Is this possible or skip it?

[jacksonsmom]

We have a PS for CRT on June 15th, which is a EMH at MK that day.

Is it possible to get to MK for EMH and do a few rides before our PS at 9am?
Or should we just wait until 9am & have breakfast?

If we do the EMH what time does MK open that day, if regular opening is at 9am?

Also where should we go in MK if we ride some rides before CRT? I am thinking Fanastyland, just by looking at the map since the Castle is in Fanastyland. Is that a good plan?

Would it be safe to do some more rides after breakfast or would MK be busy by then & it would be best to hop over to another park for the day?

 

[mickeymom629]

You will be able to get in MK about 8, but you might want to arrive at 7:45. Definitely plan on doing some rides before breakfast, but you will have to see which rides are open with ee. I can't remember at this time, but I'm sure someone else does.

 

[Eilonwy]

We were able to do 4 rides in 45 minutes once right after the park opened. I don't think it was an early entry day, and it was January....

But we just went to Fantasyland and rode Pooh, Snow White, Small World and Peter Pan before our PS at CP. We just walked right on all the rides.

It's been so long since we've been there in June, so I can't speak for the crowds after breakfast or any other time of the day. If you were planning to stay at MK, I would suggest trying rides not in Fantasyland after breakfast.


Here's what should be open (from http://www.wdwig.com):

ATTRACTIONS OPEN DURING EXTRA MAGIC HOUR

Magic Kingdom:

Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
"it's a small world"
Mad Tea Party
Main Street Vehicles
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Space Mountain
ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Like the other person said, you want to be at the gate well before 8am. Once they open, make your way straight back to Fantasyland, check the lines and see how they are. Just remember you have to check-in at CRT about 10 min. before your PS (if I remember correctly).

 

[3darlingirls]

Hi & welcome to the boards. Since this will be your first trip, you are doing the right thing by getting advice! We have gotten great advice from the folks here - saved money & time! You may also want to get a copy of The Unofficial Guide to WDW. You can check one out at the library, even if it is 1-2 years old, you'll get a lot of help from that. In my experience, it is preferable to be there when the park opens. If you can do EMH (need to be at a WDW resort), you should do that. Arrive around 7:30 (plan time for a brief commute from the TTC to MK, maybe you can ride in front of the monorail at that time - lots of fun!) We were there 2 weeks ago. Had PS at CRT at 8:00, finished at 8:50 - no EMH that day. We stood at the rope drop in FantasyLand, along with about 15 other folks. My DDs walked onto Dumbo, Cindys Carousel, PeterPan - several times each. The middle DD woke up Tinkerbelle at Tinkerbells Treasures, she LOVES Peter Pan and Tink. - Thanks for that tip from other DISers!! By 10:30 we had done so much, and had such a great time!! Hope your trip is lots of fun, too!! BTW, the park which features EMH can get very crowded by the middle of the day. Some people like to do EMH at the featured park, then park hop to another, less crowded one.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Thank replies!

So Fanstyland is the one I should hit instead of something like Tomorrowland?

Would the Dumbo ride be the first ride to hit with a 3 year old

 

[DancingBear]

First, to clarify an earlier post, if you take a bus from your Disney resort to MK you will go straight to MK, NOT through TTC. Don't know where you are staying.

Second, yes, I would go to Fantasyland, because (1) you will be closest to CRT, and (2) several rides here with a 3yo. Go straight to Dumbo. If you have an extra member in your party, send them to Pooh for Fastpasses while you ride Dumbo. Definitely work in Peter Pan and Pooh before breakfast. You can defer Carousel and Small World until after breakfast if necessary, because they don't get too backed up. You'll get a lot done in a pretty short time during EMH.

After breakfast, should be time for Toontown to open (10 a.m.)

 

[3darlingirls]

Thanks for clarifying that Dancingbear....I think I got so excited thinking about Jacksonsmom's trip I forgot that if you can do EMH you have access to Disney transportation!! Also, Jacksons mom, you might want to check the WDW website to anticipate any rides that might be shut down, and adjust everyone's expectations ahead of time. Pooh was shut down when we were there 2 weeks ago, but I don't know if it will be up & running when you are there. Peter Pan is a dark ride, and be sure to hold on tight to a baby/toddler, because you go "up", so if your little ones are afraid of the dark, prepare them for that...but this is such a beautiful, magical ride, a real favorite (hence the need for fast pass at times). (This ride is really safe, but since you can't see it - like you can see how Dumbo is, I just thought you might want to know...)As for Small World, the line may look long, but they'll have stand by (waiting times if you do not use fast pass) posted...and this ride loads really fast - unlike Dumbo. You'll have such a great time!

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by jacksonsmom

Is it possible to get to MK for EMH and do a few rides before our PS at 9am?
Or should we just wait until 9am & have breakfast?

You didn't say if you were staying onsite.

 

[MulanMom]

We had a 9:05PS for CRT for an EMH on our recent trip over Spring Break. We were one of the first in line at the turnstiles for entry into the park, and even after visiting a few characters arrayed on Main Street, we were able to get onto Dumbo with a fairly short wait. We also were able to do Pooh, Peter Pan and It's a Small World. Rather than tie ourselves to Fantasyland with a FP after breakfast, before our breakfast, one in our party (me), hightailed it over to Buzz Lightyear for fastpasses.

One of the strategies that worked for us, was to try to get the next fastpass before using our current fastpass. Sometimes it's doable, sometimes not. It's not necessary for all of your family to be with you when getting fastpasses. One person can get all the fastpasses as long as they have the tickets for all the family members needing one.

HTH!

 

[goofy4tink]

When we have had ps's at 9 am in MK we always do Dumbo (my 9 y/o dd just said this is a must do first ride for a little one!), Peter Pan, Small World and Winnie-the-Pooh. Then after breakfast if we have time we do 'em again. I just love FantasyWorld. Have a ball!!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by gepetto
You didn't say if you were staying onsite.

Sorry, yes, we are staying on site. So we plan on doing the EMH.

So we should plan on being at the gates no later then 7:30, right?
When do the buses start running? We will be staying at CBR.

So Dumbo, Peter Pan, Small World for sure.....sounds like a wonderful plan.

THANK YOU everyone for your suggestions.
You have all been a great help!
I don't know what I would be doing if it wasn't for
this board.

 

[Eilonwy]

I *think* the buses start running one hour before the parks open. But don't quote me on that.

I found this on the wdwig.com site (searched on buses):

"The buses begin running one half hour to one hour prior to park opening from all resorts regardless of location. Also, there are special Character Breakfast Buses that pick up guests approximately one half hour before the earliest breakfast seating time. These buses run on all days when it is not an Extra Magic Hour morning at your destination. The bus marquee will read "Character Breakfast" - check with the driver to find which park the bus is heading to. It may also be a good idea to speak with a Cast Member at the front desk to ensure that there is a special Character Breakfast Bus going to your destination."

I would check with the front desk if you have any questions. I know at the BWV, a few times there was a CM at the bus stop with a device that could tell him when the next bus for each destination would be arriving.

HTH!

 

[gepetto]

You will be surprised how much you can get done between 8-9. Also, I wouldn't bother getting there before 7:30. Even over the holidays this year, we got through security and the turnstyles pretty quickly.

 

[Alice28]

I agree with what the other's posted about definitely doing Fantasyland first; we were there in early March. My DH and my Dad did the Steam Train tour at MK and were there by 7:15 AM. We followed shortly after and were at the gates at about 7:50. We high tailed it to Fantasyland and did these rides in the succession by 9:15 (which would be too late for your PS, but I wanted to give you an idea of what can be done)

Dumbo- had to wait 3 cycles! The majority of people in Fantasyland went to Dumbo first.
Winnie the Pooh- 5 minute wait
Peter Pan- 5-10 minute wait
Carrousel- had to wait 1 cycle
It's a Small World- no wait

We were done by 9:15. We did some criss-crossing- in hindsight I would have done Peter Pan right after Dumbo instead of Pooh. Snow White was a walk on the whole time but I thought my kids (5 and 20 months) might find it a tad scary. Buzz Lightyear always had decent lines the whole time we were there- no longer than 20 minutes, so I would hold off on Tomorrowland for another time. (You can always get a FP for Space).

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Thanks again for your help.

Fantasyland here we come!

I also have one more question, when the gate open is
there signs to show you which way to Fantasyland?
I am a Disney rookie & have no idea what is the best
way to get to Fantasyland once the gates open.
I don't want to sepnd 20 mins looking for Fantasyland! LOL

 

[Alice28]

To get to Fantasyland is pretty simple- go straight down Main Street and go through the Castle! All of the Fantasyland rides await just on the other side. You can also look at a map at www.wdwig.com or at www.disneyworld.com. The carrousel will be the first thing you see- Dumbo is beyond that to the right a little bit. On your right as you first walk in is Snow White- more the right is Pooh; sitting on the border of Toontown is the Tea Cups. Peter Pan and Small World are to the left.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by Alice28
The carrousel will be the first thing you see- Dumbo is beyond that to the right a little bit. On your right as you first walk in is Snow White- more the right is Pooh; sitting on the border of Toontown is the Tea Cups. Peter Pan and Small World are to the left.

Thanks!
DH is going to be amazed that I know exactly where we are going. We both have never been there so we are two Disney rookies.

I just got to keep him from wanting to run into the stores on Main Street!
I have to remind him there will be time for that later.

 

[Eilonwy]

Originally posted by jacksonsmom
Thanks!
DH is going to be amazed that I know exactly where we are going. We both have never been there so we are two Disney rookies.

I just got to keep him from wanting to run into the stores on Main Street!
I have to remind him there will be time for that later.

The first time we went (back in 1975!) my brother had the whole park map memorized before we even got there! LOL! He would have been 9, almost 10, at the time. Every since then we just ask him where to go. He has been our "tour guide" from Day 1.

I'd save the shopping until later, too. Especially because you'd have to carry everything around with you all day. (Yeah, I know there are lockers and all that--I assume they're still there anyway.)

We usually just save our shopping for when we go to Downtown Disney or the other resorts or Rainforest, anyway. True, there are some things you can only buy at the parks, but we're not big on merchandise.

Have fun! For us, the planning is almost as fun as being there. Almost.

 

[aurora19]

When we were there last December, the FP machines were not turned on until 8:45a in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland so you can not count on getting FPs during EMH - you may be able to just get one before going to CRT.

On our last trip, we did 2 EMH mornings at MK - one for Fantasyland and the other for Tomorrowland. At the end of EMH instead of going to the other EMH land, we headed across the park to Frontierland and Adventureland and walked onto those rides as well. If you are going to be there for a week, its something to consider.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by aurora19

At the end of EMH instead of going to the other EMH land, we headed across the park to Frontierland and Adventureland and walked onto those rides as well. If you are going to be there for a week, its something to consider.

Thanks!
We will be there for 13 days so we will consider that. I know we are planning on doing EMH for MK at least twice maybe three times.