Off-site guest at waterpark Early Entry?

[ReallyFunMom]

I've read they go ahead and let offsite guests in during the EEM to get lockers, etc and identify the onsite guests with bracelets. Are they just for the slides? Is there some area the kids can get wet while waiting for EEM to end? Thanks.

 

[slp87]

When we were there in March, they were only letting resort guests in early. Off site guests were waiting outside the entry gates.

 

[cleo]

Only onsite guests will be allowed into the park before regular opening. But keep in mind, regular opening is 9am though the summer, which means you'd have to be there by 8am (which means getting up around 7am!) for EMM. Seems pretty early for a water park.

I'm guessing you won't have tons of competition for the loungers at 9am.

 

[bobkbaines]

We just got back and I agree. They let resort guests in, but others had to wait. The regular opening time was 10:00 and resort guests got in at 9:00.

 

[rangebob]

If you are not staying at a Disney resort, they do allow you into the park before opening. They will only allow you to the slides and pools if you have the wrist band. You can get your locker and have everything ready to go when they drop the rope at 10am.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

If you are not staying at a Disney resort, they do allow you into the park before opening. They will only allow you to the slides and pools if you have the wrist band. You can get your locker and have everything ready to go when they drop the rope at 10am.

Thanks, was this your experience at both waterparks or a particular one? There seems to be conflicting information. I'll be offsite sometimes and onsite other times; didn't expect to get in early but its nice if they allow that. So there's a rope within the park that they allow resort guests through while others stay back? Do you have access to a bathroom to change the kids into swimwear outside the gates? (In case it has changed from your experience.) Thanks for the info.

 

[Julylady]

This was our experience at Typhoon Lagoon in April 06. All guests (on site and off site) were allowed to enter the park. Once inside, there is a courtyard area with lockers, gift shop (where you rent the lockers), a snack bar, and a bathhouse/changing rooms. This courtyard has no chairs or water attractions. From the courtyard there were two lines formed to actually enter the portion of the park with attactions and lounge chairs. Only those with resort ID were given wrist bands and allowed to enter. The off site guests waited in line until the rope drop at 10am. There were still plenty of lounge chairs in shady areas available. As off site guests we were able to rent a locker and secure all of our extras prior to the opening time.

I hope this helps!

Donna

 

[babiesX2]

Really Fun Mom,
Is there another day that you can go to the water park besides the EMH day? The park will most likely be really crowded by the time you could do anything. I would only go if that is the only day available on your calendar.
Good luck!

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Really Fun Mom,
Is there another day that you can go to the water park besides the EMH day? The park will most likely be really crowded by the time you could do anything. I would only go if that is the only day available on your calendar.
Good luck!

Nope, every day all summer long is an EMH at both waterparks. I hope the park isn't that crowded by 10am.

 

[CathrynRose]

So there's a rope within the park that they allow resort guests through while others stay back? Do you have access to a bathroom to change the kids into swimwear outside the gates? .

No - there's a gate, with turnstiles. Resort guests can go in - off site, cannot.

I dont know if there's a restroom right outside the gate - however, it's so early...why not show up in swimwear?

I must be the only one who doesnt get a locker - shows up in my swimsuit with a coverup - whole family does, and leaves that same way.

 

[ReallyFunMom]

No - there's a gate, with turnstiles. Resort guests can go in - off site, cannot.

When were you there last, at BB or TL? I know I've read about offsite guests being allowed in, it stuck b/c it surprised me. Julylady references TL in April. Maybe it was an experiment and switched back, especially if your experience was in May..... Maybe it is just for TL?

I'll be ready for water but my kids wear sunprotective suits that cover everything from knees to elbows. They are great when wet but hot otherwise, thats why I wondered about changing areas while waiting.

If we make it to a waterpark before 10am, I'll report back on the offsite entry thing.

 

[LeslieG]

When we were at BB earlier this month, the off-site guests were not allowed into the park until 10. They were waiting in line as we walked in at 9. No wristbands were given out.

 

[bobkbaines]

My experience was last Tuesday at Blizzard Beach. We arrived at 9:15 and walked past a group standing behind the left-most turnstiles. We went in through the right-hand turnstiles. There were signs that said "resort guests only".

 

[dwtootles]

Honestly it really depends on the crowds. My GUESS is that in April there weren't that many on site guests to let in for EMH, so they did a one time thing where they let everyone in early. It is policy not to let off-site guests in either park (TL or BB) before the official opening time, however it depends on the EMH attendance of the onsite guests. I wouldn't count on getting in early.