What time to arrive at parks?

[Pooh667]

Hi,

We will be arriving the night of 04/04 and visiting the parks 04/05 to 04/09. We will be staying at the HRH. What time should we arrive at the parks in the mornings. Opening time is listed as 9am but do they open sooner? My children are 6 and do not meet the height requirements of the coasters and may not want to do some of the scarier attractions. My game plan is to be at the parks when they open, take a break in the afternoon and then go back at night ( at least to each park once at night depending on the kids.)

Thanks,
Susan

 

[highlander447]

The parks don't open much more than 15-20 mins early if u are lucky but with FOTL it shouldn't matter

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Last year during that spring break week the parks opened about 1/2 hour early every day. We tried to get there 1/2 hour early each day and I don't think that we ever were there for the actual opening. Keep in mind that you don't have to get there at opening to see everything if you are staying onsite and have front of the line.

We will be there April 4-6, as it stands now and will also be staying at HRH!

T&B

 

[Selina]

We stayed at the HRH - and you really don't have to worry about getting there for opening, especially as you are not so interested in the coasters. We got there about 9.30-10 after a relaxing breakfast buffet and usually headed for IOA - Seuss Landing first for the Cat in the hat and OneFishTwo Fish. The kids loved the front of the line for these two and went on again and again!!

 

[Pooh667]

Hi,

Thanks for the information. Getting to the parks between 8:30 and 9:00 sounds like it will be fine.

Thanks,
Susan

 

[Mainebound]

Thanks for asking this question. We'll be at the HRH March 6-9 with our too-young-for-coasters children, so I guess we can take it easy in the mornings, too!

 

[robvia]

Yes, it won't matter for the rides since you have FOTL, but I will give you this little piece of advice. Bring a change of cloths for the kids, and head to the JP play area at IOA early. That way your kids can play without a bunch of others bumping them, and they can get the squirt guns.
At USF, there is the Curious George playground, which has these guns that shoot nerf balls. Again, if you get there early, your kids will have a turn with out others hogging the guns.
Bring a change of cloths for them, and a good book to read while you wait. There is a water area with guns and two huge buckets that dump water ever few minutes. You'll have to drag them out of there.

 

[topcat011]

And if we DONT have the FOTL be at the gate before opening??

How are crowds next week before the presidents weekend?

This is our first time here and want to make the most of it.

 

[robvia]

Of coarse. The parking lot opens at 8am, and believe it or not, there's a line of cars waiting. Park your car, and head to the gate. There will be 4 turnstyles where people are lining up, the workers will tell you whether it's the left or right side. Stand at the front of one and stay there. A line will start to form, and you'll be glad you're at the front. At opening time, a family will open the park, then you're off.
If USF, get an express pass for Jimmy Neutron, go on Shrek 4d, Neutron, and head to MIB. If IOA, get your front seat ride on Hulk, get an express pass for Hulk at noon, then continue going clockwise around the park.