Tram Start Time

[RedHotMama]

What is the earliest you can go through security at Mickey and Friends and what time does the first tram leave?
We're really hoping to touch or see the rope at rope drop. We'll be walking in off of Walnut near Mickey and Friends. We know we are at a disadvantage compared to those coming in from Harbor.
Would it be a good idea to walk into the parking garage before 7am and go through security there as soon as they let us? Then take the tram in? Or would it be faster to be one of the first at security at Downtown Disney and walk through? The tram certainly moves faster than walking, but how long would we be sitting and waiting for it to fill up before it leaves?

 

[RedHotMama]

We'll be there for both weekdays and weekends in early May if it makes a difference.

 

[LKing]

Other than the path/ramp that goes from the old ESPN building, I don't believe there is a way to walk and gain access to the structure, security, or trams. Your best bet is to go through DTD security.

 

[RedHotMama]

Other than the path/ramp that goes from the old ESPN building, I don't believe there is a way to walk and gain access to the structure, security, or trams. Your best bet is to go through DTD security.

The stairway that goes up to the bridge that leads to the 2nd level of the garage looks like it's about the same distance from Walnut as the Downtown security entrance. So that's why I was starting to think it may be a good option. I just don't know if the tram leaves right at 7 or if you have to wait a while.

 

[LKing]

The stairway that goes up to the bridge that leads to the 2nd level of the garage looks like it's about the same distance from Walnut as the Downtown security entrance. So that's why I was starting to think it may be a good option. I just don't know if the tram leaves right at 7 or if you have to wait a while.

The staircase is behind a gate. I'm not sure what time in the morning they open the gate to allow access to the ramp. The tram will wait until it has enough people on board. It doesn't need to be full, but I'm not sure they would take just one family. It could happen, I just wouldn't count on it.

Figure that people who are driving need to pay, drive up the ramps, park, walk down to security, and pass through security before they get to the trams. I'm going to guess that it takes 15 min or so before people in the first cars are able to load the tram. Add the 5 min tram ride and you're probably pretty close to the amount of time it would have taken you to go through DTD security and walk.

 

[LKing]

There are three security entrances near the DLH. Most hotel guests will go through the two facing the hotel. There is a third near the old ESPN/new Lululemon building. It is used mostly by employees and guests walking from the parking structure. That might be a better entrance for you.

 

[disneychrista]

The first tram will run when "full" so probably 7:10 or so.


Parking opens at 7am, it will take time for people to actually park, go through security and then get to the tram pick up.

 

[LKing]

The first tram will run when "full" so probably 7:40 or so.

There are plenty of people who drive and are at the rope for rope drop. Are you saying that they walk from the structure instead of taking the tram?

 

[disneychrista]

There are plenty of people who drive and are at the rope for rope drop. Are you saying that they walk from the structure instead of taking the tram?

Sorry I should have said 7:10 not 7:40. I will correct my post. I was thinking/guessing it would take about 10 minutes from the time the parking opens, people park and then get to the tram. For some reason my brain was thinking it opened at 730, but that is the park gates not parking.

 

[RedHotMama]

There are three security entrances near the DLH. Most hotel guests will go through the two facing the hotel. There is a third near the old ESPN/new Lululemon building. It is used mostly by employees and guests walking from the parking structure. That might be a better entrance for you.

That third entrance was the one I was planning on using before I started thinking the trams could possibly be faster. But you're right. It would be a risk, having to wait for the tram to fill.

We'll have 7 people in our group. How many fit on one tram?

 

[LKing]

Let's see.... 4-5 people per row, 7 rows per car, maybe 6 or 7 cars. That's approximately 200 per tram. I'm sure they have a few trams lined up in the morning so they don't need to be full to run. I'm guessing they will wait until it is at least half full.