park opening questions epcot and DHS

[robl45]

We haven't done park opening in awhile but this trip we have a few days where we are doing the parks at open. Epcot one day and DHS two days. My question is, if parks open at 9am. How early do I need to be there to get in and be one of the first in a line?

We would be entering epcot at international gateway.

 

[Robo]

30-45 minutes prior to "Opening Time" is a good rule-of-thumb.
(Some guests swear by "an hour before.")

Epcot's IG opening procedure can be a bit more unpredictable than the front gates.

(No matter how early you arrive, there is no guarantee that you will be one of the first in line.)

 

[Calee]

We aim for an hour before and usually are in the front of the pack, but have still not been one of the very first.

 

[Mickey92]

We typically leave our resort about an hour before. Depending on where you are staying, that should get you to park 30-45 minutes before opening. We are always close to the front when doing this.

 

[ghtx]

One time I arrived at Epcot about an hour before opening for an AM EMH day (so arrived at 7am). I was LITERALLY the first person there! That was a little too early