Need a few more details on the MK Opening Ceremony

[ErinInCT]

I have read prev threads about how the characters get off the train for the opening ceremony. I have a few questions:

1. I thought Main St opened a half hour b4 the parks & then there are the 3 ropes blocking off the "lands". Isn't the opening ceremony down by the train station that is in front of Main St? I need more info (sorry, I am one for minutia) on when this takes place & where. I don't want to have to go all the way back to the train station to see this if Main St opens at 8:30am & the ceremony doesn't start until 8:50am.

2. When can you take the train to Frontierland after the ceremony? I read the train may actually be faster then running from the rope drop to Frontierland. But if it can't leave due to the opening ceremony I don't want to wait for the train.

3. Has anyone confirmed whether or not this is done on the early entry day?

I am looking at the park map & I see at the bottom it says ENTRANCE right in front of a flower bed with a Mickey face on it. I am guessing this is where the ceremony takes place?? I really want to see this! But we also want to try to wake Tink & I am afraid we will never make it to Fantasyland to wake her if we stay for the opening ceremony. I guess the opening ceremony is more important since there is no guarantee we'll be able to wake Tink!!

Thanks for the scoop DIS'ers!!

 

[jimmiej]

I was there twice in June (non EE days). At 9 am the Mayor of Main Street comes out, the character train arrives, a brief song & dance, & then they let us in-a big mob all at once. Main Street DID NOT open early. In the past it has, but not on my most recent trip. Don't know if this will continue...

 

[kparc]

We were just there recently and saw the opening ceremony for the first time. They were not letting anyone onto main street before the ceremony which was just before 9:00. (Sorry I didn't check the exact time) We were also there for an early entry day but they didn't have the ceremony at 8:00) We opted to take the train to fronteirland after the opening ceremony. We had to wait about five minutes and were worried about that decision but even with the wait we arrived before the crowds and were able to ride splach mountain twice and thundermountain with little or no wait.

 

[ErinInCT]

Very interesting. I have read so much about Main St opening early. I guess I'll have to check a trip report just b4 I leave & ask them about it!! A 9am park/Main St opening would be great b/c then everyone is on a level playing field attempting to get to the lands!

 

[LibertyBelle]

I am a CM on Main Street so I thought I would help you out here...


1)Main Street no longer opens ealry (as you described) everyone is held at the front entrance (in front of the train station) until the morning show is complete.
The show generally begins at 8:50 am (but can be a little earlier if the crowds are big...but not much earlier as the train doesn't pick the charcters up until 8:30 am)

2)Unfortunatley the train is no longer the fastest way to Frontierland. The train that is used for the morning show is not used during normal operating hours. They have removed some of the safety bars in order for the characters to get off on the left side, so that is the "show train" and after the show it is returned to the roundhouse. The first train of the morning is waiting just outside the station but needs to wait until they get clearance from entertainment (that performers and techs are clear). So the first train usually does not leave Main Street until about 9:05 or later.

3)The opening ceremony is NOT done on early mornings (Sunday and Thursday)...

Hope that helps

 

[northern michigan]

Appreciate the info. I didn't even know there was an opening ceremony. Is it something to not miss?

 

[ErinInCT]

LibertyBelle, you are awesome - thanks so much! That totally answers all of my questions!

Northern Mich - (I'm a suburban Detroiter originally!) If you have kids I am sure they would love to see all of the characters getting of the train & welcoming everyone to the park! I can't wait! I didn't tell anyone about it so it will be a surprise!! Now I just need to make sure I can get everyone out of bed & to the park by 8:30am (just to be on the safe side!).

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!

 

[sunnygirl]

Just so you know-

I was at MK August 27 and things happened just like LibertyBelle described. I had also been under the impression that Main Street might open at 8:30, so I made sure my extended family of 11 was there early (about 8:20 at the turnstyles). It was already hot and I was starting to feel nervous that my family was going to be upset with me for making them get up so early just to stand in lines in the heat! But we waited, standing slightly under the train station to be out of the sun and also because we were earlier than others and therefore at the front of the crowd, and then the opening ceremony started at 8:50.

The only thing was that we could not see the opening ceremony because it happens up above where the train pulls in, and we were underneath there. My family didn't seem to care - they wanted to be among the first to space mountain (and also stay out of the sun for 30 minutes!). But we would have had to move toward the back of the crowd if we had wanted to watch the ceremony.
I doubt it would have really made much of a difference in getting to the best rides first, since the day was not that crowded in general, but just wanted to let you know.

Have a great time!!!

 

[Shells9]

LiberyBelle-
Thanks for the insight. I also want to add that the CM's who work the turnstyles before MK opens are my favorite CM's in all of WDW. They are so nice and often chatty, but not in an intrusive way. They offer maps and ask what your plans are for the day and are sp helpful One day CM Ray and my DD were swapping jokes back and forth, and she very rarely talks to people she does not know. There is also a guy of middle eastern descent whose name I cannot recall who cracks me up -- he has so much energy! Interacting with them just starts the day in such an awesome way! We love them all!

 

[sunnygirl]

ErinInCt,

You will have no problem at all seeing the opening ceremony as long as you do not stand underneath the train station. The show happens up above. As soon as you walk through the turnstyles, look up and you will see where it is. You'll hear music when it starts.

And I agree with the previous poster - ask the CM's at the turnstyles to be sure, or for anything else. They were SOOOOO nice and friendly! They were actually requesting that people ask questions while we stood waiting to enter.

Have a great time!

 

[ceejay13]

Thanks LibertyBelle for the expert advice.