Question for first day onsite/EE

[millie0312]

Hi everyone,
I'm fairly new to this board, so hopefully I make sense (sorry if I don't). Anyway, I am going to be going to DLR for 3 days in Dec and have a question about the EE on the first day there. Here is the senario- I won a trip that included 2 nights at the GCH and 3 day DLR tickets- the day before we are using the DLR tickets we are opting to stay at the HoJo to avoid the $500+ price tag of the GCH night that is not covered so our schedule will look like this- drive/arrive on 12/12 (friday) at HoJo, DLR park tickets on 12/13-12/15 (sat-mon), staying the night at GCH on 12/13 and 12/14 (sat, sun) and the day we leave the parks we are moving on to Knott's Berry Farm Hotel for the following day there.
Here is my question- I believe the ONLY day of EE for DLR is on Sat (our first day and the day we are checking in to GCH and getting our tickets, etc). I am anxious to make sure we are going to get to the EE early (since its the only morning we can do it at that park) and its my understanding that getting to the EE about 30-45 mins prior is ideal. My paperwork says to pick up park tickets and hotel passes (which I need for EE since I'm not sure that they include MM) at 8 am, which depending on the park hours might be AFTER the EE starts. Has anyone had experience picking up tickets super early from the onsite hotels as well as room keys the day of check in (not hoping the room is ready, just the keys to get into the park early) or even the night before. Like I said- I don't care when our room is ready, I'm more concerned about getting in early on Sat morning. Any helpful ideas or thoughts would be MUCH appreciated!!! TIA~

 

[grnflash]

We've never needed to pick up tix in the morning, but have checked in very early. If the room's ready, they'll give it to you straight away (we've only had to wait for a room once, this during sold out Dapper Days and the room was ready in an hour - they text you.) I cannot imagine it will be any problem to get your tix early and would absolutely go for it.

**You won't get room keys if a room isn't ready - you'll get a slip of paper that admits you to MM.

**Regular opening was 8am every Saturday last December - which puts early entry at 7am. So get up and over to the GCH plenty early! Oh, and have fun - how lucky to win such a great trip!

 

[millie0312]

We've never needed to pick up tix in the morning, but have checked in very early. If the room's ready, they'll give it to you straight away (we've only had to wait for a room once, this during sold out Dapper Days and the room was ready in an hour - they text you.) I cannot imagine it will be any problem to get your tix early and would absolutely go for it.

**You won't get room keys if a room isn't ready - you'll get a slip of paper that admits you to MM.

**Regular opening was 8am every Saturday last December - which puts early entry at 7am. So get up and over to the GCH plenty early! Oh, and have fun - how lucky to win such a great trip!

Thanks!! I am glad to hear they can give you a slip of paper to get in- this for some reason has been stressing me out so it's great to know they will let you come earlier than 8 am to get the EE that morning! Thanks for the info about the times for the early mornings too- I know its not "officially" out yet so its nice to hear the times from last year- we are SOOOO excited!!

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I would try to pick up your tickets the night you get there and see what happens. Chances are they will be accommodating. If you want to wait, then I would allow yourself at least 30 minutes to check in and get your tickets on the Saturday. our experience is that we have been given a room key before our room was ready so we can enjoy EMH or the pools and then they have text us our room number once the room was ready.