Early Entry: Use it, or avoid it?

[Kitty-chan]

We'll be at WDW Dec 19-22, staying at POP. My understanding is that we qualify for the early entry. We've been to WDW before, but never stayed onsite.

Is it worthwhile to go for the early openings? Or does the early-entry park end up so crowded for the rest of the morning that we'd be better off going anywhere else? Or should we do the first hour at the EE park, then hop on over to somewhere else at opening time? And then of course an afternoon nap and then perhaps a third park in the evening.

(I am so very excited about the trip. Yay!! )

 

[Dan Murphy]

I personally avoid EE, but many enjoy it. And I have a good number of trips early in Dec, but none when you are going, just before Christmas. I am sure you will get some good imput here.

And welcome to the DIS, Kitty-chan, excited you should be.


Dan

 

[Mickey_loves_Minnie]

I try to avoid it. I'm not an early riser. In my experience, it's not super crowded at the time of year you're going. You might try it once and see how you like it.

To do early entry or not is really a personal choice.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[debm]

I think if you are a family that gets up early then "Go for it" and maybe go to another park if that one tends to get crowded later in the morning. I personally think that most "newbies" to Disney do the EE parks even if they don't arrive until 11AM. Best laid plans---but someone didn't wake up in time but they still go to that park. We did the EE our first few times to World but since my family doesn't get up too early it killed us! Wasn't worth it! Now, we sleep in, swim, enjoy the resort and go in late morning or afternoon......and definitely go to the non-EE park.

 

[wdw4us2]

If you have young kids and plan on being there at the beginning of EMH, it's definitely worth it - especially in the MK.

When things get crowded, leave and go to another park, or go back to your resort for lunch and rest.

 

[disney queen]

we, 2 adults, do EE and then leave the park for another location. we have found that we can get a lot done in that time frame. actually, we have always done EE even w/the boys.

 

[summerrluvv]

I avoid it. The lines were way too long at the bus stop at POP on the EE days, so I figured by the time we got into the park, it would be almost time for the general public to get in. Of course, we could've gotten up at 6 and hopped in line at 7am, but that is just a little early for us. We usually hopped on the bus to the MK at around 8:45 or 9:00 and found the park wasn't very busy (except for Saturdays and Sundays).

 

[sunking]

We have used EE a couple of time that we have been to the "World". I find that you can get the big attractions in prior to the rest of the crowds arriving if you are willing to move quickly.

Your other option if you want to try to avoid crowds would be to see if MK is offering any E-Ticket nights. Our family really like those and will do them whenever scheduled during our stay (even if there are several).

Have fun!!!
Sunking

 

[Lcm2108]

We have been to WDW many times and still do the EE at the MK. Around 11 AM, we leave, have lunch at a resort and go back to a different park in the late afternoon, early evening. It really isn't worth it for us to go to EE at Epcot, AK, or MGM as there are not as many rides our family goes on. After lunch, we take naps, relax at the pool, or hang out at the Beltz mall or the mall near WDW. We NEVER go to an EE park any time during the day except on those first few EE hours.

Lisa

 

[disneywithdrawal]

We did EE at MK on 11/11 and AK on 11/12 and were glad we did. Both days we got the the bus stop at POR between 7:20 and 7:30 for 8:00 opening. We got to MK at the very end of the opening festivities and got to AK a few minutes before so we watched that with the crowd. I say if you'll all get up early enough to take advantage of the full hour (and not be miserable because of it) then it's definitely worth it. We got a lot accomplished in that first hour - and more in the couple hours after that before it got crowded. But by around noon it was too crowded for us so we went to another park. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Jenny]

i'm also staying at the POP - what time would you recommend getting on the bus to MK for 8 a.m. EE?

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by Jenny
i'm also staying at the POP - what time would you recommend getting on the bus to MK for 8 a.m. EE?

I would say 7 AM.

 

[tae1218]

We always use EE for MK. You can get alot done in the first hour. We usually head straight for fantasy land. We stay at the park until lunch time then we head back to the resort for a swim and a break. We will go back to the parks in the evening.

 

[cdntourguide]

I like EE for AK and MK only. Not MGM since it is a small park and can be done nicely in a day without having to get up too early. Not Epcot since I have not been able to get on MISSION SPACE since my first experience with it last year, and world Showcase does not open until 11am and is always open late anyway..

I like to get to MK to get on Buzz Lightyear and the Astro Orbiters. At AK, The K. Safari. I can do these over and over and over again.

I have never found that EE times are too crowded. Sure there is a rush, but that happens at every park at every opening. (Note: I usually am in attendance at the parks Feb and Nov, sometimes in May: rarely any other time due to work constraints, so maybe there is some congestion at other times)

 

[crow11ad]

Anyone know what days are ee days? I forgot.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by crow11ad
Anyone know what days are ee days? I forgot.

Sunday- MK
Monday- AK
Tuesday-MGM
Wednesday- Epcot
Thursday-MK
Friday- AK
Saturday- MGM

 

[gilld]

We ALWAYS take advantage of EE. We can get a lot of rides done before the day guests arrive BUT as soon as it is open to the general public, we leave for another park which is quieter. It works every time.

 

[turnerx5]

AVOID IT. At least for the Magic Kingdom.

We were @ Disney last week, and at MK on three mornings: Wed./Thurs/Friday.

The EE day, Thursday, was BY FAR the most crowded morning. By way of comparison, on Wednesday the Buzz Lightyear ride was a walk on from park opening till 11:30am - on EE day, Buzz had a 20 minute wait by 9:25am, and a 30 minute wait by 10am. On Friday, Buzz was back to a walk on till 11am. Other rides were the same in terms of wait times.

Too many people are trying to "take advantage" of something which, IMO, is no longer an advantage.

Hope this helps.

 

[ricktib]

Another vote for being at the EE park right when it opens, then hopping to another park by late morning. That first couple of hours is great, even at MK.

 

[VAN]

We like the EE and hit the busiest attractions ... especially if you are their during the off season when park hours are short, this allows you to maximize your park days.

Agree that you should depart and head for another park if the EE park starts to get congested.