Hi Janelle! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney!
We are a family who tries to rope drop too. Either because we have an
attraction we'd like to queue for right away--like Peter Pan's Flight--or because we're looking to squeeze every minute out of the day. I understand your eagerness to get inside and get started on the magic, Janelle! I want to assure you that the process to have your photo associated with your ticket is seamless and takes only a second. It happens as they're scanning you through the turnstile with a quick smile and click, so I wouldn't be concerned about that being a make-it-or-break-it moment in determining how close to the front you'll be. There's no big production to have it taken!
Your trip is right around the corner. If you haven't yet selected a hotel,
Early Entry is a perk of staying at one of the
Disneyland Resort Hotels. You can't go wrong with any of them, but we love
Disneyland Hotel, which has a
Disneyland Monorail stop right out back, which will take you right into Disneyland Park in Tomorrowland.
Check park hours to be sure you're ready for that rope drop moment!
Have a magical visit!
Elizabeth