Confusion about MK opening

[ranthony]

I am a bit confused about the opening of the MK. If the park is scheduled to open at 9:00 can you enter the turnstiles and be near the bridges to the lands by that time? I have read some older guidebooks that give touring plans that tell you to be at "rope drop" at the Tomorrowland bridge, etc.

Then, some posters previously mentioned an opening ceremony where characters ride up on the train and then they start letting you into the park. What time does that happen at a normal 9:00 opening.

Also, what is the case for the morning EMH at MK? Can I get to the ropes leading to the lands before 8:00 or do they just open the turnstyles at 8:00? Is there a character train on the mornings of EMH and what time is it?

HELP!
Rhonda

 

[CamColt]

In our 2 visits in the past year(Aug & Dec), this has been what we experienced.
On EE days, there is no show. The turnstiles open exactly at 8:00(or 7:00, if regular park opening was at 8:00).
On Non-EE days they start letting people through the turnstiles, but not in any further at about 8:45. The opening show with the Mayor and the train of characters begins only minutes later and lasts maybe 5 minutes. Once its over the guests are allowed into the park, but only as far as the ropes in the lands. Exactly at 9:00 a brief announcement is made and the ropes are dropped.
Hope this helps!

 

[DebbieB]

I was at the MK opening last Friday, it was as CamColt described. They let everyone through the turnstiles at about 8:40 but you could not go beyond the train station. After the opening show at about 8:50, they dropped those ropes and you could go on Main Street. We stopped to get pictures with Daisy in Town Square, so I'm not sure about the rope drop at the hub.

 

[ranthony]

Anyone else with opening ceremony experience recently?

 

[Shells9]

Originally posted by DebbieB
They let everyone through the turnstiles at about 8:40 but you could not go beyond the train station. After the opening show at about 8:50, they dropped those ropes and you could go on Main Street. We stopped to get pictures with Daisy in Town Square, so I'm not sure about the rope drop at the hub.

This is how it has been for us, too, on a regular opening day. Enter the turnstyles, go no further than the train station, watch the show, and as soon as the show is over everyone floods Main Street. There are characters in Town Square just as DebbieB mentioned.

If you have a PS at CRT or Crystal Palace, and you are in the park before opening, they do hold you behind a rope and do a very unceremonious rope drop when the park opens. My experience with this has been waiting in the castle until the rope at Fantasyland is dropped. DH has waited at the entrance of Tomorrowland for Space Mountain.

On EE days I do not recall being allowed through the turnstyles, and I do not recall the train portion of the show.

Hope this helps. I have some pics of the MK opening ceremonies that I hope to get posted soon.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I know this is a small question but do they start the stroller rentals early. I've been there for EE when there has been a small rush to counter.

TIA!

 

[memymomonica]

It depends. When we were there, the area was roped off, so you couldn't get to the rentals. I saw people over there, so I asked a CM if I could go rent a stroller. She told me "sure". I went under the rope to walk over and another CM told me to get back. I told him that the other CM had said it was OK to get a stroller. He just told me "No" I would have to wait. It wasn't a big deal, and after the drop, there was a bit of a dash to the line. So, I think it is who you ask. They have a pretty good system. We never had to wait in a long line to get a stroller. We were there in Sept-Oct. too. Hope that helps.

 

[bethbuchall]

How does opening work for day guests? What time do the express monorail and ferry begin running on a non-EE day? Can we get over there before the 9:00 opening to see the little show?

Thanks!
Beth