MK - how early to arrive?

[chip91]

Not an EMH morning, so park opens at 9 a.m., what time should we plan to get there?? Keep in mind I'm staying offsite & have an 8/6/4 yr old in a stroller..so we will move at a slower pace.. I was planning to leave at 7:45 a.m., (driving rental that is 6 miles from the World Drive) planning on 30 minutes to get too World Drive another 15 minutes to get to the parking lot 15 minutes to travel to ferry/train (isn't that how you get to the gates of MK Ferry or train) and travel to the turnstiles..so I'm planning to be at the turnstiles of MK at 8:45 a.m., for a 9:00 a.m. opening..SHOULD I plan earlier, if so how early do people normally get there??

THANKS, 1st timer to WDW, so I'm kind of clueless, except for the studying I've done on these boards!


CHIPPY

 

[cleo]

I'm guessing your 8/6/4 year olds will probably dictate what time you get there.

The early-birds will arrive 30-60 minutes prior to regular opening time. Most guests, however, will show up between 10am and 11am, so if you get there any time before then you will have done well.

 

[chip91]

My kids are "EARLY" birds, they are up at 6 a.m. regularly, every day, sometimes they sleep till 7.. With Florida being an hour ahead, I'm thinking that means 7 a.m. Florida time, so hoping to be out the door by 7:45 a.m. (they will have had baths night before & clothes all laid out, just need to get dressed, do hair, eat & brush teeth) we accomplish this task in about 1/2 hour on school mornings for the 3 of them, so I will need to get up earlier to get myself ready to go & then wake them up..

Thanks again!

 

[ralfrick]

If you really want to be early, walk to the Poly and catch a monorail before the people at the TTC even get the chance. From near the intersection of 192 and 535, it took us about 20 minutes from condo door to parking spot.

Cheers.

 

[KathylovesPooh]

Last time we didn't stay on-site and had to do the monorail from TTC, the monorail didn't even leave until 8:50ish (just enough time to be dropping you off at 9:00). Can't help you with your timing to get to TTC - but no reason to get there too early.

 

[SammieG]

if it says 9am opening.. do they mean 9am opening?

Didnt they used to open a little earlier than advertised or am I imagining that?

 

[KathylovesPooh]

if it says 9am opening.. do they mean 9am opening?

Didnt they used to open a little earlier than advertised or am I imagining that?

No, your not imagining. From what I understand, they still occassionally will let you in early (but not like the old days when you could count on it) - but no rhyme or reason to when. Sounds like the typical is letting you in 5-10 minutes before "real opening" and then having some type of opening "celebration" like they do at AK.

Don't count on being let in much before 8:50. You may get lucky if you get there at 8:30, but we stood in the rain outside the turnstyles for 30 minutes last time.