To Early Entry or Not???

[Leigh123]

First let me say I am a WDW vet, and have always taken advantage of Early Entry (except the year they tried to replace it with the character caravan) LOL...anyway my dilema is caused actually by Universal. We stayed at HRH last year and had FOLT access and when we were there (in Sept after Labor day) the parks did not even open until 10 for the IOA and 9 for the studios. This gave us a chance to actually not get up at the crack of dawn to be the first ones in line. It was actually a much more relaxing time and we were not ready for a nap by 11 a.m. LOL. Now I know WDW does not have FOTL but to be honest the time of year we go (Sept every year) there are not really any crowds at all. So after all of this ramblimg the point of this post is, do you or do you not prefer EE and how less crowded are the parks on non EE days...for example if it is EE day at the Magic Kingdom that day is MGM empty? Even after many trips I do not know the answer to this as we have always gone to whatever park was having EE. Also, I would not want to do the EE and then hop to another park.

Thanks in adance for your advise and sorry about the long post. Happy New Year!

 

[slp87]

The first year we went when EE was in effect, we planned to be at every park for every EE. We wore ourselves out! The time change is one problem (it's only 1 hours, but what a difference that makes!) Since then, we've always avoided EE parks and were much happier and better rested.

 

[jann1033]

normally we don't really make it a habit to make sure and schedule ee days as we go in the value season and not much problem with getting on what we want either way. but I have never notice a really big difference in attendance then either way...maybe a few more but not horrendous. like I said though this is off season so it no doubt makes a big difference at other times. this time I did shecule some and am a little concerned about fantasmic on an ee day but we will have other days to go if it is packed that night. am much more worried about MLK weekend !

 

[MaryKatesMom]

In my excitement to be at WDW, I could not imagine not trying to spend every single minute at the parks.

That said, while at MK for about a couple of hours, my DD, then 5, wanted to go back to the pool. It took a few minutes of me going: Are you crazy! We're at WDW! for me to calm down and say - OK, It's your vacation too and if that's what you want to do. We'll do it.

So, my point is do - what makes you happy. If you are a vet then the urge to do as much as possible is probably over not to mention the beauty of WDW is that it has something for everyone.

Hope you enjoy your vacation!!

 

[Kaycee]

It sounds like doing non-EE parks and getting a little later start might work very well for you.

We always go at very busy (and usually hot!) times of the year, so we take advantage of EE. But since you are going at a less busy time, I say give non-EE a try.

 

[Buckleybunch]

We generally have always tried to go to the parks that was the EE the day before. So if MK was on Saturday, we would go to MK on Sunday.. We only have taken advantage of EE a few times in our many trips. Once was on my daughters bday.. She wanted to get up and ride Space Mountain on her day, even though we had plan to go to MGM that day.

Then we did it one other time, which was also at MK.

 

[Leigh123]

Thanks to all of you for your responses....Mary Kates Mom, I am usually like you I think "oh my god" if there is a park open I must be there, I cant miss any park time..but I can not tell you what a difference it made taking it a little easy last year made..we were not exhausted and dragging by the middle of the trip...There are so many pros and cons to EE I just do not know what to do LOL.

 

[Bete]

Now, we spent 3 weeks in the Orlando area of which two weeks were devoted to Disney. The amount of time you are there can make a big difference on whether to do EE or not. Because we had a long stay and we are veterans we opted not to be early risers.

With that said I would say when there's a new ride out there then it's advantageous to do EE. We did it once for Epcot because of Mission Space on this recent trip. I will not wait a long time for rides anymore; so, if EE can help then we will do it for the rides.

This was the first time we departed from the EE strategy. Now, I'm confused what to do for the future, myself. It was wonderful not being a commando on this trip. I think I prefer the late morning strategy because you are much more relaxed. You must compromise on not seeing as much without EE but quality time there is important, too. I smelled the roses this time.

If you have a short stay of 5 days or less I'm still inclined to say EE is the best and then park hop to the late parks like Epcot to get the most out of it all day. You can catch up on rest before or after the trip.

 

[Steph5324]

An advantage to EE that you may not have thought of is it's a great chance to soak up atmosphere and not ride anything at all! My last trip to WDW I was lucky enough to enjoy Epcot when it was practically empty and it was so nice to walk around and enjoy the landscaping and things. There were some tiny, tiny little frogs along the path to the Living Seas. We stopped and watched them for a while. Things like that. Also, it wasn't on an EE day but my husband and I went to AK right away when it opened on a rainy day. We were in Harambe and there wasn't another living soul! We remarked it was like having our own private theme park! Just wonderful to walk around and look at things.