can non Disney resort guest get in early too?

[busymomof4]

We are going to Disney for like the sixth time and I am wondering how much Disney will let you slide as far as getting into the parks early if you aren't a resort guest? If the park opens to resort guests at 8am, can we still get in the gates and be waiting on mainstreet all set to get in?

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally, no you may not. Occasionally you may be let through the turnstiles early, maybe 15 minutes before posted park opening time just to reduce the crowd waiting to get through the turnstiles. If this happens you will be allowed to proceed to some point (not past the ice cream parlor/barber shop area at the north end of Main St. for Magic Kingdom) to wait until the opening time.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[JenniferW]

You had to show your resort card when I went last year so I really doubt it.

There may be times of the year where it is really busy and they open earlier, I've heard of it, but never expereinced it.

Jenn

 

[indigoxtreme]

For the Extra Magic Hours you must present your resort ID for each person. Otherwise you will not be allowed to enter. Also for night EMH you must present your resort ID and get an arm band.

 

[rgribik]

we were just there in January, and at the EMH at MGM the cm came around before the turnstiles were offically opened and asked to see resort cards. A family behind us just had passes, no resort card and they were pulled out of line. Just be aware this might happen, this was the first time I ever saw that.

 

[dis-happy]

Another thing to note for MK in particular: when you park at the TTC, they won't even let you get on the monorail to MK during morning EMH until about 10 mins. before the park officially opens to everyone. If you aren't staying onsite, I would avoid the EMH parks completely.

 

[three boy mom]

If my family and I are staying on-site, and we drive our rental car from the resort, we can not get on the monorail for EMH? The buses are not really our favorite, so we thought driving might be easier. Last time we stayed at the Contemporary and just walked over so I never even thought of the monorail not picking up guests for the EMH.

 

[mjh8955]

I didn't see that the original poster said anything about EMH. We stayed off site late October and made early reservations for a character breakfast on a non-EMH day at MK. We just had to show our reservation number to get in early. That way you are in the park either before, or just as, the park opens. We went straight to Fantasyland and walked on to everything right after breakfast. When you get to the park entrance, go the the far left. Usually that is where the early character breakfast people are entering. There is usually one ticket office open extra early, probably for people who have an early breakfast reservation but still need to get a ticket. We fell into that category one year as well.

 

[dis-happy]

If my family and I are staying on-site, and we drive our rental car from the resort, we can not get on the monorail for EMH? The buses are not really our favorite, so we thought driving might be easier. Last time we stayed at the Contemporary and just walked over so I never even thought of the monorail not picking up guests for the EMH.

If you are staying on-site and drive to the ttc, you can still get on the monorail for EMH. They will ask to see your resort id. There is only one or two gates open for this--ask a CM at the front to point you to the right one. Sometimes you have to fight your way to the front, past all the non-EMH people lined up. Unless you really need your car, the bus is a much easier way to get to MK since you bypass the TTC. HTH

 

[three boy mom]

If you are staying on-site and drive to the ttc, you can still get on the monorail for EMH. They will ask to see your resort id. There is only one or two gates open for this--ask a CM at the front to point you to the right one. Sometimes you have to fight your way to the front, past all the non-EMH people lined up. Unless you really need your car, the bus is a much easier way to get to MK since you bypass the TTC. HTH

Thanks for clearing that up. That's good info. to know. My boys love riding the monorail, otherwise, yes I would try to take a bus for convenience sake. Riding the monorail just seems more "magical" for them.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Thanks for clearing that up. That's good info. to know. My boys love riding the monorail, otherwise, yes I would try to take a bus for convenience sake. Riding the monorail just seems more "magical" for them.

I agree that riding the monorail is kind of "magical". I would suggest you can ride it any other time of the day, even if it's just to go around the loop and back. As noted, it is far easier to take a bus from your resort directly to the MK entrance. No need to go through the hassle of driving the the TTC, maybe taking a tram, and then the boat or monorail over to the MK.

 

[Karnak]

If you are staying on site, there is no reason to drive to the Magic Kingdom. It would slow you up a bunch riding the boat or monorail from the TTC, which is required from the parking lot. The transportation from your resort will let you off much closer to the main enterance than the auto parking lot.

It may be OK to drive to the other three parks however. Not for me, but perhaps for y'all. When I'm on vacation I love to park my car and forget if for a few days.

Enjoy.