Magic Kingdom Opening

[okwoodsmith]

We are going to be going the week of Thanksgiving. We are staying off-site in a rented home with 2 other families. Anyway, one of the other families just told us something that freaked me out and I wanted to check it out with those who would know. They claimed that off-site guests were held at TTC until MK opened. I thought that everyone could go to the gate of MK to see the opening and be there for the rope drop. We've only been at opening when we've stayed on site. So which is it?

Thanks,
JimmieD

 

[pjlla]

I have never heard such a thing.... and I read a great deal about Disney, although my trip experience is minimal compared to others here on the board. During our last trip in 01/2002 we stayed off-site, but were at the gates VERY early one day for our 8:05 am PS with Cinderella (park opening was 9am). Everyone at the gate was allowed into the Main Street area at exactly 8am (whether they had a PS Reservation # or not). The rope dropped to the other areas right at 9am. On our day at MGM we were allowed onto the Hollywood Blvd area before official park opening. On our return to the MK on Friday we were also allowed into MK Main Street area before 9am. Perhaps your friend is confusing this with the Early Entry morning program for on-site guests. But in general, if you arrive at a WDW park before opening on a non-early entry morning, you will be allowed up to the gate and quite often beyond it before the official park opening time. Hope this helps......

 

[LibertyBelle]

The new way is different from years past so the information the other poster has given you was correct however it is no longer in effect.

These days you are held at the TTC until about 8:40-8:45am. Generally the first monorail arrives at MK at 8:50am, the Main Street manager and the entertainment managers are called by the monorail manager and advised what color monorail is the first arriving with day guests (and that it has left the TTC). As soon as that monorail arrives and unloads is when they start the morning show with the characters... MK does not allow anyone in the park without a Priority seating until the characters officially open the park (everyone is held at the turnstiles and/or just in front of the Mickey Floral until the countdown is made) If you have a Priority seating you are able to get in the park for that, and of course resorts guests are let in for early entry days (which are Sunday and Thursday...they do not do the official morning show on those days). Basically what I am trying to say is yes the day guests are held at the TTC until a certain time and then allowed over to MK but you will not miss anything if you are there for the first monorail over...

 

[pjlla]

Yikes... sorry to be passing on incorrect information! Didn't know that the procedure had changed. I have been devouring all the WDW theme park info I could get my hands on over the past 6 months and didn't catch that ANYWHERE! Thanks for the heads up. Now, how do we get from the parking lot at the TTC over to the MK on the morning of our 8:05 am PS if the monorail is not running for day guests. Do we show our PS reservation # to the monorail CM? HELP!

 

[vgsmom]

bump

 

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by pjlla
. Now, how do we get from the parking lot at the TTC over to the MK on the morning of our 8:05 am PS if the monorail is not running for day guests. Do we show our PS reservation # to the monorail CM? HELP!

Yes you would show your PS number (or just tell them) at the TTC and they will allow you over. And don't worry about the info with everything changing as much as it does at Disney it's no wonder that things get confusing.

 

[TiffJ]

This is new. When we were there in May we were able to go to the turnstiles. With this new way, by the time we get to MK & have our bags inspected & go thru the gates it will be 9:30 before we get to Fantasyland. I dont like this at all. Sounds like a bigger delay to me.

 

[pjlla]

Originally posted by LibertyBelle
Yes you would show your PS number (or just tell them) at the TTC and they will allow you over. And don't worry about the info with everything changing as much as it does at Disney it's no wonder that things get confusing.

Thanks LibertyBelle for the info.... glad to find this out now and not at 7:55 am in January!!! That's why I need all you folks here at the Disboards!! Otherwise I would be in a total state of confusion! This way, my family thinks I know everything (and I would like to keep it that way!)...

 

[Cruisin]

How would you manage to get through the throngs of people waiting for the monorail in order to show your reservations to in order to get on the monorail?

 

[Kaitysmom]

I have actually done this -

When you get to the monorail, there is a fence right beyond the gateway (where you get dropped off by shuttles) There is at least one person at the gate and you just go up and tell them you have ressies at the park, or resorts. They have a list and will check it for your name and then let you through to the resort monorail to get to your destination. It isn't difficult to get through the crowds.

 

[Cruisin]

ah, i see now.
Thanks