Strategies to minimize wait time in lines in absence of fast pass- staying in resort off WDW site

[seema]

In third week in June, we will be going to 3 of the 4 reserved theme parks (we could not get reservations for Hollywood Studios).

Question - besides the obvious of standing at the gate before official opening time - and running to the first most popular ride in that theme park-any other strategies to minimize waiting?

PS-do the theme parks open unofficially earlier (for non WDW guests) than the official time?

 

[Bjkandma]

Parks have been opening 30-45 minutes before park opening for everyone. Plan on arriving at parking lot entrances 45 minutes before park opening. If you arrive earlier, they are having you "loop" around, making you "late".

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

EPCOT opened every day at 10:15 AM during my stay last month. Resort guests started lining up around 9:30 AM.

Besides staying onsite to get into the parks as early as possible, there isn't much else you can do to minimize wait times.

 

[kanerf]

You can usually get in one ride first thing in the morning with a minimal wait (20 minutes or so). After which the wait time will be 30-40 minutes for most rides. It will begin to go down again in the afternoon. Have a nice long lunch and then seek out your next attraction in the afternoon. Keep your MDE app handy to get an idea of times. It usually over-estimates. The lines also often move quickly because of the social distancing requirement.

 

[shawthorne44]

Another thing, people are dropping their HS reservation when they don't get a boarding pass. So, if you want HS maybe try on the day that the park you are going to starts later and see if you can switch it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Besides getting there early and riding the first ride you come to there is not much more you can do to avoid long lines