No one will answer this question!

[crzy4mk]

I've asked this a few times, and just looked at the "Super Thread" on Magic Mornings, and it's been asked there too, but not answered.

Does anyone know when parking lots/garage generally opens on Magic Mornings? Will they open at least 30 minutes before MM? Or will I be sitting in a line of cars waiting to get in, and make it in the park for the last 15 minutes of MM?

Anyone have any experience with parking on a MM day?

 

[maberlyne]

I've seen it addressed here before, and I believe it's 1/2 hour before MM. But I'm not totally sure on that.

 

[nutshell]

I too have heard 30 min. before MM, which means you'll be at the back of the line when MM opens.

 

[DangerMouse]

On June 9, the parking structure opened 30 min prior to MM, so 6:30 am.

 

[crzy4mk]

On June 9, the parking structure opened 30 min prior to MM, so 6:30 am.

Sounds like you were there on that day. So, were you able to park, catch a tram, and line up at the turnstiles, and still get into MM at a reasonable time?

 

[DangerMouse]

Sounds like you were there on that day. So, were you able to park, catch a tram, and line up at the turnstiles, and still get into MM at a reasonable time?

I was with a friend, who dropped me off at 15 minute parking lot on Harbor at 6:15 so I could head to security, and then she parked the car at Mickey & Friends and was one of the first cars in the lot. I was first at security and first in line at the gates. She joined me about 20 minutes later and if I wasn't there, she would have been about 40-50 people farther back in line.

 

[crzy4mk]

I was with a friend, who dropped me off at 15 minute parking lot on Harbor at 6:15 so I could head to security, and then she parked the car at Mickey & Friends and was one of the first cars in the lot. I was first at security and first in line at the gates. She joined me about 20 minutes later and if I wasn't there, she would have been about 40-50 people farther back in line.

Well, I'm a solo-traveler, so the drop-off strategy is not an option for me. But based on your experience, do you think I should be able to:

-be first in line (or close to it) at the parking gates when they open at 6:30,

-park and hop the tram to the security lines,

-get in line (understandably a little ways back) to enter DL and still make it in 10 minutes or so after MM starts?

I could live with that.

 

[DangerMouse]

Well, I'm a solo-traveler, so the drop-off strategy is not an option for me. But based on your experience, do you think I should be able to:

-be first in line (or close to it) at the parking gates when they open at 6:30,

-park and hop the tram to the security lines,

-get in line (understandably a little ways back) to enter DL and still make it in 10 minutes or so after MM starts?

I could live with that.

If you are at the parking garage at 6:20 am, sure, I would say that is very possible.

 

[disneychrista]

my only day to use MM is Christmas Day, so I plan on leaving our hotel (on the corner of Ball & Harbor) at 6am to get in line, to be one of the first to park and hopefully on the first tram of the day. Wish me luck, I am travelling with two teenagers. But the good news is that they are always upat 5am on Christmas Day

 

[perlster]

I know, but to Dangermouse: that is the cutest picture I've seen on this board

 

[bumbershoot]

I know, but to Dangermouse: that is the cutest picture I've seen on this board

She has a cute story to go along with it, too.



I'll admit that we've never been first to the parking garage, not even close. But considering how BIG that thing is, I wouldn't risk my one MM, especially on xmas day, d'christa!, by parking and relying on the trams. I personally would walk if possible or maybe even take a taxi, to be there well ahead of time.

But I've never gotten there early, and it's usually taken us about 40 minutes to get parked, walk, escalator, walk, tram, walk, bag check, gates. And that's lowballing the estimate...

 

[DLR29]

I updated the MM super thread with this info.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We have always parked, taken the tram, with a fully loaded stroller, walked, waited and waited some more. Consequently we have missed MM regularly! This time we are staying across the street and getting there early! I don't care who I have to wake up and when, we will be there for rope drop. I think after this trip I will never drive and park again.

The taxi sounds like a good idea, avoiding the parking structure would be my first choice, especially Christmas Day.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I would avoid the parking structure too. Or atleast avoid the tram.

This past Friday DL opened at 9 and we were at the parking structure at 7:30ish, but it didn't open until 8. By the time we got from the parking structure and on the tram and through security and through the turnstiles, it was about 8:35ish.

We learned from experience Saturday night that walking to or from the parking structure to or from the park doesn't take that long, especially if the line for the tram is long..

 

[disneychrista]

That is an idea walk from the parking structure to the gate, that will get us ahead of the crowd (hopefully) waiting for the tram. I would walk it but then we would have to walk back after being in the park for 12 - 14 hours.

I would love to avoid it completely and be able to stay at one of the hotels accross the street (Carousel, Tropicanna) but they are about 2 1/2 - 3 times what I am paying for the Days Inn.

 

[avalon451]

I love Hydroguy's take on all this: "Hidden Time Losses when Using a Car at DLR" : http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1381580

Basically he says, if you can't stay within walking distance, take a cab. The $10-15 cost is well worth it to save yourself the headache. You can get there with no delays or trams, dropped off within 3 minutes of the front gate, as early as you need, for not much more than it costs to park in the parking structure.