HS opening time

[sandydog]

When we were here in 2013, HS officially opened at 9:00 but actually opened a little earlier. We're here again and looking to go tomorrow but we're wondering if they are still opening a little before 9:00. We don't want to get there at 8:30 to find they already opened. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

When we were here in 2013, HS officially opened at 9:00 but actually opened a little earlier. We're here again and looking to go tomorrow but we're wondering if they are still opening a little before 9:00. We don't want to get there at 8:30 to find they already opened. Thanks!

It opens as early as 30 minutes before the posted opening time.

I've been recommending that guests arrive no later that 45 minutes before posted opening time at Epcot, DHS and DAK for over a year, now.

What may change is that they might re-institute the Frozen Rope Drop Show at DHS, which will mean guests will be held on Hollywood Blvd. until the end of the ceremony.

Still, it's better to be far too early than just a minute too late.

 

[Meriweather]

We were there twice last week and it opened at 9........it has been a long time since I went, and it opened that late.

 

[g-dad66]

We did morning EMH (8:00 am "official" opening) at Hollywood Studios on March 14, and they opened the turnstiles at 7:40.

We were surprised at the early opening for EMH day, but glad that we had arrived early enough to take advantage of it.

 

[HydroGuy]

It opens as early as 30 minutes before the posted opening time.

I've been recommending that guests arrive no later that 45 minutes before posted opening time at Epcot, DHS and DAK for over a year, now.

What may change is that they might re-institute the Frozen Rope Drop Show at DHS, which will mean guests will be held on Hollywood Blvd. until the end of the ceremony.

Still, it's better to be far too early than just a minute too late.

I thought early arrival advantages at Epcot and AK were diminished over years past. From someone who does not get to WDW all that often I am curious as to why you recommend that.

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

I thought early arrival advantages at Epcot and AK were diminished over years past. From someone who does not get to WDW all that often I am curious as to why you recommend that.

Why (and in what way) do you you think that the advantages of arriving early have been diminished?

 

[HydroGuy]

Why (and in what way) do you you think that the advantages of arriving early have been diminished?

My facts are certainly not complete but I understand the morning shows at AK and Epcot do not occur anymore. And at AK guests are regularly held at the turnstiles until park opening as opposed to being allowed into the Tree of Life area. So correct me where I am ignorant but 45 minutes early seems like overkill in such cases. With DHS having a soft opening 15-30 minutes early - with or without a morning show - the advantage of early arrival there seems obvious.

I am genuinely curious to your thoughts on the matter.

 

[Jfsag123]

When we were there last week they started letting guests into the park at 8:50.

 

[Missyrose]

My facts are certainly not complete but I understand the morning shows at AK and Epcot do not occur anymore. And at AK guests are regularly held at the turnstiles until park opening as opposed to being allowed into the Tree of Life area. So correct me where I am ignorant but 45 minutes early seems like overkill in such cases. With DHS having a soft opening 15-30 minutes early - with or without a morning show - the advantage of early arrival there seems obvious.

I am genuinely curious to your thoughts on the matter.

Getting there 45 minutes before posted opening means you will be toward the front of the lines for turnstiles (very important for Jedi Training, as well as somewhat important for getting on the first rides of the day). Because Disney no longer lets guests through the turnstiles until they open the park, it can take 5 to 10 minutes to get in if you're farther back in the lines.

So if the park is scheduled to open at 9, it will likely open between 8:30 and 8:50, so getting there 45 minutes before park opening (8:15) is really only about 15-30 minutes before you will get in the park.

 

[HydroGuy]

Getting there 45 minutes before posted opening means you will be toward the front of the lines for turnstiles (very important for Jedi Training, as well as somewhat important for getting on the first rides of the day). Because Disney no longer lets guests through the turnstiles until they open the park, it can take 5 to 10 minutes to get in if you're farther back in the lines.

So if the park is scheduled to open at 9, it will likely open between 8:30 and 8:50, so getting there 45 minutes before park opening (8:15) is really only about 15-30 minutes before you will get in the park.

Confused as I was talking about AK and Epcot and you seem to be talking about DHS.

 

[Missyrose]

Confused as I was talking about AK and Epcot and you seem to be talking about DHS.

Oops sorry, no more early morning posting from me. The same rule applies for Epcot as it does with DHS, the backup at the turnstiles can get pretty lengthy. So if you're gunning for a quick spin or two on Test Track/Soarin', being at toward the front of the lines can really help with your efficiency. AK doesn't have quite the same urgency as the other two for most people.

 

[Robo]

Confused as I was talking about AK and Epcot and you seem to be talking about DHS.

If you don't want to arrive early, you can arrive any time that fits your schedule.

I recommend arriving 45 minutes before the posted time, as there have been many cases at DHS, DAK and Epcot when they have allowed guests into the parks
as much as 30 minutes early.

Also, with multiple transportation variables, very few guests can accurately gauge exactly when they will actually arrive at a park's gates.
To set an earlier arrival goal can offset an unanticipated delay.

My assertion is that it's better to arrive far too early and wait a bit, than to get to your goal just a minute too late and be stuck behind slower entrants.

Others may disagree, and I've read those posts, as well.

 

[westfamilyof5]

We will be at DHS next Saturday, with EMH of 7am, would it be best to be there at 6:15? We are seeking Jedi Training!

 

[Robo]

We will be at DHS next Saturday, with EMH of 7am, would it be best to be there at 6:15? We are seeking Jedi Training!

Unless its a Star Wars Weekend, DHS AM EMH will not likely open much earlier than the posted time.

While 6:30 would likely be fine, if you can shoot for 6:15, I'd not wave you off.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you don't want to arrive early, you can arrive any time that fits your schedule.

I recommend arriving 45 minutes before the posted time, as there have been many cases at DHS, DAK and Epcot when they have allowed guests into the parks
as much as 30 minutes early.

Also, with multiple transportation variables, very few guests can accurately gauge exactly when they will actually arrive at a park's gates.
To set an earlier arrival goal can offset an unanticipated delay.

My assertion is that it's better to arrive far too early and wait a bit, than to get to your goal just a minute too late and be stuck behind slower entrants.

Others may disagree, and I've read those posts, as well.

I understand and in general agree that early arrival is helpful just to be near the front. I thought you meant there was some other reason for early arrival than just good practice.

 

[Doug M]

We will be at DHS next Saturday, with EMH of 7am, would it be best to be there at 6:15? We are seeking Jedi Training!

I would definitely err on being early for Jedi Training. We went last summer and were 40 minutes early for EMH opening and my son's jedi time was in the last 1/4 of remaining time slots. It was done under 1 hour from rope drop, and if you didnt get in the jedi line within 30 min of rope drop you were late.

 

[sandydog]

We arrived at DHS via Disney Transportation between 8:00-8:15. We were third in line and they opened the floodgates at 8:55 or so. We rode TSM without a FP and then rode it later with a FP. We rode ST 3 times today, two without FP and once with. Rode RRC without a FP and waited about 20 minutes. Overall, not a bad day. Did what we wanted and a couple extra things and left before the storm hit.