Yes, DancingBear you are right.
It did end up that we were able to be in the parks 1 1/2 hours early. And they did have the rides going that early too.
But, I'm not sure what it will be like now....here's why..........
When they still had EE and before they really started cutting hours etc........Even on NON-EE daus you could get into just about any park at least 30 to 45 minutes earlier than the "scheduled" opening. And they had rides already running.
Example: last year in May we went to Epcot on a NON-EE day and got into the park at 8:30 and we were on Test Track by 8:35.
Example: On a NON-EE day at MGM we were in the park by 8:40 and headed down to R&RC by 8:50 and one of the first to ride it at 9am.
Example: At AK (which had no EE) we were on the safari at 7:35!!!
This year in June!!!!!........
At MGM they didn't even let anyone go through the turnstiles til 8:50, and had a rope across Sunset Blvd til 9:01.
Same deal at AK.......it was 8:45 before anyone was let through the turnstiles. And they had the rope blocking right in front of the Boneyard. And worse yet......there was this mass of people that entered right at 8:45 and attempted to move through the Oasis and head toward the safari!!!
That was just NUTS!!
We then realized how much EE really did for their ability to "control the crowd"!!
We decided if we couldn't get there before the masses and be at the front....then we would wait about 1/2 hour later to enter.
EE really affected everyone whether they admit it or not.
I am just SO THRILLED it is back!!!!!!!!!
