What time to get to gates?

[avalovesminnie]

I keep seeing people saying to get there 1-1.5 hours prior to park opening. I assume you'd be standing in a non moving line for the majority of the time? Or until they let you in for rope drop? What is the time difference between gates and rope drop? We are going at a very busy time and want to maximize our morning but have 3 little kids so non moving lines with nothing to look at cause grumpiness. I was thinking to get there right when gates open so lines are moving.

 

[StormyCA]

I usually go to bag check about 1 hour or so before EMH as we stay onsite. This puts us towards the front of the bag check line and thus towards the front of the lines at the turnstiles. Bag check usually opens about 30-45 mins before EMH.

The lines on the Esplanade can be really hellacious on crowded days right at opening. And the lines stop and start as people have to search for tickets (instead of having them ready), exchange vouchers for hoppers, tickets don't scan right, or get their pics taken.

My advice is if you don't want to get there early enough to be near the head of the line and wait, then you may want to consider arriving 30-45 minutes after park opening and the first 'rush' is over.

Could you take some paper and crayons for them to doodle on while they're waiting in line? Make a game of it by saying 'draw me Mickey' or 'draw me what you want to do/eat/see first'. Get cheap Dollar Store crayons & scrap paper then you can just toss them after you get in and not have to tote them around.

 

[avalovesminnie]

Thank you! So when parks open at 8 and EMH is at 7, you get to bag check at 6 and there is already a line? I think the parks should open at 8 the whole time we are there Dec 19-23. We aren't staying on site but will get one EE. I could care less about being at the rope or front of just want to get there early to maximize our morning rides. We can definitely bring stuff for the kids to do (big stroller ) and breakfast and if all else fails an electronic device (which i was hoping to reserve for waiting for parades). Realistically this is probably a moot question as we will get there when we get there, but we are early risers so could be at bag check by 7ish easily. It's the standing in a completely stopped line that everyone hates, so long as we're moving, even slowly, it's OK. I suppose we could have one adult stay in line and the other wander a bit with the kids if we get there very early.

 

[twodogs]

After you go through bag check but before the gates open, you will be in a non-moving line. It is not terribly fun for adults, let alone kids. We had 4 adults and 2 kids, so the kids either walked around with one adult while the other adults stood in line, or they just sat down in the line and played on our phones (ugh I know...) or just talked about the day ahead. It was cool in the mornings, even in May when we went, so plan for that as you are just standing still. I think it depends on your kids and their ages/tolerance for lines. You will not be moving for about 50 minutes of the one hour if you arrive one hour early (maybe 10 minutes to get through bag check line, which will be moving, then just standing still thereafter).

 

[Geemo]

If we aren't there early enough to be front and center at the gates, I look for a short line with no strollers or scooters.
The other thing that slows the lines down are people there on their first day and have to have photo taken or tickets that need to be signed.

If you really want to maximize the morning ride times, you have to be there early.

When you are there for a regular opening time (Not EE/MM) be sure you get in an appropriate line. Above the gate there is a sign to indicate whether the gate is for EE/MM or regular opening. It's not uncommon for people to get right up to the CM and find out they are in the wrong line.

I usually shoot for 45 minutes before the park opens. We are either right at the front or very near the front.
With your dates, Dec 19-23 it's going to be tough. Good luck

Geemo