Entry question for MK

[jme829]

HI all...we are leaving 3 weeks from yesterday !! My question is this....last time we were there in 2002...we got to MK about 45 minutes before they opened ..However they would not let anyone on the ferry or monorail until 15 minutes before opening. The only way to get over was if you had a priority seating at the castle. Are they still doing this?? I would hate to get there an hour early only to have to start the day with an hour wait to even get over to the park. This last time was only a few months after Sept 11 so I'm sure that probably had something to do with it but will someone let me know if this is still going on?? I have 3 kids 3, 5, 11 so starting the day off with a wait at the ferry is not something I am looking forward too. I am thinking if that is the case, we will grab breakfast to go from the hotel (its a free buffet but they allow you to take to your room) and have a breakfast picnic in the car at the MK parking lot so we can still have a good parking spot and have at least that to keep the kids occupied while we wait for the ferry and monorail ropes to drop....any thoughts?? thanks in advance!!

 

[Bojangles]

You really don't need to get there that early. We got there a few minutes after park opening (this was over Christmas and Easter) and never had a problem. Let the initial rush of people get out of the way first. Many of them will be stopping at the character greet on Main Street anyway.

Don't worry about getting a good parking spot. The trams are fast and go by often.

 

[dzneelvr]

I'd agree. Unless you want to stand in line to be the first into the Park, there's no reason to get there before the posted opening. Security doesn't slow you down too much, and the characters are all over the main street when it first opens.
You can enjoy a nice relaxing breakfast at your resort, rather then gobble stuff down in the parking lot!

 

[dizagain]

We went last May for the first time with the girls (7 and 9). We followed orders and got to the park entrance about 30 minutes before opening. We checked through security, and then we planted ourselves along the brick wall in front of the station. The train pulled in with the characters and my girls were thrilled to be right there! It took no time at all then to enter the park at opening and begin our magical day. We LOVED our front parking spot at the TTC that evening as we were a little weary! Have FUN!

 

[jme829]

Thanks for the replies but its not what I'm asking ...When we went in June 02 they wouldn't let anyone on the ferry or monorail until 8:45 (park opened at 9). Do they still hold everyone (except priority seating at Cindys) up at the TTC until a few minutes before park opening...? This will be our 5th trip so I know security is quick to go through and I know I don't need to be there ungodly early (though it IS advised in many books to get there early) but I don;'t want to get there too early if I can't even get across Bay lake. (BTW we aren't worried about the trams in the parking lot either....with 3 kids and 2 strollers we find its much quicker and easier to walk to the TTC-thats why we like a closer parking spot! plus it helps get a start on working off breakfast!! )

 

[moinab]

We have been to MK 6 times so far this year. We have arrived at the parking lot at various times, between 7:45 and 8:30 AM, and have been able to hop right on the ferry/monorail every time. I believe they start running at 7:30 AM.

FWIW, we have found that 8:30 is a perfect time to arrive.

Have a great trip!

 

[dizagain]

I think it's 7:30, too! I know we weren't quite so early - we got through security by around 8:20 or so and it wasn't too crowded around the front wall yet. Good luck and have fun!

 

[jme829]

dizagain and moinab. thanks..thats what i was needing...last time when they weren't letting us on I'm sure it was because of sept 11 (june 02)....just wondered if that was still the case...thanks for the info!!! i can relax now..._