Early entrance for APers?

[BCV23]

I gather that APers don't get early entrance from what I've read. Is this correct?

So is Fantasyland mobbed by the time we poor old APers can gain entrance? Better to do Fantasyland on a day that doesn't offer early entrance?

 

[disneychrista]

That is true unless you are staying at a Disney hotel. If you happen to be staying at DLH, PP or GC than you get EE every day it is offered.

 

[HydroGuy]

I gather that APers don't get early entrance from what I've read. Is this correct?

So is Fantasyland mobbed by the time we poor old APers can gain entrance? Better to do Fantasyland on a day that doesn't offer early entrance?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I agree with the PP! Definitely start out with Fantasyland on a non early entry day. You will get a lot more done in a shorter amount of time!


Andrea

 

[BCV23]

That is true unless you are staying at a Disney hotel. If you happen to be staying at DLH, PP or GC than you get EE every day it is offered.

We will be at the CGH. Is it offered every M, T, W,Th and Sat? Is there a way to find out more about this. It is not on the DL calendar...at least that I could find.

HydroGuy, I was reading some of your tips, charts and rules today. Well done and thanks for sharing.

Andrea, thanks to you again. So do you and Trey agree with Christa that it is included if staying at the DL hotels?

 

[MATTERHORN]

Yes it is included! They don't advertise it and it states subject to change at any time, but it has been for a while and still currently is. You show your room key and you're in for as many EE as you have during your trip! It worked last week!


Andrea

 

[BCV23]

Excellent. Thanks again to all of you. I can firm up some of our plans now.

 

[fidoprincess]

You don't show your room key, you have to show the white charge slip they give you at check-in! You can do ee every day it is offered and they will tell you the days at check-in (if you ask!) but I don't think this is right " M, T, W,Th and Sat". I think there are only 4 days, maybe not W?

When you go to the front gate, everyone in your group enters together after they check the charge slip and then they let you in. Usually the ee line is all the way on the left closest to the DTD side. You can also take the monorail in for EE with much shorter lines but if for some reason it breaks down, you miss the initial headstart. We never once had a problem but heard others complaining.

The charge slip lets you charge purchases to your room bill too! We usually both (Me & DH) ask for one each at check-in just in case I go earlier with one kid and he follows with the other but we are still within the ee hour. Check in is hit or miss and they don't always tell you everything so you have to ask!

Also, if you have little ones with you, remember you can hop the monorail line too as a hotel guest, usually there they just ask to show your room key but it makes a great shortcut to run back to the hotel for a quick nap or change of clothes. They also offer EE to build-a-bear and let you in an hour early before the store opens so instead of 10am you can go in at 9 and they usually only have about 10 kids in the whole store. Occasionally we were the only ones! Make reservations though the hotels guest services 30 days out. This is great to do on the morning that you leave DL and then hit Goofy's for breakfast, happy full bellys fall asleep quick for the long way home.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Sorry I meant charge slip! I have room key on the brain from another post!


Andrea

 

[JennyW]

We asked if APers get the early entry, they said no, but they said to go to the information booth (or wherever one would go) and request that it gets added for APers. He said the more people ask about it and request it, the more likely the feature will be added. So everyone out there with an AP, go ask!

 

[disneychrista]

Just my opinion but most AP's do not need early entry and I hope they never add it as a perk for them. Most AP's live locally and can go "when ever they want." Why would they need the extra hour?

As someone who only gets to go to Disneyland every few years it is nice to be able to have access to Fantasyland a bit early w/o the crowds. If AP's get to use EE then it eliminates the "perk" of being able to do so.

 

[cats mom]

I agree that allowing EE for AP holders anytime they wanted would negate the benefit for everyone else. There are A LOT of AP holders at DL

But maybe a compromise of sorts?
What about giving a limited # of EE days on each AP? That way AP holders are not completely shut out, but they're not overloading the system either.

We're from AZ and have splurged for APs some years even though we certainly can't just pop in to DL when ever we want. An occasional EE (without paying onsite prices) would have been great!

 

[BCV23]

Just my opinion but most AP's do not need early entry and I hope they never add it as a perk for them. Most AP's live locally and can go "when ever they want." Why would they need the extra hour?

As someone who only gets to go to Disneyland every few years it is nice to be able to have access to Fantasyland a bit early w/o the crowds. If AP's get to use EE then it eliminates the "perk" of being able to do so.

Yes, I can understand that. Somewhere I read about the absolutely huge # of APers at DL compared to WDW. But we don't live locally....about 2000 miles away actually. We bought our APs on a trip last year planning to return within the year.

Allowing those staying at the DL hotel access no matter the ticket seems a fair compromise to me.

Jenny, were you staying at a DL hotel?

fidoprincess, thank you for the detailed explanation. Now if only I don't forget to ask at checkin!

Finally, is it worth it to use EE on a day when regular opening is at 10:00am?

 

[JennyW]

No, we weren't staying at a DL hotel. And we live in AZ, too. It's a 7 hour drive, so we can't pop over for an EE any time. One or two a year would be a nice perk.

 

[HydroGuy]

In all I believe there are 700,000 AP holders for DLR. Most of you know there are several different AP categories, two of which are specially for SoCal residents.

Does anyone know how many AP holders WDW has?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

You guys gave good info on EE, so I'll just build on a comment about APers should get EE. I think the idea that AP holders should maybe get it as a special bonus. I think a nice idea would be that when APers renew their pass, or buy a new one, they could maybe get a certain number of EE passes - maybe 1-5 - or maybe 4, and each one would be good for a different quarter of the year - Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec (or even two that would be good Jan-Jun, Jul-Dec. That would be a nice incentive, and would limit the APer's so they (we) wouldn't over populate the park & make it too busy for the guests staying onsite, or booking through WDTC.

 

[BCV23]

Does anyone know how many AP holders WDW has?

I read the numbers somewhere on the DIS but of course have no idea where the poster came up with those figures or how accurate they are. Anyway, I'm guessing that it was on the DVC Miscellaneous board but I tried a search and had no luck. But it was so many fewer than DL I was shocked.

Of course, APs are quite a bit more expensive at WDW.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I agree with PP's, I don't think AP's should get early entry and I am one!! Then if I pay big bucks to stay onsite for that as a perk (which I know may not always be the case!) I wouldn't want the place to be swamped!

Plus secretly, then I would HAVE to push myself to use it every day it's offered on our trips and I kinda like not having that pressure with me and 3 young kids to get ready all by myself in the AM. And I know myself and know that I wouldn't be able to ignore it and go later!!

Andrea