Early entry - what time should we be at gates?

[needabrk]

I know this question has surely been asked a few too many times, but I the search engine is apparently not usuable right now.

We are headed to WDW in 9 days (yeah, yeah, I know it will be crowded, but it's when we are able to go). We're planning on taking advantage of the EE mornings, but I'm confused as to when exactly we should try to arrive at the parks. For example, MK is scheduled to open at 9:00am. When would they let us in, 8:00? Will they likely let the general public in at 8:30 to minimize bottleneck crowds? Do we show up at 7:30? Do they do the bag check thing before the gate opens at 8:00? If so, do we need to be there at 7:00? And some of the information I've gotten suggests that they let in resort guest 1 1/2 hours early. Is that old info? Is it really just 1 hour.

This is our first trip and since it will be a busy time I am trying to carefully plan as many details as I can and then try to be ready to go with the flow. I hate to get my kids up much earlier than necessary so I could use some help from you pros out there!

 

[philaround]

Hi needabrk [so do we all] I hope that you know you must be an on property guest to take advantage of EE.
That said, busses will start leaving each resort on property 30 to 60 minutes before EE time for the park of the day. Hope this helps.

 

[needabrk]

Maybe I should mention that we're staying at Fort Wilderness. We will be taking WDW transportation and maybe driving to some parks if that seems to save time. But I'd hate to rush the kids in the morning only to wait 1/2 hour for a bus or boat.

 

[philaround]

the transportation should start running to the EE park of the day between 7 & 7:30 each morning. Depending on exactly when you leave the resort the bus will get you to the park entrance between 7:20 & 8:20.
The general public will not get in until 9 unless there is a real low turnout for EE from the resorts. But most outside guests don;t get there until much before 9 anyway so it should not be a problem.

 

[CRB#33]

It looks to me that they've changed to opening hours to 8:30 a.m for MK for several of the days at Easter weeks. You may want to look at your dates on the WDW website for their revised hours.

 

[needabrk]

Thanks CRB#33! I'll definately keep checking the opening times for changes!

 

[KandK'smom]

I just checked Disney's site and the MK hours are for an 8:30 am opening time. Is 8:30 the General Public opening time? Or will the EE be at say at 7:30 am? Boy that is early. Would the busses begin running from the resorts at 6:30 am then? We leave in 3 days - Yippee! and I, too, would love to know the answer to this question! Thanks everyone!!

 

[gepetto]

Busses will start around 6:30. You should be able to walk on everything in Fantasyland in less than an hour. I remember they used to let people in a little earlier than the posted EE opening time. Not sure if they still do that or not.

In any case, the parks probably won't be crowded until around 11-ish during peak/holiday season.

 

[clkelley]

Yes, with an 8:30 am opening, EE will be at 7:30 am!! I would try and be at the gates at 7:00 am to be one of the first ones at the gate.

They will not open the gate until 7:30.

Also with these extra long hours (something I havn't seen in a couple of years), they may be expecting extra huge crowds and may put into effect "EE for everyone" meaning all parks will open early every day for all guests. The bonus for that, however, may mean the ENTIRE park will open early!!

They did this on Thanksgiving morning. MK opened for everyone at EE time and ALL attractions were open at once.

I found out later in the day that ALL FOUR parks opened at 8am with all attractions open.

They never announce this, they just do it to avoid huge crowds at the gates and parking areas.

 

[KandK'smom]

Well, I guess the early bird in me will have to find itself then! I have never had a problem with my two kids- since their premature births they have ALWAYS gotten up early.....unfortunately, it is the "big" kid I am worried about! DH loves to sleep in. Too bad

 

[needabrk]

Yippee!!! It's like Christmas morning. The earlier, the better!

 

[Synonymous]

So, if they are going to open the parks earlier than announced, how does anyone know to be there? In such a situation, do the buses run an hour before the scheduled time or the actual opening time?

I'm getting a bit flustered by trying to plan for our first-ever peak season trip. I don't want to show up at 8:30 and find hour-long lines already.