When are guests ACTUALLY getting into the parks?

[sarahonmainst]

I know where to find the official park hours for each park each day, but we all pretty much know that the posted opening time isn't the actual opening time. Does anyone know what really determines when they start letting guests into the park and on to rides? How early have they been admitting guests recently? I'm trying to figure out when we should get to the parks in the morning if we really want to rope drop.

 

[scrappinginontario]

45 minutes before posted opening time.

The Everything Rope Drop thread, Post 1 has a lot of info.

 

[MMR76]

45 minutes early or before at Magic & Epcot for us this week. Yesterday at Hollywood it was about 30 minutes early.

 

[gharter]

Last month, we tapped into every park about 45 minutes to posted opening time.

 

[kylenne]

Yesterday was exactly 45 minutes at MK.

 

[PamNC]

I was at Epcot a week ago and got in 30 minutes prior to opening

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Does epcot open the international gateway entrance 30-45 minutes early as well? I’ll be staying in BWV in July. Thanks!

 

[MMR76]

Does epcot open the international gateway entrance 30-45 minutes early as well? I’ll be staying in BWV in July. Thanks!

Yes, we used IG last week and got in early.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How about Animal Kingdom? Same? And are the attractions up and running (especially KS)?