7:00 EE - what time to arrive

[Boo Mc]

Can anyone tell me what time we should arrive at the gate if EE is at 7:00? We'll be there on June 27, 28 and 29 and we'll have our own car. What time does the parking lot open? Do they hold you at the gate until 7:00 (like at WDW) or do they let you in and hold you on Main Street? Do they ever open before 7:00? Sorry for all the questions but we'll only have one EE day and I'd like to maximize our time.

 

[KelNottAt]

Sorry, I can't answer your question. I'm just wondering where you got the early entry schedule. Since our bio-clocks will still be on EDT when we're at DL next week I thought it would be an easy way for us to do EE...but I haven't seen any info on it.

Thanks.
Kelley

 

[iceskatejen]

The parking garage (and I assume other parking areas) will open 30 minutes prior to the gate opening for early entry--so if early entry is at 7, then the garage opens at 6:30. They'll hold you at the gate until 7.

 

[HydroGuy]

Can anyone tell me what time we should arrive at the gate if EE is at 7:00? We'll be there on June 27, 28 and 29 and we'll have our own car. What time does the parking lot open? Do they hold you at the gate until 7:00 (like at WDW) or do they let you in and hold you on Main Street? Do they ever open before 7:00? Sorry for all the questions but we'll only have one EE day and I'd like to maximize our time.

Most people recommend you get in line 30 minutes early, even on EE days. That is 6:30AM. If you have a car, unload the people first, send them to the line, and then have the driver only park the car. The driver can then hop in line with their group.

 

[Boo Mc]

Hydroguy and Jen - thanks for the info. Love the parking idea! Any idea if Monday or Tuesday would be better for EE?

Kelley - I got the times from the DL website. It says EE is Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Sat. Have a good trip!

 

[All Aboard]

I only have one day's experience with this, but it's recent - and here's how it worked...

On Saturday, May 28th, we arrived at the Disneyland front gate at about 6:48 am. We selected a line (they were all about the same length) that had about 12 people in front of us. At 6:57 am (according to my phone) they began letting people in. Our queue divided into two turnstiles once the gates were open, and we were inside in a matter of about 3-4 minutes, tops. There was no rope on Main Street, people just streaked to the attractions. We rode the Matterhorn 4 times in a row with minimal waits each time and were able to ride every other Fantasyland attraction by 8:45 am or so, before the crowds decended. Now, this day (a Saturday on a holiday weekend, near the beginning of the 50th celebration) was HUGELY crowded just a short time later. So, I suspect, that you can have this kind of experience (or better) on most days.

As for the garage, I can't help you - as we walked from the Disneyland Hotel. By the way, taking the monorail or walking that day was a toss-up. The first filled monorail passed by the entrance gates just before they opened. By the time we made it to the Matterhorn, the first batch of monorail guests were racing towards the bobsleds.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hydroguy and Jen - thanks for the info. Love the parking idea! Any idea if Monday or Tuesday would be better for EE?

Can't answer that one due to lack of direct experience. Since Monday will be the first day on our upcoming trip, we are going to do EE on Monday because we will have the most energy that morning and the benefit of an early bedtime Sunday eve.

Note that on EE days where you yourself are not an EE, it is best to avoid Fantasyland, especially in the morning. It will be packed before you even get there!

 

[CJDrew's Mom]

We just got back from DL this morning! Initially, I wanted to use the EE on Tuesday, because I thought the crowds would be better. Boy am I glad my husband talked me into Monday instead! The kids' energy level was much better on Monday morning (we arrived Sunday and by Tuesday, the time difference and all of the activity was getting to them) Also, the crowds were much worse yesterday than on Monday.

When we got to the gate at 7:40, there were about 20 people waiting ahead of us in 3 lines. As the lines got longer, a man was starting new lines at other gates. They didn't open the gates until 8am exactly. We took a couple of pictures (50th emblem just inside the gate which was hugely crowded every other time we passed it, Main St, Walt statue) on our way to Fantasyland. We rode Peter Pan twice (walked on the first time and 5 min wait the second), Dumbo twice (walked on first, 5 minutes the second), Peter Pan again (15 minutes by now) the carousel, the Matterhorn twice, the teacups, and Mr. Toad and were over in Tomorrowland for Buzz and Star Tours when the non EE crowd came in.

There were a few days around Memorial Day that EE was an hour and a half instead of an hour, but not last week. I don't know if that's common.

CJDrew's Mom

 

[Boo Mc]

Thanks so much for your post -I've been going back and forth trying to decide. I think I'll definitely use Monday as the EE day. I was also worried about my kids getting up early on Tuesday if we spent the day at the parks on Monday. I think we'll do one early and long day on Monday and then if they're tired on Tuesday we can take things at a slower pace. Now I just have to decide whether to try for a Blue Bayou PS on Monday (for a nice break) or Tuesday (since they might be more tired) . Decisions, decisions .

Thanks again!!