Early Entry Gone?!?!

[JWimberley]

Am I the only person that is just hacked that Disney has done away with early entry?

That was a huge factor is making our decision to purchase our DVC points. Without the early entry for resort guests, we might as well be staying at Maingate and paying $29 a night. Don't get me wrong, the BW is a wonderful resort and the theming is great, but for us, it is still just a place to grab some sleep while the park is closed and after they throw us out of Pleasure Island.

I understand the financial aspect of making budget cuts. As a DVC owner and a DIS shareholder I even respect the fact that they are willing to make the hard choices when it comes to protecting my investment. The thing that really gets to me is the notice that they sent me in yesterday's mail. They made it sound like nobody was using early entry and what everyone wanted instead was character appearences at the resorts. :confused: On our last trip there was a line at least 100 people deep at Space Mountain during early entry and it was even longer at Tower of Terror later in the week. Nobody asked me if I wanted character appearences instead of extended hours... :confused:

Oh well, I guess I just want to hear from some others to see if it is just me or was this a big deal to you too? Thanks for giving me a forum to vent a little frustration...

Not looking forward to being in that sea of people on Main Street waiting for the park to open,
Joshua

[EROS]

We've never used EE in over 8 years of heading down to WDW. With the initiation of FASTPASS, it has been much easier to access the major attractions without a wait. I just never viewed EE as much of an asset to start with. Since we have a small child, we haven't been "geared up" for all-day visits to the parks anyway.

Part of the enjoyment of DVC for us has been to be MORE RELAXED about getting to each and every attraction each trip. What we miss one year, we hit the next.

I say, RELAX and SMELL THE COFFEE. Life is sooooooooooo short for all of us. Don't let the stress of missing 1 hr in the park get to you:) :) :)

[JWimberley]

I agree with not stressing over the lost hour. My concern was more about the way the issue was handled. I found out about EE going away because some friends of ours were there and it was cancelled in the middle of their stay...

I understand that those with children, especially small children may not have used EE as often and may even prefer having the characters at the resorts in the mornings but for those of us that don't have children yet EE was great way to get to the more popular attractions without waiting in long lines.

Hopefully this is just a short term answer to lower than normal attendence and EE will return before our next trip. Meanwhile, I'll just figure out how to avoid being crushed in the crowd waiting for the gates to open...

:smooth: Joshua :smooth:

[DVCMagic_OldKeyWest]

I have used EE on every trip to WDW. Everyone is always up by 6:30am and ready to go. Not intersted in spending an hour with Characters rather be riding ToT.

MG:bounce:

[pluvc1993]

We want early entry back!!!!!!!!!

[CaptainMidnight]

Early entry was important to us as well, and we used it all the time. I would like it returned.

[TrudyZ]

J Wimberley,

We have a small child (3 yr. old), and found EE at MK critical to a having a good time for all. We religously attended each and every EE at MK during our trip in April and October this year.

EE allowed us to do all of those Fantasyland rides: Dumbo, Teacups, the carousel, Snow White, Small World, Pooh, Peter Pan, etc., as well as the Speedway, Asto Orbiter, etc., without a meltdown because of long lines---and believe me 20-30 minutes between each ride is an eternity to a 3 year old!

Granted, Pooh, Buzz, and Peter Pan have fast passes--but a 3 year old wants to ride these again, and again, and again!

And, of course, EE let mom and dad get a turn on Space Mountain too!

EE seemed to help keep us ahead of the crowds too. Just as the park opened, we then headed to Toon Town, and had it relatively to ourselves for a while--as the rest of the guests were riding the rides we just finished.

Many small kids are up at that time anyway--so we weren't dragging her out of bed (only us!). It worked out great--we got up and did EE, and then just as the park started to get crowded, we were heading back to the room for lunch and the required afternoon nap.

Plus, the weather is cooler in the morning and that helps keep the crankiness factor down too.

We are planning to go back in April, and my husband asked if we really wanted to go without EE. We are going to give it a try--but are very skeptical.

EE was also a factor for us in our decision to buy into DVC.

Character caravan of unanounced "second string" characters--not interested. We won't be sticking around for that.

Trudy

[Niagara2]

We used EE each trip for MK. We are just back and believe me if youj are use to EE you will NOT be happy. The whole day is thrown off. We didn't get to do as much or enjoy the day as much. EE made our trips so much moreworthwhile. We have Timeshare on and off Disney property, We have made it a point to stay on property whenever in Orlando - will rethink now. We can trade valuable DVC, use lower price Orlando timeshare and have another vacation in a 5 star area. EE will be missed and our DIsney dollars will be spent elsewhere.

[Eeyore2U]

Part of the enjoyment of DVC for us has been to be MORE RELAXED about getting to each and every attraction each trip. What we miss one year, we hit the next.

I totally agree with this. We went without DS in October for our anniversary and actually slept in.

[EROS]

I fully realize that many people approach visits to WDW with a commando mentality. They meticulously plan their visits to the parks in a manner similiar to the invasion of Normandy. They also know that they'll be able to ride 2.4 times the number of attractions during EE than at noon. THAT'S OK. Each to his/her own:) .

I guess that we're a "throwback" to a kinder, gentler form of vacationing. We arrive at the MK about an hour AFTER opening, grab a few fastpasses, catch a few characters, eat lunch, and then head back to the pool in the afternoon. My life is sooooooooo hectic in the real world that I try to relax and smell the coffee when we're away.

[Niagara2]

Exactly Ero - that is what EE allowed us to do. Do a few rides, walk around, enjoy the little things, leave, and spend time at resort. Now we get there and get crowded, wait in line and we are not as relaxed. We are no way commandos as we visit 4 to5 times a year. We always enjoyed knowing when to go to avoid the crowds. I guess we need to rethink and replan!

[MaryAnnDVC]

More fans of EE here. We were there last week, and I agree that things were thrown off. The park hours were so short that we didn't have time in the afternoon to leave the parks, go back to the resort for swim time, and then head back to the parks.

EROS, you and many others are under the mistaken impression that those of us who like EE do frantic commando style touring. Why? Why is enjoying getting to the parks early, to be able to enjoy our time there with more hours and less people, equated with a frantic need to do rides "2.4 times"???? As a matter of fact, we find EE rather relaxing...we're early risers anyway, only this past trip we spent that early morning time hanging around the room rather than doing what we would have preferred...go to the parks, do whatever we choose there, and then use hanging around time at the pool in the afternoon instead.

*We* choose to do more "activities" at DisneyWorld than our trips to a rented house in Vermont. NOT because we're just clueless about how to relax in life. There seems to be a certain amount of pride that some people on these boards exhibit over not having an "active" trip to Disney. :rolleyes:

[one_cat]

I asked the CM at the BWV front desk about early entry. She said she doubted it would come back. She said something about security and stuff with early entry which made no sense to me but apparantly did to her.

[TrudyZ]

MaryAnnDVC, Exactly.

Perhaps Eros my post looked like we hit MK with a laminated schedule and a stopwatch (we don't, for the record). And yes, we lead stressful lives outside of the "World" too, and come to WDW for some good old-fashioned family time.

But, like MaryAnnDVC said, EE allowed us to do my child's area of interest without the stress of crowds, heat, and lines. Believe it or not, EE is actually pretty relaxing.

On our last trip, for example, if she wanted to do Snow White again, no problem--just ride through--3 or 4 times--she didn't even have to get off! Same for Pooh, Peter Pan, etc. If she or we wanted to ride something else--no problem--it didn't matter, as there were no lines. She would then get her fill of these rides; and then off to other things.

What about the thrill for a 3 year old of having her favorite character (the Pooh gang) ride the ride with her? I don't think that happens very often mid-day.

Unfortuately, a majority of the childern's rides in Fantasyland don't have FPs, are slow-loading, and low capacity. If your child wants to ride it, you are often stuck in an eternal queue.

With EE, there is no running across a crowded park trying to calculate fast pass return times, etc.

Believe me, we have tried it the other way. That is when our daughter had her first meltdown at MK. Unfortunately, our child just does not have the patience to wait 60-90 minutes in line in the heat of the day for a 2 minute ride on Dumbo---and then no one has fun. Since we switched to doing EEs--no more meltdowns and all of our stress levels have been racheted down several notches.

And yes, without our daughter, we probably wouldn't be so concerned about the loss of EE. (Hell, you only have to get up at noon to drink your way around the world :D).

Trudy

[EROS]

MARYANN, my sentiments were NOT offered in a critical fashion. I was just detailing what works best for US. You should certainly vacation in a manner of your own choosing and make your feelings about EE known to DISNEY.

VIVA LA DIFFERENCE..............

THE SPICE OF LIFE IS VARIETY ..........n'est pas???

[Granny]

We "used" EE, but in a different way.

We used EE to determine which park to AVOID.....and we avoided at all costs the EE park of the day.

Do I wish EE were back? Sure. If not for my family, then for the excellent reasons others have already cited on this thread.

Do I understand that Disney is doing some cost cutting due to attendance being DOWN 25% this year? Sure.

Do I think EE is gone forever? No. It will be back when it makes economic sense. Does everyone think Disney started EE because they wanted to be extra nice to people? They started it to give people more reason to stay in a WDW resort. Now with the hotel vacancies and accommodation price wars going on in Orlando, Disney probably figures that they won't get enough extra people to stay at their resorts (when you can stay at off-site hotels for $29) to pay for opening the parks an extra hour early. When things settle down, EE will come back for the same reason it began....to get more people to stay at WDW resorts.

Do I blame Disney for trying to put a marketing spin on the elimination of EE? Well, yeah I think they are insulting our intelligence quite a bit on the "we're doing it because you want it" story. On the other hand, most people are not as locked in on WDW as we are, and would probably accept the explanation at face value.

We're here for 40 more years, folks. There will be ups and downs. I, for one, am willing to give them a chance to get through this tough period.

Sorry this is so long, and sorry about the soap box.

[CaptainMidnight]

Excellent post, TrudyZ. It was fabulous for us with our little children, that's what we would do as well. Then as lunch approached, we would switch parks because the EE park would turn out to be the most crowed park. Worked out wonderfully, and if you've ever been in the parks around the Christmas holiday and only gotten on a couple of rides in as many or more hours, the option of EE to provide the opportunity to get on many rides was wonderful. Get in the parks early, then back to the resort after lunch when crowds are high, switch to a later park after naps. I'll greatly miss is. It was a factor in my purchasing decision.

Regarding the need for Disney to make business decisions in light of the current situation, certainly, I've expressed that view often. Will I miss EE? Absolutely, without question. Do I want EE back?Absolutely, without question. Am I going to sell DVC because it's no longer offerred? Nope, just express my opinion here.

[Disnydad]

We rarely used EE. Maybe every other trip we would do an EE. Then we would think, "What's the big deal?" I'm on vacation and would rather sleep and get up without an alarm clock. As others have already said, with FP, you are going to get on the rides anyway.

[SueOKW]

My cousin had to talk us into EE on our last trip. My husband is chronically late - but when other people are involved he does his best. (And it IS his cousin actually, so he was on time!!)

ANYWAY - -WOW what a difference an hour makes. We just had a blast at MK during that time. We also left around 12:00 that day. I will miss it, at least for MK I will. I do hope it returns.

I will miss E-Ticket night much much more. (Not sure, has that been taken away too or not?) Our oldest child is in a wheelchair and it is so much easier to ride Splash Mountain on e-ticket night - they let us stay on and ride over and over - don't have to lift him in and out as much.

Bottom line, March can't get here soon enough for me - warm weather, sunshine, happy kids, Typhoon Lagoon! And, I imagine, lots of crowds. For the first time ever, we have to go the week after Easter - our teachers voted on that week to be off. Our costs skyrocketed because of it - but that's another tale of woe.

Sue

[Bennet]

We were big EE fans and would head out of the ee park as the crowds got there. But EE isn't the reason for going to WDW. It is much like Eros says, we have been ther done that and are going back so we don't even think about trying to do it all.

I agree w/ Eros, fast pass is a better tool to manage park time.

EE was a marketing tool for when the area hotels were packed and WDW wanted an advantage. The hotels aren't packed, they are competeing with price and the economics of staffing up early aren't there. I hope that when the volume returns and the hotels are packed they bring EE back.

I'm no less excited about our next DVC trip or the one after that 'cause of the change of EE.

For us WDW is about being together away from the normal day to day insanity - doing stuff we love as a family. I love the family walk from BWV to MGM in the morning. The air is clear, the low sun make everything look cool, we are all excited and chatting about the day as we stroll along.

The problem with Eros' plan is there is no good coffee to smell! Where can I get a good cup? Most of the WDW coffee just doesn't do it for me. A nice cup of joe would make that walk just a little nicer.

[DVCMagic_OldKeyWest]

Simply put, if you used EE or not, EE allowed vactioners the choice of getting up early and beating the crowds or sleeping in. The EE perk is gone and so is any choice the vacationer had in deciding when their day at the park would begin. I would also point out that as a religious EE user, I did not approach visiting the parks as a military assault :D but as a way to visit the park at my pace, see everything I wanted by 12noon and then be on my way back to resort for some time at the pool. I also see that less people will be inclined to stay at any of the WDW resorts if the guy who is paying $70 at Motel 6 gets into the park the same time as the guy paying $350 at the GF.

Michael


:bounce:

[SwampFox]

The EE perk is gone and so is any choice the vacationer had in deciding when their day at the park would begin.

We have the same "choice" as before. We can go to the parks when they open or go later. The fact that they now open a little later some days doesn't diminish the option. The lightest crowds each morning are still during the first hour, EE doesn't change that.

With the smaller crowds I've witnessed, the loss of that small perk doesn't affect touring plans at all. It remains to be seen if the busier summer months will suffer.

Actually, if all the people who are claiming to stay away because of the loss of EE are serious, the crowds will be manageable anyway.

[CaptainMidnight]

if all the people who are claiming to stay away because of the loss of EE are serious

I haven't see people saying they won't go because if this loss, only that they are legitimately dissappointed it is gone. Did I miss something?

[DaveH]

As an empty nester I loved EE in the MK. I love watching the little ones having fun, but I do not enjoy standing line for Snow White, Peter Pan, Pooh and such( I love these rides) for an hour or more for these rides. We were at WDW Nov 26 - Dec 2 and the lines for these were at least 30 mins or more for them. So as a DVCer we know will be back so we did not do these. When I become a grand dad I will start doing those long lines if no EE.

[cgcw]

We will truly miss EE if it does not return. With little kids, it was the perfect way to see alot during the morning (especially since our kids are early risers) and then head back for an afternoon rest. We have traveled in the fall when park hours are shorter. As of now, we have no trip planned so there is still hope the it will be back before we go. If not, we'll adjust but always remember the "old days".

[Limmer]

Captain Midnight, there were a large number of people on the resorts boards and theme parks boards who said they will cnacel their trips due to EE cancellation (at the time of cancellation). Most, IMHO were just blowing off steam. I cannot see cancelling a vacation over 1 lost hour.

[ford family]

One aspect that we have not seen mentioned is the impact on European visitors.
We come over from the UK every other summer and are up and about very early for the first week because of the five hour time difference. We stay on site (BC, DI and BWV) to feel the maximum amount of magic.
We always use EE and were especially pleased when AK was open at 7am (last trip 8am). We also went over to USF and IOA for their 7am opening. We would return to the resort in the afternoon to swim and snooze, have an early dinner and be in bed by 9pm after a full and exciting day.
Without EE and with AK not open until 9am and FW/WS at 10am/noon we will have to delay our next trip until normal service has been resumed or else spend two or three hours each morning waiting to start.
By the way, we read the DIS pages regularly but don't normally post because we don't want to get into arguments with the "Disney did it so it must be good" or the "In these times you should be grateful if that is all you have to worry about" brigades. Some of the postings in response to critical comments are either patronising (as in the initial response in this thread) or appear to be written by Disney staffers posing as ordinary people.
We appreciate the reasons for the economic downturn which has been exacerbated by the cowardly actions of September 11 and we deeply sympathise with the American people but we believe that reducing the level of service whilst maintaining the high prices will only reduce income further causing reductions in service levels and so on.
Best regards
ford family
United Kingdom

[pluvc1993]

To the Ford Family

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you.

New York!

[baileybrad]

There should be a string with a ring on the end hanging out the castmembers backsides that you can just pull when you ask them about anything controversial that Disney does. So when you ask about the demise of Surprise Mornings they can respond with the canned answer that "it was ended due to guest security concerns". It was ended to save Disney money. And it was handled as poorly by Disney as about any change has been implemented by a company of their size with their former excellent reputation for customer satisfaction blowing in the wind.

For those of you who never use EE and like to sleep to noon...God bless you, every single one. And thanks to those who like to point out that you are on vacation.....didn't know that, figured you were at WDW as punishment.

For those with small children who used EE often at the MK and MGM it is a perk that is sorely missed. We have no DVC points to spend at the present time but for our upcoming trip in January we are staying off-site primarily because of no EE. It is our small part to express our displeasure. We are using our APs and will be spending a good deal of our time dining off-site as well. Money, or lack of there of, is really the only language that Disney seems to understand so we will be keeping more of ours for ourselves while still having an enjoyable Disney vacation out of the cold weather with our little boys.

Ford Family,
Excellent points and post....wouldn't be surprised that this thread is banished fairly soon to another board. SOME DVCers don't take any criticism of good ole Disney very well.

Limmer,
If you are going to speak knowledgeably on the EE subject....please be aware that EE is 1 1/2 hours at the MK and not 1 hour as you have mentioned.

[DVCMagic_OldKeyWest]

The Ford Family has expressed the EE problem to a tee. Yes, you can go to the park later but if you are up at 6 am what are supposed to do.

I understand Disney has to make financial decisions based on attendance numbers. But families planning on traveling to WDW will possible cancel their plans when they start taking a hard look of the actual cost of the vacation with limited park hours.

Disney needs guests. Once you have established a perk, such as EE, taking it away can have negative P.R. side affects. Let us not forget Disney has for the past several years marketed EE as a main "selling point" for staying onsite. So, it is only natural for guests to be a disappointed in Disney decision to discontinue EE.
Imagine Disney came out and cancelled pool hopping priviliges
for DVC members. Pool hopping has and is one of the major selling points of DVC membership.

Yes, I will continuing go with EE discontinues. Do I feel I will be getting the most out of my annual pass? No.

Ford family-On a side note, what part of UK do you reside?


MG

[Eeyore2U]

Imagine Disney came out and cancelled pool hopping priviliges for DVC members. Pool hopping has and is one of the major selling points of DVC membership.


It wasn't used as a selling point to my us by our guide, I'd be curious to see how many bought DVC based on pool hopping.

Based on the Ford Family's well stated argument, Manchester United should play their matches at 1:30am local time in the UK to satisfy my body being on Eastern Standard Time if I go vacation there. That's not going to happen. Disney, IMO, can't base their schedule on the needs on select groups.

I feel for those that miss EE. I understand that it was sold as a perk and is missed by some. I hope that if the crowds increase it will come back. But if you have read recent posts on the Theme Parks Board, those there recently seemd not to miss it.

[JWimberley]

Well, I seem to have opened a can of worms here didn't I? :eek: That's ok, I think everyone has been able to say what they think of the situation without anyone getting to riled up.

Tanya and I will still be going to Orlando in January, but taking a line from Eros, we will be concentrating more on relaxation than park visits.

It is quite likely that we won't even use the parks this time, looking instead at the other 95% of things to do in Orlando. Can you believe that in five trips we have not gone to Universal, Busch Gardens (yeah I know its not in Orlando) or even Ripley's museum? Just for a change of pace and because I don't think anything new has been added to the parks this year we are going to spend our ticket money on all the silly tourist traps we can find. $600 worth of park hoppers should buy plenty of cheap t-shirts and cute bumper stickers! :rolleyes:

Anyway, I hope to see some of ya'll when we are there and maybe you can join us for dinner at Medival Times instead of Artist Point this year...

Take Care,
Joshua

[Jeanne]

Happy to say that in the last 20 years of being in the parks at least one vacation a year, my family was never in the parks at opening. Vacation for us is leasurly wake up time, breakfast and then hit the parks. The most distressing part of our new and "improved" disney morning was the closing of La Famille's their breakfast was a must have of every trip. We won't miss EE, but fireworks at night, that would be bad.

[Granny]

Originally posted by JWimberley
Well, I seem to have opened a can of worms here didn't I? :eek: That's ok, I think everyone has been able to say what they think of the situation without anyone getting to riled up.JWimberly....

It seems that there are some subjects that really get people on a soapbox. I guess this is one of them.

I like it when everyone is giving their opinions. I'm not so happy when I read posts from those who seem to think that anyone who disagrees with them is wrong.

And if anyone disagrees with this post.......YOU'RE WRONG!! :p

[Bennet]

cowardly actions of September 11

I like this everyone (on TV) on this side of the pond is saying tragic. Nice to hear a brit's accent on the dis.

[disneykins]

We used ee every day of every trip (14 in the last 13 years). We'd be there early when the kids were young so they could ride all the rides and meet all the characters without the huge lineups. We'd go back to OKW for lunch and a nap (later this became a swim) and then have supper in our villa. After supper we were ready to return to a park. I realize its a business decision and it will probably save Disney a bundle in salaries, etc. but like some have said here, when you take away anything thats always been there, there will be complaints. Maybe Disney could put it on for busy times, like Christmas (when we're gonna be there LOL) or Easter or weekends. We've lost the passes we used to get, the pool hopping isn't what it used to be and now this--we dont seem to be getting treated so special anymore. We'll still go every year but maybe spend more time at US and IOA and other places. Sorry about the rant.
Tony

[fklhou]

I have had two different conversations with CMs in Guest Relations in response to some e-mails sent to WDW. In one call, the CM started to justify the elimination of EE with the caravan character justificaion but drop that quickly. The other CM did not even try this justification and instead talk about attendence levels. According to this CM, Disney is monitoring attendence levels closely and on most days you can get 18 events in during the normal touring hours (no I do not know what this stat is referring to).

I asked both CMs if there are any plans to bring EE back and both told me that the issue was being reviewed and that bringing back EE at some point is a possiblity.

Based on other postings on these boards, it appears that EE is not needed on weekdays but would be helpful on Saturday and Sundays. The CMs also indicated that some form of EE may be appropriate for just weekends but the issue was being studied.

Please understand that I know that I was not told anything meaningful by these CMs. However, I do believe that Disney has heard the complaints about elmiination of EE and is concerned about the issue.

We are scheduled to be at BWVs during spring break and by then hopefully, something has been done to elither provide a true replacement for EE or otherwise address peoples concerns.

[AZKathy]

We used EE for MK to get Fantasyland over easy without the bad lines for our children. I did not find EE at the other parks was an asset to our visit.

[skeegan]

We always use early entry - To us it was a huge perk and one of the main reasons to stay on Disney property, particularly in Disneyland. We could do more in that hour that in 4 hours later in the day. I am very disappointed.

[ford family]

[Based on the Ford Family's well stated argument, Manchester United should play their matches at 1:30am local time in the UK to satisfy my body being on Eastern Standard Time if I go vacation there. That's not going to happen. Disney, IMO, can't base their schedule on the needs on select groups.
]Originally posted by Eeyore2U
[B]


Normally football (soccer) games kick off at 3pm so Eeyore2U would have his body clock at 10am.

To continue your allegory, there is an old joke here in the UK about the once famous and well supported football club that was suffering poor attendances. A prospective fan phones up to ask what time the game starts and is asked "what time can you get here?".

Disney should take note.

Ford Family
Sevenoaks
United Kingdom

[jennypenny]

We used it every day. We are early risers with small children. We do the EE/lunch/nap or swim/back to park thing every day.

I understand they needed to cut back. But why eliminate EE altogether? I never thought it had much of a benefit at Epcot because of the staggered schedule there anyway (except maybe test track). Disney studios was also questionable. Why not just have it at MK a couple of times per week? Or just for fantasy land? I don't think EE every day is a necessity (even though I loved it) but is needed at MK at least on weekends.

[lodgelady]

I wouldn't care if there was no EE anywhere but MK. My little ones are up at 7AM and ready to go when we are at Disney. :)

[Granny]

Originally posted by ford family
[BTo continue your allegory, there is an old joke here in the UK about the once famous and well supported football club that was suffering poor attendances. A prospective fan phones up to ask what time the game starts and is asked "what time can you get here?".[/B] LOL.....very funny! :D

[JWimberley]

Well with over one hundred votes in on the poll it seems to be a very even split over how many of us used early entry.

I agree with everyone that has mentioned that it is most useful at Magic Kingdom. I didn't find it at all useful at Epcot and only marginally so at MGM (except when they opened Aerosmith early!)

I am curious about those that do not go to the parks until later in the day. What time to you normally arrive and do you stay until closing? Our method (two adults, no children) has always been EE on whatever park was active then jump to a different park after opening, head back to the resort for lunch and a nap for Tanya and a couple of hours of Disney Quest for me. Back to the parks around 3pm, stay until they throw us out and then hurry over to Pleasure Island for the Improv shows and some dancing and do it all again the next day!

What about you? How do you structure a day without using EE?

Joshua

[CaptainMidnight]

[QUOTE]For those of you who never use EE and like to sleep to noon...God bless you, every single one. And thanks to those who like to point out that you are on vacation.....didn't know that, figured you were at WDW as punishment. [QUOTE]

Ouch!

You Ohioans seem to let them fly now and then.....

I want my EE back!!!!!

[dianeschlicht]

I just re-read this post and had another thought about what loss of EE will mean to a WDW vacation. All the tips in the "unnofficial Guide" will be out the window since it is based on attendance at particular parks based on where EE was for a given day. Maybe it will even out the attendance at all parks a little.

[johninlagrange]

My family has always used the early entry days. We start in the early entry park and transfer
over to a less crowded park in the afternoon. You do not have to be a commando to enjoy
the uncrowded entrances, as well as the small lines at the attractions. I have 4 small
children, and we can get a lot done in an hour or so.

EARLY ENTRY WILL BE SORELY MISSED. WE WILL HAVE TO RECONSIDER THE COST
BENEFITS FOR STAYING ON SITE.

[sumessefui]

We have not used EE since we joined the DVC, except to make sure we do not visit the park with EE. We find that knowing we will keep comming back and having our own "home" in WDW makes us more relaxed than before. No need to get out so housekeeping can come in.
I can understand the importance of EE to those with early rising children, and hope when attendence picks up it will be reinstated. Since the MK is the most popular park, maybe if enough people asked (squeaky wheel), it might be reinstated there.

[mickey7861]

What about you? How do you structure a day without using EE?

My family consists of myself, DH, DS 18,and DD 16. We usually wake up around 9-10 and have breakfast before heading out. Somedays we will head to a park and return to the room around 2-3. We rest, swim, cool off, snack. Then around 5-6 we'll get ready and head out again for dinner and parks. We then stay until closing (e-night if available). Somedays we hang at the resort in the morning then head out to park hop after lunch around 3 and stay out for the night. Somedays we just rent boats, swim and resort hop rather than going to any park. Of course we are basically 4 adults and we don't have to visit everything on every trip. My DD and I do still like to visit Fantasyland but we usually do it right before closing to avoid lines. We go during the summer for 2-3 weeks and then in April for 1 week so there's plenty of WDW time. We have been touring WDW since 1985 but never really did EE, my kids were always late sleepers, lucky for me since I am too.

[raidermatt]

What about you? How do you structure a day without using EE?

Our recent trips were to WDW for 9 days 9/00, and DLResort for 5 days 8/01.

DS turned 2 on the first trip, and was almost 3 for the second. We were with another couple who had no children, and 1-4 friends, depending on the day.

Most of the days were park days. We would all meet pretty consistently at 10:00am, maybe 10:30, then head to a park. (walk at DLResort, bus at WDW). We always choose a non-EE park due to the fact that they become very crowded by 11:00 or so. We hit an attraction, maybe two. Then, eat lunch, and hit more attractions. We usually have dinner in the parks, and stay until closing. DL was the exception one night, since it closes so late and we had been up early for our flight that day.

DS took naps about 1/2 the time.

We don't leave the parks mid-day because we don't like wasting the travel time.

We know ahead of time what we consider a must-do that day, and plan 2-3 attractions ahead. We mainly just go with what works for that day. Some days are hotter than others, and if we need to get inside, we hit an indoor attraction.

We take a leisurely pace, yet we seem to have time to get everything in.

A big key is that we generally don't go out after our dinner in the parks, which means we get our 8 hours of sleep most nights. On non-park days, we play golf, see Cirque, go to DD, etc, but we still get our sleep.

All that said, I realize that just because our style is what we want, it doesn't mean its what everyone wants. But somebody asked, and I just wanted to point out it is possible...