To Early Entry Or Not ????

[THE DENTIST]

Dear all,

As all of America knows, we are coming over for our first dream Disney tour. We are staying at POR and will therefore have use of early entry.

We have not designed our trip according to this and I'm wondering whether we should always go to the park that has early entry on the day.

What do you all think. It's Jan so not the busiest time, however, it is said to be useful to have the extra hour.

Should I change my plan to suit extra hour or not ?
Is it not the case that busy parks get early entry and that you can go on less busy days to that park without needing EE?

Please help?

[Mickey76]

:D

If you have the time and don't have a specific schedule, why not do it? Any extra time in tha parks that is given to you is a plus, except in the summer when the crowds are bigger.

::MickeyMo Mickey76::MickeyMo

[Jubaby]

It might depend on your family. Are you early-risers or not? My family likes to get up early, and therefore we do use the early entry most mornings. However, we do schedule some days to catch up on rest, or do a character breakfast.

[MikeBW]

My opinion on EE is that it is good for MK and maybe AK. MK has Fantasy Land and Tomorrow Land open on EE days and you can get both of those areas done by 9:30/10:00. With little kids, it is a big benefit. It can be good to do the safari early at AK because the animals are more active early in the day. The Studios and Epcot don't have many EE rides, so it is not as important to get there early.

[kevind65]

I agree. EE is very good for the MK. especially if you have little ones and you want to knock out fantasyland before the absolute choas of mid-morning sets in. we have never been in January, so I'm not sure if it's necessary to use EE to see everything or not. I do think the park hours are significantly shorter in January, so, the extra hour may come in handy. Also, so you know, the park that has EE will typically be the most crowded park on that day. many people use a
sort of reverse EE strategy and avoid the EE park. Our family is an early rise family so we've always enjoyed taking advantage of EE. We normally go to the EE park and get everything we want done very quickly. then, when that park starts to fill up(mid to late morning), we head somewhere else.

[Happy Birthday Cat]

When its busy it's important to get to the Studios and do EE. You can ride a couple of rides and get a FP so you can ride them again before lots of people arrive. I do agree that it is useful for the MK at any time.

HBC

[lentesta]

Hi doc.

EE works best for the Magic Kingdom, where you'll save about an extra hour standing in line on a comprehensive tour of the park. It's moderately useful at the Studios, only a little helpful at Epcot, and perhaps of no use at the Animal Kingdom.

I think we've posted a thread here previously that explains how we got the data used to make those judgements. For example, EE may work poorly at the AK, as there are a small number of rides with limited capacity, so the extra guests from EE tend to overwhelm the park by mid-morning.

If the search facility isn't working, let me know and I'll see what I can find.

Sincerely,

Len

[THE DENTIST]

We are a couple, no kids and first timers. We don't mind getting up early but not regimentally for the whole trip-that would kill us.
We have got PS's for dinner on most days and so i'm not sure how easy it would be to re-arrange these to fit in with EE based plans.
Would you ride at one park and eat at one of the Disney Resorts between 5.15-7 ? Our only morning Ps's are Boma on Sat 17 and CRT on the Mon 20 at MK. Both on non-EE days!

What would you do?



Love
KV

[lentesta]

Hi KV,

Can you post your complete list of PS reservations with dates and times? It would help to see what can be done.

Thanks!

Len

[kctinkerbell]

We will be at WDW March 10-16. We planned our first day at the parks to be EE at MK on Thursday. We then thought that we would not use EE the rest of the days and try to do the day after EE plan. We would be at the parks by opening at 9:00. I know that this is a busy time at WDW, so what do you think of my iternary?
I think we will have to go back to our hotel for a little down time later in the afternoon so we can stay happy and awake for fireworks, sanity, dinner, etc.
We will have 5 day Park Hopper Plus passes and we thought we might do a water park as a day out of the parks later during the trip.
This is our first time, Me (35), DH (39), DD's (6& 4) and we are early risers and we are staying on site.

Also on Friday we have our CRT reservations at 8:30.

As a newbie, I find all of your adivce to be a huge help!!! Thank-you in advance!!:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:


kctinkerbell

[kctinkerbell]

Bump!!!!!!

[THE DENTIST]

Sat 17th Boma 8.30 Jiko 18.30
Sun 18th V&A 18.15
Mon 19th Ohana 19.20
Tue 20th CRT 8.05
Wed 21st Hoop-de-doo 19.15
Thur 22nd Citricos 19.20
Fri 23rd
Sat24th Aloha 17.15





Fri 30th Discovery Cove
Sat 31st Return Home

What do you all think?

[THE DENTIST]

Sat 17th Boma 8.30 Jiko 18.30
Sun 18th V&A 18.15
Mon 19th Ohana 19.20
Tue 20th CRT 8.05
Wed 21st Hoop-de-doo 19.15
Thur 22nd Citricos 19.20
Fri 23rd no booking yet
Sat24th Aloha 17.15



Fri 30th Discovery Cove
Sat 31st Return Home

What do you all think?
KV

[kctinkerbell]

Any great ideas out there????

kctinkerbell

[pogo791]

KV,
Aah, a challenge - matching EE with PSs, and with a stay at POR.
First off, you don't have to use EE every day if you don't want to; no dream vacation should be based on forcing everyone to wake up early each and every morning for an 8.00 starting gate (meaning you have to leave POR at the latest at 7.30; preferably earlier so that you can position yourself in the park).
That said, EE definitely comes in handy, even during the low-crowd season (I like your choice of mid-January.) It's good especially if you know exactly what you want to do. You've gone through the different guidebooks, haven't you, and made a list of the must-see rides?
Saturday is a no-brainer. Since you'll be having breakfast at Boma and dinner at Jiko, you'll be at AK the rest of the day, and not using EE to the Studios. Sunday is another no-brainer: MK is the park where EE really helps you beat the crowds. Go through as many of the rides on your list as you can, and then just coast the rest of the day (enjoying the parades) before getting over to V&A. MK has more than enough to fill your day.
Monday is EE-day at AK. Now you have to start making choices. For most people, the one day you have already spent at AK would be enough for the first time; others would want to go back on Kilimanjaro Safaris as early as possible, when the animals tend to be a little more active. (Not that there will be that much difference in mid-January, though.) If you don't go to AK - or you do go, but just for an hour or two - you might consider spending the Monday at some other park with a lot to see. (Since I'll be suggesting you go to Epcot on Wednesday, Monday might be your day for the Studios.)
Tuesday you start out at CRT, and obviously you'll be spending at least the rest of the morning at MK. By this time, you'll know if you want to spend also the afternoon there until closing time at 7 pm, or try something else.
Wednesday is EE at Epcot, and so that's the time and place to try Fast Track and Mission:Space. Spend the rest of the day there until it's time for Hoop-de-doo.
That leaves Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday is EE at MK, Friday at AK and Saturday at Studios. If you think you've missed something, use EE; otherwise, go to one of the parks that don't have EE on that day. (Although in my experience, the crowds are low in January even in the EE parks.)
I noticed, by the way, that you haven't factored in Cirque du Soleil, Downtown Disney or Boardwalk. You've got two evenings free, why not see if you and your wife are up to seeing these? (I would definitely recommend Cirque du Soleil!) And how about Blizzard Beach (unfortunately Typhoon Lagoon will be closed when you go)?
And I really envy you your first time - you will really have a memorable stay!

[THE DENTIST]

Dear pogo,

I'd like to thank you for such a detailed thought of our vacation. I sincerely am grateful for the time it must have taken to think-on and write to me.

I do have an update though; I have changed one or two PS's.

sat17 now only have 18.15 at V&A. so do i go to MGM for the day
sun18 now only have PS for Cal Grill at 17.50. Day at MK ?
mon19 boma 7.30 and then Jiko 17.30. Thus day at AK
tues20 CRT 8.05 could not change- is fully booked other days.Maybe half day at MK and then what?
wed21 epcot EE so go there.

The reason for these changes is to use EE so would like to fit into an EE routine.
Yes we do want to go to Boardwalk, Tampa, Universal in the 2nd week of our stay.

Please feel free to hate me but help.

KV

:wave2:

[pogo791]

Dear KV,
No problem - plans were made to be changed, and it's good that you are open to rethinking your options.
You've thus changed your program for Saturday through Monday. Saturday with EE to MGM would be a good plan; go straight to the Tower of Terror as well as Rock-n-Rollercoaster (if you are up to them) and then the others in whatever order strikes your fancy. The Studios is a small park, so you should have it under your belt before dining in splendor at V&A. (Don't forget your dinner jacket! V&A is the only one at WDW that insists on it.)
Sunday at MK is a good idea. You can then cap it off with a window seat at California Grill, enjoying the fireworks.
The only change I'm a little dubious about is shifting your Boma PS to Monday, which is EE at AK. You will not be at the AK for breakfast, but at the AKL; this means that you will first have a leisurely breakfast (and oooh, that lovely food at Boma!) and only then get over to AK - at 9.30 or so, too late to enjoy the advantage of EE, but smack in time to catch the rest of the pack coming in from off-site. Not to worry, though. Stick with your plan, go first to Kilimanjaro Safari, and then take in the rest of the park until 5 p, or so, before you head back to AKL for a wonderful African dinner at Jiko. As I said, the crowd in mid-January isn't all that bad.
OK - now it's Tuesday, and you're having breakfast with Cinderella. From here on in through the end of the week, I'd refer to my earlier posting: work off your breakfast (slow - ly! you're on vacation!) at MK, and then think about whatever else you're interested in for the rest of Tuesday. Why not Downtown Disney, Boardwalk or Blizzard Beach?
And then Wednesday at Epcot, and so on down the line ...
Enjoy!

[lentesta]

I think most of Pogo's suggestions are very good. I'd disagree only with Saturday. If we're going to V&A at 6:15, we'd want to be there around 6 p.m., meaning we leave POR around 5:40. Including a shower and a few minutes to relax, we'd probably have to be back at POR no later than 4 p.m. So we'd have to leave whatever park we're at around 3:15 or 3:30 p.m., latest.

That's not enough time to do a comprehensive tour of the Studios, even with EE. I'd suggest something like Epcot Future World. Saturday's a good day to visit Epcot, and you could see virtually all of Future World by mid-afternoon. The rest of my schedule suggestion would be this:

Sat 17th V&A 18.15
Epcot Future World, Day 1

Sun 18th CGrill 17.50
Magic Kingdom, Day 1 (Early Entry:Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square)

Mon 19th Boma 7.30, Jiko 17.30
Animal Kingdom

Tue 20th CRT 8.05
Magic Kingdom, Day 2 (Tomorrowland, Adventureland and Toontown)

Wed 21st Hoop-de-doo 19.15
Day Off

Thur 22nd Citricos 19.20
Disney-MGM Studios (concentrate on shows - we'll do rides on Saturday)

Fri 23rd no booking yet
Epcot, day 2 (World Showcase)

Sat24th Aloha 17.15
I'd cancel this reservation.
Disney-MGM Studios (Early Entry)

Put some rest days here!

Fri 30th Discovery Cove
Sat 31st Return Home


A couple of things to note:

1) A day off on Wednesday is probably a good idea. At the very least, sleep in a bit. In general, two or three days of touring should be followed by a day of rest, lest everyone get grumpy.

2) I'd cancel the PS for the Aloha dinner show in the 24th. The food quality isn't good, and the entertainment doesn't make up for it. Plus it's expensive, and takes more than two hours. At the very least, get the opinions of others here before comitting.

3) I'd split up the Magic Kingdom and Epcot over two days, as they're both big parks. I'd use EE in the Magic Kingdom for one day, and get most of Fantasyland done (see notes)

4) A complete day at the Studios on the 24th becomes possible if you cancel the Aloha reservation, and it's also EE at the Studios.


Hope this helps. Nice job, Pogo.

Len

[kctinkerbell]

We will be at WDW March 10-16. We planned our first day at the parks to be EE at MK on Thursday. We then thought that we would not use EE the rest of the days and try to do the day after EE plan. We would be at the parks by opening at 9:00. I was thinking Th- EE MK; Fri- CRT breakfast, anything we didn't do on Th, then park hop to Epcot; Sa-AK; Sun-MGM; Mon-resort day or BB; Tue- Whatever we want to do again MK and MGM? I know that this is a busy time at WDW, so what do you think of my iternary?
I think we will have to go back to our hotel for a little down time later in the afternoon so we can stay happy, awake for fireworks, sanity, and dinner, etc.
We will have 5 day Park Hopper Plus passes and we thought we might do a water park as a day out of the parks later during the trip.
This is our first time, Me (35), DH (39), DD's (6& 4) and we are early risers and we are staying on site.

Also on Friday we have our CRT reservations at 8:30.

Any advice for this newbie and our first trip to WDW is REALLY APPRECIATED!!

[cinder1]

For what it's worth, this is how we handle EE. DH and oldest DD (8) get up for EE on some days. They go ride the rides that our youngest 2 won't or can't ride. Then they meet me and the younger 2 at whatever park we have decided on, usually not the EE park. We are going to be at WDW from Jan 4 to Jan 9 so being at the EE park later in the day may not be as crowded as it was during March so we may adjust accordingly. But EE allows the "braver" riders in our group to get in extra fun on the rides that are more difficult to ride later in the day (which they still do) while the rest of us sleep just a bit later!!

[kctinkerbell]

The only problem with this is that our 6 year old is probably the one with more "fright" issues than our younger DD (almost 4)!! How is that the second child is willing to ride things that DD (6) may question?!?!
Your advice gives me something else to think about - more park hopping.
I appreciate your input.

kctinkerbell

[lentesta]

Hey KCtinkerbell,

I'm looking at your info now. I'll have an update shortly.

Len

[lentesta]

Hey KCTink,

Okey-dokey. Let's see what we have here.....

I like the idea of doing the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and Friday. Thursday's an EE day, so you could get Fantasyland, Frontierland and Liberty Square done. You didn't say whether afternoon breaks were an option, but with a DD4 and DD6, I'd do my best to get one.

On Friday you could visit Tomorrowland, Toontown and Adventureland after your CRT at 8:30 a.m. My only concern there would be that Astro Orbiters and Speedway, two non-FASTPASS attractions,may be crowded by 9:30. But I'd have the same concern if we switched Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and there are fewer such attractions in Tomorrowland, so I'll stick with this.
You can also get a nice mid-day break in today, too.

For Saturday, I like the idea of a morning break. For one thing, you'll have got up early two or three straight days, and it'll be time for a lull. If spending the entire day laying around isn't appealing, you could always wait until it warmed up enough to go to a water park. Keep in mind, though, that most kids enjoy the pool more than anything in the parks. Don't feel like you have to entertain them; I think quantity parent time beats any water park. If it's too cold for a water park, Epcot. The kids won't be going on Test Track or Mission:Space, so the only other attraction that may have a significant wait is Living with the Land (a personal favorite), and HISTA, both FASTPASS-able. No worries there.

For Sunday, I think Animal Kingdom. Yes, I know it's EE at the AK on Monday, but you don't need EE to see the AK, and you'll be getting an extra hour of sleep.

For Monday, Disney-MGM. Shouldn't be that crowded, as it's EE for the AK, and it's possible to see everything here in one day, too.

Leave Tuesday open for repeats or relaxing.

How's that sound?

Len

[kctinkerbell]

Thank-you so much Len

I really appreciate your expert advice!! This is our first trip and I really want it to be great!
I'm currently reading the Unofficial Guide and it has been a big help also!

Thank-you expert from the Newbie!!!
:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

kctinkerbell

[THE DENTIST]

Dear all especially the above,

You are very good to advise so accurately and clearly this has attracted other poor souls for your help!

I'm very grateful and will follow the advice. I'll cancel Aloha so that there is more time for other things.

The rest day on Wed seems a good idea, we never reckoned on this but it is likely to help recharge the batteries. Maybe shopping will help!

I'll now print-off your ideas and put them to my diary.

I think using EE will make it better for us. The V&A booking may seem early but we will have had a flight from UK the day before and it may be nice to take it easy the first day.

Would you book an Epcot illuminations meal and which night?

Sorry for all the questions but it really helps.

Love,
Kuli

[pogo791]

Once more into the breach -

KV, you don't have that many alternatives for IllumiNations. During the time window you are in WDW, IllumiNations is at 9 pm. Since you have PSs for all the other evenings, you are basically only working with Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. I'd say that any one of them would be good. Friday is the day that, according to the suggestions above in this string, you would already be in Epcot, but nothing is stopping you from park-hopping on either Tuesday or Saturday (with, perhaps, some rest time in between).

Since you hail from Blackpool, I wouldn't suggest the Rose and Crown as the ideal spot for an IllumiNations meal. San Angel Inn is, however, a standing favorite among many.

Have you also considered an IllumiNations cruise from Boardwalk or the Yacht Club? You could take the cruise, and then cap it off with a dinner for example on Boardwalk (or, depending on your energy level, dinner first, cruise after).

Regarding rest days - Len is absolutely right. Since you will be hopping the pond, you will probably be getting jet lag by Sunday. Possibly the idea of a nap back at POR will begin to sound mighty good around midafternoon, allowing you to recharge for your PS at California Grill - which, by the way, has been touted as one of the best restaurants in Florida.

[lentesta]

Pogo791's correct - the San Angel Inn at Mexico is very popular, and the food is good.

I've done Illuminations cruises in the past, and I think you may see a bit more of Illuminations from land. The cruise is still a nice time, of course, especially if you're with familiy or friends. But if the objective is to see Illuminations, I think it's better to be somewhere in World Showcase.

Len

[THE DENTIST]

Both of you make good sense and I wonder whether to now book San Angel for the fireworks or play it by ear?

One thing I didn't mention is that I'm a very keen and fussy photographer so I will have a tripod set up and wonder if that should be possible away from a restaurant atmosphere? Are there places we can get to early enough to get set-up for photos without booking dinner?


Kuli
:wave2: :wave2:

[lentesta]

The seating area behind the Rose and Crown pub probably offers the best view available, but to guarantee a spot you'd probably have to show up at least 90 minutes early, possible 120. That would preclude any dinner at San Angel that lasts beyond 7 p.m.

You could try the seating area near the Cantina de San Angel, in the same (Mexico) pavilion as the San Angel Inn Restaurante. With the appropriate equipment, I'm sure you'll get excellent shots.

Len

[THE DENTIST]

Your footnote suggests you are one of those lucky people involved with the guide. I have two years of this guide, the most current being our 2003 edition. It is excellent and I must ask you, would you follow the one-day adult plans for each park?

We are a three adult party and wish to make best use of our visits. We want to also be easy paced and not dashing around as the guide sometimes suggests. We wanna chill and enjoy the feeling rather than hustle and become tired.


What say you ?


Kul

[THE DENTIST]

Here I go for plan so far, please feel free to disagree or approve.

SAT 17 USE EE FOR MGM & DO RIDES. DINNER AT V&A 6.15PM
SUN 18 CHEF MICKEYS 7AM; EE FOR MK. CAL GRILL 7.15PM
MON 19 7.30 BOMA, DAY AT AK. DINNER AT JIKO 5.30PM
TUE 20 CRT 8.05, MORNING AT MK, AFTERNOON REST OR ? THEN
BOARDWALK DINNER AND 9PM CIRQUE DE SOLEIL BOOKED.
WED 21 EE FOR EPCOT FOR FIRST VISIT. HOOP DE AT 7.15PM
THURS 22 YOU SUGGEST MGM SHOWS TODAY SO OK. EVENING AT CITRICOS 7.20PM
FRI 23 HERE WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING,

OUR PLAN DOESN'T SEEM TO FIT-IN WITH FIREWORKS FOR THE WEEK SO, CAN WE SEE SOME FIREWORKS AND IF SO WHERE TONIGHT ?
SHOULD WE SEE FIREWORKS ON TUES 20 BEFORE CIRQUE AT A PARK ?
FRIDAY NIGHT AT BOARDWLK ?
SAT 24 HAVING BEEN TO MGM TWICE IN THE WEEK WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GOING TO UNIVERSAL AND EATING THERE AT NIGHT ?
SUN 25 SEAWORLD/UNIVERSALS OR REST DAY.
MON 26 TRIP TO TAMPA FOR BUSCH GARDENS
TUES 27
WED 28
THURS29
FRI 30 DISCOVERY COVE BOOKED
SAT31 HOME

WHAT DO YOU THINK GUYS?

KULI
:wave2:

[lentesta]

Thanks very much for reading the Guide!

Yes, I'd follow the plans, especially if it's one of my first visits. At the least, I'd follow the patterns of the lands shown in the Guide. That is, if Fantasyland attractions are shown first on the MK plan, but you don't want to see the attractions in the specific order shown, at least see Fantasyland first. If Frontierland is shown second, see Frontierland attractions second. Let me know if this isn't clear and I'll provide more help.

I'd see Wishes at the MK on Saturday the 24th or Tue the 27th (if they're showing). I'd see Illuminations any free night.

Len

[THE DENTIST]

along with other people here, you have been very helpful at a critical stage in planning and if you ever get toothache or a dental problem in UK, call me, I'll make you suffer in stylish surroundings.

Just a joke, that suffer bit, everyone loves going to the dentist ! don't they ?

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:

Love
KUL

[Texowl2]

Staying onsite is not cheap, but the EMH makes all the difference. As the Unofficial guide says, this is a Disney vacation, get your sleepy head outabed. Frankly our idea of a vacation is not one of waiting in lines. Wanna sleep late-go to the beach.

[lentesta]

Thanks KUL!

Len