To Do or Not To Do Early Entry????

[kbuck]

When we went to Disney two years ago it seemed that Early Entry days should be avoided becuase it tends to make the parks more crowded. We are staying at the Pop Century and would like to do this but I was wondering how the crowds are in these parks on an Early Entry day. Should we go to the park for the Early Entry and leave to head to another park. Need help trying to plan schedule.

 

[Kimberle]

Remember, EE is only for Disney resort guests, most people do stay off site. We do EE, but not every day. Usually, when we do ee, we've pretty much covered what we want by 11am. We'll switch parks or go back to the hotel for a swim.

That's the beauty of staying on-site, it's sssooo easy to park hop!!

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

I think this all depends - as with so many other things - on a few variables. When are you traveling? What type of Disney person are you (i.e., do you want to see and do absolutely everything in commando fashion, or are you someone who's been there, done that, and is looking to do a more limited selection of attractions at your own pace)?

Personally, I'm the latter. I like sleeping in. I go during the off-season, so the parks aren't all that crowded to begin with and, if luck is with me, even the most popular attractions involve little more than a 10 minute wait. So it's pretty rare that I'll actually use the Early Entry (well, maybe on one day, so I can hit the Magic Kingdom and do consistantly crowded attractions like Peter Pan, Winnie, and the mountains).

But if you're going with a "must do everything" list, and it's the crowded time of year, I'd definitely say "take advantage of the Early Entry" system. Now, keep in mind that if you're at Disney during the peak seasons and the resorts are filled to the rafters, there's every chance that the parks will be too, as everyone else at the resorts has the same idea: "Let's get there early!" Sometimes, it actually makes sense to go to a park that's NOT featuring Early Entry on that given day, figuring maybe all the resort guests will be crowding that park.

Gee, guess that's really no help at all, now is it!

Richard

 

[MDDisneyFan]

I would do the EE day at MK. I enjoy getting to the MK before it gets busy, when the streets are still a little wet and you can see straight down main street. It's an almost magical moment for me. The park doesn't have a lot of crowd noise or movement, you can hear the music playing and you can really SEE the park.

Maybe I'm weird but each time I go I get up extra early to get to the park.

 

[XStAnt]

If you're going during a busy time of year and you will get up for EE it is definitely worth it. Even at busy times of the year the parks don't start to get crowded until about an hour after the official opening time. This gives you two hours to do attractions with minimal crowds (1 hour of EE and first hour after official opening time). In two hours you can do most of the major attractions, even at MK (where EE is a definite must).

If you won't get there at or near the EE opening time, then you lose that advantage and have to deal with a park that will be more crowded b/c of EE people.

Get up early--it's worth it.

 

[GOODFELLA]

If you go to disney alot you really don't need EE I like to get to the parks arond 10am then head back for a swim in the afternoon,But there was a time that I had to have everybody at that gate 1st.All I'm saying is if you don't go into the parks alot it's worth it

 

[Pryncess'mom]

Anyone know about MLK weekend? I know it will be somewhat busy due to being a holiday weekend, but we will only have a one day pass, so park hopping is not an option. Would it be worth doing EE at MK or not? Since we have all been there many times, we will not be commando, but will want to do the things we really like. Any help will be appreciated. We will be there Sat and Sun and are doing MK and Epcot.


TIA

Deb

 

[kbuck]

Thanks for all the replies. We will be in the parks from December 17 - 23rd. My husband is the type that when you get to the parks you do not leave until the park closes. He wants to get as much out of the trip as possible.

So its seems from what I'm reading is to do the Early Entry.

When we did this two years ago it was packed but it was also June.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

For us, part of getting "as much out of our trip as possible" meant relaxing and enjoying what the resort had to offer in addition to the parks. We stayed at the All Star Sports so basically it meant the swimming pools and the football field. There is no doubt that EE helped us be able to enjoy that. We hit EE at the parks and were done by 11-11:30 and were fighting out way OUT of the park while everyone was streaming in. Then we basically enjoyed a crowd-free pool in the middle of the day (friends see our vacation pics and are amazed that the pool wasn't crowded at all!!). The key to using EE to your advantage is using the EE and then switching to a different park in the afternoon. I got that tip from this board before we left and it helped us avoid the biggest crowds and get everything done without "commandoing" the parks! Good Luck!!

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

We love EE--well, maybe not the kids when the commando mom is dragging them out of bed at the crack of dawn. But, at noon, when we are leaving and smiling--we are all glad we did EE. Of course, you can't do it every day--even I'm not that much of a commando , but there's a certain sense of satisfaction in doing EE!

In the summer--we did EE, left the park noon or early afternoon, rested a while, and went to a different park later. Of course, it depends on the park hours.

I agree that doing EE at MK is a must and we like to do EE at MGM for RnR and TOT.

Disney in the early morning when the grounds are still damp, the crowds are less, and the sun is not yet scorching is the way to enjoy Disney!!