Calmest early entry?

[twodogs]

Here is a rough map with a yellow path from DLH through DTD to the main gates (circled in green).

 

[wallawallakids]

First, you’re amazing for thinking this through and planning it out so well for your son! You are sure to have a great time!

Second, when I go to Disneyland I rope drop and/or do EE a lot. It’s my favorite. My strategy, is to get there absurdly early so that I am first. Literally, first at the rope. This may be the way to do it with your son because while once you’re there behind you it’s crazy and a sea of people but looking forward, you’re looking into an empty park. As long as he keeps his focus forward he can maybe ignore what’s behind him. Then at rope drop you guys can go in your direction of choice and viola! enjoy all that you want to enjoy.

Here is what I mean. Here are two pictures from the last day I rope dropped in April. One is what I see ahead of me vs the other is what was behind me.

Just curious, what time did you arrive at the gates to be in front like that? Were you first at DTD security as well?

 

[Pluto468]

My daughter is autistic, too, so I relate to needing to plan things out that will make Disneyland as relaxed as possible. We've done rope drop before but the last couple of trips went into the park after the first rush was over and that made things much better.

My whole family loves Star Wars, so we spend alot of time in Galaxy's Edge. I don't find it to be as busy as some of the other lands, maybe because it feels more spread out. It's really immersive, I bet your son will love it.

There's also Star Tours and Star Trader in Tomorrowland, where he could make a plastic light saber and they also have alot of Star Wars merchandise to look at/buy.

You can also stop in at Star Wars trading post in Downtown Disney.

One note about Oga's in Galaxy's Edge. If you want to go there I'd go early in the day when it hopefully isn't as busy. It's very loud and you will be seated with other people at a small table. We've been a few times and my daughter loves it but also finds it stressful.The last time she couldn't even stay 10 minutes and said she doesn't want to go back again.

A agree with other posters about using DAS or ILL for Rise and bringing noise cancelling headphones.

 

[maleficent55]

Just curious, what time did you arrive at the gates to be in front like that? Were you first at DTD security as well?

For that particular trip in April I was staying on Harbor. I got to the security gate right when they opened it at 7:00am and through security and to my own turnstile gate by 7:05am
I wasn’t first at security, maybe 2nd or 3rd back but once everyone is getting screened and breaking away I power walk and walked up to my “own” turnstile gate. This picture was taken at 7:05am

 

[maleficent55]

Did you get stampeded and surrounded by people behind you when the rope dropped?

Not at all. I’m a quick walker…I kept my pace. Peter Pan was down that morning so I continued past and went to Alice. Unfortunately Alice was down too (!!!!!) but the cast members said it would only be a few minutes. I was maybe 8-10 people back. And it opened just 5 minutes or so later. Here I am about to board my caterpillar at 8:08am

 

[maleficent55]

For that particular trip in April I was staying on Harbor. I got to the security gate right when they opened it at 7:00am and through security and to my own turnstile gate by 7:05am
I wasn’t first at security, maybe 2nd or 3rd back but once everyone is getting screened and breaking away I power walk and walked up to my “own” turnstile gate. This picture was taken at 7:05am

Should add that I headed to the security gates at 6:35am..ish