The "Scoop" on DCA early entry for Resort guests

[minniecarousel]

Here's my experience this morning, Wednesday, June 20:

Staying at the Grand, I went downstairs to the Hotel entrance to DCA at 6:15. There were about 20 people already in line. Within 20 minutes, there was quite a line behind me. My family joined me by 6:45. (many more people joined those ahead of me in line. I feel that's to be expected - one family member goes and holds a spot for the whole family. this didn't appear to cause a problem.)

There were 2 people checking bags and 3 scanning tix. They requested one hotel key per group. Once in the Park, we turned left & walked past Soarin'. It didn't look like those who came in the main entrance had an advantage or a disadvantage. We could see them join the small crowd in front of us. It was all very orderly. We were off Radiator Springs Racers by 7:30 and went right to the snigle-rider line. That was a terrific idea! We then went over to Toy Story and were able to do that with a short wait. While my family did Screamin', I went back to get RSR fastpasses, but they were gone by 9:10!

We probably won't have a chance to ride RSR again this trip. We leave on Friday and I know that we don't want to repeat this morning - that's too early, especially for a travel day.

Hope this info helps someone.

 

[AquaDame]

It does, thank you! Am I correct in thinking that the main gates open at 8 and so there was technically an hour us lowlies without EE could have gotten FPs for RSR?

 

[LAWalz23]

Thanks for the info! We will be at the Grand in just four weeks!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

It helps soooo much!! I have been eager to know if Toy Story is open during this hour or not and it sounds like it is! We are staying at GCH Sun thru Thur. We are thinking about going straight to Toy Story and riding once or twice THEN going to get a FP for RSR to ride later in the day. TSMM is our most fave ride and we want to do it as many times as possible. Do you think our plan would work???

We have Mon and Wed to get in early. So, after we do our plan the first time (Mon) and see how much we like RSR, we could then do it first on Wed.

I would love to hear your thoughts on what I've described for our family. Thank you!!! I hope you are having a blast!!!

 

[TeddiBarra]

This is helpful, I too was wondering if TSMM was open during the EHM.

Also, were the fast passes open early again (someone had reported they made FP available about 7:30)?

 

[minniecarousel]

It does, thank you! Am I correct in thinking that the main gates open at 8 and so there was technically an hour us lowlies without EE could have gotten FPs for RSR?

I believe the maingate was open for hotel guests at 7, as we saw people coming from that direction, as well as from the Grand. As far as Fastpasses for RSR, I don't know when they started them, as we were on the ride.

I think that TSMM opened at 8. If you go to RSR right at early entry, you can ride that, possibly get a fastpass for it and still get over to TSMM when they open at 8 - depending on when the FP starts for RSR. In any case, I think you'll want to ride RSR first thing - the lines for it are insanely long! Getting it done right away and riding single rider, like we did, or going for a FP as soon as you get off of it seems to be the way to go.

 

[DLR29]

So what I've gathered from this:

-All rides in Carsland were open
-FP for RSR was not open until 8
-TSMM was NOT open
-Long line at the GCH entrance, but those at the front weren't at a big disadvantage from main entrance crowds
-Did you happen to check to see if Soarin was open???

 

[cfrith5]

This is making me so nervous for our visit towards the end of July. I am SO worried that we won't get to ride RSR. My son would be so sad. Do you think FP will be difficult to get mid-end of July on a T,W, or Th?

 

[TeddiBarra]

Do you think FP will be difficult to get mid-end of July on a T,W, or Th?

It's so hard to predict given that this is new, however I think we are seeing that each day the FPs for Racers are gone at about an hour after park opening. I don't think it's going to be any better midweek than on the weekends. I don't think it's going to ease up a WHOLE lot, maybe just a bit when the So Cal passports blockouts go into effect.

 

[HydroGuy]

This is making me so nervous for our visit towards the end of July. I am SO worried that we won't get to ride RSR. My son would be so sad. Do you think FP will be difficult to get mid-end of July on a T,W, or Th?

I think we will have a much better idea of what July will be like once we get to June 29 and some more AP blockouts kick in. I suspect it will still be a challenge late July but I think it will not be as bad as it is now.

 

[alvernon90]

Forgive me if this question belongs in another thread, but minniecarousel twice mentions the single-rider line. Is it possible for two people (like, say, a dad and daughter) to get to the front of the single rider line and ask for a car with two groups of two so the pair can be in the same car? Or do single riders only go into cars with five, so two people might be several cars apart?

Knowing this might help someone decide if going single rider is worth it. Thanks!

 

[dozermusic]

Forgive me if this question belongs in another thread, but minniecarousel twice mentions the single-rider line. Is it possible for two people (like, say, a dad and daughter) to get to the front of the single rider line and ask for a car with two groups of two so the pair can be in the same car? Or do single riders only go into cars with five, so two people might be several cars apart?

Knowing this might help someone decide if going single rider is worth it. Thanks!

Single riders cannot choose, they go where they are needed to fill a seat.
Some will get lucky with 2 groups of 2 and end up in the same car sitting one behind the other, others can be cars apart.
You'd have to ask those behind you if they'd like to go ahead of you until a car with 2 empty seats is available. But with how crazy it is, I'm not sure they will allow you to "clog" the line waiting.

 

[alvernon90]

Single riders cannot choose, they go where they are needed to fill a seat.
Some will get lucky with 2 groups of 2 and end up in the same car sitting one behind the other, others can be cars apart.
You'd have to ask those behind you if they'd like to go ahead of you until a car with 2 empty seats is available. But with how crazy it is, I'm not sure they will allow you to "clog" the line waiting.

Very interesting, thanks for the info!

 

[Malcon10t]

Forgive me if this question belongs in another thread, but minniecarousel twice mentions the single-rider line. Is it possible for two people (like, say, a dad and daughter) to get to the front of the single rider line and ask for a car with two groups of two so the pair can be in the same car? Or do single riders only go into cars with five, so two people might be several cars apart?

Knowing this might help someone decide if going single rider is worth it. Thanks!

That isn't how single rider is intended to be. And when we were there, they go to the regular line first for parties of 2.

If you and your daughter wish to ride together, the regular line is the way you should go.

 

[AngelDisney]

Does this mean single rider line is open during early magic hour from 7 - 8 am when DCA opens at 8 am? DD15 and I can easily split if this means saving time for more rides.

Thanks for the first hand info! Have a magical day!!

 

[kelmac284]

So if I am reading this correctly we are going on the EXACT same day next week (wed).

So if we go to RSR first then when we get off if I send my mom to the FP then my girls and I hopefully can get another ride in doing single rider?

Our plan is to then see the "rest" of Carsland after our first 1 or 2 rides while everyone else is racing to RSR and then heading out to the rest of the park since I have a feeling that the rest will be a piece of cake compared to carsland LOL.

Will be interesting to see how it all pans out!

 

[minniecarousel]

So if I am reading this correctly we are going on the EXACT same day next week (wed).

So if we go to RSR first then when we get off if I send my mom to the FP then my girls and I hopefully can get another ride in doing single rider?

Our plan is to then see the "rest" of Carsland after our first 1 or 2 rides while everyone else is racing to RSR and then heading out to the rest of the park since I have a feeling that the rest will be a piece of cake compared to carsland LOL.

Will be interesting to see how it all pans out!

If you are among the first to ride RSR, you should be able to have a runner get FPs after riding.

This morning, we didn't have early admiision, but some AP's did. We were lazy and strolled into the Park around 7:50 - the Hotel entrance opened at 7:30 & they were held at rope-drop. The Fastpass line was waaay to the left of the masses going into Carsland. WE DID NOT GET TO RIDE, EVEN USING THE SINGLE RIDER LINE. We were simply too late. They were telling people in line for the ride that it was a 2 hour wait. And they temporarily closed the single-rider line.

We're just glad we rode it twice yesterday morning. Tomorrow is our travel day home and I don't think I'll get anyone up early to repeat that!

Single rider line for us: we are a group of 4. I filled in with a family of 5, and my 3 family members actually all rode together. They will not honor any requests in the single rider line.

 

[Jkpark]

Sorry - I don't know how to copy and paste yet... Minniecarousel - you mention rope drop at DCA. Where was the "rope" there? Any thoughts on how long someone should plan on spending in the FP line just to get FP for RSR?

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Minniecarousel, so, did you get a FP then today since you were too late for standby line?

 

[Nox54]

OP thanks so much for the info!