I've been visiting Disneyland since I was a kid, but this past week, I decided it was finally time to attempt “rope drop.” A more elusive part of the Disney experience, rope dropping simply means arriving at Disneyland or California Adventure before parks officially open at 8 a.m. Gates typically open around 7:30 a.m., and from there, you can walk right up to the you guessed it ropes, and wait for them to drop to mark the start of another magical day at the Happiest Place on Earth.

There’s a catch, though. You need to seriously prepare yourself. My toddler and I arrived just as the park was opening, and while we reaped many of the rope drop benefits, we didn’t get there early enough to reach the front of the line. Below, here’s exactly what I’d do to make the most of the rope drop experience.

Arrive at Least One Hour Early

We parked at 7:30 a.m., which I thought would give us enough of a cushion. However, I didn’t factor in our extensive security check (because bringing a toddler means you have a hefty load). By the time we made it through, it was already 7:58 and the sprint was on. After poring over Reddit threads and reviewing content from other Disney experts, some even recommend parking an hour and a half early, grabbing a Starbucks in Downtown Disney (they open at 6:30 a.m.) and feeling caffeinated and well-prepared by rope drop.

Get Your Hands on a Rope Drop Sign

Again, my tardiness prevented me from scoring a snap with one of the rope drop signs. Consider this one an Instagram bucket list item, and one that you should proudly share on your grid. According to insiders, cast members now pass out stickers to early birds, too!

Strategize Your First ‘Land’

Rope drop takes place at the end of Main Street U.S.A., welcoming guests to Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, or Tomorrowland. Before rope drop, have a conversation with your group about the best land to visit first. Kellie Krueger, the Disneyland expert behind the account @we_dont_wear_ears, has mapped out the premier options for each area. Her biggest piece of advice: Head to the most popular rides (think Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and so on), which typically have significantly longer wait times.

Enjoy Those 5-10 Minute Lines

Even though I didn’t have that authentic rope drop moment, we managed to go on three rides within an hour and were the first ones to use the restroom in Fantasyland. And in my opinion, those two achievements were well worth planning an early day at Disneyland. Keep in mind Disneyland no longer offers early entrance for hotel guests and they’re getting rid of the 11 a.m. Park Hopper restriction, making it even more important to beat the crowds.

The mad dash to the ropes isn’t worth the hassle for everyone, but after seeing how open the parks were at 8 a.m., this won’t be my last time rope dropping especially because I need to nab one of those stickers.