What happens on the official opening day of EE?

[ratfam]

The last day of our upcoming trip is April 7, which I understand is the official opening day of EE. That would make it the only day during our trip that we could be certain we could ride EE. However, for a number of reasons which I won't bore you with, we will not have park hoppers and we are only planning on visiting AK one day. I would be nervous to make that day April 7, however, because "official opening" brings to mind images of press, VIPs, and nightmarish crowds and waits for normal tourists. Anyone have any experience with what happens on the official opening day?

Worst case scenario, I guess missing EE is a great reason to plan a future trip!

 

[Bob P]

The details of what exactly will happen on Friday April 7 have not yet been released. The official invitation to the press event said there will be the Grand Opening party that morning.

In the past, media events have indeed seen large crowds of press people and VIPs at the spot of the new attraction. There is a private media party on Thursday night but all media memebers have also been invited to the official opening on Friday morning.

If things are similar to what they were for the Soarin' opening last year, the media will be driven in on their buses to a private entrance and escorted to the area of EE where there will be breakfast for the media prio to park opening. Meanwhile, "regular" visitors will line up at the AK gate and will be let in at park opening time with an expected stampede to EE.

Again, I have no complete information on what will happen yet, but this is a likely scenario. My wife is on the press list and I always get to tag along!

Bob

 

[ratfam]

Thanks, Bob! Sounds cool for you, but like a day to avoid for me.

 

[momsully]

We will also be there April 1 - April 7. I have been told by a Disney CM to plan to ride Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. She said we most likely would not be able to ride Thursday or Friday. We are going to try to hit EE on Monday as DS6 can't wait to ride. Maybe we will see you there!

 

[peter11435]

We will also be there April 1 - April 7. I have been told by a Disney CM to plan to ride Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. She said we most likely would not be able to ride Thursday or Friday. We are going to try to hit EE on Monday as DS6 can't wait to ride. Maybe we will see you there!

Exactly. Even though the attraction officialy opens April 7, there is a 99% chance that normal guests will not be able to ride the attraction at all that day or the day before.

 

[Poohbear123]

Exactly. Even though the attraction officialy opens April 7, there is a 99% chance that normal guests will not be able to ride the attraction at all that day or the day before.

So, it would be a waste for me to fly up for the Day?

 

[peter11435]

So, it would be a waste for me to fly up for the Day?

More often than not offical openings are private events for Disney execs, VIP's, and the media.

 

[TAKitty]

We will also be there April 1 - April 7. I have been told by a Disney CM to plan to ride Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. She said we most likely would not be able to ride Thursday or Friday. We are going to try to hit EE on Monday as DS6 can't wait to ride. Maybe we will see you there!

I am hoping to ride Monday as well. I wasn't sure if it would be open that close to the big opening. I am glad that it seems like it will be!

 

[Poohbear123]

More often than not offical openings are private events for Disney execs, VIP's, and the media.

Then WHY do they call it the "Official Opening" if normal people can't ride it?

 

[newcomer52]

I was able to ride Soarin' several times on it's offical opening day in May. They did reserve all of the top row for media. There were also additional cages attached to the top row. I assumed for media cameras, but I didn't see them being used. So of the times I rode, many seats were empty in the press row.

sj

 

[Bob P]

I have to respectfully disagree with Peter's post above. Last year for the official Soarin' opening the media was allowed in early as I said in my previous post and the general public was allowed in at 9:AM to ride.

I would assume---and I'll know more in a few weeks--that the same will hold true for EE. When AK opens on April 7, the general public should be able to ride. While I'm not 100% sure of this, I'm pretty sure.

Bob

 

[Poohbear123]

I have to respectfully disagree with Peter's post above. Last year for the official Soarin' opening the media was allowed in early as I said in my previous post and the general public was allowed in at 9:AM to ride.

I would assume---and I'll know more in a few weeks--that the same will hold true for EE. When AK opens on April 7, the general public should be able to ride. While I'm not 100% sure of this, I'm pretty sure.

Bob

So, you think I have a Shot Bob?

 

[byoung]

All I can say is I rode it last week and it was great. It will be on the top of my list to do each time.

 

[peter11435]

I have to respectfully disagree with Peter's post above. Last year for the official Soarin' opening the media was allowed in early as I said in my previous post and the general public was allowed in at 9:AM to ride.

I would assume---and I'll know more in a few weeks--that the same will hold true for EE. When AK opens on April 7, the general public should be able to ride. While I'm not 100% sure of this, I'm pretty sure.

Bob

I said more times than not. Soarin was a unique situation. However for an attraction the size and scale of Everest I am almost certain they will follow the Test Track, Mission: Space, etc route. Where the general public will not be allowed on or anywhere near the attraction on the grand opening day.

 

[peter11435]

Then WHY do they call it the "Official Opening" if normal people can't ride it?

The day is usually reserved for the media, execs, and VIP's. For all intents and purposes Everest is already open although not on an all day daily basis. The official opening is simply the ceremony and events that officially declare the ride open.

 

[whithouston]

We will be at the World April 1st-9th. We were curious to go to Opening Day on April 7th, but it appears we may just skip it. We went two weeks ago and rode Everest and we will try to catch it earlier in the week while we are there.

Thanks for the info!!!

 

[ratfam]

Thanks for all the info! momsully, we actually arrive the evening of March 30 and my master plan currently has us going to AK on March 31. Based on what I've read here I'm not going to change that for April 7. If EE isn't running during our visit and the kids are willing to give up extra time in the MK we could try to head back on Tuesday, which sounds like it may be a good day based on the info you were given. In any event, have a wonderful trip!

 

[TheShellys]

Expedition Everest's Grand Opening is on April 7th, but there will also be a live TV show broadcast from DAK. The Daily Buzz -- a syndicated morning show -- will be doing their entire show LIVE from The Animal Kingdom. This is the very start of the Grand Opening celebrations on April 7th.

The special audience is a collection of winners from all over the country and we'll all be staying at AKL. From what I understand, we'll all be bussed over very early in the am. The show is from 6-9am.

Look for me in the studio audience. I'll try to find something lime green if possible

 

[Bob P]

I'll again disagree with Peter's second post. Not trying to start a debate, but I've been at quite a few of the media events. In many cases the park closed early for a media party the night before the official opening date. But on the official opening date the public was allowed to ride at park opening time.

As for Soarin', we do agree on that. The public did ride on the official opening date at 9:AM. I think that is what will happen with EE on April 7. I may be wrong, but that's the impression I get from the media invitation.

Bob

 

[peter11435]

I'll again disagree with Peter's second post. Not trying to start a debate, but I've been at qite a few of the media events. In many cases the park closed early for a media party the night before the official opening date. But on the official opening date the public was allowed to ride at park opening time.

As for Soarin', we do agree on that. The public did ride on the official opening date at 9:AM. I think that is what will happen with EE on April 7. I may be wrong, but that's the impression I get from the media invitation.

Bob

Will wait and see I guess. But to anybody that will be at WDW during that time. If you want to ride Everest I would avoid April 6-7 to be on the safe side.