Before the rope drops, what is open to see?

[becfehr]

What part of the park is open before entry to the park begins? Anything? Are any shops and such open? We plan to get there early, so I was just wondering if there was someplace to grab a little something to eat or shop or something to bide our time before getting in.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

It depends which park you are going to.

Last year when we went to MK early, we were allowed through turnstiles and to get strollers and such, but couldn't get past the RR tunnels. At opening there was a little show on the RR platform, and then the park opened.

However, at MGM, we were allowed into the park all the way to the end of Hollywood Blvd. I don't remember if there are any food vendors open along there, however the shops were open.

At Epcot we were held in the front of the park, and at AK we were allowed just past the turnstiles into the stroller area.

These were all in December (the 22nd through the 26th).

YMMV

 

[Geoff_M]

That's has been pretty much our experience too. MK you can go up to the RR tunnel, Epcot they hold you in front of Spaceship Earth, MGM it was halfway down to the turn to go to ToT/RnR.

 

[Deb & Bill]

True, they do let you into the park a ways, but it's only about 15 minute before. So not much time to shop or eat before you enter the park. If you were staying at an Epcot resort, you could stop at the Bakery for something to eat before going to Epcot or Disney Studios.