Recent Visitors - Park Opening Procedures - Please share your knowledge

[Mickey2003]

I believe I recently saw a post that said all vistors are held at the TTC until park opening time. My Guide Book says mainstreet is open a half hour before official time. Is this true? Does it apply at all parks? If it is true, do you now leave for the park closer to opening time to avoid standing around? We arrive for our first ever trip a week from Saturday. Can't wait!!!

 

[Cruisin]

We were at the MK last Saturday, We arrived at the TTC at approx 8:20. There was a long line for the monorail. We purchased our tickets and when we came out the back of the ticket booths, the line was totally gone.
We went up the ramp to the monorail and they put us on the Resort Monorail that then took us to the entrance of the MK. We arrived there about 8:35-8:40. They held us all outside the Railroad Station until the official opening with the train load of characters and then after that we were let into the park, shortly before 9:00am.
Sunday we were at Animal Kingdom and approximately 8:40, I think. They started letting people in shortly after we arrived.
We didn't make it to the openings of the other parks so I don't know how they do it there.
Hope this helps.
Robin

 

[sters]

We caught the first bus from POR to MK on Tuesday, November 4 (or 3rd?). Anyway, we were standing a long time at the front gate until about 8:45, i.e., 15 minutes or so before openning time when the train with characters arrived at the railroad station to greet us! You will be steered to the left for a better view of this little show. In past years, we used to wander on Main Street and were at Fantasyland when the rope dropped at 9, but not this trip. You'd be fine with the second bus and take the extra 15 minutes to linger over your breakfast, in my opinion. We were standing in the heat with very cranky kids ... not too magical and didn't lose to much ground in positioning ourselves for rides. The characters will be out front to greet everyone and a lot of people started lining up for that.

 

[seashoreCM]

No sure whether things have changed but...

Was at MK this past January during a slow time.

On at least two mornings I noticed that the ferries and day guest monorail did not start running that early, the first ones pulled into MK at about 20 minutes before park opening time.

Supposedly guests who drove are not allowed to board the resort monorail at TTC during times when Polynesian, Grand Floridian and COntemporary guests are likely to fill those trains.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[2angelsinheaven]

We saw the opening of EPCOT this past Monday, a double decker with all the characters in outfits representing the countries pulled up, some music was playing, they said something but we could not heard and then they drove off, a min or two later the ropes were let down... did SE, MS and TT withen an hour....yahoo!

 

[frazzled one]

On Monday, 11/3, we took the blue flag launch from the WL at about 8 AM to the Contemporary and walked over to MK by about 8:20. We were held at the turnstiles until the character train pulled into the Main Street Station at about 8:45. We were then let into the park (got some great pics of an almost-deserted Main Street) and held at the entrance to Tomorrowland until rope drop at 9 AM.

On Thursday and Friday, 11/6 & 7, we drove over to Epcot (scored very close parking spots - not too many folks there at opening) and were held at the turnstiles until about 8:50 - then let into the park up to the ropes at the entrance plaza beyond Leave a Legacy. Watched a CM on a Segway (very cool) until the character double-decker bus arrived just before 9 AM, when the ropes were dropped. Of course everyone then bolted for Mission Space and TT. Weirdly, the ropes in front of that area of the park were still up just past 9 AM on 11/6, with no CMs in sight to drop them. Folks hesitated a moment, then either crawled under or lunged over. Both MS and TT were up and running, so I don't know what happened with the rope drop - maybe the CM needed a quick bathroom break?

At Universal on 11/5 we arrived at the parking garage around 8:20 AM, walked through City Walk (had never been before - also got some nice pics without strangers in them!), and were first in line at the turnstiles on the left side of the entrance to Universal. Had a nice chat with the ticket taker, and were let into the park just after 8:50 AM. By the time we got to MiB, it was up and running.

fraz

 

[OrlandoPlanner]

I just came back from Orlando this afternoon. I stayed off-site and visited all four parks. I was at all four parks before 9:00 and they were not letting anyone in early.

 

[betterlatethannever]

If you are going to Epcot at opening through the International Gateway, you don't even get through security before 9:00. So you are way behind the guests coming in through the main gate.

Ed

 

[Eeyore2003]

Any information on how things are done for Extra Magic Hour now???

 

[dgaston]

During the Extra Magic Hour at MK on Sunday October 27th, the Guest Services Manager picked two families to open the MK. The families counted down from 10 to 1, threw pixie dust in the air, and then the turnstiles opened at 8 o'clock. I don't know if the train with characters came in a 9am or not. The characters don't arrive on the train for EMH.

We had taken the first bus from AKL to the MK, and were first in line at a turnstile. We just ended up waiting for at least half an hour, so I'm not sure we needed to hustle so much to get in our rides on Space, Buzz, Philharmagic, and Splash before checking out of the room LOL!

 

[Flower4Pwr]

On extra magic mornings there is no character train @ the MK. At 9 they play a little welcome announcement but that's about it. You should try to see the opening show if you've never seen it before. I've seen it almost a dozen times and still get goose bumps. Just something magical about seeing all the families together and happy! (By the end of the day they are usually to tired to look happy!)

 

[TomAndLori]

Does anyone know when they stopped opening a 1/2 hour early every day?

Or is it just too slow at Disney these days for it too matter? We have not been in five years. Back then it was typical for all the parks to open the gates at least a 1/2 hour early for crowd control purposes, even on Magic Mornings.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by TomAndLori
Does anyone know when they stopped opening a 1/2 hour early every day?

Or is it just too slow at Disney these days for it too matter? We have not been in five years. Back then it was typical for all the parks to open the gates at least a 1/2 hour early for crowd control purposes, even on Magic Mornings.

They stopped opening 1/2 hour early when they stopped EE. When EMH started, the park opened one hour early. Not sure if they will ever bring back the extra 1/2 hour.

Ed

 

[bmr12]

We were at the Magic Kingdom's opening on Tuesday, 11/11, Thursday (EMH), 11/13, and Sunday (EMH), 11/16. All three days, we were held at the turnstiles until the stated opening time (9 am on a regular day and 8 am for the EMH days). Once in the park, there were no other noticeable ropes or barriers.

 

[TomAndLori]

Originally posted by betterlatethannever
They stopped opening 1/2 hour early when they stopped EE. When EMH started, the park opened one hour early. Not sure if they will ever bring back the extra 1/2 hour.

Ed

Wow...they really screwed things up when they took away EE. Well at least they partially brought it back.

I was told the reason they typically opened all the parks a 1/2 hour early was for crowd control though...so that is why I wondered.