actual vs official park opening times

[lovetoscrap]

In the Unofficial Guide it talks about "actual" park opening times often being at least 30 minutes before the "official" opening time. With all the cutbacks that have taken place is this still happening? Are the gates and possibly some of the attractions opening a little earlier than officialy posted?

If anyone has been recently (or is a CM) and can relate their RECENT experiences with this I (and many others) would appreciate it.

If we can get in early and begin to "experience" the parks we would love to (it is our first trip), but if we will just end up standing outside the gates for an extra hour then it isn't worth getting up that much earlier!

 

[mslangen]

Hi,

What they mean I think, is the fact that you can enter the park 30 minutes before opening time. It means that you can go through the gates. At that time you have only access to the entrance area of the park. For example, in the MK you can walk through the main street, but can't go to one of the lands.
At the official opening time they open the lands for you.
This method of entering the parks is good efficiëncy. If they open the gates at the official hour then there should be very long lines at the gates. Now people can go to the gate and are waiting inside the park for the official opening.
Some shops in the entrance area will be open.

Marcel.

 

[eeyore0062]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but since 9/11, the actual times and the official times are pretty much the same. You can get into a park early, if you have PS for a character meal, and you may be able to get in 5 minutes early, but you will be held at a rope, that will not drop until the official opening. We have been 3 times since 9/11 and it has been the same everytime

 

[lentesta]

Hi lovetoscrap,

I think it depends on the time of year and the expected crowds. Most of the time lately, as eeyore0062 notes, the official and actual opening times seem to be within a few minutes of each other.

During more crowded periods, as mslangen says, they'll let you in early, but stop you at some point before the attractions. Disney-MGM Studios and Epcot, I think, do this regularly.

During very crowded times of the year (Christmas, perhaps Easter), the actual opening time may be 15-20 minutes earlier than the official time, or more.

Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about the Unofficial Guide: testa@ncat.edu. I helped with the touring plans.

Sincerely,

Len Testa