O.K. Fantasyland EE Experts - Train or Walk?

[PolyHereWeCome]

Calling all you Early Entry experts who hit Fantasyland first !!!!

We're going Easter Break (I know, PEAK!) with 7 year old twins and want to hit Fantasyland first.

I'd love to hit Splash Mountain first, but I need to boost the kids' confidences first by riding the Dumbo-type rides.

Is the steam train running at EE? If so, in your opinion, is riding the train to Frontierland and then walking to Fantasyland faster than just walking up Main Steet to Fantasyland?

What about on non-early entry mornings? Assuming we go at park opening, will it be faster to walk up Main Steet or take the tran and walk from either Frontierland or Toontown.

THANKS!!!

 

[llij]

We always hit Fantasyland first and it is much easier to walk up Mainstreet to it. If you wait for the train, it will take you around the park and you will have to get off at Mickey's Toontown Fair to get to Fantasyland. While the train is nice, it is much much faster just to walk. I also don't remember when the train starts running in the morning!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[msr709]

I agree, its faster to walk to Fantasyland then wait for the train but you could use it to get back to the entrance if you want to slip out when MK starts getting crowded. Good luck!

 

[LibertyBelle]

The train is not open for Early Entry (as Frontierland and Toon Town are not open for EE...Just Fantasyland and Tomorrowland).

As for non EE days the train is not the fastest option to anywhere anymore. It used to be the fastest option for getting to SPalsh Mountain but with the new Character morning show that is no longer the case. The morning show is preformed on NON EE mornings. For the show they use the "Show train" which does not have the safety bars on the left side (so the characters can get off on the turnstile side of the platform). Once the show is over and the park is officially opened the "Show train" will be returned to the roundhouse... so the first train that actually loads passengers is usually not in the station until about 9:05 or later thus making walking the fastest option

 

[Jestocost]

I agree with walking. Another suggestion (especially for Pooh fans) is to take the path around the right side of the castle, which puts you in between Fantasyland and Tomorrow land. Pooh is just to the left and you'll easily get there before anyone who tried to go straight through the castle (which is just about everyone). From there you can work your way around to Dumbo, Peter Pan, Snow White, etc. We found no waiting at any of those attractions until about 10:30 a.m. on a non EMH day last Friday.

I don't know how EMH is working now, but they used to have a rope drop at the entrance to this path. We waited there with maybe five other people, while thousands piled up at the castle entrance.

 

[paigevz]

We always strap the littlest one into a stroller and fast walk straight to Dumbo, then Pooh after.

We didn't have a roped off spot, though,so that must be new. I like the right side strategy!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Thanks, Everyone, walking it is!!

Another suggestion (especially for Pooh fans) is to take the path around the right side of the castle . . . We waited there with maybe five other people, while thousands piled up at the castle entrance.

I'm looking at a map of the Magic Kingdom --
I'm sorry for the dumb questions, but where's the entrance to the path. And where's the path?

THANK YOU!!!

 

[Jez A Belle]

We always walk....actually we jog

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Bumping - Anyone know where this path previously mentioned in this thread "around the right side of the castle" is that can get you to Fantasyland without the crowds walking down Main Street? Can't see anything on a map -- Will it be obvious when we get there?

 

[chamonix]

Hmm. Let's see if I can describe this. OK, get your map out. Go straight up Main Street to the Hub area. Go around the Hub on the right side (like going counterclockwise). The first "path" to the right will be the bridge going into Tomorrowland--don't take this one it will be full of people running to Space Mountain. The next "path" to the right is a bridge that goes towards Cosmic Rays restaurant. (may be labeled "I" on your map, depending on what map you are looking at) Take this path/bridge. Just past the bridge is a path going up behind the castle which is a nice scenic trip, but not what you want now. Do not make the hard left to go on the path "behind" the castle, keep going straight until you get all the way to Cosmic Rays which will be the large building on your right. On the left you will pass a building with restrooms and the Enchanted Grove juice/coffee counter ("Q" on your map). The "path" opens up here, but bear left--you want to hug the building all the way around until you see the entrance to Pooh. (Keeping the Teacups on your right).

This is a great tip for getting to Pooh fast with less people heading up this way! Though I haven't done it, I might in the future, because I can easily see why it would be the fastest!

Oh, and Polyherewecome--you will love the Poly--we sure do! (see my sig)

 

[Disney_1derland]

Great description Chamonix! We just got back and this is a very good way to get their earlier than others. We like to go in the back way and then do Pooh, then dumbo, then Peter Pan then Philharmagic then the carousel then snow white then back to the teacups before moving over to tomorrowland.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Thank you, chamonix! I got it!

I had thought that the "short cut" involved entering some place other than the main entrance because it had been mentioned that there may be a "rope drop at the entrance to this path".

Thank you for taking the time to respond! Your sig. sure shows how much you like the Poly! We will certainly have a special time!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by chamonix
Hmm. Let's see if I can describe this. OK, get your map out. Go straight up Main Street to the Hub area. Go around the Hub on the right side (like going counterclockwise). The first "path" to the right will be the bridge going into Tomorrowland--don't take this one it will be full of people running to Space Mountain. The next "path" to the right is a bridge that goes towards Cosmic Rays restaurant. (may be labeled "I" on your map, depending on what map you are looking at) Take this path/bridge. Just past the bridge is a path going up behind the castle which is a nice scenic trip, but not what you want now. Do not make the hard left to go on the path "behind" the castle, keep going straight until you get all the way to Cosmic Rays which will be the large building on your right. On the left you will pass a building with restrooms and the Enchanted Grove juice/coffee counter ("Q" on your map). The "path" opens up here, but bear left--you want to hug the building all the way around until you see the entrance to Pooh. (Keeping the Teacups on your right).

This is a great tip for getting to Pooh fast with less people heading up this way! Though I haven't done it, I might in the future, because I can easily see why it would be the fastest!

Oh, and Polyherewecome--you will love the Poly--we sure do! (see my sig)

My son and I took this path once. It was great!

We've seen Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb alone in this area on EE. We were able to get autographs without any crowds. We've also seen the Rabbit from Alice In Wonderland riding the teacups with some lucky kids. They were the only ones on the ride.

 

[sters]

Walk

I'm not sure the train even runs during EE.