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

[Tinksmom6575]

The week before Christmas will be our first trip in 5 years so this early entry is new to us. We are a party of 2, me DH and adult DD. Please critique our plan:

We plan on doing LLMP and buying selected single passes.
MK day we plan buy LL for Tron and head for Tiana's on early entry.
Epcot we will be coming in via the International gateway so plan to rope drop Remy and LL Guardians and Test Track.
DHS we will likely head straight for Rise.

 

[HeiHei2018]

The week before Christmas will be our first trip in 5 years so this early entry is new to us. We are a party of 2, me DH and adult DD. Please critique our plan:

We plan on doing LLMP and buying selected single passes.
MK day we plan buy LL for Tron and head for Tiana's on early entry.
Epcot we will be coming in via the International gateway so plan to rope drop Remy and LL Guardians and Test Track.
DHS we will likely head straight for Rise.

Tiana is not open for EE. Only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

 

[Tinksmom6575]

Tiana is not open for EE. Only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

ok, good to know. We will probably do SDMT then.

 

[Artygal90]

Now that Test Track is open and Guardians is available during EE, what’s the best plan of attack for Epcot during Early Entry and beyond for a solo rider without Lightning Lane? I’ve never been on Test Track so that’s a high priority for me. I also love rollercoasters and also want to make sure I don’t rush through Future World this trip. I’ll be rope dropping from the front of the park and staying until fireworks.

 

[Sydnerella]

Now that Test Track is open and Guardians is available during EE, what’s the best plan of attack for Epcot during Early Entry and beyond for a solo rider without Lightning Lane? I’ve never been on Test Track so that’s a high priority for me. I also love rollercoasters and also want to make sure I don’t rush through Future World this trip. I’ll be rope dropping from the front of the park and staying until fireworks.

To guarantee reduced time in lines during park hours without LL definitely maximize the EE time. arrive for EE at least 30 min before the EE and head to left. If you do want to ride GOTG, then quickly walk to GOTG and ride first then head to TT to ride. If you are towards front 1/3 to 1/4 of folks heading to GOTG you could make it to TT before park open. After head to TT and join single rider lane.

I never rope drop TT as it is often more frequently delayed in opening as compared to other rides. So much time wasted when that has happened. As a single rider you should be able to get through quickly. And if it was delayed you wont have spent most of EE time waiting for it to open. You may even be able to re-ride with a 30ish min wait on 2nd ride. Otherwise i would head to Soarin myself.

 

[princesspaigey]

Advice appreciated

We haven't been since 2019 and we are bringing my son for his 5th birthday and first visit.

We are staying on site at SSR and have our own car. Our second day is MK. Currently estimated by touring plans as a level 4 day, early May, 9 am - 9 pm.

1) Am I understanding correctly that parking opens at 730 for 830 ETPE? So would bus get us there earlier/faster than driving? I'd like to enter as early as possible for pictures and just taking in the sights...

2) Is Sir Mickey's accessible before ETPE guests are allowed into ride queues? Any of the shops on Main Sreet? The wishing well area?

3) Would it be possible to stop by Sir Mickey's for pixie dusting, take pictures by the wishing well, and make it into PPF line in a reasonable time? I'd love to go through PPF, Pooh, meet Tiana and Rapunzel (his favorite princess) and be heading towards the mermaid ride and Ariel meet around 10. Is this too ambitious?

Thank you for any insight! I looked through several pages but didn't see my exact questions

 

[lovethattink]

I’d take the resort bus rather than driving. The bus takes to to the MK. Your car takes you to the TTC where you need to then take a ferry or monorail.

 

[princesspaigey]

I’d take the resort bus rather than driving. The bus takes to to the MK. Your car takes you to the TTC where you need to then take a ferry or monorail.

We normally drive because it's nice to not wait for a bus and also get stuck without a seat. I know a bus drops you closer but does the whole process of taking a bus get you there faster than a car? Thank you.

 

[princesspaigey]

How does ETPE work for guests?
Magic Kingdom: (Updated Mar 22, 2025) All guests will be allowed access to the park approx. 60-90 mins (time fluctuates based on the day) before posted park opening time. Those eligible for ETPE will have their bands scanned at the hub entrance to Tomorrowland or Fantasyland approx. 40 mins prior to posted park opening time when they reach the hub, and be permitted to access lines for attractions participating in ETPE. When an attraction is ready to open (approx. 30-45 mins before official park opening) attractions participating in ETPE hours will begin operation. Attractions in the other areas of the MK are not open for ETPE and guests wishing to access those areas will be held at the entrance to those lands until official park opening. (Attractions listed below). Guests staying offsite will be directed in the hub towards Adventureland and held until posted park opening where an announcement will be made when the park is

Is this still accurate?

 

[scrappinginontario]

We normally drive because it's nice to not wait for a bus and also get stuck without a seat. I know a bus drops you closer but does the whole process of taking a bus get you there faster than a car? Thank you.

Yes, the bus is faster. The bus will drop you right beside the MK. If you drive you will need to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and then either take a ferry or monorail to the MK. There is also no guarantee you will get a seat on the ferry or monorail depending on where you are in the line when guests board those modes of transportation.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Is this still accurate?

Yes

 

[princesspaigey]

Yes, the bus is faster. The bus will drop you right beside the MK. If you drive you will need to park at the Ticket and Transportation area and then either take a ferry or monorail to the MK. There is also no guarantee you will get a seat on the ferry or monorail depending on where you are in the line when guests board those modes of transportation.

Ok, thank you!

 

[wdwfan94]

Yes, the bus is faster. The bus will drop you right beside the MK. If you drive you will need to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and then either take a ferry or monorail to the MK. There is also no guarantee you will get a seat on the ferry or monorail depending on where you are in the line when guests board those modes of transportation.

At least with the express monorail line, you can just wait for the next monorail which usually comes within a few minutes especially during higher traffic times - versus waiting 10-20 minutes for another bus from a resort.

The TTC ferry has a larger percentage of people standing than the monorail, so it's harder to get a seat there.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Yes, the bus is faster. The bus will drop you right beside the MK. If you drive you will need to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and then either take a ferry or monorail to the MK. There is also no guarantee you will get a seat on the ferry or monorail depending on where you are in the line when guests board those modes of transportation.

You'll also have to factor the Parking Lot Tram.

We have friends that won't do the bus, and they are always usually 30Min behind us when going to MK... Doing the other parks they do often beat us, but not to MK. And it's worse if your staying till the park closes....

 

[wdwfan94]

You'll also have to factor the Parking Lot Tram.

We have friends that won't do the bus, and they are always usually 30Min behind us when going to MK... Doing the other parks they do often beat us, but not to MK. And it's worse if your staying till the park closes....

If you get there first thing in the morning you’ll be able to park close enough to not need the tram.

 

[scrappinginontario]

At least with the express monorail line, you can just wait for the next monorail which usually comes within a few minutes especially during higher traffic times - versus waiting 10-20 minutes for another bus from a resort.

The TTC ferry has a larger percentage of people standing than the monorail, so it's harder to get a seat there.

I would recommend doing some research about this. I recently watched a video (will say it was for exiting the park, not entering) and they had 3 people leave the front of the castle after fireworks to see what the fastest method was to get to the TTC.

Ferry: 40ish mins
Walking path: 45ish mins
Monorail: almost 60 mins

Yes there might be 10-20 mins waiting for a bus (but my experience is it's normally less during the AM rush) when travelling to the MK, but there's also normally that wait and possibly more, at the TTC. Plus, you also do not appear to be taking into consideration the time it takes to drive from their resort to the TTC, park, possibly take a tram - all this before even getting to the TTC and beginning the ride to the MK.

It's been tested many times and normally the time from a resort to the MK is shorter by bus than driving.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I see OP has asked this same question on the Transportation board which is where this discussion belongs. Please move all discussion about this topic to that board as question is truly Transportation related and not Theme Parks specific.

Thank you

 

[princesspaigey]

How much of main street is accessible before 8:30/etpe?

Is Sir Mickey’s open before 830?

Thanks