Do you EE or not?

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We have been to WDW 8 times in the past 2 1/2 years and we have never done early entry. This summer I'll be alone with my 2 dd's staying at CSR. Is EE worth it? Any strategies for maximizing the time? I've been thinking about MK on thursday, but the kids are booked for the pirates cruise out of GF at 10:00am. Will be get much done between 8-9:45am or should I skip it. Also I would assume it is better to make a late breakfast PS at the park for which you are doing ee?

Thanks

 

[buzz2400]

We always use ee. It helps in the summer months to get an early start before the heat sets in and then after lunch you can go back to the hotel and rest or swim and then go back to the parks later in the afternoon. Last year when they did not have ee (and shorter hours), we were forced to get to the park when it opened and stay until closing. We were not able to park hop nor swim in the pool. Plus when you get there on ee less crowds and you get more accomplished.

 

[Metallicat]

Yes, I always do EE because its the only time I can ride my favorites like space mtn or RNR over and over without waiting. I always do Eride night too if they have one while I am there. Linda 14 days to CR yippee!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

we will definitely use it this trip. For the past few years, we have gone during the Christmas break. But, we are leaving next week for our first trip in a long time during a busy season. We are definitely going to use MGM EE to ride ToT and RnR as many times as possible!!!! We have to get our fix!!!

We also wouldn't miss E-night, which REALLY helps you see so much more of MK than usual, and it's usually the highlight of our trip! I highly recommend it, it's so magical!!

Kim

 

[eeyore0062]

We ALWAYS do EE for MK and MGM... wouldn't have it any other way, unless we are staying off property. You can do so much in that extra hour, it is worth loosing sleep over.

Try in, you will like it! Of course, if you don't that just means less crowds for those of us who do!

 

[catsrule]

No, I just can't get up that early.

 

[PoohFanKC]

My advice echos buzz2400's

We've been twice - first with EE and two years later without EE. When we had EE, we went to the EE park each day until it got crowded, took a lunch/swim/nap break and then headed to a different park for the late afternoon and evening. Without EE, we stayed in the morning parks until the early afternoon (encountering more crowds), took shorter lunch/swim/nap breaks and still got to the second parks later than planned every day. We still enjoyed our second trip, but without EE we used FP more extensively to avoid much unnecessary waiting.

The hour "lost" by getting up earlier to take advantage of EE is more than made up for by the lower crowds, the cooler temperatures, the shorter waits and the longer nap times in the afternoon.

As far as your specific questions go -

Worth it - YES!

Strategies - Head to your favorites or the more popular attractions. Grab a FP for the most popular ones (so you can ride that one next or twice) and then get in line. Leave the EE park when the park gets too busy and lines get too long, either hopping to another park or to take a break OR enjoy your late breakfast PSs (See below).

Do EE at MK before the Pirates Cruise - You can get a lot of no-wait riding done in that 1 3/4 hours, then hop the monorail for the GF.

Get the late PS for the EE park. You will need the break and the crowds (and wait times) will be starting to build. Get FPs for your "next" attraction before you eat so that you don't lose time waiting after breakfast.

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Oh yeah, we EE every trip!!! We are awake anyway! My DS(19) who could easily sleep until noon every day wakes at 6AM when at WDW (no alarm clock!). We use it to go to Fantasyland before the small kids get there then we don't have to go back to that area. Of course, we also go at the less crowded times of the year!

It is worth it for us since we are up anyway but I could understand how it wouldn't be for those who like their sleep!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

EE......That is in the very late evening, right?
That would just interfere with my beauty sleep.

 

[sarehm]

This past trip we did EE but I'm still undecided about it. I guess if you're going during high seasons it's worth it but I was so exhausted. We never really had afternoon break time. Just to get a shower or swim a little but no naps. So getting up at 6:00 am and being on the go all day wasn't too fun.

But it is nice to not have to wait in lines. I just say make sure you either take a nap in the afternoon or not do EE again the next morning and get that extra hour sleep.

 

[grinningghost]

Yes, we do it, and I HATE waking up early. But once I'm out of the hotel room and have my coffee, I'm glad I did it.

 

[jaysue]

We do EE and then hop back to on-site for a rest/swim and then hop to another park since the EE parks tend to be busier as the day moves on

thanks
Jason

 

[Virgo10]

As someone who's usually awake by 5:30 a.m., I EE every day. My schedule is based around it.

The best part of EE is going to the MK. You can do so much at that time of the day. One of my favorite things to do is ride the boat out of the MK around 9:30. I've had it all to myself and as you pull in, wave to the hundreds of people waiting to go back to the park. LOL!

Come to think of it, I'm almost never at the MK unless it's EE or E-Ticket nights.

Roberta

 

[dmonroe]

We never EE. Even though ds is a very early riser, our family just doesn't seem to be able to "get going" and make it to the parks in time for EE! Since we just about always go in value season it's usually not crowded enough for us to really need EE.

 

[tar heel]

ALWAYS. We went last July when there was no ee and couldn't believe how different the trip felt. Each day felt so short. Most days we do ee, afternoon break, then evening touring. Often, there's a sitdown lunch before we go back to the resort. And many days we actually take a nap. By using ee and really planning our fast passes, we rarely wait more than 15 or 20 minutes for anything, and we do our favorite attractions many times each trip.

 

[zulaya]

Maistre Gracey - EE is short for Early Entry - actually now called Extra Magic Hour. That's the hour where resort guests get in early before the general public.

In general, I think EE at MK is always essential. You can get so much done. There are so few other attractions open at the other parks that to me it hasn't been worth it to do EE at those other parks. Epcot now might change if Mission:Space enters the lineup from EE - I will definitely do EE at Epcot if that changes. MGM - we aren't coaster people so hanging about while everything else opens up is a waste of sleep for us, but I can tell you I will make use of EE for MGM in June when we go for Star Wars Weekends.