Main Street Open Before Rest of Park?

[dixiedizfan]

We'd like to grab a quick bite at the Main Street Bake Shop before the rope drops at 9:00 a.m. Is Main Street open an hour or so before opening time for the park, or do we now have to wait outside of the gates for the characters on the train that I've read about?

 

[Abbeysdaddy]

We have been at MK for the rope drop a couple of times.....all of the times we did that ( 2 or 3 times), you are prevented from going into the park (including Main Street).....if you are near Boardwalk (that is our "home" DVC resort) you can check out the Boardwalk bakery...I think they open at 7:00.....great baked goods spread. have fun!

 

[The Sweetness]

Then why do I remember being on the balcony of the train station when they did their cute little opening, good morning song & dance?

Also, doesnt each land have its own rope drop> What time? I remember reading that toon town is at 10.

I must be really confused. I also am certain that I had a 730 or 745 ressie for breakfast in the MK several times?

Maybe my head cold is just making me stupid, or maybe things have changed in the last 5 years

 

[seashoreCM]

On at least one occasion I have been at the top of Main St (the end with the ice cream parlor) at rope drop there, people having been let in that far sooner.

I guess this is unpredicable, letting people in sooner may depend on crowding and also on whether Main St. is neat and pretty and ready to be on with the show.

On that day the entire area between the turnstiles and the train station became full.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[dixiedizfan]

The reason I asked this question is because when we were there in '03, I remember being on Main Street prior to the 9:00 opening. We browsed the shops for a while, then stood at Adventureland for the rope drop there. But now I've been reading about some opening show with the characters at the train station, and wondered if we all had to wait out there before entering Main Street. Anyone know for sure?

 

[kingj]

We just got back from our trip a couple of weeks ago. We went to the Magic Kingdom twice during our visit and both times they let us in the park about 10 - 15 minutes before 9:00. There were ropes preventing us from going into the different lands. These ropes dropped at 9:00 a.m.

 

[Geoff_M]

The last time I remember Main Street being open before rope drop was about 2001. Everytime since then we've been held at the gates or at the train tunnel... including when we were there Christmas week last year.

Crowd size didn't seem to matter. As I mentioned, during Christmas last year they didn't let us on Main Street. The last time we saw the rope drop take place at the entrances to each Land we were there in January and the place was empty. In fact we were waiting at the entrace to Adventureland with only a young couple. A CM jokingly told the 5 of us standing there "Please, no pushing or shoving!" We responded by bunching together and pretending to try and elbow each other to get a jump at the attractions. The CMs thought it was a hoot!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I remember going with my mom in Oct of '84 and it used to be that Main Street opened like a half hour before any of the "rides". We used to stop at the bakery get, coffeee, milk and choc chip cookies, sit on those metal white chairs, and feed the birds. However since I've been going as an adult, '99 I can't remember this being an option anymore! Last trip in Jan '04 we were forced to watch the train arrive and then everyone rushed to Tommorowland and Fantasyland and were then held up there for the rope drop. Granted we did arrive about 30 min before official opening, but figured we needed that tho check bags etc. All of this was a much easier process before the bag checking! Oh well!!

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

With the addition of the Morning Show the rules of entry have changed, that is why some of you remember being on Main Street early. They used to open Main Street at 8:30 and you would be held at each land until the 9am rope drop announcement. Now that they do the Character morning show they do not let you in early. The morning show begins at 8:50am. You will only be allowed in up to the train station (on the turnstile side...you will not be allowed through the train station tunnel into the park until after the show). The performers come out on the train station platform and do a song and dance welcoming you to the park and then the train arrives with the characters and Mickey and the opening family will do a countdown to open the park. Once they have let off the confetti cannons you will be allowed into the park (about 5 minutes to 9am). This does not apply to Magic Mornings for resort guests (as they do not do the morning show then...you will be held at the turnstile until 8:50am unless you are a resort guest using EMH).... this also does not apply to early morning breakfast reservations which have their own entrance at the turnstile, these start as early as 8am and you will need to be on the ADR list that the CM has to be allowed in. But if you are just looking for the bakery it will not be open for you until 9am.

 

[dixiedizfan]

CDSTapisROUGE: Thanks so much for clarifying!

 

[drayke]

sooooo, who is watching the charecter morning show if you aren't allowed in till after?

 

[SqueakyMouse]

You watch the opening character show from the gate side of the train station. It has been years since we've been admitted to MK for a rope drop near the castle. During Oct., Jul./Aug., and May trips this past year, we were held in the quite small, very crowded area between the ticket stiles and the RR station.