MK open changed to 8am - any difference in lines for first couple hours?

[jessicadisneygirl]

We are planning to be at MK at open (currently listed as 9am) on Sun Dec 6 - recommended party day. We are not planning to RD any headliners, just go to Fantasyland and do character meets and rides. We have FP for the three that see longer lines starting at 10:30 (7DMT, PP and Winnie). So our plan is to fit in Ariels Grotto, Under the Sea, Dumbo, Barnstormer, meet Minnie/Daisy, and Teacups before our FPs.

My question is this. If the open gets pushed to 8 am but we can't get there any earlier than 9 will this plan still work? In other words, does the 8 am open bring the crowds in earlier, or will the lower priority attractions in Fantasyland still be relatively walk-on until about 10? These are projected to be CL 4 or 5 days.

 

[Aurora0427]

We were there in December last year when they pushed the opening to 8am. I think the earliest we managed to get there was 8:30. Lines were still good until after 10!

 

[Robo]

To state the obvious:
Entering a park that has already been open for an hour will see far larger crowds at the attraction lines than entering a park at opening time.

 

[BrianL]

With an earlier open it might take a little longer for it to get busy, but I doubt by much. Do not underestimate the tenacity of the rope drop crowd. The lines will only grow starting at open time. If you have high priorities or want that hour of easy touring, try to be there at rope drop.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I can not think of a time when it is NOT an advantage to be there for rope drop.
There will be the RD "crowd", but the parks will seem almost empty for a bit! ENJOY!!

 

[jessicadisneygirl]

Thanks for the info! Basically I am wondering if the line for something like Dumbo will be significantly longer at 10 when the park is open at 8 versus 9. If so, we may have to drag the kids out early, but we have 4 under the age of 4 so it is a bit of a task to get that crowd out the door.

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the info! Basically I am wondering if the line for something like Dumbo will be significantly longer at 10 when the park is open at 8 versus 9. If so, we may have to drag the kids out early, but we have 4 under the age of 4 so it is a bit of a task to get that crowd out the door.

That's easy.
Yes, Dumbo will be busier at 10 on that day compared to if the park opened at 9.

 

[Jestocost]

I have always found the first hour of the days where the MK has a scheduled 8 a.m. opening to be among the best as far as lines go. If you can make it by 8 a.m. I would strongly encourage you to do so. As PPs have noted, the advantage pretty much disappears by 9 a.m. or shortly thereafter.

 

[DebbieB]

Has there been any announcement of an 8:00am opening? I'm planning on being there that day.

 

[jessicadisneygirl]

Has there been any announcement of an 8:00am opening? I'm planning on being there that day.

Not yet, but apparently it is anticipated since MK was open at 8am every day last December.

 

[LisaInNc]

I am going to be there too on that day.

 

[beethOH]

Does anyone remember when they announced the earlier openings last year? We're supposed to be there Nov. 29-Dec.4 and have seen nothing yet but have a number of early ADRs in Magic Kingdom that would become useless if the park opened at 8a.m. Do they then open up earlier ADRs?

 

[LynneDurham]

We keep checking every day for the same thing! We currently have two sets of BOG reservations: one for an 8 AM open and one for a 9 AM open.

 

[Robo]

1. have a number of early ADRs in Magic Kingdom that would become useless if the park opened at 8a.m.

2. Do they then open up earlier ADRs?

1. Yup.
2. Nope.

 

[Jennasis]

Ack! We will be there that day too. Haven't heard that an extended opening yet.