Early Entry - where to get in?

[lovedoggies]

I have all this info about early entry, but how do we get in? We will be staying at the Grand Californian so how do we get in at Disneyland early? Is there a special line, or special entrance?

What is a good plan of attack for Early Entry? Which rides should we try to get to first? Can you get fast passes for rides that are not open yet during Early Entry, or do you have to wait for the park to open?

thanks

 

[actionvaughn]

I've never had an early entry but I know that the entrance is the monorail in DTD..

 

[Hound 109]

I have all this info about early entry, but how do we get in? We will be staying at the Grand Californian so how do we get in at Disneyland early? Is there a special line, or special entrance?

What is a good plan of attack for Early Entry? Which rides should we try to get to first? Can you get fast passes for rides that are not open yet during Early Entry, or do you have to wait for the park to open?

thanks

- Walk through DTD to the DL front gate. (I wouldn't rely on the monorail....& it's a short walk).
- Get to the DL front gate 20-40 min. early. (Virtually everyone there will be for EE & it will be marked.)
- To effectively do FL (during EE), power walk down Main St. through the Castle.

Ride in order - (unless you're skipping for age reasons or other reasons):

- PP (always best if you're one of the first few families on as the line builds immediately.)
- Dumbo (if you're one of the first few families on PP, then you can ride the elephant with little wait).
- Alice
- Matterhorn

- Mr. Toad/Teacups (any order)
- Carousel/Pinocchio/Snow White (any order)

Pick up a FP at SM or Indy at Rope drop. (Can't pick up FPs till Gen. Adm. rope drop)

But if you have 2 days, you can also incorporate Buzz, SM & Nemo (if interested) into EE.

Have fun.

 

[bumbershoot]

What Hound said.


We stayed at Paradise Pier and had two days of EE b/c of it, so one day we used it to ride Finding Nemo...we were heading to Fantasyland but veered off to the right for some reason (following everyone else, I suppose) and got in line. We were off the ride by a half an hour into EE, and we went over to Buzz and Space Mtn.

I'm not sure this is usual, but we DID get FPs for Space, even though it was still EE.

Then the other day of EE we had, we just went to Fantasyland (Peter Pan *definitely* first!).


While planning I read that the monorail isn't really the best choice for EE, because they won't let you board until EE time, so you might get to FL after the first of the speedwalkers from the gates have gotten there. That's just what I read, though...it wasn't anything we checked out, because the monorail was down all but one time that we looked during our stay! And staying at the GC, you'd have to walk halfway, or more, back towards PP to get the monorail...walk the same distance the other way and your'e at the gates.

 

[bumbershoot]

Have to correct myself, though I'm a bit mystified...although we collected FPs throughout our trip, we only used ONE, because we never needed them for rides. So I have our Space fastpasses, and the time at the very very bottom shows 10 minutes past gate opening (not EE opening). I'm rather confused, b/c I got FPs before I rode, and I rode during EE...but I guess I can't officially second guess the machine, even though I am definitely second guessing it in my *head* (I was journaling WHILE we were at the park, and I know what we did when!).

Odd.

 

[mystic_path]

Yeah Hound has it right on.

Just to clarify if the park opens at 8am for the general public, then you will be in the park from 7-8 for early entry. NOW you have to be at the gates 20-40 min early like Hound said, so be at the front entrance gate around 6:20 ish in the morning to line up for the 7am EE gate opening.

Same thing goes if the park opens at 10am for the general public, your EE is good from 9-10am. So be at the park around 8:20 and get inline at the front entrance gate and wait for the CM's to let you in for 9am.

 

[yesmylove]

We are going to DL in December for our 25th anniversary and have not been there since our honeymoon, so can you tell me what days are early entry and are they always the same days every week.
Thanks.

 

[Hound 109]

EE is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Sat.

Always the same days except for maybe a couple of times a year if there is an event like a Grad night. (& it would be discussed heavily here).

Where are you staying & how many days? There are restrictions for who can enjoy EE.

 

[yesmylove]

We are staying at the Anaheim Residence Inn and we are there from 1st to the 16th. We have a 5 day pass and it says that we get one early entry.

 

[Hound 109]

We are staying at the Anaheim Residence Inn and we are there from 1st to the 16th. We have a 5 day pass and it says that we get one early entry.

5 Day pass staying at a non DLR hotel would get you one day EE. (Your info i believe is correct.) Usually it's best to use it early in the trip.

(but I'm not sure what days of the week you're going "1st to the 16th".)

Have fun.

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

I didn't really read any of the replies so I'm probably repeating stuff. I recently (like a few days ago) stayed at the Grand Californian for the first time and did early entry one day. It's easy, just hop on the monorail at Downtown Disney, and you get dropped off in Tomorrow Land. In fact, it's probably better to take the monorail than to go thru the main Disneyland entrance.

If I'm not mistaken the only areas open are Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, and Main street though I noticed some of the stores still hadn't opened. The lines tend to fill up a bit since the other areas have not opened yet, Nemo gets especially packed during the early entry time.

 

[Hound 109]

I didn't really read any of the replies so I'm probably repeating stuff. I recently (like a few days ago) stayed at the Grand Californian for the first time and did early entry one day. It's easy, just hop on the monorail at Downtown Disney, and you get dropped off in Tomorrow Land. In fact, it's probably better to take the monorail than to go thru the main Disneyland entrance.

If I'm not mistaken the only areas open are Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, and Main street though I noticed some of the stores still hadn't opened. The lines tend to fill up a bit since the other areas have not opened yet, Nemo gets especially packed during the early entry time.

- If staying at the GCH (or DLH or PP) you are entitled to EE for EACH day of your stay (not just once).
- If you want to ensure that you tour Fantasyland efficiently (imo) you should go through the DL front gates (& be in line 20-40 min. prior to EE start time). Taking the Monorail may or may not allow you to get to PP & Dumbo (or Nemo if inclined) the first 15 min., which is the key.
- Monorail is great for returning to your hotel at noon or back again to the park at 3pm. Not so good for early AM or at closing. Better to use your feet. (imo)

 

[DangerMouse]

- If staying at the GCH (or DLH or PP) you are entitled to EE for EACH day of your stay (not just once).
- If you want to ensure that you tour Fantasyland efficiently (imo) you should go through the DL front gates (& be in line 20-40 min. prior to EE start time). Taking the Monorail may or may not allow you to get to PP & Dumbo (or Nemo if inclined) the first 15 min., which is the key.
- Monorail is great for returning to your hotel at noon or back again to the park at 3pm. Not so good for early AM or at closing. Better to use your feet. (imo)

Yep! What he said.