Epcot Rope Drop/Park Opening

[TiggerTrigger]

I know a while back MK started letting people in about 15 min early to ease some of the stampede issues with with the A&E M&G and SDMT. I recall DHS doing something similar at some point because of TSMM and Jedi Training sign up. What I can't remember is if all 4 parks were doing this slightly early opening to ease entry woes. The last time we were at Epcot at park opening, was Nov 2014 and it was a kid free trip, so I was more go-with-the-flow and not noticing these things. From stays at the Epcot resorts, I know IG entry is a bit early to give guests time to make it to Future World around the same time as people using the main entry.

In a nutshell, with the tiers, we're planning on riding Soarin' standby right when the park opens. If they're letting crowds in about 15 min ahead of park opening, we're better off doing breakfast on the go. But- if people are getting in right at 9...keeping our 8:05am ADR at Garden Grill might be better since it would put us in the Land pavilion. Soarin' is actually a higher priority for us, but my gut is saying the Frozen ride is going to have a longer more chaotic standby and would be the better thing to FP.

Anyone know? Or if there's a thread with info on this, can you point me in that direction? Thanks!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I do not know, but we are planning similarly to you and have FP+ for FEA and hope to SB Soarin' one morning. While there may (or may not - who knows) be more people interested in the new Soarin than FEA, Soarin should have more capacity when three screens are open. At least, that's what I'm hoping... The only time we did SB for Soarin from IG during RD, we were stopped at a rope as were those from the main entrance so that both groups were the same distance and time away from attractions for the second get-to-the-attractions RD - FWIW.

 

[DWillowBay]

I was there 2 weeks ago and, at least on our day, they let people in a few minutes early, but held them at the entrances to Innoventions West and Innoventions East. Then ....at 9 or thereabouts, they lowered the ropes and the stampede proceeded in both east and west directions. I don't know how to help you make your breakfast decision, but maybe this gives you insight into how the process goes. Enjoy!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I do not know, but we are planning similarly to you and have FP+ for FEA and hope to SB Soarin' one morning. While there may (or may not - who knows) be more people interested in the new Soarin than FEA, Soarin should have more capacity when three screens are open. At least, that's what I'm hoping... The only time we did SB for Soarin from IG during RD, we were stopped at a rope as were those from the main entrance so that both groups were the same distance and time away from attractions for the second get-to-the-attractions RD - FWIW.

I was there 2 weeks ago and, at least on our day, they let people in a few minutes early, but held them at the entrances to Innoventions West and Innoventions East. Then ....at 9 or thereabouts, they lowered the ropes and the stampede proceeded in both east and west directions. I don't know how to help you make your breakfast decision, but maybe this gives you insight into how the process goes. Enjoy!

Thanks! This helps a lot! It sounds like I'll have about a month of watching wait times right after rope drop as well as news stories to see if they bump up entry time like MK to decide our game plan. If they keep it as is, the ADR at Garden Grill is probably the better way to go, but if they change it to how MK is, being part of the stampede will become the plan.

 

[Shanti]

I know a while back MK started letting people in about 15 min early to ease some of the stampede issues with with the A&E M&G and SDMT. I recall DHS doing something similar at some point because of TSMM and Jedi Training sign up. What I can't remember is if all 4 parks were doing this slightly early opening to ease entry woes. The last time we were at Epcot at park opening, was Nov 2014 and it was a kid free trip, so I was more go-with-the-flow and not noticing these things. From stays at the Epcot resorts, I know IG entry is a bit early to give guests time to make it to Future World around the same time as people using the main entry.

In a nutshell, with the tiers, we're planning on riding Soarin' standby right when the park opens. If they're letting crowds in about 15 min ahead of park opening, we're better off doing breakfast on the go. But- if people are getting in right at 9...keeping our 8:05am ADR at Garden Grill might be better since it would put us in the Land pavilion. Soarin' is actually a higher priority for us, but my gut is saying the Frozen ride is going to have a longer more chaotic standby and would be the better thing to FP.

Anyone know? Or if there's a thread with info on this, can you point me in that direction? Thanks!

I've read a couple of posts on Dis by people who had 8:00am GG ressies and beat the rope drop people to Soarin', so it can be done. If you want to try that, be sure to arrive early to be near the front of the PPO breakfast line, and ask for the check right after ordering your food (so you won't have to wait an extra 5-10 minutes for the check after eating.)

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I've read a couple of posts on Dis by people who had 8:00am GG ressies and beat the rope drop people to Soarin', so it can be done. If you want to try that, be sure to arrive early to be near the front of the PPO breakfast line, and ask for the check right after ordering your food (so you won't have to wait an extra 5-10 minutes for the check after eating.)

Yeah- my goal is to be at the Epcot entrance by 7:30am. We have an 8:05a ADR, so I think it's doable if service is speedy. We've found that pre-park opening breakfasts inside the parks tend to run faster than lunch and dinner, so there's that too. The only scenario where it would not be better is if they start letting people in at 8:45 and also let them go all the way to the various attractions at this point.

 

[Shanti]

Yeah- my goal is to be at the Epcot entrance by 7:30am. We have an 8:05a ADR, so I think it's doable if service is speedy. We've found that pre-park opening breakfasts inside the parks tend to run faster than lunch and dinner, so there's that too. The only scenario where it would not be better is if they start letting people in at 8:45 and also let them go all the way to the various attractions at this point.

I think it's worth a try, especially considering the fact that it will provide you with a solid breakfast and a chance to meet the characters.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I think it's worth a try, especially considering the fact that it will provide you with a solid breakfast and a chance to meet the characters.

It's one of our fave character dinners and we've never experienced breakfast there, so it's something old but new too!

 

[bit413]

I have Soarin FP for one day but used our tier one for Frozen which opens while we are there the second day. I know my daughter is going to want to do Soarin again. I haven't read any opinions about EMH. We can enter the park that day at 8 AM. Do you think that would help our chances of getting on Soarin SB?

 

[soniam]

I have Soarin FP for one day but used our tier one for Frozen which opens while we are there the second day. I know my daughter is going to want to do Soarin again. I haven't read any opinions about EMH. We can enter the park that day at 8 AM. Do you think that would help our chances of getting on Soarin SB?

Yes, it will be less crowded in that first hour. Most people can't get up that early.

I think as far as rope drop at Epcot, we are going to have to wait until FEA opens to see exactly what they decided to do. Plus, they may try out a few things until they figure out what works best. More wait and see

 

[Shanti]

I have Soarin FP for one day but used our tier one for Frozen which opens while we are there the second day. I know my daughter is going to want to do Soarin again. I haven't read any opinions about EMH. We can enter the park that day at 8 AM. Do you think that would help our chances of getting on Soarin SB?

Yes!

 

[nevergrowup826]

Has anyone booked an Akershus or garden grill PPO ADR and then just not gone to the reservation. Wouldn't they just charge you the $10 per person, but then you'd be in the park, ahead of the crowd for FEA..

 

[Shanti]

Has anyone booked an Akershus or garden grill PPO ADR and then just not gone to the reservation. Wouldn't they just charge you the $10 per person, but then you'd be in the park, ahead of the crowd for FEA..

The parks are not free-reign PPO. Usually there are ample watchful cast-members aound, and many areas roped off.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Just a funny update on this...so, we decided to reveal the trip to our kids in advance of our 60 day mark. I didn't want to, but having their input on FPs seemed like the better plan...plus my mom nearly spilled the beans AGAIN. It's a good thing I did because the kids are apparently in a very anti-Frozen place. I think Elsa might lose her head if the older one has to hear her sing, Let it Go. LOL Obviously, she's kidding, but it made planning so much easier for me. No Frozen FPs for us and booked Soarin' as our tier1 instead.

 

[dreiwhit]

When we went to Epcot on February 29th, we went through security and the ticket scanners at 8:45am. Not that early, but it was before 9:00am, and there were many people who had gone in before us.