welcomed onto Discovery Island at the start of early entry at 7:30 a.m.Credit: Erica Lauren, Inside the MagicNow, Disney cast members are bringing off-property guests onto Discovery Island during the thirty-minute waiting period between early theme park entry and official park opening. The shops on Discovery Island still don’t open until 8:00 a.m., but guests have more room to explore the area and can take Disney PhotoPass photos in front of the Tree of Life.Disney Resort hotel guests check in with cast members at three entry points into the rest of the park: near Island Mercantile for Pandora – The World of Avatar, in front of Zootopia: Better Zoogether! for the bridge to Asia near Expedition Everest, and at the former bridge to DinoLand U.S.A. Guests can access Africa through Asia or Pandora – The World of Avatar. Disney cast members scan one ticket, MagicBand, or smart device per group to ensure that families taking advantage of early theme park entry are staying at an on-property hotel.Credit: DisneyAlthough Disney cast members have said this change is permanent, Walt Disney World Resort has made no public announcement. The rope drop procedures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (as well as the other three Central Florida Disney parks) are subject to change, especially with the 2027 opening of the Pueblo Esperanza area and its three new attractions.Should Walt Disney World Resort modify the rope drop procedures at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Inside the Magic would love to hear from you in the comments! The post Disney World Confirms Permanent Changes To Rope Drop at Animal Kingdom Theme Park appeared first on Inside the Magic.