Skip the Early Opens?

[deedum]

Does it make sense *not* to visit a park on the day it opens an hour early? I figure the park will have many more visitors on those days, giving me longer lines in exchange for the payoff of an extra hour of park time in the morning.

 

[nativetxn]

Hi <b>deedum</b>~ welcome to the DIS. I'm really glad you found us and I hope you enjoy planning your trip here.

I usually go to the early magic hour (formerly known as early entry) and when the park opens to the public then I hop on the monorail or bus and go to a park that didn't have an early opening on that day.

Katholyn

 

[Geoff_M]

EE is the only way to do Fantasyland at MK. Dumbo, Pooh, et al will have little or no lines at that time. Like Nativetxn said, if thing get too hecktic there later in the morning... bug out and go to another park!

 

[eeyore0062]

We swear by EE mornings, and here is why:

1) being able to ride about 5-6 rides in the space of an hour, as opposed to 2 or 3, especially in Magic Kingdom.

2) Since you have the ability to hop to another park once the EE morning park becomes busy, you haven't lost anything, only gained those extra attractions in the morning.

3) in the summer, it may be the only way to see certain attractions without a long, hot wait, or long fastpass return times.

4) it is cooler in those early morning hours

5) you have the privilege by staying onsite, unlike those of us who are locals and don't always stay on site when visiting the parks, so why not take advantage of it?

Really, there is NO downside to doing an EE morning park, unless you go there at official opening time or are staying offsite.

 

[karen1]

If you're not doing EE at that park and are getting to the parks late I would avoid the EE park for day. But if you are going in the summer use EE, Especially at MK!!!!!

 

[peachgirl]

I agree with others regarding the MK. We went to EE, then left for a break around noon and went to a different park later that afternoon.

We also went to EE at the AK. There aren't many rides open for EE, but it's nice to be there when it's still cool and I like being able to go through the exhibits and trails while it's not packed with people.

The only EE park that I consider a total waste of time is Epcot. If you're there fairly soon after regular opening time, you can get a fastpass for TT and other than that, there just isn't anything to do at EE.

 

[Alice28]

We took advantage of EE for the MK and MGM. I felt it was worth getting up for. At MK we were able to do these rides by 9:05(9:00 was the official opening): Pooh, Dumbo, Peter Pan, the Carousel, It's a Small World and were walking on Splash Mountain before the main hoardes of people were over that far in Frontierland. Dumbo and Peter Pan can have hideously long waits otherwise- but they are a must do if you have young children in your party. We left he MK around 11:30 or so (we had also done Buzz, Big Thunder, lunch and something else---I can't remember now--Pirates maybe) and we came back around 4:30 or 5 and the park wasn't that crowded. We did Tomorrowland, ToonTown and the Tea Cups by closing. At MGM we were able to go on Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Star Tours and I think we were walking into Muppets 3D around 9:00. So we had 4 attractions under our belt before the main crowds were everywhere. Plus when we were walking down Hollywood Blvd, some CM's were handing out Fastpasses for Millionaire, time window between 10:20 and 11:20, so in essence, it was like we got another ride clearance by being there at 8. And on top of the 4 attractions we did, we browsed a little bit in the ToT shop and the Star Wars shop. MGM did get VERY crowded by noon, so we left lunch and the Indiana Jones stunt show and went to MK for a little bit in the afternoon to catch the parade and then we got dinner in Epcot. A busy but fun and productive day!

 

[slp87]

Definitely do MK early!

 

[disneychrista]

We did both over the course of our 15 day trip in December. But if you are not going to the EMH park then go to another park that day. You may also want to split your day. Go to the EMH park in the AM and then switch to a different park at lunch time, when that park get extra crowded.

 

[FrizDiz]

Go to the EMH park early and do all the rides possible. Make sure to get fast passes right before the regular crowds come in and that will get you another ride. Afterwards i would go to another park.

 

[WDWfanatic288]

we usually do EE...we did them the first part of our trip this time and decided we will never do one unless we are going at Christmas...there are just getting too popular and also it's nice to sleep in another hour
we went to MK one day without EE and the lines were shorter for everything than when we did go for EE(I think some of it was the fact Pooh is down for rehab right now) but usually MK is the only one we do but I really doubt we'll do them

but if you are going to do EEs, MK would be your best bet...and Fantasyland would be where you need to head to...espically Dumbo!

 

[WDWLinda]

Are the early entry days posted anywhere ahead of time? We're going in Nov., and I'd like to see when the MK ee days are...

Thanks!

 

[donna in Oz]

Early Magic Hour days are on a set schedule. Check out this link:

http://wdwig.com/emhour.htm

 

[Dancemom]

We always do EE. We always go in July so the EE is a plus for us. We make it through Fantasyland and usually a ride or two in Tomorrowland( that's when EE use to start at 7:30). I missed not having EE last summer. I'm glad they brought it back. Have a great time.

Cheryl

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by WDWLinda
Are the early entry days posted anywhere ahead of time? We're going in Nov., and I'd like to see when the MK ee days are...Thanks!

Just click the link above "Theme Park Information"