Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread

[DLR29]

We're staying at the Paradise Pier hotel. DL opens at 9:00a the morning we'll be there. So on the MM, it'll open at 8:00a. What time should we plan on leaving the hotel to walk over to DL? 7:15?
I'm figuring it'll take us about 15 minutes to walk over (we'll have to walk at the pace of a 3 year old) and then get there 1/2 hour early? Does that sound about right?

Sounds like a perfect plan!

 

[HydroGuy]

I cannot even imagine doing such a thing...just walking past everyone! I'm a bit faint and dizzy just thinking of it... (there is no fainty emoticon...)

Hmmm. It seems there are gaps they set up just for this purpose. Why would they want to keep a family with no bags or strollers and no visible need for bag check waiting behind another with a bunch of bags and strollers?

We do not walk to the front past a bunch of people when the line is long in the morning. But mid-day the security line is short and if there are folks with bags and we have none we just walk thru the gaps and open space. Again, they have the gaps and open space for this purpose.

 

[Eeee-va]

I think I read that you can only upgrade a parkhopper to an AP if the cost of the parkhopper is less than the AP...I may be thinking of something else, but thought I would mention it just in case.

This was my understanding as well. I am not sure if Disney makes exceptions but from everything I read, this is the stated rule.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks.

Hmmm. It seems there are gaps they set up just for this purpose. Why would they want to keep a family with no bags or strollers and no visible need for bag check waiting behind another with a bunch of bags and strollers?

We do not walk to the front past a bunch of people when the line is long in the morning. But mid-day the security line is short and if there are folks with bags and we have none we just walk thru the gaps and open space. Again, they have the gaps and open space for this purpose.

I've just never seen any gaps, and if I did, I would think that they were just incidental, not meant for people to walk through. But I absolutely abhor getting into trouble, and try to avoid it at all costs. So unless there was a person standing there with a big sign saying "no bags? no strollers? no cargo shorts? come through here!" I doubt I'd go through a gap.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks.



I've just never seen any gaps, and if I did, I would think that they were just incidental, not meant for people to walk through. But I absolutely abhor getting into trouble, and try to avoid it at all costs. So unless there was a person standing there with a big sign saying "no bags? no strollers? no cargo shorts? come through here!" I doubt I'd go through a gap.

Actually there is a sign pretty much just like that at the MK in WDW.

 

[HydroGuy]

Actually there is a sign pretty much just like that at the MK in WDW.

I remember one at DHS too. At DLR I do not remember a sign. But the security areas are wide enough and there are CMs there keeping an eye on who goes thru. When you do not have any bags you can just scoot thru.

I do think security would be improved at DLR if they had a sign or a completely obvious area for "no bag check" people. Then Bumbershoot could go thru and feel good about it.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

So what is a good plan right after MM?

We really want to see the Princess Fantasy Faire. Would this be a good time? (right when the park opens to the general public?)

Or head over to Splash Mountain?

 

[mom2rtk]

PFF starts 1 hour after regular park opening. But get there early. That line gets long really fast...........

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

PFF starts 1 hour after regular park opening. But get there early. That line gets long really fast...........

Ah! I didn't know that. (oh more likely... I did, but then forgot. LOL) Thanks!

We'll be here on a Tuesday. MM opens at 8:00a. Park opens at 9:00a. What time should we get in line? I don't think we'll have the $$$ for a trip to Ariel's Grotto this trip, so I think this'll be our only chance to see Princesses. I want to make sure we get to!

 

[mom2rtk]

Ah! I didn't know that. (oh more likely... I did, but then forgot. LOL) Thanks!

We'll be here on a Tuesday. MM opens at 8:00a. Park opens at 9:00a. What time should we get in line? I don't think we'll have the $$$ for a trip to Ariel's Grotto this trip, so I think this'll be our only chance to see Princesses. I want to make sure we get to!

We've been struggling with this too. I want to do PFF but hate giving up those valuable early hours just standing in line for something that isn't open yet.

The day you're there it should open at 10. I know when we were there a few years ago, we got in line at 9:30 and I was SHOCKED when it opened and the real line formed and the attendant told us we were probably an hour out. So that put us around 11 before we got in. To be honest, you can ask around, but I'd get there by 9:15 or even 9. I think if we had been there at 9, we might have been first in line, or close, and cut our overall wait to just over an hour.

 

[tara30us]

Sorry if this has already been said (didnt want to read the whole thread as it was really long) but you can get into the park early on the days it is offered by signing up for the special character breakfast at the plaza. It doesnt matter what time you are scheduled for breakfast (we usually schedule it for 10:00 when the early entrance is at 7 with the park opening at 8).

They have a special check in table for the character breakfast and if you go check in they give you your buttons and allow you to enter the park at that time.

Not sure if this is still the policy but worked for us the last two times we went (we go every year..but its been 2 years since we have gone last). If it is maybe you can add it to the original post.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Booked DL Hotel through Disneyland #; AP holders. Disney agent said that giving MM passes to AP holders is at the discretion of the hotel staff. If this is true, how do you get the hotel staff to give your family MM passes? Tip? Beg? Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Booked DL Hotel through Disneyland #; AP holders. Disney agent said that giving MM passes to AP holders is at the discretion of the hotel staff. If this is true, how do you get the hotel staff to give your family MM passes? Tip? Beg? Thanks!

Not true. Read the OP. If you stay at a DLR hotel you can get in by using your room key card.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Sorry if this has already been said (didnt want to read the whole thread as it was really long) but you can get into the park early on the days it is offered by signing up for the special character breakfast at the plaza. It doesnt matter what time you are scheduled for breakfast (we usually schedule it for 10:00 when the early entrance is at 7 with the park opening at 8).

They have a special check in table for the character breakfast and if you go check in they give you your buttons and allow you to enter the park at that time.

Not sure if this is still the policy but worked for us the last two times we went (we go every year..but its been 2 years since we have gone last). If it is maybe you can add it to the original post.

Last year we were escorted after check in to the Plaza Inn and not allowed to enter the park until regular opening time if you did not have MM.

Jack

 

[tara30us]

oh bummer! We havent been in a couple years but I always used that as a way to get in an extra morning lol

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Not true. Read the OP. If you stay at a DLR hotel you can get in by using your room key card.

Great; thanks--thought maybe AP holders got a key with a little less magic

 

[brenda1966]

On the first page it says the ticket windows open 30 minutes prior to MM. Does anyone know if this is still true? I would hate to show up Sunday morning with my ARES voucher and not be able to get my ticket and do MM. Would have to make sure to stop by a ticket booth late Saturday if that's the case.

TIA.

 

[disneychrista]

To get the most out of MM you will want to be IN LINE at the turnstiles 30 mins before MM starts. So if you can I would deffiently get your tickets the day/night before if at all possible.

 

[marciemouse]

Here's a tricky question:

If I book a GN hotel room only reservation (since we're using our GAD vouchers) will we still get Toontown Morning Madness tickets? Or would I have to be booking some sort of package? We are WDW vets but this will be our first DL trip, so we're a bit clueless about it! We are only plannign to visit DL on one day (Friday, May 28th) and I'd love to get the most out of it that we can! Besides, it will be our DD's first trip, and I know she'll want to meet Mickey! Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here's a tricky question:

If I book a GN hotel room only reservation (since we're using our GAD vouchers) will we still get Toontown Morning Madness tickets? Or would I have to be booking some sort of package? We are WDW vets but this will be our first DL trip, so we're a bit clueless about it! We are only plannign to visit DL on one day (Friday, May 28th) and I'd love to get the most out of it that we can! Besides, it will be our DD's first trip, and I know she'll want to meet Mickey! Thanks!

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