Anna and Elsa opening at 9am starting next week?

[ChimneyJim]

We had 8am reservation today at Akershus. I finished at 825 and was second in line. Rope drop crowds arrived about 850. When we left at 915 the line was well past the border headed into Mexico.

 

[G8r4evr]

I think you're a bit behind the times - they're now starting to meet at 9 am (for a trial). IF that is the case and IF the person gets in line right at RD (assuming that's 9 am) they will see them between 9 and 10 am (I'm assuming that some folks will get in line early from Akershus)

I'm curious to read some more reviews before we go. If we go in at RD and still have to wait 3+ hours, we will probably have to wait until our next trip or check back in the afternoon.

Can anyone go in through the back entrance? Can you just park at the BW and walk in that way, to get to the M&G a little quicker?

 

[km3jones]

We were here this morning 2.9.14. Main gates opened at 8:50. DD12 took off and made it back by 8:54. The rest of us made it by 8:58. We were about 6th family in line. DD said only one gate person beat her, the rest were already in line. Anna and Elsa doors opened about 9:03. We were done at 9:16. I did a video and the interaction was at least 1.5 minutes; then we did kids in a pic and then a family pic. They had a little bit of tshirts and dolls in store (there were none in there a few days ago.) Once we were out the lines were crazy long. At least at a 2 hr wait by 9:20.

 

[G8r4evr]

We were here this morning 2.9.14. Main gates opened at 8:50. DD12 took off and made it back by 8:54. The rest of us made it by 8:58. We were about 6th family in line. DD said only one gate person beat her, the rest were already in line. Anna and Elsa doors opened about 9:03. We were done at 9:16. I did a video and the interaction was at least 1.5 minutes; then we did kids in a pic and then a family pic. They had a little bit of tshirts and dolls in store (there were none in there a few days ago.) Once we were out the lines were crazy long. At least at a 2 hr wait by 9:20.

Ouch, that doesn't give me a lot of hope...we are not fast walkers. LOL But, if need be, DH can run ahead and we can join him in line, when we finally make it there?

Im curious to see how the early opening effects the afternoon line.

ETA: We cant really afford another $150 breakfast this trip, especially one that we didn't care for the food, but if Akershus happens to open up....if we are a no show, do they really only charge $10 per person?

 

[AliceandAriel]

We were here this morning 2.9.14. Main gates opened at 8:50. DD12 took off and made it back by 8:54. The rest of us made it by 8:58. We were about 6th family in line. DD said only one gate person beat her, the rest were already in line. Anna and Elsa doors opened about 9:03. We were done at 9:16. I did a video and the interaction was at least 1.5 minutes; then we did kids in a pic and then a family pic. They had a little bit of tshirts and dolls in store (there were none in there a few days ago.) Once we were out the lines were crazy long. At least at a 2 hr wait by 9:20.

Sounds like RD is the best bet for good timing on this again.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

Sounds like RD is the best bet for good timing on this again.

Sorry I'm late in the game but would be coming in the IG give us an advantage? We'll be staying at BWI and was hoping to get maybe a step ahead by coming in the IG, so long as we are there quite before park opening. Anyone agree or have any experience with this?

 

[WEDWDW]

Sorry I'm late in the game but would be coming in the IG give us an advantage? We'll be staying at BWI and was hoping to get maybe a step ahead by coming in the IG, so long as we are there quite before park opening. Anyone agree or have any experience with this?

I don't know the exact distances from IG to Norway and Main Gate to Norway,but I don't think there is much difference at all.

Also,in my experience,IG doesn't seem to be as consistent with the 15 minute "unadvertised" opening as Main Gate.

 

[fla4fun]

ETA: We cant really afford another $150 breakfast this trip, especially one that we didn't care for the food, but if Akershus happens to open up....if we are a no show, do they really only charge $10 per person?

Oh dear, I can see it now - Akershus will be fully booked and empty because people are only using it for early admission to the A&E line. How long before it becomes a paid in full, no refunds unless you cancel two days ahead kind of ADR . . . .

However, at this time, yes - you would only have to pay the $10 per person penalty. Be aware if you have a child under 3 you may have to pay the fee for them as well even if you weren't going to be charged for a meal (I remember a very angry post about a cancellation fee at that particular meal).

I don't think they could do FP+ for them right now, because I don't see any room for the additional line. It is so congested between the m&g line and the check in podium for the restaurant, that if there is a long standby line for Maelstrom you can't get through to go to the shops at all. I think they need a permanent m&g facility, perhaps between Norway and Mexico, where they could allow for the lines.

 

[G8r4evr]

Oh dear, I can see it now - Akershus will be fully booked and empty because people are only using it for early admission to the A&E line. How long before it becomes a paid in full, no refunds unless you cancel two days ahead kind of ADR . . . .

However, at this time, yes - you would only have to pay the $10 per person penalty. Be aware if you have a child under 3 you may have to pay the fee for them as well even if you weren't going to be charged for a meal (I remember a very angry post about a cancellation fee at that particular meal).

I don't think they could do FP+ for them right now, because I don't see any room for the additional line. It is so congested between the m&g line and the check in podium for the restaurant, that if there is a long standby line for Maelstrom you can't get through to go to the shops at all. I think they need a permanent m&g facility, perhaps between Norway and Mexico, where they could allow for the lines.

I know, I hate that Funny you mention that though, last time we were at Akershsus, I was surprised how empty it was and this was BEFORE Frozen. I remember how surprised I was, because that ressie had been so hard for me to find. LOL

Like a PP said, I doubt the FP+ will be available until they move to a more permanent location....I wonder how long that will be.

 

[AmyB2006]

IG might give you a slight advantage because it will be less crowded. Maybe?

 

[AmyB2006]

Can anyone go in through the back entrance? Can you just park at the BW and walk in that way, to get to the M&G a little quicker?

Anyone can get in through that entrance, but they are cracking down on parking at BW to access Epcot.

 

[crostorfer]

Sounds like RD is the best bet for good timing on this again.

If you are either in the front of the pack, or have a "runner", then yes. This kind of sounds like the TSMM run, LOL. It is very similar to the "Rapunzel Run", as Dewdrop said at the top of the page.

If the wait is at 2 hours, 20 minutes after park opening, then people need to high-tail it back there. I plan to pay as soon as we are seated at Akershus, not bother with Belle as we have a million pics with her already, chow down military style, and be in line by 8:45.

 

[AliceandAriel]

If you are either in the front of the pack, or have a "runner", then yes. This kind of sounds like the TSMM run, LOL. It is very similar to the "Rapunzel Run", as Dewdrop said at the top of the page.

If the wait is at 2 hours, 20 minutes after park opening, then people need to high-tail it back there. I plan to pay as soon as we are seated at Akershus, not bother with Belle as we have a million pics with her already, chow down military style, and be in line by 8:45.

I had been really hoping with the new hours it would lessen the 2hr+ crunch, thinking maybe I could do AK in the morning and then wait an hour in EP to meet A&E in the afternoon. Looks like those plans will be put in reverse. Ironically, A&E is really the only thing I *need/want* from EP right now. So I guess I'll be hitting RD in the morning for that, then leaving and hopping a bus to AK to enjoy my morning as planned. /facepalm

I know they can only push the actresses so far, but I really wish it would either be a two room M&G to make it loads faster, put them in both EP and MK to lessen crowding, or at least make it a 9-9 deal… sigh.

 

[G8r4evr]

I had been really hoping with the new hours it would lessen the 2hr+ crunch, thinking maybe I could do AK in the morning and then wait an hour in EP to meet A&E in the afternoon. Looks like those plans will be put in reverse. Ironically, A&E is really the only thing I *need/want* from EP right now. So I guess I'll be hitting RD in the morning for that, then leaving and hopping a bus to AK to enjoy my morning as planned. /facepalm

I know they can only push the actresses so far, but I really wish it would either be a two room M&G to make it loads faster, put them in both EP and MK to lessen crowding, or at least make it a 9-9 deal… sigh.

Agreed, would love to see them in 2 parks, at least while the movie is still new.

As it is, we will be at RD for Epcot to see A&E and then high tail it over to MK for the rest of the day.

 

[AliceandAriel]

Agreed, would love to see them in 2 parks, at least while the movie is still new.

As it is, we will be at RD for Epcot to see A&E and then high tail it over to MK for the rest of the day.

I'm actually thinking of heading to EP when I land tomorrow around 1PM and see what the wait times are like. If it's 2hrs or less, I'll probably just knock it right then and there to make it simple and keep my plans in check. I had really hoped for an evening visit, only because I had the plan to pull up my phone for FaceTime and surprise my sister with A&E while down there. She's never been to Disney, or seen anything outside of pictures, so the goal was to really surprise her there.

 

[bhardy]

Is there a wait time on the app to show how long the wait is?

 

[G8r4evr]

I'm actually thinking of heading to EP when I land tomorrow around 1PM and see what the wait times are like. If it's 2hrs or less, I'll probably just knock it right then and there to make it simple and keep my plans in check. I had really hoped for an evening visit, only because I had the plan to pull up my phone for FaceTime and surprise my sister with A&E while down there. She's never been to Disney, or seen anything outside of pictures, so the goal was to really surprise her there.

Bummer

Im actually thinking of adding a day on to our trip, just so we aren't so stressed trying to squeeze EP/A&E into our already jam packed MK day. Score 1 for Disney. LOL

 

[AliceandAriel]

Bummer

Im actually thinking of adding a day on to our trip, just so we aren't so stressed trying to squeeze EP/A&E into our already jam packed MK day. Score 1 for Disney. LOL

Gah! If I could do that, I'd be all over it! Score for you AND Disney, haha! When are you going down, any time this week?

 

[G8r4evr]

Gah! If I could do that, I'd be all over it! Score for you AND Disney, haha! When are you going down, any time this week?

LOL! Very true! Headed to a party now and then home to call Disney ..hopefully POP has an extra night avail

We were going down on 3/7, now Im thinking 3/6

 

[siskaren]

Can anyone go in through the back entrance? Can you just park at the BW and walk in that way, to get to the M&G a little quicker?

You're not supposed to park at the resorts for theme park access.

Sorry I'm late in the game but would be coming in the IG give us an advantage? We'll be staying at BWI and was hoping to get maybe a step ahead by coming in the IG, so long as we are there quite before park opening. Anyone agree or have any experience with this?

If you're staying at BWI, the IG is the only way you'll be able to get into Epcot. The Epcot resorts don't provide buses to the front entrance.