On those 10 days - how early do the long waits start?

[shmom]

We are doing trip 12/29-1/3 - family of 4. On the 30th when we can be at MK for EMH at 7, how long do we have before the gridlock hits or when we could expect a 20- 30 minute plus wait on even a 2nd tier ride? I have FP starting at 10 a.m. thinking that for the first 3 hours we should be ok?? But am I off in this thought process? I have FP for SM, BMR, 2 for PP and 2 for Haunted Mansion. And of course I know my boys will want to do Sorcerer's which I hope that doesn't get gridlocked.

 

[Robo]

We are doing trip 12/29-1/3 - family of 4. On the 30th when we can be at MK for EMH at 7, how long do we have before the gridlock hits or when we could expect a 20- 30 minute plus wait on even a 2nd tier ride? I have FP starting at 10 a.m.
1. thinking that for the first 3 hours we should be ok??
2. But am I off in this thought process? I have FP for SM, BMR, 2 for PP and 2 for Haunted Mansion. And of course I know my boys will want to do Sorcerer's which I hope that doesn't get gridlocked.

1. Unlikely.
2. I’d say the major attractions will have “busy” lines within 60-90 min. of EMH opening time.
With THE biggest must-do’s stacked by 20-30 min. into EMH.

 

[SarahC97]

In my experience, during the most crowded times of the year, you cannot count on the EMH or rope drop providing the advantage to touring that you can other times of the year. I think you can expect even second tier rides to have a substantial wait by the second hour of the park being open, if not sooner.

 

[ShadeDK]

From experience at busier times of the year, an early start will still give you some advantage, but it will evaporate quickly. I’d expect no more than 1-2 rides before lines have built up towards the end of the first hour.

For reference purposes, I’ve included a photo below of EMH at MK on January 4 of this year. While it may look like a large crowd waiting to rope drop Tomorrow Land, the photo was actually taken 20 minutes AFTER EMH had started - that was the crowd still waiting to be scanned by CMs to get into the lands. If we’d arrived earlier, we could’ve at least gotten something accomplished, but at 30 minutes in the lines were already so bad that we gave up on EMH and just waited for the rest of the park to open.

 

[shmom]

So the entire park is not open for EMH? Good grief that crowd looks hideous.

 

[ShadeDK]

So the entire park is not open for EMH?

Correct - only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open during morning EMH at MK. Adventureland, Frontierland and Liberty Square open at normal hours.

 

[shmom]

Correct - only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open during morning EMH at MK. Adventureland, Frontierland and Liberty Square open at normal hours.

Goodness, I had no idea. That seems like a lot of people in two areas. Makes me rethink FP.

 

[gharter]

i would expect by 10 the park will be starting to get crowded. Certainly by noon, it will be very crowded.
Managing your FPs will be very important, refresh and modify.