When does DCA really open?

[stlrod]

I noticed the official opening time in June is 10am? Is that really when the park opens?

 

[DangerMouse]

That's the official park opening time. Most mornings, they open the front gates at 9:30 but the only ride operating is Soarin. They have ropes set up for a "rope drop" at 10 am for other parts of the park.

 

[minniecarousel]

How 'bout the side entrance from the Grand Californian? I have never figured out when you can enter from that entrance.

 

[PigletGurl]

depends. sometimes they open at 9;45 or at 10.
i always head to soaring first obviously and just wait for the rode to drop which is sometimes at 10;30.

 

[disneyscootergal]

Seriously? Even though the park opens at 10:00, sometimes the rope doesn't drop until 10:30? That is just wrong.

 

[DangerMouse]

Seriously? Even though the park opens at 10:00, sometimes the rope doesn't drop until 10:30? That is just wrong.

FWIW, in all my visits, I have NEVER seen that happen. I would think it would be a rare occurrance (if even it happened once) for DCA to open a half hour past official park opening.

 

[farmfresh]

hi - does anyone else know if the GC entrance opens for 9.30 too? We haven't used it but were thinking of it this time!

 

[julw]

hi - does anyone else know if the GC entrance opens for 9.30 too? We haven't used it but were thinking of it this time!

Yes, it does, but they hold you (with a rope) right before the GRR ride until 10am. You can wander around (turn left) and walk to Soarin and stand in line for the ride or stand in line for the Fastpass. Soarin and Soarin's fastpass machine doesn't open until 10am. You can keep walking to the shops, but they also hold you (with a rope) right under the entrance to Holywood and also to the right of the big Sun fountain. So, basically the only real advantage for us to go early at 9:30, which we do, is to get in the Fastpass line at Soarin and then after 10am go directly over to GRR and get a FP for that (you can hold both at the same time). We usually then go ride some non FP rides and wait til the soarin FP time is up and get another FP. But, anyway (sort of got off track) have fun

Julie

editing to add- after reading DangerMouse's post, Soarin, may indeed be the only ride that does open early at 9:30am. I just know that everytime we go to DCA at 9:30am, it's line is already long and outside, so instead we choose to wait in the Soarin Fastpass line until 10am and get our FP's right away.