Opening Show or Mickeys Royal Friendship Fare?

[friedela]

If we wanted to make our way to attractions to get in line instead of catching the rope drop show would we be missing out significantly? I noticed there is also a Royal Friendship Fare at the castle which also seems to have a lot of characters too but it's offered several times during the day rather than just once. Between the two of them are they both still pretty awesome? Or is the rope drop show an absolute must see?

 

[Robo]

If we wanted to make our way to attractions to get in line instead of catching the rope drop show would we be missing out significantly? I noticed there is also a Royal Friendship Fare at the castle which also seems to have a lot of characters too but it's offered several times during the day rather than just once. Between the two of them are they both still pretty awesome? Or is the rope drop show a absolute must see?

Rope Drop Welcome show is a nice way to start an MK day.
It is not as impressive as the former show that featured the real steam train.

If you want to see one of the Royal Friendship Faire performances, that show is fun, too
(in the tradition of most of the "Castle Stage" shows over the years.)
It's easy to stroll by about show-time and take a look.

 

[yulilin3]

I would not call the opening show a "show" more like an opening ceremony, very short and not a lot of content. Friendship faire is really cute and a full show

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I would skip the opening, though I’m a little biased because I liked and miss the old one so much.

 

[vicb]

Uh oh, here's something different since I was there 4 years back. So the opening ceremony is on the castle stage now? So what time do they start letting you in for a 9am opening? Can you sort of line up at the spoke you want to enter... we planned to try and hit Buzz and SM before our 10:15 BOG breakfast then start our FP at 11. Will that still work?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Uh oh, here's something different since I was there 4 years back. So the opening ceremony is on the castle stage now? So what time do they start letting you in for a 9am opening? Can you sort of line up at the spoke you want to enter... we planned to try and hit Buzz and SM before our 10:15 BOG breakfast then start our FP at 11. Will that still work?

For a 9AM opening, they let everyone in the front gates in the 7:45ish-8AM range. Exact opening procedures can vary day-to-day, hence the range. I’d mentally circle 8AM just for a nice round number.

You are free to walk around Main Street up through the Hub for that hour. The Main Street Bakery is open as well as some other shops.

Yes, people start congregating at the “spokes” in the Hub. You can’t actually see the castle stage very well from many of the spokes, so those towards the front of each won’t really see the opening show.

The most popular / most crowded spoke will be the bridge to Fantasyland (towards Tea Cups) as that is where a large majority of the 7DMT rope drop crowd will be gathering.

The opening show (Let the Magic Begin) will be at 8:55AM on the castle stage. It lasts a few minutes. Once the show is over, they drop the ropes at each spoke and the park is open.

Note that this “Main Street/Hub open an hour early” arrangement does NOT apply to pre-9AM regular park openings.

Hope that helps!

 

[Robo]

Have fun!

 

[vicb]

Thank you that all does help but I'll just say "ugh"... my "kids" now in their early 20's hate mornings so we have never done morning emh, always rope drop at other parks. 9am was always hard enough so this will be a bit of a challenge. I am excited they were still interested in going to WDW as a family but I'll bet we won't get there till closer to 8:30 knowing them but we are not trying to get on 7 DMT, hopefully I will be able to get a FP for that sometime after our breakfast. Thanks.

 

[BrianL]

The new opening show isn't that great. If you are lining up for Tomorrowland you can still see it, and you can hear it from most of the entrances to the "Lands." It's very short. If you are trying to get on one of the big rides at rope drop, then being at one of the spokes is a must (particularly if it's 7DMT or Peter Pan, maybe Space Mountain).

The Royal Friendship Faire is pretty cute and usually easy to get a spot for. It is more involved, and has a story and lots of music. The trumpet playing alligator is the highlight!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I’m a rare breed who likes the new welcome show better than the old one. If you’re going to 7DMT or PPF definitely line up instead of getting a good view of the show. Any other attraction you can watch the show and then go.

 

[wdw&sonny]

For a 9AM opening, they let everyone in the front gates in the 7:45ish-8AM range. Exact opening procedures can vary day-to-day, hence the range. I’d mentally circle 8AM just for a nice round number.

You are free to walk around Main Street up through the Hub for that hour. The Main Street Bakery is open as well as some other shops.

Yes, people start congregating at the “spokes” in the Hub. You can’t actually see the castle stage very well from many of the spokes, so those towards the front of each won’t really see the opening show.

The most popular / most crowded spoke will be the bridge to Fantasyland (towards Tea Cups) as that is where a large majority of the 7DMT rope drop crowd will be gathering.

The opening show (Let the Magic Begin) will be at 8:55AM on the castle stage. It lasts a few minutes. Once the show is over, they drop the ropes at each spoke and the park is open.

Note that this “Main Street/Hub open an hour early” arrangement does NOT apply to pre-9AM regular park openings.

Hope that helps!

So...what is the process for 8am EMH opening?

 

[friedela]

I’m a rare breed who likes the new welcome show better than the old one. If you’re going to 7DMT or PPF definitely line up instead of getting a good view of the show. Any other attraction you can watch the show and then go.

Ok that totally answers my question, thanks! It is indeed 7DMT we are trying to get to as soon as possible since we weren't able to get a fastness for it.

 

[Robo]

So...what is the process for 8am EMH opening?

They will open the park gates at about 8AM.
Guests, MOST of whom will have arrived directly from WDW Resorts via Disney busses, will be admitted into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
for EMH.
Parking lot guests (who would arrive via monorail or ferry) MOST of whom will have NOT arrived from WDW Resorts are often detained at TTC/MK parking until much closer to 9AM regular opening time.

Any guests without wristbands and/or proper WDW resort ID will be "screened" and held at the Hub area and not allowed to enter the attraction areas.

Rope Drop Welcome show will happen just prior to 9AM, after which all attraction areas ("Lands") will be opened to all guests.

 

[friedela]

Any guests without wristbands and/or proper WDW resort ID will be "screened" and held at the Hub area and not allowed to enter the attraction areas.

People who have an early BOG breakfast reservation will be allowed in before the other crowds too correct?

 

[Robo]

People who have an early BOG breakfast reservation will be allowed in before the other crowds too correct?

Yup.

 

[wdw&sonny]

They will open the park gates at about 8AM.
Guests, MOST of whom will have arrived directly from WDW Resorts via Disney busses, will be admitted into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
for EMH.
Parking lot guests (who would arrive via monorail or ferry) MOST of whom will have NOT arrived from WDW Resorts are often detained at TTC/MK parking until much closer to 9AM regular opening time.

Any guests without wristbands and/or proper WDW resort ID will be "screened" and held at the Hub area and not allowed to enter the attraction areas.

Rope Drop Welcome show will happen just prior to 9AM, after which all attraction areas ("Lands") will be opened to all guests.

We will be resort (POR) guests with a rental car (just prefer to drive over Disney buses).
Will we be delayed at TTC for 8am entry? Are we better off taking the bus from POR?
TIA

 

[Robo]

We will be resort (POR) guests with a rental car (just prefer to drive over Disney buses).

1. Will we be delayed at TTC for 8am entry?
2. Are we better off taking the bus from POR?
TIA

1. Likely.
2. That will be the best idea. (It usually is for MK, regardless.)

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We always stay on site and we also always drive to the parks, with the exception of MK...it’s the only park where it’s just easier and faster to take Disney transportation.