24 Hour Event and Rope Drop

[bean]

I have a reservation at Kona Cafe for 7:30 on May 23rd. I completely forgot about the 24 hour event. When you look on the official park hours it still says 9:00? I guess this would get us to the MK by 9:00 AM. Would you cancel though since the park is "opening" at 6:00? Any idea how this will affect crowds in the early AM?

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

I'd cancel. I think part of the fun of the 24-hour event is getting into the parks early. Try to reschedule Kona if you can, though... so yummy!

 

[paxsarah]

We did MK on the Friday morning of the 24-hour day last year, because it was our last day and that's what we typically do, not because it was a special event. Because we were checking out of an off-site timeshare, we probably didn't get to the gate until 10:00am, but it was not particularly busy at that point and we got a lot done from then until we left in the early afternoon. If you're worried about crowds, I would say that they won't start building until later in the day, because more people are interested in seeing MK during the late night/wee hours than they are for a 6am opening.

 

[beffysky]

Crud. I just realized that our trip coincides with the 24 hour event and we had totally planned on going to Magic Kingdom that day. I can't decide whether to stick with it or swap days with another park. I've got 2 littles (2 and 4) who will definitely need afternoon naps and I'm nervous we either won't get back in the park in the evening, or that it will be so crowded it won't be fun for them. What would you experienced WDWers do?

 

[jrjankowski8]

more people are interested in seeing MK during the late night/wee hours than they are for a 6am opening.

It's true but I think it's funny because EMH keep the park open til 1, 2, sometimes 3am and from what I hear the park is mostly cleared out on 24hr day by 1-2. So there isn't much of a difference than any other day to those people

 

[hhill]

Same problem here. I had plannned our last day on May 23rd at MK and just heard about this 24 hours event. I had a touring plan at rope drop. I don't know what to do. For those of you who have been to 24 hours event before, how would this impact the crowd?

 

[ciera321]

Crud. I just realized that our trip coincides with the 24 hour event and we had totally planned on going to Magic Kingdom that day. I can't decide whether to stick with it or swap days with another park. I've got 2 littles (2 and 4) who will definitely need afternoon naps and I'm nervous we either won't get back in the park in the evening, or that it will be so crowded it won't be fun for them. What would you experienced WDWers do?

We also have MK as our RD that day. We still plan on going, but will arrive before 6AM and do everything we can before the crowds build. I've read that between 6AM and 1PM, the crowds will be very manageable. We always leave for a mid-day break to cool off, so we'll miss the gridlock!

 

[beffysky]

Eh, I think we're going to swap our days around. I don't want to risk things being too crowded to get back in after naps. We'll do our last MK day on Saturday and send my kids off with one final visit to Anna and Elsa, for whom I somehow managed to secure a fabulous time fastpass+ for, even on a Saturday!

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Crud. I just realized that our trip coincides with the 24 hour event and we had totally planned on going to Magic Kingdom that day. I can't decide whether to stick with it or swap days with another park. I've got 2 littles (2 and 4) who will definitely need afternoon naps and I'm nervous we either won't get back in the park in the evening, or that it will be so crowded it won't be fun for them. What would you experienced WDWers do?

Was there last May and morning wasn't much of a problem nor early afternoon. We went back around 7 ish and that was a big mistake. Parade and then Wishes we literally could only get to end of Main Street then crawl out the "back door" exit.

 

[hhill]

Josh updated the calendar event to reflect this change and this is what he has to say about it. I thought it would help us all rope drop planner:

"Magic Kingdom is recommended with reservation. 6am – 6pm will see light crowds. The novelty of these 24-hour days is the late night from 7pm – 6am with 9pm – 1am being busiest. Daytime crowds, particularly from 6am – 10am, will be light with low waits at most attractions. Parking at the Transportation/Ticket Center will be difficult after 7pm with the possibility that the parking lot will close and guests will be sent to Epcot to park and then wait for and take the monorail to the TTC. And then wait for and take the monorail or ferry from there. Expect gridlock after 9pm in the Park. It is a fun atmosphere for park veterans, but it’s not an ideal situation with young kids or those looking to experience the attractions with the shortest waits possible."

So i think if i get to the park at rope drop as i initially planned it and using my FP+ i should be ok.

 

[hhill]

Josh updated the calendar event to reflect this change and this is what he has to say about it. I thought it would help us all rope drop planner:

"Magic Kingdom is recommended with reservation. 6am – 6pm will see light crowds. The novelty of these 24-hour days is the late night from 7pm – 6am with 9pm – 1am being busiest. Daytime crowds, particularly from 6am – 10am, will be light with low waits at most attractions. Parking at the Transportation/Ticket Center will be difficult after 7pm with the possibility that the parking lot will close and guests will be sent to Epcot to park and then wait for and take the monorail to the TTC. And then wait for and take the monorail or ferry from there. Expect gridlock after 9pm in the Park. It is a fun atmosphere for park veterans, but it’s not an ideal situation with young kids or those looking to experience the attractions with the shortest waits possible."

So i think if i get to the park at rope drop as i initially planned it and using my FP+ i should be ok.

Josh with Easy WDW

 

[j2thomason]

I saw that there were rules posted about camping out at the gate/entrance of Disneyland. Should we expected that at MK, too? I hope not...I'm really hoping to get a full night of sleep at Pop Century, get on a bus about 5:00 and head over to MK. Anyone else think camping out is necessary at MK for the 24 hour party?

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

I saw that there were rules posted about camping out at the gate/entrance of Disneyland. Should we expected that at MK, too? I hope not...I'm really hoping to get a full night of sleep at Pop Century, get on a bus about 5:00 and head over to MK. Anyone else think camping out is necessary at MK for the 24 hour party?

I was there last year for this and frankly the "opening bell" was pretty normal . It was later toward evening and definitely pre parade and Wishes that it was all out crazy. Recommend you watch fireworks from deep in the park, if you're staying late and stay away from Main St at all costs ! That being said my whole family will remember that day forever.