Earlier park openings during Spring Break - what should I do?

[FantasiaMagic]

So I was looking up Disney's park hours during the timeframe I will be there during Spring Break. I noticed that MK, Hs, and AK are all opening at 8, regular RD, and one of the days MK is opening at 7am for Early EMH. I'm guessing they updated these times recently, and it makes sense due to the crowds they will be getting for that time of year. It just caught me off guard though. I had wanted to get to RD, or close to it for all the parks in order to beat the rus that comes a little later. The day we are planning on going to MK the park opens at 8 and then closes at 2am. I would not plan on staying there the whole day and would not want to take a break. So basically what I'm asking is, how crazy are the parks going to be by 9am if the park opens at 8? Would I be able to get on lines with pretty shorts waits between 9am and 10am?

TIA!

 

[Robo]

basically what I'm asking is, how crazy are the parks going to be by 9am if the park opens at 8? Would I be able to get on lines with pretty shorts waits between 9am and 10am?

Since you are asking specifically about trying to be in the park with less crowding.
I'd simply get up an hour earlier and be there at the early rope drop.
That extra-early hour will gain you more access with fewer guests.

By 9AM and 10AM, the population will have been growing.

It's just an hour (or two, if EMH) and I've had to get up earlier for WORK many times over the years.
I'd much rather get up earlier for FUN at WDW!

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Since you are asking specifically about trying to be in the park with less crowding.
I'd simply get up an hour earlier and be there at the early rope drop.
That extra-early hour will gain you more access with fewer guests.

By 9AM and 10AM, the population will have been growing.

It's just an hour (or two, if EMH) and I've had to get up earlier for WORK many times over the years.
I'd much rather get up earlier for FUN at WDW!

Ok yeah that makes sense, thanks Robo. I will probably only do this for MK since that is the park I want my friends to see the most of!

 

[angierae]

Depending on the ages of the people in your party, you might find the late hours are better for "getting things done" than the early hours. We went during Easter Week in 2012 (week leading up to Easter) and since we were one adult, a 17 year old and a 15 year old, we gave up on rope drop and started arriving later in the morning after closing out whatever park had late EMH.

 

[kangaroodle]

We were there 2 years ago during spring break...the week that led up to Easter Sunday. MK opened at 7am and my entire family was complaining about getting up so early. By 10 am we had done the following: Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel,(these had just opened weeks before we arrived), Buzz Lightyear 2X, Splash Mountain 2x (without having to get off), Space Mountain, Pirates, and Big Thunder. We also had time for a morning snack and to play around in Gaston's Tavern with no one else in there.

By 1pm Fantasyland (near Peter Pan and It's a Small World) was in gridlock with CM's directing traffic with ropes down the middle of the area to keep each side going one way only. The park was in a phase 1 closure (actually every day that week!) We accomplished so much in those early hours--my family was actually laughing at everyone just coming in as we were leaving around 3pm having done so much! So GET UP and get there early. It will be WORTH IT!!!

 

[disneyderns]

We were there last year two weeks before Easter, but still spring break time. We were there at rope drop every morning except once at MK. That day they held us at the TTC until about 15 min before park opening and then let everyone rush the monorails. But nevertheless we swear by early times. Everything was a walk on (my definition of a walk on is under 10 minute wait) for the first hour. By 9:30 waits for the headliners began building. By 10:30 waits for second tier attractions started building. By 11:30 we were getting a snack and getting ready to leave for our break. We were back to our off site condo by 1pm and ready to return by 7-after swimming and napping and eating dinner. Our kids are under 12 so mornings worked. If I had teens evenings would probably be best. Have a great trip!

 

[jennib5426]

We were there last year Easter week and MK opened at 7am every morning that week. We were there at rope drove with our 10 year old 2 mornings and we were glad we did. We got all major rides done with little to no wait and were back at hotel by 12-1 for swimming. Parks were awful by 11:30 everyday. We also went to Mk on Easter sunday and it was the lowest crowds we saw all week.

 

[asbyrneva]

Since you are asking specifically about trying to be in the park with less crowding.
I'd simply get up an hour earlier and be there at the early rope drop.
That extra-early hour will gain you more access with fewer guests.

By 9AM and 10AM, the population will have been growing.

It's just an hour (or two, if EMH) and I've had to get up earlier for WORK many times over the years.
I'd much rather get up earlier for FUN at WDW!

This!! My husband swears the only time in my life I have gotten up earlier than 6 am is Disney Rope drop and EMH. We did 7 am EMH on our last thanksgiving trip and have done it at Easter as well. And I am not a morning person and neither is my son but it is well worth during those super crowded times.