Early start at MK

[ilanakan]

I've been told that on really busy days at MK, they often let people in earlier than the posted 9am park opening posted. Any idea how much earlier? Do they start the rides earlier too?

 

[Conno]

On every day you can enter Main Street and the Hub about an hour before the park opens. The rides don't start earlier, and you will be held in the Hub until the park officially opens - there is a cool welcome show on the castle stage; so it's worth being there for that if you've never seen it.

To get further into the park before official opening you'll need a pre-park opening dining reservation (for example, at Be Our Guest), or tickets to a pre-park opening event, like Disney Early Morning Magic which allows you to ride the rides of Fantasyland an hour before park opens, and includes breakfast.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Yesterday, the let us in at 8:58– two minutes early.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

For clarity,

For a 9pm regular MK opening, they let guests in to roam Main Street/the Hub around 7:45-8ish. Many shops are open, PhotoPass folks are out, Main Street vehicles are often out. The opening show is on the castle stage at 8:55am, after which they “drop the ropes” at the spokes on the Hub and the park is open.

For an 8am regular park opening, the “Main Street/Hub open an hour early” situation described above doesn’t apply. They let folks in approx 7:45am and the opening show is at 7:55am.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

If the info the previous posters provided isn't what you were thinking of, maybe you mean AK or HS. Often they let people into the parks earlier than the posted opening times but it's more variable than MK. At AK they do start the Pandora rides a little before park opening. At HS you line up at different ropes in the park and can do things like sign up for Jedi Training early. I'm not sure if they start rides early or not though (we have always been signing up for JTA).

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Crowd level doesn't matter.
On a regular 9am opening everyone is allowed in up to the castle at about 7:45am.
I have never seen MK open earlier than the posted time especially since there is a welcome show.
Other parks all bets are off and you may or may not be let in and on rides earlier than the posted opening time.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

MK doesn't do the early entry for onsite guests any longer?

 

[SaintsManiac]

MK doesn't do the early entry for onsite guests any longer?

Yes they do. I believe they’ve been on Fridays.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

MK doesn't do the early entry for onsite guests any longer?

The schedule can vary, but MK usually offers AM Extra Magic Hours (hour in this case, one hour before regular park opening) one morning each week, usually Friday AMs. You’ll see additional AM EMH times added during certain holidays (Christmas week, for example).

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

MK doesn't do the early entry for onsite guests any longer?

That would be EMH extra magic hours and yes certain days MK has AM EMH. You just have to look at the calendar.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Yes they do. I believe they’ve been on Fridays.

Thank you! I went to look it up after I left my post. That's why I have to rope drop on our trip next year as it seems they're sticking to that Friday schedule.

The schedule can vary, but MK usually offers AM Extra Magic Hours (hour in this case, one hour before regular park opening) one morning each week, usually Friday AMs. You’ll see additional AM EMH times added during certain holidays (Christmas week, for example).

Thank you! I did find the information after posting!

That would be EMH extra magic hours and yes certain days MK has AM EMH. You just have to look at the calendar.

I believe at one point it used to just simply be called EE (Early Entry). I felt silly for posting that question after I researched it. It's the reason why we have to rope drop on our two MK days as we are going to be there Sun-Thur and their EMH seems to only be on Fridays.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Thank you! I went to look it up after I left my post. That's why I have to rope drop on our trip next year as it seems they're sticking to that Friday schedule.



Thank you! I did find the information after posting!


I believe at one point it used to just simply be called EE (Early Entry). I felt silly for posting that question after I researched it. It's the reason why we have to rope drop on our two MK days as we are going to be there Sun-Thur and their EMH seems to only be on Fridays.

I believe that is at DLR

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I believe that is at DLR

Disneyland in California? And I'm sorry, what in my post were you referring to?

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Getting there early is always the best plan!

 

[Robo]

I believe that is at DLR

"Early Entry" ("EE") did used to be offered at MK in Florida.

After the tragic events of "911" changed many vacation travel plans, Disney World stopped "EE."

Some months later, they began what was (and still is) called "Extra Magic Hour(s)" ("EMH.")

 

[gharter]

I've been told that on really busy days at MK, they often let people in earlier than the posted 9am park opening posted. Any idea how much earlier? Do they start the rides earlier too?

Along with EMH, if you will be there during a busy time, park hours do change. They don't let people in earlier than normal, the park officially will open an hour earlier. Watch park times so you don't miss that.

 

[Lisa F]

Along with EMH, if you will be there during a busy time, park hours do change. They don't let people in earlier than normal, the park officially will open an hour earlier. Wath park times so you don't miss that.

Disney has been adjusting hours much more last minute than they used to. You can check the schedule same time last year to see generally what they tend to adjust them to but there is of course no guarantee! Waiting for MLK weekend myself.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

"Early Entry" ("EE") did used to be offered at MK in Florida.

After the tragic events of "911" changed many vacation travel plans, Disney World stopped "EE."

Some months later, they began what was (and still is) called "Extra Magic Hour(s)" ("EMH.")

Thanks @Robo !! I was pretty sure at one point it was referred to as EE. I still call it early entry, but most understand what I mean when I use it and know that it's for resort guests only.