How early do monorails run from TTC for 7 AM EMH?

[allmydisneydreams]

We are doing 7 AM EMH at MK the week after Easter. Our plan is to park at the TTC and take the monorail - what time will they start running? I want to be there as early as possible

 

[kmb584]

We are doing 7 AM EMH at MK the week after Easter. Our plan is to park at the TTC and take the monorail - what time will they start running? I want to be there as early as possible

30 minutes prior to scheduled opening.

 

[Robo]

We are doing 7 AM EMH at MK the week after Easter. Our plan is to park at the TTC and take the monorail - what time will they start running? I want to be there as early as possible

That might not be such a good plan.

The MK parking lot can close due to over-crowding very early in the day over the Easter holidays, and that also
means that the roads approaching the parking gates can be jammed and slow-moving very early, too.

ALSO, on AM EMH days, they often DON'T operate the MK Express monorail and ferry boats until closer to "regular" opening time
(in this case 8AM) due to MOST WDW resort guests (the only ones who can enter MK during AM EMH) are generally arriving by bus, boat, and the Resort Monorail.
They like to keep the non-WDW resort guests at TTC until much closer to regular hours to avoid a mess outside the MK gates of non-resort guests just milling around.
Yes, you could take the Resort Monorail, but it will likely be extra crowded on those days.
Further, on 7AM EMH days, the park ADR restaurants won't even open until 8AM, further cutting the need to get parking lot guests over to the MK gates early.

So...you might be just fine arriving early by car.
Or, you might be in a mess.

 

[rlovew]

I would take Disney transportation, many times with early EMH they don't open transportation from the TTC until 1/2 an hour before public opening not EMH opening so you would likely miss out on the purpose of being there early.

 

[allmydisneydreams]

Hmmmm.... we did this two years ago and I knew there was some issue, but couldn't remember exactly what it was. I think we did take the resort monorail because the express wasn't running - I know that one morning they were checking tickets to let you on the monorail, but we definitely got to MK before the 7 AM opening. We are staying at Ft Wilderness and I don't think the boats run that early, do they? Does anyone know what time the resort monorail would start? It would have to be pretty early so that all of those people could make it for EMH. I know that we were parked in the second row at the TTC and I don't remember the monorail being very crowded, so it was early. I just can't remember how early.

 

[baler31]

That might not be such a good plan.

The MK parking lot can close due to over-crowding very early in the day over the Easter holidays, and that also
means that the roads approaching the parking gates can be jammed and slow-moving very early, too.

ALSO, on AM EMH days, they often DON'T operate the MK Express monorail and ferry boats until closer to "regular" opening time
(in this case 8AM) due to MOST WDW resort guests (the only ones who can enter MK during AM EMH) are generally arriving by bus, boat, and the Resort Monorail.
They like to keep the non-WDW resort guests at TTC until much closer to regular hours to avoid a mess outside the MK gates of non-resort guests just milling around.
Yes, you could take the Resort Monorail, but it will likely be extra crowded on those days.
Further, on 7AM EMH days, the park ADR restaurants won't even open until 8AM, further cutting the need to get parking lot guests over to the MK gates early.

So...you might be just fine arriving early by car.
Or, you might be in a mess.

This...they hold the express monorail and I have seen them skip the TTC for resort monorail boarding. I have never stayed at Ft. Wilderness, is there not a bus you could take ? I would think they would have to run the boat if they don't offer a bus. How would guests get to MK otherwise ?

 

[Robo]

Hmmmm.... we did this two years ago and I knew there was some issue, but couldn't remember exactly what it was. I think we did take the resort monorail because the express wasn't running - I know that one morning they were checking tickets to let you on the monorail, but we definitely got to MK before the 7 AM opening. We are staying at Ft Wilderness and I don't think the boats run that early, do they? Does anyone know what time the resort monorail would start? It would have to be pretty early so that all of those people could make it for EMH. I know that we were parked in the second row at the TTC and I don't remember the monorail being very crowded, so it was early. I just can't remember how early.

If they are not running the shuttle boats (likely they will be,) they do run special early buses to MK.

 

[spiceycat]

yea from FW would definitely take the bus or boat to the MK.

both should be up and going at 6:30am

 

[allmydisneydreams]

I'm thinking about this and I think that the day we were there extra early we walked to the Poly from TTC - is that still possible? The other day I remember going up the ramp and having to show our tickets then being directed to the resort monorail.

 

[allmydisneydreams]

But if we get on a bus or boat at 6:30 won't we narrowly make the 7AM opening? Touring tips that I am reading are saying to be at the gate by 6:25... Plus I am wondering what time the FW internal buses to get to the MK boat or bus would start running ...

 

[kaetra]

I hate, hate, hate relying on the buses for MK rope drop. But for EMH I keep reading you pretty much have to take that dang ole bus or you ain't gettin' there.

Blech. I really HOPE they have their act together for AM EMH and get those buses to the resorts on time and that there's plenty of them.

Me-no-like-um bus. Especially crowded, standing room only bus that takes for-freaking-ever to load up the peeps!

 

[baler31]

But if we get on a bus or boat at 6:30 won't we narrowly make the 7AM opening? Touring tips that I am reading are saying to be at the gate by 6:25... Plus I am wondering what time the FW internal buses to get to the MK boat or bus would start running ...

Whatever transportation they offer will begin to run approx one hour before opening. You will have more luck using the resort transportation.

 

[Robo]

Whatever transportation they offer will begin to run approx one hour before opening. You will have more luck using the resort transportation.

Yup.

They would not open MK extra early for resort guests without offering those resort guests a way to get there.

 

[Robo]

I hate, hate, hate relying on the buses for MK rope drop. But for EMH I keep reading you pretty much have to take that dang ole bus or you ain't gettin' there.

Blech. I really HOPE they have their act together for AM EMH and get those buses to the resorts on time and that there's plenty of them.

Me-no-like-um bus. Especially crowded, standing room only bus that takes for-freaking-ever to load up the peeps!

You are free to drive, if you like.
Just don't say we didn't offer other suggestions.

 

[kaetra]

You are free to drive, if you like.
Just don't say we didn't offer other suggestions.

Free to drive, then swim across the lake?

 

[Robo]

Free to drive, then swim across the lake?

Me-no-like-um swim.

 

[baler31]

I hate, hate, hate relying on the buses for MK rope drop. But for EMH I keep reading you pretty much have to take that dang ole bus or you ain't gettin' there.

Blech. I really HOPE they have their act together for AM EMH and get those buses to the resorts on time and that there's plenty of them.

Me-no-like-um bus. Especially crowded, standing room only bus that takes for-freaking-ever to load up the peeps!

FWIW when we have done 7am buses over at Epcot resorts, even sharing there was never a full bus that early in the morning. Even on NYE.

 

[spiceycat]

But if we get on a bus or boat at 6:30 won't we narrowly make the 7AM opening? Touring tips that I am reading are saying to be at the gate by 6:25... Plus I am wondering what time the FW internal buses to get to the MK boat or bus would start running ...

the night before just check the times guide - sometime the EMH are even earlier - the guides are only released a week at a time - they start on Sunday and go to Saturday - those EMH generally are not changed. you get one when you check in.

you need to take 2 buses at FW - one to get you to the settlement area - where you will catch the MK bus. the MK bus can get you there in 10 minutes or less. if you want fast - do NOT take the boat - it stops off at WL before going to the MK. so it can take 20 minutes or more to get to the MK.

are you camping or staying in one of their cabins?

 

[kaetra]

FWIW when we have done 7am buses over at Epcot resorts, even sharing there was never a full bus that early in the morning. Even on NYE.

Good to know! I've never done an AM EMH before. We will be on this trip though, for some insane reason.

 

[allmydisneydreams]

the night before just check the times guide - sometime the EMH are even earlier - the guides are only released a week at a time - they start on Sunday and go to Saturday - those EMH generally are not changed. you get one when you check in.

you need to take 2 buses at FW - one to get you to the settlement area - where you will catch the MK bus. the MK bus can get you there in 10 minutes or less. if you want fast - do NOT take the boat - it stops off at WL before going to the MK. so it can take 20 minutes or more to get to the MK.

are you camping or staying in one of their cabins?

We are "camping", sort of, lol. We rented a camping trailer (separate bunkroom for the kids, bathroom, kitchen, and 3 flat screen TVs) that is being delivered and set up for us at FW. With three kiddos trying to stay onsite for a reasonable price is tough. We actually tent camped at FW 4 years ago and the kids really wanted to go back. Doing the fancy shmancy camping thing for about the same price as a mod, so FW fun without the tent , but way less $$$ than the cabins