Early Entry on Busy Days

[becks59]

Last year we went to DL in May for 3 days. I specifically chose a non early entry day to do DCA and we arrived about 20 minutes early. But, there were obviously hotel guests inside the parks already. I later read that sometimes Disney allows DCA to be open early every day if it is busy.

This is really frustrating since we can't afford to stay on site for that advantage. Does anyone know how often this happens or how I can know what to expect for our trip from June 8-11?

 

[wdwfan22]

That sounds odd for May. The only time I have seen them open the parks early everyday, instead of the scheduled ones are around Christmas time. I personally haven't seen it, but I could see them doing it around easter/spring break also. But May seems unlikely. Had they just let people in the gates already? They usually open the gates 30 mins early and hold people in the park.

 

[becks59]

They opened the gates for us and we were waiting at Carthay Circle area. It was weird and I had no idea they did it. We went to Toy Story first and the line was already 30 minutes long! I didn't think it was that busy of a week either. Do they post this information on the calendar or anything? I can't do anything about it if they decide to do this in June, but I would like to know if it is happening so I can know how I want to plan our first few hours there. Do they put this information on the calendar?

 

[Canuck16]

I believe the Extra Magic Hour for DCA are on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday's.

 

[becks59]

I believe the Extra Magic Hour for DCA are on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday's.

That's what I was planning on when I went in May 2014. We went to DCA on a Thursday and they were doing an early entry already and lines were already long when we went in at rope drop. I was wondering how I find out if they are opening up early entry to hotel guests on all days since they will sometimes do that.

 

[wdwfan22]

I just thought of something, I think when they have grad days they can change the EE days. Hopefully someone can chime in. But they do let people in 30 mins before opening on every day. Then hold them inside. So even if there isn't a EE on a day you go, you don't want to get there 20 mins early or you wont be anywhere close to the front. We went on a slow day in January, got to the park 45 min prior to open, grabbed fp for RSR and walked quickly to TSM and there was already a 20 min line.