Everything Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE) - Please Read Post 1

[atlbraves49]

So based on what I'm reading, if we are going to Hollywood Studios with a 9am open (8:30 EE), and taking bus from Contemporary, we should be at bus stop at.... 7:30am? Is that accurate?

 

[scrappinginontario]

So based on what I'm reading, if we are going to Hollywood Studios with a 9am open (8:30 EE), and taking bus from Contemporary, we should be at bus stop at.... 7:30am? Is that accurate?

Yes, if you wish to be towards the front of the RD crowd.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Disney's Hollywood Studios Adjusts Morning Entry Procedure: What You Need to Know​

Guests visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World are in for a change in the morning entry procedure. The park has just updated its process for guests arriving ahead of its official opening time, making early entry more accessible for all parkgoers. Here's a breakdown of what has changed and what it means for your day at the park.

For a scheduled 9:00 am opening, all guests—including non-resort guests—are now allowed through the tap styles starting at 8:00 am. Previously, this early entry privilege was only offered to Disney Resort hotel guests, while non-resort guests were held at the main entrance before the tap points until park opening time. With the new procedure, everyone can get past the initial checkpoint earlier, providing more time to enjoy the Hollywood Studios atmosphere before the attractions open.

Once inside the park, there are three designated checkpoints for resort guests participating in the Early Entry benefit: one on Sunset Boulevard, one on Grand Avenue for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and one at the entrance to Toy Story Land. Resort guests can pass through these checkpoints and join attraction lines ready for the 8:30 am start of Early Entry, while non-resort guests are held at these points until the official park opening time at 9:00 am.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is located before any of the checkpoints, and guests are able to enter the line if staying at a Disney resort hotel.

This update marks a return to the pre-pandemic experience, where all guests could enter the park before opening.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks for the update. Guessing this is preparation for heavier holiday crowds and spreads guests out a bit.

 

[traveler9]

This also gives Disney more $$$ when those staying offsite can be on Hollywood Boulevard shopping or getting coffee.

 

[Artygal90]

Disney's Hollywood Studios Adjusts Morning Entry Procedure: What You Need to Know​

Guests visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World are in for a change in the morning entry procedure. The park has just updated its process for guests arriving ahead of its official opening time, making early entry more accessible for all parkgoers. Here's a breakdown of what has changed and what it means for your day at the park.

For a scheduled 9:00 am opening, all guests—including non-resort guests—are now allowed through the tap styles starting at 8:00 am. Previously, this early entry privilege was only offered to Disney Resort hotel guests, while non-resort guests were held at the main entrance before the tap points until park opening time. With the new procedure, everyone can get past the initial checkpoint earlier, providing more time to enjoy the Hollywood Studios atmosphere before the attractions open.

Once inside the park, there are three designated checkpoints for resort guests participating in the Early Entry benefit: one on Sunset Boulevard, one on Grand Avenue for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and one at the entrance to Toy Story Land. Resort guests can pass through these checkpoints and join attraction lines ready for the 8:30 am start of Early Entry, while non-resort guests are held at these points until the official park opening time at 9:00 am.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is located before any of the checkpoints, and guests are able to enter the line if staying at a Disney resort hotel.

This update marks a return to the pre-pandemic experience, where all guests could enter the park before opening.

So working backwards from an 8:30 am opening time (current schedule for Sat November 9, the first Jollywood Nights date), the timeline would look like:

8:30 am - Park open
8:00 am - Early Entry start
(Do we think Early Entry will still “unofficially” start with Rise opening before 8?)
7:30 am - Entry tapstiles open
7:00 am - Parking lot open
6:30 am - Disney buses start rolling (?)

Right?

 

[scrappinginontario]

So working backwards from an 8:30 am opening time (current schedule for Sat November 9, the first Jollywood Nights date), the timeline would look like:

8:30 am - Park open
8:00 am - Early Entry start
(Do we think Early Entry will still “unofficially” start with Rise opening before 8?)
7:30 am - Entry tapstiles open
7:00 am - Parking lot open
6:30 am - Disney buses start rolling (?)

Right?

Buses may not be running by 6:30AM but, it is recommended you be at your resort bus transportation by 6:30 to be one of the first to board once buses start rolling.

 

[atlbraves49]

Can't seem to find a good answer for this...

If Epcot opens at 9am, and early entry 8:30am, what time would one want to be waiting at Contemporary Monorail to get there for early entry?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can't seem to find a good answer for this...

If Epcot opens at 9am, and early entry 8:30am, what time would one want to be waiting at Contemporary Monorail to get there for early entry?

7AM. Post 1 recommends arriving at resort transportation 90 mins before ETPE begins.

 

[CarolynFH]

Can't seem to find a good answer for this...

If Epcot opens at 9am, and early entry 8:30am, what time would one want to be waiting at Contemporary Monorail to get there for early entry?

The idea is to be on the first monorail/bus/boat etc. heading to your desired park. So if the signs say the monorail starts running at 7:00 AM, be there before 7:00 to be with those who will catch the first one.

 

[atlbraves49]

We originally planned to Early-Entry ride Peter Pan first, then a few other nearby rides, and just save Seven Dwarfs until day 2. Now I'm wondering if it's worth doing Seven Dwarfs first both days (assuming the kids like it that much; have never done it).

How likely is it to be able to go from Seven Dwarfs, direct to Peter Pan, without the line being too long? Alternatively, if we have an early Lightning Lane for Haunted Mansion, that we could do soon after Seven Dwarfs, would Peter Pan be an available Tier 1 to secure prior to park closing (6pm)? Not sure how available the LL gets for that ride.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We originally planned to Early-Entry ride Peter Pan first, then a few other nearby rides, and just save Seven Dwarfs until day 2. Now I'm wondering if it's worth doing Seven Dwarfs first both days (assuming the kids like it that much; have never done it).

How likely is it to be able to go from Seven Dwarfs, direct to Peter Pan, without the line being too long? Alternatively, if we have an early Lightning Lane for Haunted Mansion, that we could do soon after Seven Dwarfs, would Peter Pan be an available Tier 1 to secure prior to park closing (6pm)? Not sure how available the LL gets for that ride.

Unfortunately you're asking about 2 very popular attractions.

IF you are at the very front of SDMT and ride quickly (MANY will head to SDMT) you will be able to head to PP but you will likely encounter a long line as PP is the other attraction many guests head to during ETPE. Same if you hope to go to PP after HM.

Can you try to get PP as your Tier 1 LL?

LL for PP fill early and often are full before the day begins. I just looked and tomorrow has a few LL available in the afternoon but that may not be the case by tomorrow. Some guests may drop their PP LL reservations but it will be a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

The wait time for PP quickly grows to about 40 mins quickly after ETPE begins and doesn't really dip below that (and continues to grow) .

I would recommend looking at Thrill-Data to help you see how crowds and LL work for PP.

 

[atlbraves49]

Unfortunately you're asking about 2 very popular attractions.

IF you are at the very front of SDMT and ride quickly (MANY will head to SDMT) you will be able to head to PP but you will likely encounter a long line as PP is the other attraction many guests head to during ETPE. Same if you hope to go to PP after HM.

Can you try to get PP as your Tier 1 LL?

LL for PP fill early and often are full before the day begins. I just looked and tomorrow has a few LL available in the afternoon but that may not be the case by tomorrow. Some guests may drop their PP LL reservations but it will be a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

The wait time for PP quickly grows to about 40 mins quickly after ETPE begins and doesn't really dip below that (and continues to grow) .

I would recommend looking at Thrill-Data to help you see how crowds and LL work for PP.

Good points. We have tianas as our tier one, so probably not going to switch out of that. We'll probably stick to the original plan (PP as early entry ride, and just plan to do 7dwarfs one time, to start day 2)

Thanks

 

[jmasgat]

Back from a visit during W&D run weekend. I stayed at the Dolphin, and at ML, AK and Epcot had no issues showing my room key to CM checking resort guests. However, when I went to Studios, the CM wouldn't accept it as proof and said "we're stricter". She wanted to see my current resort reservation. So I had to fumble for my phone and then forgot that it was available on MDE, so I'm trying to open the Marriott app. Meanwhile, people are streaming by me towards Slinky Dog (RoRR was down--are we surprised?) Finally--and before my app would ultimately load, she let me go. Lost several minutes of precious time and yes at Studios, it matters.

Before I left the park, I stopped into Guest Relations and gave my feedback. I politely said that what I would expect is consistency across all the parks--what works at one should work at all. I didn't ask for anything, but she graciously gave me a LL MP.

So just be forewarned if you're at Swolphin....and have your MDE available. And yeah, I realize that room keys can be be re-used/saved and therefore not as valid as MDE, although the thought did not occur to me during the time I was using the room key as proof.

 

[Mombaker]

We are planning to go from garden wing contemporary resort to Epcot via the monorail to rope drop for Frozen. Does anyone know how long this route typically takes? Or when we need to plan to be there for EE 8:30?

 

[Mle8308]

I'd give yourself an hour minimum, since you will have to switch monorails at the TTC. Probably more to be on the safe side. And if you are going during a busy season, even more time.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We are planning to go from garden wing contemporary resort to Epcot via the monorail to rope drop for Frozen. Does anyone know how long this route typically takes? Or when we need to plan to be there for EE 8:30?

Arriving at resort transportation 90 mins in advance of ETPE is recommended.

 

[Mombaker]

Thanks!! I was thinking 45 min so I’m glad I asked! Ha

 

[snacks]

We are planning to go from garden wing contemporary resort to Epcot via the monorail to rope drop for Frozen. Does anyone know how long this route typically takes? Or when we need to plan to be there for EE 8:30?

You have to walk from the garden wing into the contemporary and take the escalator or elevator to the 4th floor. Then go through security and take the escalator or elevator to the monorail platform. Next, wait for a monorail, ride the monorail to TTC, switch to the Epcot monorail, wait for that monorail, take the monorail ride to Epcot (which is not a short trip). Then the monorail takes you on a tour inside Epcot before you unload. Next you go down the monorail ramp and stand in line to tap into the park. Then you have to walk all the way through Future World/World Celebration (half of the park) to World Showcase and then make your way to Norway. As @scrappinginontario said, Disney always recommends 90 minutes for traveling from place to place. A lot of times I think that's way too conservative but in this case, yeah, you're going to need 90 minutes.

 

[Mombaker]

You have to walk from the garden wing into the contemporary and take the escalator or elevator to the 4th floor. Then go through security and take the escalator or elevator to the monorail platform. Next, wait for a monorail, ride the monorail to TTC, switch to the Epcot monorail, wait for that monorail, take the monorail ride to Epcot (which is not a short trip). Then the monorail takes you on a tour inside Epcot before you unload. Next you go down the monorail ramp and stand in line to tap into the park. Then you have to walk all the way through Future World/World Celebration (half of the park) to World Showcase and then make your way to Norway. As @scrappinginontario said, Disney always recommends 90 minutes for traveling from place to place. A lot of times I think that's way too conservative but in this case, yeah, you're going to need 90 minutes.

Thank you so much I love all these details. Amazingly helpful.