Actual park opening times vs stated opening?

[44disney]

Hi!
Heading to see the Mouse in a few days!!!!!!

As I recall, sometimes the parks will open about 15 minutes earlier than stated. Does anyone who has been there recently recall what time each of the parks actually opened vs the stated time?

Thanks!!!

 

[Hopefully]

Approximately 15 minutes prior to posted opening times

 

[CAS239]

It just depends that morning on when their ready to open and if there's a lot of people waiting. Sometimes they wait until scheduled time, sometimes they open 10-20 min ahead of scheduled time. I'd recommend being there 30 min or earlier prior to scheduled time

 

[MermaidMommy]

Magic Kingdom always opens early (at least under the current procedures). The Welcome Show starts 20 minutes before park opening -- it lasts about 7 minutes, and the park opens immediately afterwards. So, 8:47, or 7:47 on EMH days. You can find the time for the show on Disney's calender, if you ever want to double check.

According to Josh's cheat sheets at easyWDW, the other parks are all letting people in around 30 minutes before opening, where they are held internally, and then releasing them to an open park 15 minutes before the scheduled opening. They were doing that when we were there a few months ago, but hopefully someone who's been more recently can confirm for you.

 

[disneymom0104]

We were there last week, Epcot was similar to MK- they were letting us in 10-15 minutes prior to open and rides were operating but characters don't come out until 9. MK was open approx. 15 minutes early each day. HS seemed a bit later- they let us in but then held us until right about posted opening. We didn't rope drop AK so unsure about that one

 

[Robo]

The safest way to operate is to arrive at the gates of any of the theme parks
30-45 minutes before the posted opening time on "regular hours" days, and
25-35 minutes before the posted opening time on "AM Extra Magic Hours" days.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We were there this past week. We did rope drop on Sunday 9/4 and the welcome show started at 8:40 and they let everyone in at 8:45, as soon as it was done. This was the case last year too. We only rope dropped MK, so I am not sure about the other parks. We were already in Epcot on 9/7 for Akershus. We were finished breakfast a few minutes after 9am and we walked right onto FEA, which was great since the posted stand by time was 30 minutes, it definitely wasn't.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The safest way to operate is to arrive at the gates of any of the theme parks
30-45 minutes before the posted opening time on "regular hours" days, and
25-35 minutes before the posted opening time on "AM Extra Magic Hours" days.

Agree with this. It really varies -- there is no guarantee. We've gotten in everywhere from 0-30min ahead of posted opening!

 

[AngiTN]

It just depends that morning on when their ready to open and if there's a lot of people waiting. Sometimes they wait until scheduled time, sometimes they open 10-20 min ahead of scheduled time. I'd recommend being there 30 min or earlier prior to scheduled time

While this is correct it ends up being like 90% (or more) of the time they open the turnstiles at least 15 min early. It's quite unusual for them to wait till posted opening time to start letting guests in
They may well hold folks at internal ropes till posted opening time though.

 

[CAS239]

While this is correct it ends up being like 90% (or more) of the time they open the turnstiles at least 15 min early. It's quite unusual for them to wait till posted opening time to start letting guests in
They may well hold folks at internal ropes till posted opening time though.

I think it varies..we usually show up fairly early but usually not waiting before rope drop. However the times we had, last year when we did Hollywood Studios I think it was an 8am opening and I was looking at my watch at 7:59 thinking "hmm, was really hoping we'd be getting in about 20 min ago". And I've never personally experienced being let in then held at a rope aside from waiting to enter the world showcase at 11. I know it happens though