Talk to me about driving to the parks

[mshanson3121]

I've seen online that there has been a change? They won't let off guests line up to park until a certain time now? They'll turn you away and make you come back later if you're too early. When did this start? And at what time do they actually let you line up? Also, does it make a difference if you're on site vs. off site?

In your experience if you were stuck in the middle of the pack, how long did it take you to get through the line and actually walk through park gates?

 

[GBRforWDW]

I've seen online that there has been a change? They won't let off guests line up to park until a certain time now? They'll turn you away and make you come back later if you're too early. When did this start? And at what time do they actually let you line up? Also, does it make a difference if you're on site vs. off site?

In your experience if you were stuck in the middle of the pack, how long did it take you to get through the line and actually walk through park gates?

This started with the pandemic reopening. They let you line up roughly 1 hour before posted park opening. Sometimes it's a few minutes before that. However, they don't open till booths until about 45 minutes before posted park opening. They're also opening the park gates at the same time, so others that walked or were on early buses are getting in as you're parking. It doesn't really matter though as by the time you get to the gates, you're moving through temp check, security and ticket scan with very little waits.

This is same procedure for both on-site and off-site guests at this time that are driving in.

 

[mshanson3121]

Ok. So if park opens at 9:00, you cant get in line to drive in until 8:00 basically.

 

[subtchr]

Ok. So if park opens at 9:00, you cant get in line to drive in until 8:00 basically.

Correct. And the parking booths will open about 8:15.

Guests on Disney buses or Skyliner or on foot will already be entering the park by then.

 

[mshanson3121]

Correct. And the parking booths will open about 8:15.

Guests on Disney buses or Skyliner or on foot will already be entering the park by then.

Okay, so there's been no change in that parks still admit guests roughly an hour early before the park opens?

So, basically it is now a huge advantage to be on site and use their transportation. Wow.... I know I saw a woman comment elsewhere that it took them 90 minutes to get through the line, parked and into the park. So basically they didn't get "into" MK until 9:30.

But an on-site, bus using guest could still be there for "rope drop"?

Do we think this is a practice that will stay post-Covid?

 

[subtchr]

Okay, so there's been no change in that parks still admit guests roughly an hour early before the park opens?

So, basically it is now a huge advantage to be on site and use their transportation. Wow.... I know I saw a woman comment elsewhere that it took them 90 minutes to get through the line, parked and into the park. So basically they didn't get "into" MK until 9:30.

But an on-site, bus using guest could still be there for "rope drop"?

Do we think this is a practice that will stay post-Covid?

Yes, that is correct, it is still happening that way.

But one note, even resort guests can't always be on that first wave of buses or Skyliners or boats. I mean, anyone who lines up early enough can be, but at some resorts, the lines can be long for transportation, and you might not be among the first groups entering a park, if you're not one of the early birds in the queue.

I think the entire process will change when the 30-minute early resort guest perk is instituted. No word when that will be, just later this year. Exactly how it will change is also up in the air, but I suspect it will be similar to how early EMH used to work, scanning bands (or phones now) or tickets to indicate resort status, and only allowing eligible guests to enter before opening time. I think when this is implemented, the opening times will be firm. So if MK is scheduled to open at 9, resort guests can enter at 8:30, and offsite guests at 9.

This really can only happen post-Covid, I think, because it will inevitably lead to lots of folks waiting to enter, which is what they avoid now by opening the gates so early.

All that is my speculation, of course! It will be fascinating to see how it unfolds.

 

[lanejudy]

But an on-site, bus using guest could still be there for "rope drop"?

Only those on the very first bus or maybe 2. And keep in mind that buses have limited capacity now, so fewer folks on each bus are able to leave the resort super-early. I think I've read some of those people are at the bus stops 90 minutes early to be first in line.

Do we think this is a practice that will stay post-Covid?

Eventually WDW plans to have an new "EMH" type of early-access for on-site guests. It will be every park, 30 minute early entry every day. That isn't yet in place but expected by this fall. The current situation was started last summer with the re-opening to avoid crowds at the gates.


ETA: oops! I didn't see above post when I wrote...

 

[mshanson3121]

Only those on the very first bus or maybe 2. And keep in mind that buses have limited capacity now, so fewer folks on each bus are able to leave the resort super-early. I think I've read some of those people are at the bus stops 90 minutes early to be first in line.

ETA: oops! I didn't see above post when I wrote...

So...if park opened at 9, they'd be at the bus stop at 7:30? Or they'd be at the bus stop at 6:30 (since they're allowed in at 8:00)?

 

[DisneyMom0604]

So...if park opened at 9, they'd be at the bus stop at 7:30? Or they'd be at the bus stop at 6:30 (since they're allowed in at 8:00)?

What about the back gate at Epcot? Is it open for people to walk over to? I guess that would go for HS as well as you can walk from certain resorts. Would it be better to walk over than try to take a bus or drive?

 

[GBRforWDW]

What about the back gate at Epcot? Is it open for people to walk over to? I guess that would go for HS as well as you can walk from certain resorts. Would it be better to walk over than try to take a bus or drive?

Yes walking to Epcot international gateway or Hollywood Studios, if it’s an option for you, is definitely better than any other transportation. If you arrive at least 60 minutes before posted opening, you’ll be among the very first into the park.

 

[subtchr]

So...if park opened at 9, they'd be at the bus stop at 7:30? Or they'd be at the bus stop at 6:30 (since they're allowed in at 8:00)?

Depends on the resort, the crowd level, and how badly they want to be on the first bus!

It's likely the first bus will not arrive until 7:45-8:00 for a 9:00 opening (which is unofficially happening about 8:15...). So 7:30 would work, unless there are dozens of families already waiting. It's a guessing game!

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We took an Uber on our AK day and got to the toll booths at about 745am for a 9am park open (assuming the park would open at 8am). We had to sit there in the car, about 3rd in line in our lane, until about 8:10am when they let us through. But using Uber we were dropped off close to the entrance and were some of the first through the gates. We made it to FOP super quick and were some of the first to ride it.

We only got to the gates so early as we scheduled an Uber the night before for 7:50am and he showed up at 7:30am. We should have just let him wait at the hotel as he was super mad that he had to just sit there waiting for the gates to open to drop us off. I threw him a $10 spot just to get him to stop huffing & puffing.

 

[lanejudy]

So...if park opened at 9, they'd be at the bus stop at 7:30? Or they'd be at the bus stop at 6:30 (since they're allowed in at 8:00)?

I don't have time right now to sift back through reports but I did read reports during spring break of people at the bus stops very early -- 6:30ish for an official 9am open. The first bus isn't going to come until probably 7:30 or 7:45, arriving at the park around 7:45 or 8am. With capacity restrictions on buses, I think there are 6-10 zones per bus, with maybe 2-6 seats per zone but each party gets their own zone; an average bus with 6 zones of 4-seats may max out with 24 passengers. So the waits for buses at resorts can be quite long at park-opening.

Depending on when your visit will be, this could change...