Current opening sequences for both parks

[Eosphotog]

We're heading back in a few weeks and would like an update on how the parks open on EMH and non-EMH days. For example:

DCA EMH - normal open at 10am
EMH guests allowed in a 9am, no rope walk
Standard guests are allowed into the main gate at 10am

DL EMH - normal open at 10am
EMH guests allowed in a 9am, no rope walk
All guests are allowed early entry at 9:45, but held at the hub until 10am unless they present a room key (or other proof of EMH)

DCA and DL normal hours
All guests start entering at part open - no grouping / rope walk
DL has an opening show

I'm certain this is NOT accurate, but this is the type of information we're looking for.

 

[Girimama33]

There is no rope walk at either park, and really no opening show. Both parks play an announcement, and them the ropes are dropped. They usually let non EMH guests in 30 minutes prior to line up at the ropes.
They typically open the turnstiles when the EMH hour begins, so people just flood into the park.

 

[StormyCA]

Not sure exactly what you're looking for, but when I've been there they've admitted the EMH guests a bit early (maybe 15 mins?) and held them at the hub/Carthay Circle area with a rope until the official opening time. At DL they 'let you go' at opening, at DCA they 'rope walk' you to the entrance to RSR.

 

[Girimama33]

Not sure exactly what you're looking for, but when I've been there they've admitted the EMH guests a bit early (maybe 15 mins?) and held them at the hub/Carthay Circle area with a rope until the official opening time. At DL they 'let you go' at opening, at DCA they 'rope walk' you to the entrance to RSR.

During the 5 trips I have been on this year, I have not witnessed them walking the rope down to RSR. They drop it at opening time, and it is a free for all to the ride.

 

[Vincent405]

Just want to be clear - is there any opening show (like at MK in WDW) at either park? Or is it just we are open, come on in (kind of like DHS in WDW).

 

[Eosphotog]

Thanks - I guess I'm really looking for confirmation on these points:

EMH - early guests are held at turnstiles until EMH start, no rope walk
EMH - regular guests are allowed in about 15 minutes early but HELD at the hub/carthay circle until official park open
Non-EMH - all guests are held at turnstiles until park open (no early admission like EPCOT's 15 minute sometimes-we-open-a-bit-early), no rope walk

For EMH how do they verify guests are EMH to let them pass the ropes at the hub and carthay circle?

 

[figment_jii]

Whenever I've been to the parks pre-opening on a non-EMH/non-MM day, they do open the turnstiles early (anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes) and allow guests into the park, but hold them on Main Street or Buena Vista Street until the park official opens. At that point, they let guests head out into the parks. There has not been an opening show.

 

[jammyjam25]

Here's how it worked for us when were at the parks the first week of October:

DL EMH - Let us through the turnstiles about 15 minutes early, held us at the end of main street until EMH began. Rope drop and it was a free for all of people rushing to Peter Pan (this has probably changed now to people rushing to Hyperspace Mtn).

DCA EMH - Let us through the turnstiles about 15 minutes early, held us at the entrance to Carthay Circle area. Were "rope walked" through towards Carsland once EMH began.

 

[StormyCA]

During the 5 trips I have been on this year, I have not witnessed them walking the rope down to RSR. They drop it at opening time, and it is a free for all to the ride.

Was that during EMH? The walking everyone down Rte 66 behind a rope for EMH then collapsing the rope at RSR was what gave birth to the (in)famous 'wide-right technique' and it's been what our experience has been, although when we were there this year we weren't at DCA at rope drop so maybe they've changed it. We were last there for rope drop in August 2014. I agree that it's a free for all for general opening on an EMH day.

 

[wdwfan22]

There is just no definitive answer to this question at DL. During the 30 days I was there this year, they did it differently many times.
But for the most part, EMH, they allow EMH guests in about 15 mins early, hold you at rope until EMH time. On EMH, they allow regular folks through turnstyle at regular opening time, not held anywhere. For non EMH days, they allow you in about 30 mins prior to open, held at ropes till regular open time.

 

[Girimama33]

Was that during EMH? The walking everyone down Rte 66 behind a rope for EMH then collapsing the rope at RSR was what gave birth to the (in)famous 'wide-right technique' and it's been what our experience has been, although when we were there this year we weren't at DCA at rope drop so maybe they've changed it. We were last there for rope drop in August 2014. I agree that it's a free for all for general opening on an EMH day.

This occurred on days with a regular park opening (no EMH), and they stopped walking the rope down this year (at least on the days we were there). Prior to that the CMs were walking it down to RSR.

 

[wildflower329]

This occurred on days with a regular park opening (no EMH), and they stopped walking the rope down this year (at least on the days we were there). Prior to that the CMs were walking it down to RSR.

When we were there the last week of August, they still walked the rope down to RSR.