Park Entry Procedure

[jeffg4]

I understand that prior to park open, people line up in a single line in front of each entry station. But each station contains two sets of tapstiles, one on each side. I also understand that CMs will, at some point, start directing people to form 2 lines for each station. Ignoring the potential vitriol from those already in line, I'm considering forming my own second line in front of a tapstile assuming I encounter this situation when I arrive to the park. Has anyone ever done this and can I be assured they will always form 2 lines? TIA.

 

[Robo]

I understand that prior to park open,
1. people line up in a single line in front of each entry station.
2. But each station contains two sets of tapstiles, one on each side.
3. I also understand that CMs will, at some point, start directing people to form 2 lines for each station. Ignoring the potential vitriol from those already in line,
4. I'm considering forming my own second line in front of a tapstile assuming I encounter this situation when I arrive to the park.

1. Yup.
2. Yup.
3. Not so much. Guests/groups kind of gravitate/alternate between the two tap-points.
It allows for a problem with one tap (or MB) not to fully stop the entire line.
4. That sounds like a bad idea to me.

 

[Shanti]

I understand that prior to park open, people line up in a single line in front of each entry station. But each station contains two sets of tapstiles, one on each side. I also understand that CMs will, at some point, start directing people to form 2 lines for each station. Ignoring the potential vitriol from those already in line, I'm considering forming my own second line in front of a tapstile assuming I encounter this situation when I arrive to the park. Has anyone ever done this and can I be assured they will always form 2 lines? TIA.

Follow CM directions and stay in line, please. No, they do not always form two lines. No, the CMs do not want guests to take the liberty of splitting lines up themselves and causing "vitriol" among the other guests. Yes, fellow guests get rightfully angry when people jump lines. Since you seem so determined to jump lines, at least wait to do it in the ride lines inside the park, where it might save you some actual time.

 

[yulilin3]

can I be assured they will always form 2 lines?

no you can not be assured.
Until the CM physically starts manning each entrance point there's the possibility that they can open only one side of the set.

 

[Klayfish]

The line really doesn't form into "two" until you get closer to the tap point. Further back it's more like a highway at rush hour, with people changing lanes often.

 

[IrishNYC]

I understand that prior to park open, people line up in a single line in front of each entry station. But each station contains two sets of tapstiles, one on each side. I also understand that CMs will, at some point, start directing people to form 2 lines for each station. Ignoring the potential vitriol from those already in line, I'm considering forming my own second line in front of a tapstile assuming I encounter this situation when I arrive to the park. Has anyone ever done this and can I be assured they will always form 2 lines? TIA.

That sounds like a really bad idea. The CMs at the front will often tell the group behind the group at the tapstiles to come around to the second lane, but there aren't necessarily two lines. You can ignore any vitriol from the line, but the CM that you just cut the line right in front of might not ignore that you did that.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I agree that trying to form your own line will most likely not be a great idea. As mentioned above, for some reason what if only one tapstile can open? There's really no assurance the tapstile you decide to form your own line at will open - I assume the CMs form the lines at them based on which one they know will open for sure. In that case, I would think you'd possibly have to go all the way to to the back of the line (and thus getting in later than you would have if you waited in the original line) because I don't imagine people who've been waiting in the now-open line would allow you in front of them (personally, I would not). If the CM instructs to form one line, do just that and see if you may be directed around when you get closer. I would rather do that than risk a lot of "vitriol" from guests and possibly CMs. If you're already anticipating vitriol, that would tell me that it's probably not a great idea to act on.

 

[jeffg4]

I wasn't intending to jump or cut lines, but was looking at it from a "knowledge is power" perspective. If I know there are going to be 2 lines, and there aren't any signs or CMs directing people to form a single line, why wouldn't I take advantage of that? If they don't always form 2 lines or don't split the line until the very tap point, that's a different story, but I would think they'd want the people to fill in early to keep the lines shorter. There are 2 tapstiles on each side, so there should be plenty of opportunity to keep the lines moving.

 

[yulilin3]

I wasn't intending to jump or cut lines, but was looking at it from a "knowledge is power" perspective. If I know there are going to be 2 lines, and there aren't any signs or CMs directing people to form a single line, why wouldn't I take advantage of that? If they don't always form 2 lines or don't split the line until the very tap point, that's a different story, but I would think they'd want the people to fill in early to keep the lines shorter. There are 2 tapstiles on each side, so there should be plenty of opportunity to keep the lines moving.

until a CM comes over and tells everyone to form 2 lines you should just line up single file. And BTW CM that man the tapstiles are in place anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 minutes prior to park opening

 

[TheRealDrDisney]

"Knowledge is Power" can be fun, but I agree that's not the place for it.

One fun thing that I often do is when I enter a busy QS to dine, I head to one end or the other of the 4-5 open registers and inevitably, there is only one side lined up at that register - usually toward the interior of the lines if you follow my meaning. So I walk to the far end, wait patiently for the host to finish up with the guest they are assisting and then I get to place my order with minimal wait. Then at least a few people will gravitate into line behind me.

And... I always know what I want before I get in line. People who wait until they are at the register before even looking at the menu can cause some serious backups - lol!

 

[Lesley Wake]

You should check easywdw's blog. He does rope drop at a lot of the parks and has tips about turnstiles. One big one is to stand near the turnstiles that are being used for PPO breakfast. Shortly before opening they will let anyone into those turnstiles, so there is a mad dash to get in those. So, if you actually continue to wait in the line you were in before you will end up much closer in line.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I wasn't intending to jump or cut lines, but was looking at it from a "knowledge is power" perspective. If I know there are going to be 2 lines, and there aren't any signs or CMs directing people to form a single line, why wouldn't I take advantage of that? If they don't always form 2 lines or don't split the line until the very tap point, that's a different story, but I would think they'd want the people to fill in early to keep the lines shorter. There are 2 tapstiles on each side, so there should be plenty of opportunity to keep the lines moving.

I think what most of us are saying is, you can't know for certain there will be two lines, or there will be two lines at the one you choose to form. It's a safe bet that they have this down to a science and if they wanted people to fill in as you lay out, they would already be doing that. It's different than going to say, the furthest lines in the corners at a CS/QS place which tend to be shorter since most people generally go for the middle, or even to the right. EasyWDW does suggest going near the PPO dining/tour reservation tapstile as he has experience with those in fact opening to guests as it gets closer to park opening. That seems a pretty proven strategy and he's quite reliable, so I would try that first before what you're suggesting.

FWIW I never assumed you wanted to cut lines there or elsewhere, I just am of the camp that you cannot be positive you will have a good outcome here for a variety of reasons.

 

[jeffg4]

Thank you for the responses. Are there still green lights and red lights in front of the gates? I know in the past, EasyWDW has recommended going to a red gate if the lines are too long behind the green gates because they will invariably open all gates.

 

[11290]

Thank you for the responses. Are there still green lights and red lights in front of the gates? I know in the past, EasyWDW has recommended going to a red gate if the lines are too long behind the green gates because they will invariably open all gates.

Only place I know of (except maybe the monorail platform - those lights not used for guests) that has red / green lights is the parks AutoPlaza's. Your first post references "tapstiles" (no such thing by the way - the park entry points are called "Touch-Points" - you TOUCH your ticket to Mickey, not tap), not the AutoPlaza.

 

[NavyDad]

When we were at WDW last week there was not really "lines" at any parks more like 5 lane highways that led to each turnstile. We just fell into the back of the shortest group. When they started letting people through it was basically a free for all at each park with people jumping back and forth depending on which "line" was moving better...

 

[joyjoy]

Your first post references "tapstiles" (no such thing by the way - the park entry points are called "Touch-Points" - you TOUCH your ticket to Mickey, not tap).

I wonder where that word came from. I never say "tapstile", I think it sounds silly. I prefer "the magic band touchy Mickey thing". <--- Also made up, obvs.

 

[dbavis]

I wonder where that word came from. I never say "tapstile", I think it sounds silly. I prefer "the magic band touchy Mickey thing". <--- Also made up, obvs.

I prefer the Glowing Orb of Frustration.

 

[HopperFan]

I wasn't intending to jump or cut lines, but was looking at it from a "knowledge is power" perspective. If I know there are going to be 2 lines, and there aren't any signs or CMs directing people to form a single line, why wouldn't I take advantage of that? If they don't always form 2 lines or don't split the line until the very tap point, that's a different story, but I would think they'd want the people to fill in early to keep the lines shorter. There are 2 tapstiles on each side, so there should be plenty of opportunity to keep the lines moving.

But you really don't have that knowledge for sure. I've been there when CMs showed up and a line full of people never opened and folks scrambled to change lines.

No guarantee there will be one or two lines, or if a line will even open at all. It doesn't matter at Disney what ability they have ... they will still do what they have planned and much will be based on number of CMs working etc.

Just get there early so you are first in line and you won't have to worry .... unless they don't open that line.

 

[Kaytie]

Just get there early so you are first in line and you won't have to worry .... unless they don't open that line.

Exactly!

 

[jdisnut]

This thread is a little crazy. What are we talking about here? Coming up with strategies for how to wait on a line to enter a theme park seems excessive and a bit neurotic. How much time does anyone expect to save by trying to hack the turnstile queue?

Just get on the line that looks shortest, have your ticket out and all guests will be in the park quickly, roughly in the order they arrived. If somebody who arrived after you get into the park 45 seconds or a minute before you, so be it.