Non-WOC crowds at DCA in the morning?

[Timchat2]

Since we've booked the WOC dining package at Ariel's Grotto we don't really have a need to join the line for WOC FPs in the morning at DCA. However, we still plan on arriving before the park opens to do the usual touring (assuming Soarin' still opens before the rest of the park and the other usual opening procedures). Is it possible to get to Soarin' and other parts of the park in the morning if you are NOT getting a WOC FP? Or does everyone get funneled towards GRR on the assumption that they are getting FPs for the show?

It's still only a few days in, but I'm interested to know how WOC FPs crowds are affecting "normal" touring plans.

 

[CAbryan]

Everything seemed pretty normal with the WOC crowds... They still let you in early and line everyone up at the ropes. Our DCA mornings consisted of the Toy Story Dash since thats a fam favorite so never went the way of Soarin so not sure if it was open early.

 

[Eeee-va]

I THINK DCA opened at 9 AM on Saturday, 6/12. We did Soarin' around 9:20 AM (for some reason FPs were not available and there was no standby wait time listed). By the time we got out the FPs were up and running.

I don't know where the crowds are/will be. Thursday was the only day that really felt overall crowded to me...Paradise Pier did get very crowded in the afternoon on WoC days, but I think it got very crowded in the afternoon on non-WoC days too. In short, I really didn't notice any differences for DCA in early (or late) morning touring versus a busy day in mid-to-late June 2009.

 

[Timchat2]

So we should follow the same general touring plans in the morning even with the WOC crowds? I wasn't sure if everyone is "required" to get in line for WOC or if you can roam freely to things like Soarin' or the TTMM rope-drop/dash. I assume it's generally keep left if you're going to WOC FPs and keep right for Soarin' and everything else?

Also, has DCA been opening at 9:00AM everyday since WOC started or was it just an opening day/weekend thing?

 

[Eeee-va]

I really don't know how to tour DCA since I'm not sure when it opens!

Also, has DCA been opening at 9:00AM everyday since WOC started or was it just an opening day/weekend thing?

Great question.... The official time on the printed guide (and I think the website) says 10 AM every day from 6/11 - 6/17. When we came in before 10 AM on Saturday, we had to buy blockout tickets and the CMs who gave us our tickets advised us to head RIGHT over to DCA to get WoC FPs so they would have been available. (Not sure why they said that; I guess they figured that was why we came? Or were they trying to ensure more people attended it?)

Anyway... maybe Soarin' opens at 9 or 9:20 (?) to absorb some of the WoC crowds, but the main rope drop is 10? Hopefully someone can be more helpful!

 

[CAbryan]

I wasn't sure if everyone is "required" to get in line for WOC or if you can roam freely to things like Soarin' or the TTMM rope-drop/dash. I assume it's generally keep left if you're going to WOC FPs and keep right for Soarin' and everything else?

If you want to stand in line for WOC FP's they direct you to the right towards the GRR pathway then left on the pathway up to GRR, otherwise its free roam like normal.