Anyone been to a "official" opening before?

[cutekitty714]

Hey everyone!

We're leaving tomorrow for WDW and I read a post about EE not being open to guests for the "official" opening. Has anyone been in the parks during an opening? Do they close down the attractions and attractions nearby to guests? I'm just wondering if we shouldn't bother attending AK on the 6th or 7th because of this...

Thanks!

 

[tjmouse]

I heard the same thing from a very reliable cast member source. He has never steered me wrong so I trust the info. With the press there, I would not even attempt AK on those days and I definately would not attempt to ride Everest. A lot of times, the whole park closes early when they do a big press event, so actually I am surprised they are keeping AK open at all.

 

[Sk8Leigh]

I was there in Nov. 2004 for the opening of Stitch at MK. It was interesting, but you probably can't really compare that one with EE, considering that Stitch was less of a huge addition to MK than EE will be to AK. But when I got there (a little after park opening), there was a huge inflatable Stitch at the gate, and signs all over about him. They had had a big media event in the castle forecourt, and they'd decorate the castle as if he'd tp'd and grafittied it. I think they had filmed a commercial that morning. By the time I got there and got my croissant at the bakery on Main Street , they were pretty much done and were reopening the forecourt. I got a Fastpass for Stitch, but later in the day you didn't really need one. (I was leaving that afternoon, though, so I wanted to make sure I got in without wasting too much time in a line.)

Also, they had Raven there, for a photo op with Stitch, I think, and she was the grand marshall in the afternoon parade. That weird, since I really just remember her from Cosby. Her family was there as the parade route was ending, embarrassing her.

All in all, it was kind of neat to be there that day, but like I said, will probably not compare at all to adding a huge thrill ride to a park with much fewer big attractions than MK has.

 

[Poohbear123]

On the 7th. I was told the ride would be open to Park guests, as the "press" will be having there private Party the night before (April 6th). I was suppose to go, but due to no flights and short of $$ I couldn't. BUT, I will be there in 43 days!

 

[esulerzy]

Never been to a ride opening (although I rode EE during the DVC days in Jan). However, I was on vacation when Blizzard Beach opened and went to that event - much smaller scale but lots of fun. Big wigs making speeches and explaining how BB came about (have to have that story line!). Funny thing about that opening - it was on April Fools Day (can't remember the year) and very bad weather - I have pictures of me with Ice Gator and I'm wearing a sweetshirt and jeans!