Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread

[marciemouse]

Not tricky at all. You only get TTMM tickets if you book a package for either a DLR hotel or GN.

Thanks! That's sort of what I thought. And while I'm giving gratitude, thanks for that huge newbie/WDW vet post! Very helpful!

 

[DLR29]

Hasn't been bumped in several months. Are there any updates that I should add to the OP???

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Hasn't been bumped in several months. Are there any updates that I should add to the OP???

I can confirm that people without a MM access can attend breakfast at Minnie & Friends at Plaza Inn during Magic Morning. I did this at the beginning of November and will be doing it again on our one day visit in a couple of weeks. You do need to call ahead to make a reservation. CMs from Minnie and Friends will then meet you at Gate 1. Don't worry if the sign at the top doesn't say Minnie and Friends breakfast when you get in line. They generally show up just a minute before the gates are going to open and change the designation at that time. They then ask your name and check it against their list. As Jack mentioned, they then give everyone in line for the breakfast a button and escort you to the breakfast. When I was there at the beginning of November, it was just myself and I finished breakfast by 7:45. I left my tip and left for the parks about 15 minutes before the parks opened to the public. (Though I don't recommend Space Mountain on a full stomach. )

This next time we'll be driving over with 11 family members from Ventura County. I'm not sure how the parking is going to work for our 7:10 reservation. I'm hoping that the information on this thread is still accurate that the parking structure opens 30 minutes before MM. The DLR website says it opens an hour before the listed park opening (but does not clarify whether that means "regular" or "MM" opening time). I'm thinking we'll have the drivers drop off everyone else in front of the GCH so we can walk through from that side. Once the drivers have parked, they can join us. If they drop us at Harbor and we're held by security as long as I was in November (they didn't let people through until 6:55), we'd be seperated by the empty security area from the drivers. Plus, it's so much prettier to walk through the GCH and DTD.

If anyone has any suggestions for parking on MM, I'd love to read about them!

 

[DLR29]

I can confirm that people without a MM access can attend breakfast at Minnie & Friends at Plaza Inn during Magic Morning. I did this at the beginning of November and will be doing it again on our one day visit in a couple of weeks. You do need to call ahead to make a reservation. CMs from Minnie and Friends will then meet you at Gate 1. Don't worry if the sign at the top doesn't say Minnie and Friends breakfast when you get in line. They generally show up just a minute before the gates are going to open and change the designation at that time. They then ask your name and check it against their list. As Jack mentioned, they then give everyone in line for the breakfast a button and escort you to the breakfast. When I was there at the beginning of November, it was just myself and I finished breakfast by 7:45. I left my tip and left for the parks about 15 minutes before the parks opened to the public. (Though I don't recommend Space Mountain on a full stomach. )

This next time we'll be driving over with 11 family members from Ventura County. I'm not sure how the parking is going to work for our 7:10 reservation. I'm hoping that the information on this thread is still accurate that the parking structure opens 30 minutes before MM. The DLR website says it opens an hour before the listed park opening (but does not clarify whether that means "regular" or "MM" opening time). I'm thinking we'll have the drivers drop off everyone else in front of the GCH so we can walk through from that side. Once the drivers have parked, they can join us. If they drop us at Harbor and we're held by security as long as I was in November (they didn't let people through until 6:55), we'd be seperated by the empty security area from the drivers. Plus, it's so much prettier to walk through the GCH and DTD.

If anyone has any suggestions for parking on MM, I'd love to read about them!

Thank you! Added to the OP!

 

[brookies_mommy]

~*bump*~

 

[babyruth]

So the idea generally is to start in Fantasyland and then get FPs for the rides that have them (I forget how many you can have at once, just one I think?)

 

[HydroGuy]

So the idea generally is to start in Fantasyland and then get FPs for the rides that have them (I forget how many you can have at once, just one I think?)

Maybe you can restate your question? Are you asking about Magic Morning (since this is a Magic Morning thread)?

If so, you cannot get FPs during MM. You can get FPs once regular parks hours start and there is no limit on how many you can have at once. The only limit is on how frequently you can get a new FP. The short story is you must wait a minimum of 40 minutes and a maximum of 2 hours to get your next FP.

Whether you should visit Fantasyland during MM is an open question. Most people think that is the best use of MM.

 

[Hound 109]

So the idea generally is to start in Fantasyland and then get FPs for the rides that have them (I forget how many you can have at once, just one I think?)

As HG mentioned, you can't pick up FPs till AFTER MM ends.

If your question is.... "Is it best to dedicate MM to the normally slower loading FantasyLand rides.......preferably in the order that Diser's recommend.......& then on the stroke of the hour pick up your first FP at SM (a few steps ahead of the general admission folks who are rushing in)"?

Then it's not just a "general idea".....it is absolutely the most effective use of a person's MM priviledge (especially if you only get one MM day on your vacation)...... & it would also be the BEST way to start your DL FP collection on a day that you're sure to get a very early start at collecting FPs....since you're already IN the park ahead of virtually all other visitors.

Basically read all the advice given here in DLR 29's superthread.....& then transition to all of Hydroguy's "how to use FP" links & advice....& you'll be rockin' on your MM day at DL.

 

[babyruth]

As HG mentioned, you can't pick up FPs till AFTER MM ends.

If your question is.... "Is it best to dedicate MM to the normally slower loading FantasyLand rides.......preferably in the order that Diser's recommend.......& then on the stroke of the hour pick up your first FP at SM (a few steps ahead of the general admission folks who are rushing in)"?

Then it's not just a "general idea".....it is absolutely the most effective use of a person's MM priviledge (especially if you only get one MM day on your vacation)...... & it would also be the BEST way to start your DL FP collection on a day that you're sure to get a very early start at collecting FPs....since you're already IN the park ahead of virtually all other visitors.

Basically read all the advice given here in DLR 29's superthread.....& then transition to all of Hydroguy's "how to use FP" links & advice....& you'll be rockin' on your MM day at DL.

thanks Hound that's what I wanted to know!

 

[Piglet99645]

Where should I wait in line?
The best bet to secure your front of the line spot, is to just wait by the security tables, even if the esplanade is open. The guests in the esplanade will be forced to backtrack and go through security when Cast Members show up.

If I get to the turnstiles too early, will I lose my well earned place at the front of the line?
Yes. Prior to the official opening of the security lines, all guests must leave the esplanade to get in line at the security tables. Instead of being at the turnstiles, at the front of the line, you will be behind all of the guests who lined up at the security tables.

This is a really wonderful thread.

My only question (and I'm sorry if the answer is somewhere in the 409 posts here) is that I don't understand the above quote.

Can somebody explain this in a different way? I'm sure it makes perfect sense if you are standing there, but I haven't been to DL in 5 years and I can't picture the entrance to make sense of this.

Where are the security tables in relation to the turnstiles and the esplanade?

Thanks so much.

 

[bumbershoot]

The security tables are on opposite ends of the esplanade, a big open area between the parks. The turnstiles for each part are on opposite sides from each other. So if you see it as a big square, two opposing sides will be bag check areas, and the other two opposing sides will be turnstiles.

If you get there before the bag check people are there, you *could* just walk through and wait in line at the turnstiles.

But you do NOT want to do that. Because by the time they tell you to go back to bag check, there will be a long line and you'll get to go to the end of it.

So if the bag check people are not there, just wait there at the little tents with the tables...even if people go by you and go through, know they'll be kicked out. Just wait, and be among the first to get bag check done, once those CMs get there.


I really like using the google satellite/map hybrid views for things like this, by the way. Just plop in "disneyland anaheim" to googlemaps and zoom in until you see it all. It's a REALLY cool way to get your bearings!

 

[Piglet99645]

THANK YOU. This longer explanation really clarified it for me. I was not getting that "security" was separate from "entering the park" at the turnstyles..... It seems like that would all be done at once without a space in between.

This is awesome information. Thanks so much.

 

[bigAWL]

From the FAQ on the first page...

Is MM offered at California Adventure also?
Different from WDW, MM is only offered at Disneyland Park. However, DCA almost always opens half an hour early to allow guests to ride Soarin (only) and line up for rope drop (particularly helpful for getting on Toy Story Midway Mania with a short wait).

Is this describing the early entry to DCA available only to DLR Hotel guests through the GCH private entrance? Or is this for the general public guests at the front gate?

If this is at the main gate, can anyone tell me what are the details for entering through GCH as a resort guest? What time is this offered, and what is available in the park?

 

[HydroGuy]

Is this describing the early entry to DCA available only to DLR Hotel guests through the GCH private entrance? Or is this for the general public guests at the front gate?

If this is at the main gate, can anyone tell me what are the details for entering through GCH as a resort guest? What time is this offered, and what is available in the park?

It is for the general public.

Your question has been getting asked a lot here lately and I am going to write a special thread on it. Here is something from the WOC Superthread:

When do the World of Color (GRR) FASTPASS machines open?

o Year round DCA opens officially at 10AM.

o For many years DCA has opened every day unofficially at 9:30AM. Never has Disney published this, but it is a well known fact and it is available to all guests - offsite, onsite or day trippers. During the first 30 minutes only one ride is open - Soarin' Over California. And the Soarin' FP machines are open. Since WOC opened in June 2010 DCA has also offered WOC FPs during this first 30 minutes.

o For guests staying at the DLR hotels DCA allows entry at 9AM to get WOC FPs. This is available through the special entrance to DCA through the GCH. Each guest must show proof of being a DLR hotel guest - namely a room key. This perk is also available to those who eat breakfast at one of the GCH restaurants but are not DLR hotel guests. They must show a receipt for their meal.

 

[bigAWL]

o For guests staying at the DLR hotels DCA allows entry at 9AM to get WOC FPs. This is available through the special entrance to DCA through the GCH. Each guest must show proof of being a DLR hotel guest - namely a room key. This perk is also available to those who eat breakfast at one of the GCH restaurants but are not DLR hotel guests. They must show a receipt for their meal.

That's great. Thanks!

Is Soarin' open at 9am then?

 

[HydroGuy]

That's great. Thanks!

Is Soarin' open at 9am then?

Not until 9:30

 

[DlandAmanda]

Does anyone think it's just a waste to show up to MM late? Like at 7:30 instead of 7? I would imagine that the MM lines are not as long at that time and you would still be getting in earlier than the normal, we're just not an early morning family, but we're taking a shorter trip this time and I want to take advantage. We would be going straight to Fantasyland using MM on Thursday April 7th. Should we just suck it up and show up earlier, than nap later? I also know that it will be more crowed this trip then any other trip we've taken.

 

[Andromeda9mm]

The security tables are on opposite ends of the esplanade, a big open area between the parks. The turnstiles for each part are on opposite sides from each other. So if you see it as a big square, two opposing sides will be bag check areas, and the other two opposing sides will be turnstiles.

If you get there before the bag check people are there, you *could* just walk through and wait in line at the turnstiles.

But you do NOT want to do that. Because by the time they tell you to go back to bag check, there will be a long line and you'll get to go to the end of it.

So if the bag check people are not there, just wait there at the little tents with the tables...even if people go by you and go through, know they'll be kicked out. Just wait, and be among the first to get bag check done, once those CMs get there.


I really like using the google satellite/map hybrid views for things like this, by the way. Just plop in "disneyland anaheim" to googlemaps and zoom in until you see it all. It's a REALLY cool way to get your bearings!

HI there, so if I understand what you're saying, if you get there at 7.00 and people are milling around and standing in front of the turnstiles ... but NO ONE is at security yet, WAIT AT SECURITY, right?

Is there an announcement that informs the masses that are waiting to go back to security? Or do CM's come out and direct you back?

I have never been this early before.

thanks in advance,
Meredith in Utah

 

[Hound 109]

Does anyone think it's just a waste to show up to MM late? Like at 7:30 instead of 7? I would imagine that the MM lines are not as long at that time and you would still be getting in earlier than the normal, we're just not an early morning family, but we're taking a shorter trip this time and I want to take advantage. We would be going straight to Fantasyland using MM on Thursday April 7th. Should we just suck it up and show up earlier, than nap later? I also know that it will be more crowed this trip then any other trip we've taken.

Getting there at 7:30 is better than getting there at 8:30....but you've blown your chance at little to no lines for PP, Dumbo, Alice, Matterhorn & Toady. By :30 of MM, PP will be a mob scene & the others will have 10-15+min. lines.

Short answer...."Suck it up & show up earlier".

 

[Hound 109]

HI there, so if I understand what you're saying, if you get there at 7.00 and people are milling around and standing in front of the turnstiles ... but NO ONE is at security yet, WAIT AT SECURITY, right?

I'm assuming you're referring to an 8am MM opening (because if it was a 7am MM opening Security would have been there 30 min. ago).

So yes....arrive at :20 or :25 & wait at the security table (they'll open up at :30).

Is there an announcement that informs the masses that are waiting to go back to security? Or do CM's come out and direct you back?

Can't remember if there is an "announcement"....normally there are just a couple dozen people to move.....CMs just come thru the esplanade & clear it out completely & direct everyone back to the two sets of security tables.

I have never been this early before.

thanks in advance,
Meredith in Utah

It's a great way to spend 30 min.....eat bfast, put on lotion, go over maps & plans & visit with nice like minded people.