What Time To Be At Security?

[XTinabell]

If I'm not dashing to any big rides at rope drop and I have ZERO interest in being in the smash of people pinching their way to the front of the rope, what time should I be at security on Harbor side? I'm planning to hang at the back by the train station until the park opens and then let my kids take it all in and stop wherever their little hearts desire until we make our way into Fantasyland. Hence, the zero interest in being part of the crush - but still want to be early enough to beat some of the crowds.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

7 AM is when Security opens.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

7 AM is when Security opens.

This an absolutely wild answer to that question

 

[NVDISFamily]

A good compromise arrival time would be between 8:30 and 9:30 am. You would be well ahead of the very casual mode locals who are dealing with the traffic on the 91, 5, or any other of the crazy freeways in the area (plus the line to get into mickey and friends and the tram). One reason I do like to get in early at least one day of the trip is to get a great photo of the kids and us in front of the castle when there is almost no one around. Here is a great pic from a recent trip -



We got this after going on a few rides and then walking out front and there was almost no on there. Most people run straight to the popular rise right after rope drop and it's pretty empty in some areas. After 10am it can start to get busy. Have fun

 

[sophy1996]

I would try to be at security a bit before 8. At 8 the crowds dash into the lands and if you are a little behind that then you can walk in at your leisure, but still get much of that golden time before 10 or so.

 

[mdmost]

I would say get there around 7:30-7:45. Most of the guests will be let in by then to do rope drop. You can then enter and hang out at the train station like you said. If you want pictures you can always get in the small line just inside the gates with the Mickey floral arrangement next to the train station. There's another good option inside near the flagpole.

 

[B3rlingirl]

I was there last week and was absolutely surprised about how quick we flew through security and we’re able to enter DL…!
They must have changed to the better something since my last visit 2019 and now.
We usually arrived just between 7:20 and 7:35 at security and had about one or two families in front of us at security so it was very relaxed. Same at the turnstiles! There was no crazy queue and hordes of people like I remember from my last visits…

After that you can take it all in and enjoy mainstreet and the atmosphere at the train station (we actually did just that on our first day before rushing to the first rides…)

 

[DLRExpert]

If I'm not dashing to any big rides at rope drop and I have ZERO interest in being in the smash of people pinching their way to the front of the rope, what time should I be at security on Harbor side? I'm planning to hang at the back by the train station until the park opens and then let my kids take it all in and stop wherever their little hearts desire until we make our way into Fantasyland. Hence, the zero interest in being part of the crush - but still want to be early enough to beat some of the crowds.

The wait at security should be next to nothing depending on what line you are in when you get there.
If you are going to be parking then you should arrive at parking by 7am.
Then try to be at the park entrance no later than 745am.

If Fantasyland with low waits is your goal you should be closer to the rope at rope drop. I have never felt smashed or pinched while waiting for RD (Right of Walt statue side). For example, Alice in Wonderland is near walk on the closer you are to the rope drop. Starting back at the train station can easily turn that into a 15 minute wait or longer. Which in turn will make the other waits in Fantasyland and rest of the park longer.

 

[XTinabell]

I was there last week and was absolutely surprised about how quick we flew through security and we’re able to enter DL…!
They must have changed to the better something since my last visit 2019 and now.
We usually arrived just between 7:20 and 7:35 at security and had about one or two families in front of us at security so it was very relaxed. Same at the turnstiles! There was no crazy queue and hordes of people like I remember from my last visits…

After that you can take it all in and enjoy mainstreet and the atmosphere at the train station (we actually did just that on our first day before rushing to the first rides…)

That's a relief to hear. I've heard stories of security going down Harbor BLVD so I just had no idea what to expect. Our first day we're off property and the next few days we'll be on property with access to EE which is why I'm not super eager to be first in the park on our first day. It can be overwhelming and I just don't think a mad dash to Alice as a first experience is ideal. Thank-you for your reply. I think we'll aim for 7:30am