Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread

[Chereya]

Just got back from my trip yesterday. Here are my observational tips about EE. We chose the right most entry gate for EE into CA. Unfortunately, we had an older gentleman who was veeeery slooooow. We also experienced this somewhat at DL EE using line #14. For us, we discovered that even if you were in the geographically "better" location for positioning, you could fall behind due to slow cast members. So if you have a choice of more than one line of the same length or basically in the same location, choose the one with a more spry looking cast member.

Security was also tightened up both at the parking garage entry, the bag check tables and with the ID checks at the gate. We noticed this starting on 4/16 - the day after the Boston Marathon bombing. Lines did not open at the usual times due to longer morning meeting talks with cast members. Don't get discouraged but be aware that the lines have been a bit longer and they are checking more thoroughly.

 

[undertheseas]

Security was also tightened up both at the parking garage entry, the bag check tables and with the ID checks at the gate. We noticed this starting on 4/16 - the day after the Boston Marathon bombing. Lines did not open at the usual times due to longer morning meeting talks with cast members. Don't get discouraged but be aware that the lines have been a bit longer and they are checking more thoroughly.

I'm the worst about being impatient to get in but I appreciate that they are taking their time and making sure we're all safe. Thank you so much for the update!

 

[nikkistevej]

Ok, have a question. Trying to get a plan of action together. I have 3 day park hoppers, with 1 day of magic morning. I am not staying on property. Staying at BWPPI. So we will be arriving mid day Monday, will be going to the parks Tues/Wed/Thurs. So we wanted to do 2 days of DLR and one day of DCA. We had planned to do DLR on Tues/thurs and dca on wed, but thinking that won't be good- because DCA will be early entry on Wed- and we can't do it. Any advice would help. We are going the first week of Aug. and have never been(we are WDW vets)- so really are trying to make the most of this trip to the "motherland". Thanks for any help or itinerary guidance.

 

[elliececil]

I have 3 day park hoppers, with 1 day of magic morning. I am not staying on property. We had planned to do DLR on Tues/thurs and dca on wed, but thinking that won't be good- because DCA will be early entry on Wed- and we can't do it.

You have park hoppers so you don't have to spend all day in one park. I don't understand the planning problem. If you want a "rope drop" morning at DCA then do it Tue or Thu - the day you don't do your magic morning.

 

[nikkistevej]

You have park hoppers so you don't have to spend all day in one park. I don't understand the planning problem. If you want a "rope drop" morning at DCA then do it Tue or Thu - the day you don't do your magic morning.

Well, having never been, not thinking we will park hop, although I have heard it's pretty easy. I guess we will do DL on Tues/Wed, then DCL on Thurs. Was just trying to make the most of the trip, so wanted a little guidance on which would be better. We always start and end our trips to WDW with Magic Kingdom, so didn't know if we should do it the same way at Disneyland.

 

[MommyLove]

So now that Annual Pass Early Entry has officially ended-- are there any rumors of it continuing unofficially, or any other kind of EE for AP holders?

I'm wondering this too...

 

[Butterfly123]

Nikkistevej, since you have park hoppers, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to hop back and forth. We often will hop over from one park to another for a specific snack, or to get a fastpass for later in the day, or to see a specific show.

We always end our trip with a ride on POTC. Last July we went on it our last ride, last evening, and it wasn't busy. We ended up with the whole boat to ourselves. It was really an amazing way to end our trip!

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[nikkistevej]

Nikkistevej, since you have park hoppers, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to hop back and forth. We often will hop over from one park to another for a specific snack, or to get a fastpass for later in the day, or to see a specific show.

We always end our trip with a ride on POTC. Last July we went on it our last ride, last evening, and it wasn't busy. We ended up with the whole boat to ourselves. It was really an amazing way to end our trip!

Hope you have a great trip!

Thanks- we may try. Just didn't know how long it would take and all, since we are unfamiliar with it all.

 

[DLR29]

Thanks- we may try. Just didn't know how long it would take and all, since we are unfamiliar with it all.

Another poster here who would encourage you to park hop! I rarely even think of the 2 parks as separate...but more so 1 giant park with a big plaza in between the 2 gates. Depending on where you are in either park, it should take 10 or fewer min to get from there to the front gates of the other park.

 

[DLR29]

OP updated with a few things. Got rid of the Annual Passholder Early Entry, which is over for this season.

 

[Ragnar Lothbrok]

It is. But all reports are that you don't want to use it. The GC gate isn't nearly as fast as the main gates and there have been reports of it taking people 30 minutes to get in there.

Go to the main gates 15-20 minutes early and you'll likely be extremely pleased.

Newbie here (WDW veteran, tho') who joined to get help in planning for our January 2014 DL trip. We have stayed at GCH years ago and am only familiar with that entrance into CA. What's the best route from the GCH to the main gate in order to take best advantage of early entry and the mystical "wide right" strategy of which I have read so much? Thanks!!

 

[DLR29]

Newbie here (WDW veteran, tho') who joined to get help in planning for our January 2014 DL trip. We have stayed at GCH years ago and am only familiar with that entrance into CA. What's the best route from the GCH to the main gate in order to take best advantage of early entry and the mystical "wide right" strategy of which I have read so much? Thanks!!

There is an exit from the hotel to Downtown Disney (and signs pointing you to DTD). Take that, turn right and enter through the security gates. It's the same way you would go from the GCH to DL.

 

[madjohn]

I am sure the answer is in here but have not found it.

If you have a 5 day park hopper pass, how many MM mornings do you get?

Thanks John

 

[Spwhoney]

Just got back from DL today. We had EE for last Tuesday, a word of advice, get there early. We ran late and got there right at 9am for EE, spent 30 minutes waiting in line to get in. Not so early, only got one ride in before park opened. Bummer.

 

[disneychrista]

If you have a 5 day park hopper pass, how many MM mornings do you get?

Regardless of how many day pass you get, you only get one MM.

 

[DarthVader92]

Got another question,


Can you get a world of color Fastpass during early entry at DCA or do you have to wait till park opening like RSR? I know they usually let hotel guests in early on non early entry days to get a world of color Fastpass, but what about early entry days.

 

[disneychrista]

Can't answer your question but I would NOT waste an EE to get a WoC ticket.

 

[elliececil]

I know they usually let hotel guests in early on non early entry days to get a world of color Fastpass, but what about early entry days.

I believe that practice has long been discontinued. You don't have to rush nowadadys to get your WOC FP.

From the WOC Super Thread:

Here is the order FPs are distributed:

Blue section first show
Yellow section first show
Blue section second show (on nights with a second show)
Yellow section second show

Blue section FPs for the first show last for several hours, but this can vary significantly day to day and with time of year. Yellow section FPs for the first show also last for several hours.

 

[hurleysweety]

Just got back from DL today. We had EE for last Tuesday, a word of advice, get there early. We ran late and got there right at 9am for EE, spent 30 minutes waiting in line to get in. Not so early, only got one ride in before park opened. Bummer.

That is a bummer! We have done that before with MM at DLR. We got there late and it almost wasn't worth it at that time.

Experts...for a 8AM EE, if we're in line by 7:45 for DCA, we should be okay, right? We don't need to be first, but will plan on going to straight to RSR...like everyone else!

 

[disneychrista]

Experts...for a 8AM EE, if we're in line by 7:45 for DCA, we should be okay, right? We don't need to be first, but will plan on going to straight to RSR...like everyone else!

My rule of thumb, be it EE, MM, or rope drop is to arrive 30 mins before.