Have you ever been the first to arrive at a park?

[BuzzLiteyear]

I was just looking through our Christmas WDW pictures and came across this one. We were the first Non-CM's to arrive at AK. It was December 26th and we were there by 6:30 am for a 7:00 am opening. It was pretty cool. We got to chat with the CM's for about 10 minutes before others started to arrive.

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[Sphinx610]

Wow! No never Ben the first! Been to rope drop but not first

 

[loves to dive]

Yes, I got up early one morning and was bored so I went to MK, no one there at all. When I got into the park even the shops weren't open yet so I just walked around and enjoyed the quiet.

 

[cincystamper]

Yup. We seriously overestimated the amount of time we'd need to get to MK for an early morning tour. We even beat the security guards at bag check. They saw us lingering, threw away their coffee, and opened a line for us. Told them they didn't have to get rid of the coffee, but they did anyway. (felt bad about that) One of them went to find a towel to dry off a bench for us since everything was pretty damp. It was kind of awesome. Heard the morning sound check of the sound system. Finally saw the cool art on the ground outside the gates. Awesome sunrise. Amazing. That was 2013 and we still talk about it at least once a week.

 

[MasterGracey84]

Ha, nice accomplishment I have never been the first to a park, but I have been the first to Adventureland at MK after opening. I think the CM at Jungle Cruise and PiratesOTC hadn't even had their morning coffee yet. It made for 2 slow rides back to back lol.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Yup. We seriously overestimated the amount of time we'd need to get to MK for an early morning tour. We even beat the security guards at bag check. They saw us lingering, threw away their coffee, and opened a line for us. Told them they didn't have to get rid of the coffee, but they did anyway. (felt bad about that) One of them went to find a towel to dry off a bench for us since everything was pretty damp. It was kind of awesome. Heard the morning sound check of the sound system. Finally saw the cool art on the ground outside the gates. Awesome sunrise. Amazing. That was 2013 and we still talk about it at least once a week.

That's pretty cool!

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Ha, nice accomplishment I have never been the first to a park, but I have been the first to Adventureland at MK after opening. I think the CM at Jungle Cruise and PiratesOTC hadn't even had their morning coffee yet. It made for 2 slow rides back to back lol.

Getting to one of the "Lands" is quite a feat, too!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

The closest we got was out January 2011 trip. It was marathon weekend so we left ourselves lots of extra time to get to get to Epcot. (We hit lots of traffic going to MK the day before.) There was no traffic and I think we were one of the first five families there.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

Not the "first" ones in though we were probably the second or third one morning meeting to take the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Really nice to walk around and take great pictures with no one in the background, etc. Really a unique opportunity.

 

[NuJoy]

Easter weekend of 2013 we drove all night and were the first to arrive in MK parking lot-1st spot. We weren't the first into the park; but it was nearly empty at 7:01a.m. March 29, 2013.

 

[G.Goof]

At DL yes! It was so cool to be there with absolutely no crowds. We were even asked to enter the park and lead the crowd in the opening count-down to open the park. What a cool experience that was!!!!

 

[danny1649]

Yes we have, at least one time at each park. Has some nice conversations with the CM's. Never chosen to open a park or special treatment. Which was ok with us , we arrived early to do headliner attractions. This is over 20 year time period of 20 years.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yes, at Magic Kingdom for the Magic Behind the Steam Trains tour. September 28th, 2011 to be precise. Very first guests to enter the park. (earlier than in park breakfast ADR's, etc...)

Very surreal looking down Main Street with no one there except for a few CM's cleaning. Made for an awesome photo op.

Dan

 

[Fastpassminus]

Yes, about 5 years ago on a Mother Daughter trip my Mom and I somehow ended up at DHS at 7:30am for a 9:00am opening. It was just us there. First ones at the turnstyles.

 

[Moonwolf]

Not first to a park but I did manage to get a spot first to a tapstyle last Fri. I had to drop of a rental car early and wasn't sure how often the shuttles ran so I ended up at the park an hour before opening. It was fascinating watching how quick the lines grew.

 

[sharonped]

Yes, but only once in 15 years. First in Animal Kingdom and got pulled to go on the Safari with just our family and an extra CM (besides the driver) doing a "personalized" tour of all the animals. It was ... magical (to use a very overused term).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disneyland, at 7:30 or 8 for a 10 AM opening - I misread the park hours. It was my birthday, and I was determined to be the first one in the park. I told this to every CM who even approached the turnstiles, and even when we had to clear the plaza to go through security, I was still at the head of a line. I wasn't the actual family chosen to open the park, but I got to join them.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Yes, at Magic Kingdom for the Magic Behind the Steam Trains tour. Very first guests to enter the park. (earlier than in park breakfast ADR's, etc...)

Very surreal looking down Main Street with no one there except for a few CM's cleaning. Made for an awesome photo op.

Dan
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Great pics!!!

 

[cakebaker]

Never to a park first, but within the first 10 this past trip for our BOG ADR and we've made to a few of the lands first- Have several great pics of empty streets near the Haunted Mansion. Now that SDMT and A&E siphon off so many people, getting to other areas first isn't all that difficult.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Yes, but only once in 15 years. First in Animal Kingdom and got pulled to go on the Safari with just our family and an extra CM (besides the driver) doing a "personalized" tour of all the animals. It was ... magical (to use a very overused term).

Magical indeed!

Disneyland, at 7:30 or 8 for a 10 AM opening - I misread the park hours. It was my birthday, and I was determined to be the first one in the park. I told this to every CM who even approached the turnstiles, and even when we had to clear the plaza to go through security, I was still at the head of a line. I wasn't the actual family chosen to open the park, but I got to join them.

Great way to spend a birthday!