What time to be at MK for opeing??

[lisaross]

We're going in the summer when the park opens at 9:00am - i want my kids to see the "opening" as everyone says its great so what time does this actually happen - 9:00am?

I'm staying at the CBR if i leave to get bus at 8am will we see it?

Also is AK great to see at opening as well???? how about Epcot?

thanx

lisa

 

[Robo]

We're going in the summer when the park opens at 9:00am - i want my kids to see the "opening" as everyone says its great so what time does this actually happen - 9:00am?

I'm staying at the CBR if i leave to get bus at 8am will we see it?

Also is AK great to see at opening as well???? how about Epcot?

thanx

lisa

Rule of thumb:

Always be at the front gates by about 25-30 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
So for MK:
If MK has a 9am opening be there at 8:30am.
If its morning EMH at MK (park will open ONE HOUR EARLIER for WDW resort guests -that's YOU-) be at MK gates at 7:30 am on AM EMH days).

On average, at a resort, it takes about 20-40 minutes to actually:
Wait for a bus,
Board the bus, and
Ride the bus to a park.
(Each park is a different distance from a resort, so this is an "average").

Generally, if you are waiting at a CBR bus stop 60 minutes before the scheduled opening of a park (EMH or Regular) you will be in pretty good shape.
But in busy times, (like Summer) you make that 70-80 minutes, just to be "safe".

Each park has a different kind of Opening Ceremony:
MK has the best (Singing, dancing, lots of characters).
DAK's is very cute (Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and the "head safari guide")
Epcot MIGHT have a Character or two (might not).
MGM may just have a recorded announcement.
Each may select a "random" family group to help open the gates.

Each of these Ceremonies STARTS BEFORE the "opening time" of the park so that they will END right AT the opening time.

Example: At MK, the ceremony lasts approx. 10 minutes, so it begins approx. 10 minutes before the scheduled opening time (EMH or regular).

Last thing.
While the ceremony's might be cute or fun... the REAL reason to be at the park early, is that AFTER the ceremonies, you will be able to walk in and ride several attractions without WAITING, as most folks will NOT get up early on vacation.

If you DO arrive early, you'll be able to "ride more" in those first couple of hours or so than at any other time of the day.

We always love the early hours (especially EMH) at the parks.
HAVE FUN!

 

[runner26.2]

If you leave your resort at 8am you will be at the front gates in lots of time to see the opening

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

Rule of thumb:

Always be at the front gates by about 25-30 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
So for MK:
If MK has a 9am opening be there at 8:30am.
If its morning EMH at MK (park will open ONE HOUR EARLIER for WDW resort guests -that's YOU-) be at MK gates at 7:30 am on AM EMH days)

Each park has a different kind of Opening Ceremony:
MK is the best.
DAK is very cute.
Epcot MIGHT have a Character or two (might not).
MGM may just have a recorded announcement.

Each of theses begins before the "opening time" so that they will END right AT the opening time.

At MK, the ceremony lasts 10 minutes, so it begins 10 minutes before the scheduled opening time.

The ceremony at MK is the best! I saw it for the first time last year and from now on I wont miss it again! I was pretty sure, though, that they don't hold a ceremony before EMH, only before regular park opening time. Can anyone verify this? Thanks!

PS: at EPCOT, they didnt just have a character or two the last time I went, there were a ton of characters, and I didn't wait in line at all to see Mickey Mouse! So I would reccomend that as well. I never saw MGM or AK's but I plan to this time.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

I was pretty sure, though, that they don't hold a ceremony before EMH, only before regular park opening time. Can anyone verify this? Thanks!

They just started doing it on EMH mornings as well. It starts at 7:48am on EMH mornings and 8:48am on regular mornings.