Early Entry Strategy

[BeccaG]

Trying to make a plan for Magic Morning/Early Entry for DCA/Carsland. I am guessing there won't be Fast passes? Would you hit the two smaller rides, Lugii's and Mater's and then get a fastpass for RSR right at opening? Would love your feedback!

 

[Priory]

Great thread. I have been going over this in my head a lot as well. The logical flow seems to be RSR, Luigi's, then Maters. However, if everyone is doing that - it could be a mistake to go with the flow. My EE is the first week of July. I am hoping to get a better idea of how this all works before I get there.

My dream is to get on all three rides within the hour and then line up for a RSR fastpass by 8am. (I assume FP won't be available during EE).

 

[subtchr]

Great thread.
My dream is to get on all three rides within the hour and then line up for a RSR fastpass by 8am. (I assume FP won't be available during EE).

I am hoping the same! I'll let you know how we do with that plan next Friday!

My question is for those more familiar with the park than we are. We are staying at the GCH. I am assuming that it's best to use the GCH entrance, even for EMH? And which direction should we then go? Looking at google maps it seems to be about the same either way.

I know this is new "territory", since there has not been an EMH at DCA previously, but I'm curious what people think. Will they open the regular entrance gate and the GCH gate at exactly the same time?

So excited...in spite of the crowds!

 

[BeccaG]

I am hoping the same! I'll let you know how we do with that plan next Friday!

My question is for those more familiar with the park than we are. We are staying at the GCH. I am assuming that it's best to use the GCH entrance, even for EMH? And which direction should we then go? Looking at google maps it seems to be about the same either way.

I know this is new "territory", since there has not been an EMH at DCA previously, but I'm curious what people think. Will they open the regular entrance gate and the GCH gate at exactly the same time?

So excited...in spite of the crowds!

Good question re the gate. When I staid there in March or so, they opened that gate a half hour? or hour early for hotel guests to ride Soarin and Little Mermaid. I am going in as an AP for Early Entry so I am thinking I will have to use the main turnstile once I get my wristband.

 

[subtchr]

Good question re the gate. When I staid there in March or so, they opened that gate a half hour? or hour early for hotel guests to ride Soarin and Little Mermaid. I am going in as an AP for Early Entry so I am thinking I will have to use the main turnstile once I get my wristband.

I'll definitely be watching the boards on Monday and Wednesday to see how the hotel guest EMH goes before we try it Friday!

I'd think on the APEE days most people would be entering through the main gate, but I suppose some of those folks will be staying at GCH, too, so who knows?

It's all so exciting!

 

[HydroGuy]

Trying to make a plan for Magic Morning/Early Entry for DCA/Carsland. I am guessing there won't be Fast passes? Would you hit the two smaller rides, Lugii's and Mater's and then get a fastpass for RSR right at opening? Would love your feedback!

It seems reasonable that the CL rides will be open during EMH and APEE, but I believe that has not been announced. So before making a plan like you want to, let's find out what rides are involved.

 

[BeccaG]

It seems reasonable that the CL rides will be open during EMH and APEE, but I believe that has not been announced. So before making a plan like you want to, let's find out what rides are involved.

Good point, but I remember having the same thought and then thought I read a list somewhere.... maybe when I registered??? Now I have to dig that up!

 

[BeccaG]

Nope, no list of rides...In fact in the FAQ it says that Carsland attractions are not guaranteed to be part of Early Entry...yada yada.

That being said, if they are not planned to be part of Early Entry....I think I will just sleep in....I am sure for others it may still be worth it, but the other rides I have been on a handful of time are not worth waking up extra early with my kids....

 

[Priory]

I am fairly confident carsland will be part of early entry. The only reason for DLR to even create an AP EE is in the hopes of getting APs through Carsland and out of the way of the paying guest before opening. That said - I am sure the disclaimer is there to cya themselves should the rides be down on any given EE day.

Worst case scenario, I'll get to appreciate the beauty of CL and BVS and still be in the front of the line for RSR come 8am.

 

[taaren]

I'll be one of the ones to try on Monday. Personally I'm going to head for RSR, then whichever looks shorter between Luigi's and Mater's (if it hasn't taken me the full hour to get through RSR), then line up for my RSR FP, and hope to hit the third Carsland ride right after opening.

Even if Carsland isn't open for the DCA EMH, my DS5 would be thrilled if TSMM was, he could go on it 4 or 5 times in that hour, which would still be worth waking up at 6:30am for.

But it seems highly logical that Carsland will be open for the express purpose of getting us Resort guests into and out of Carsland ASAP.

 

[BeccaG]

I'll be one of the ones to try on Monday. Personally I'm going to head for RSR, then whichever looks shorter between Luigi's and Mater's (if it hasn't taken me the full hour to get through RSR), then line up for my RSR FP, and hope to hit the third Carsland ride right after opening.

Even if Carsland isn't open for the DCA EMH, my DS5 would be thrilled if TSMM was, he could go on it 4 or 5 times in that hour, which would still be worth waking up at 6:30am for.

But it seems highly logical that Carsland will be open for the express purpose of getting us Resort guests into and out of Carsland ASAP.

Would love to hear a report when you get home...or while you are waiting in line!

 

[minniecarousel]

We'll be trying the EE on Wednesday, staying at the Grand. I know for certain that we'll use their entrance to DCA.

I'll be passing along our experience.

 

[subtchr]

We'll be trying the EE on Wednesday, staying at the Grand. I know for certain that we'll use their entrance to DCA.

I'll be passing along our experience.

Thank you! We arrive Wednesday afternoon, also staying at the GCH, so we will do MM to DL Thursday and EMH to DCA Friday. I will be eagerly awaiting your report!

 

[taaren]

Okay, here in line for RSR now. Woke up at 6a to be in line at 630 at GCH. Was about halfway back in a line that stretched from gate to Whitewater and back (at least 400-500). When we got in at about 710 and saw that some hotel guests were coming in the front entrance as well. About 90% of ppl headed towards Carsland/RSR
When we got to RSR the line appeared to be 15 or less. Unfortunately as soon as we got in line the ride appeared to break down. No estimate on when it will be up.
We think we could have gotten through RSR and Luigis before 8a if it had been working properly, then gotten in line for the RSR FP.

Btw crowds yesterday I would have put at a 7/10. (Sun te 17th) All the etickets seemed to be about 40 outside of Carsland.

And Flos was delicious.

 

[SherriA1]

Taaren, what rides were open during Early Entry this morning?

 

[lindym]

Taaren: Just want to clarify something from this morning for the EMH at California Adventure.

Did they ck your hotel id since it is only suppose to be for guests staying at the 3 Disney properties?

You mentioned RSR, so I take it the ride was open for EMH. Want to clarify. Were the fastpass machines open for RSR during EMH or not?

Thanks so much.

 

[BeccaG]

Okay, here in line for RSR now. Woke up at 6a to be in line at 630 at GCH. Was about halfway back in a line that stretched from gate to Whitewater and back (at least 400-500). When we got in at about 710 and saw that some hotel guests were coming in the front entrance as well. About 90% of ppl headed towards Carsland/RSR
When we got to RSR the line appeared to be 15 or less. Unfortunately as soon as we got in line the ride appeared to break down. No estimate on when it will be up.
We think we could have gotten through RSR and Luigis before 8a if it had been working properly, then gotten in line for the RSR FP.

Btw crowds yesterday I would have put at a 7/10. (Sun te 17th) All the etickets seemed to be about 40 outside of Carsland.

And Flos was delicious.

Thanks for the 411! For some reason I thought the EE/MM was limited to one park a day, meaning they alternated which park it was at, but apparently that is only for the AP early entry!

 

[subtchr]

Thanks for the 411! For some reason I thought the EE/MM was limited to one park a day, meaning they alternated which park it was at, but apparently that is only for the AP early entry!

DLR29 has compiled a great superthread here: Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Superthread

The first post gives the details about the different types of early entry this summer. The bottom line is that there is some form of early entry at both parks every day.

DL: M,W,F - APEE; the other days - MM for those with 3 or more day PH passes and guests of the 3 DL hotels

DCA: M,W,F - EMH for guests of the 3 DL hotels; the other days - APEE

 

[DLR29]

Taaren, what rides were open during Early Entry this morning?

I am interested in this as well so that I can update the Early Admission superthread.

 

[subtchr]

I am interested in this as well so that I can update the Early Admission superthread.

I will be using DCA EMH on Friday and will sure to report how it goes, what is open, etc.

I was wondering, do you think it's worth starting a new thread asking folks to share their EMH/APEE DCA experiences these first few weeks?