Any way to get in the park early w/o an AP?

[3Down1Up]

We are not AP holders and are visiting DL on a day when the park opens at 8am. Do they let folks in to Main Street before 8am for food, shopping etc., or do we have to wait with the throngs at the gate at 8am? TIA!

 

[eduk8r26]

Don't know about Main St., but AP holders don't get in any earlier. I think that is reserved for on-site guests on certain days.

 

[pixiewings71]

Ap holders don't get in earlier than anyone else. In fact if you have a MM you can get in earlier than APers.

 

[ShawnaF]

Yup, we have APs, that does NOT get us in earlier. If you are going to the Princess Breakfast and have ressies, you can get into DCA (but ONLY to Ariel's) early for that and then have to leave if the park isn't open.

If you stay at a Disney Hotel you can get the EE or if you have a package via Disney Travel (WDTC) you can get the Morning Madness tickets for Toontown and Early Entry for Fantasyland rides (and a few others) - and I think Costco and a few others have the package as well with EE and MM.

 

[kaity230]

We are not AP holders and are visiting DL on a day when the park opens at 8am. Do they let folks in to Main Street before 8am for food, shopping etc., or do we have to wait with the throngs at the gate at 8am? TIA!

Often main street opens earlier than the rest of the park - regardless of what ticket you have. The area beyond is roped off however.

 

[Gymfan15]

I don't know if this counts, but when I got my AP in September we were able to get into Disneyland before the rides opened so we could do the whole card-at-the-bank thing...I know that the hat shop at least was open. I'm pretty sure it was before "opening" because while we were in there, the YOMD music started playing over the loudspeaker and I can't remember if they said that Disneyland was now open. Something like that.

Any way, I'm pretty sure we were there early. Don't know about the rest of Main Street because as I said, we didn't go beyond the bank.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

On non early entry days, Main Street will open about 30 minutes before park opening. You can get lockers and do some shopping before they drop the rope at the end of the street.

 

[DLR29]

Often main street opens earlier than the rest of the park - regardless of what ticket you have. The area beyond is roped off however.

On non early entry days, Main Street will open about 30 minutes before park opening. You can get lockers and do some shopping before they drop the rope at the end of the street.

Not usually on days when the park opens at 8AM (which is what the OP is asking). Mostly when the park opens at 9AM or later.

 

[disneychrista]

And unless it has changed they do still open Main Street early on EE days, they will stamp the back of your ticket with a EE stamp & Date. That you show a CM who guides you around the rope.

 

[crzy4mk]

This part was kind of confusing earlier in the thread . . .

You don't have to stay on-site to get early entry. If you purchase a 3 day or more pass, it automatically comes with one EE day. You just need to check the schedule for which days are EE days, get to the park about 90 minutes before actual opening (7:30 for a 9:00 a.m. opening day). Get in the EE line, and right at 8:00 a.m. they will start letting EE ticket holders in. Mostly Fantasyland rides are open, plus Matterhorn, Buzz, & sometimes Space Mt. You can get alot done in that first hour if you so choose.