When does park really open?

[KathylovesPooh]

Last time we were at MK (2/03) we got to the park at 8:30 for a 9:00 opening. Our plan was to get into the park, walk down Main Street, maybe stop at the bakery and position ourselves at the ropes by 9.

Much to our surprise, they didn't not let anyone into the park until a couple of minutes before 9. Does anyone know how you find out exactly when they will be opening the park (letting people in). We would have arrived closer to nine if we had known this ahead of time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When the park opens at 9, it opens at 9. If it is EMH morning, it opens at 8.

You might actually get down Main Street a couple of minutes before 9 (like 4 or 5 minutes). Then you will be held back with a rope until 9AM.

They post all the park hours on the Information Channel on the TV at WDW. Plus they give you park info when you check in.

 

[sunnygirl]

KathylovesPooh,

I know that in the Unofficial Guide book they mention that Disney lets people in early (maybe 30 minutes) to Main Street in the MK, for example, to wait for the rope drop. Is that what you mean? I don't think that happens unless a very large crowd is expected - and I'm not sure if it even happens then anymore. Perhaps someone else knows more?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Haven't seen that in 18 trips to WDW in the last seven years. Been there on Christmas Day, Easter, New Years Day, etc.

They may let you through the turnstile but they hold you about 20 feet further. At MK you don't go through the tunnel at the trainstation. At Epcot, you don't pass Spaceship Earth. At Disney Studios they hold you at the turnstiles. At AK they hold you at the turnstiles.

 

[KathylovesPooh]

KathylovesPooh,

I know that in the Unofficial Guide book they mention that Disney lets people in early (maybe 30 minutes) to Main Street in the MK, for example, to wait for the rope drop. Is that what you mean? I don't think that happens unless a very large crowd is expected - and I'm not sure if it even happens then anymore. Perhaps someone else knows more?

Yes, sunnygirl, that is exactly what I meant. We had been there back in the late 90's and were able to get in MK by 8:30 (opening time at 9). We could roam Main Street and stood at a rope at the Castle to get to Fantasyland. From reading the guide books, I assumed this was the norm. Am planning trip in Oct and would like to know if we should just plan to get there closer to the real opening time.

 

[MrsToad]

I also remember being let in on Main Street during our '90 and '92 trips at 8:30 however, it was different for our last several trips. Instead of the early entry to Main Street, there was a "show" put on with various characters at the entrance and on the top of the train station. The turnstyles then opened at 9:00. Even with the "new" procedure, depending on your goals, it can still pay to get there for 8:30 so you will be closer to the front of the crowd waiting to enter at 9:00.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Haven't seen that in 18 trips to WDW in the last seven years. Been there on Christmas Day, Easter, New Years Day, etc.

They may let you through the turnstile but they hold you about 20 feet further. At MK you don't go through the tunnel at the trainstation. At Epcot, you don't pass Spaceship Earth. At Disney Studios they hold you at the turnstiles. At AK they hold you at the turnstiles.

Actually, at MGM/DS the other day they held us at the first street intersection where you would turn right to go to right to get to RNR and TOT. We were in about 15 min. early.

 

[Giggles]

From what I have read, and heard from others it seems very random. It would make sense if it were on larger crowd days, however another poster said that they had gone on new years, christmas, etc. There must be some way to know prior. But I do remember this from my last trip in the late 90s. On Main street. I am also curous on how they decide when to do this? We are going in 14 days, and plan to be thier early anyways...but it would be nice to know if they have a system!

 

[xmelissax]

Just wondering cause it's never occured to me, but why would you want to get there right as the park opened. I guess I can understand if it is a very crowded day, but otherwise why?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Every trip I've been (see sig line) EXCEPT our last trip (that trip we never went to any parks at opening- we slept in late and did evening EMH's instead on that trip) we were at the park early and allowed in thru the turnstiles (and further to rope drop) about 30min before the park was scheduled to open. So that was random and it just so happened all those days on all those trips we happened to be at a park that let us in early when they don't usually? Wow... we have better luck than I thought. LOL

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I also remember being let in on Main Street during our '90 and '92 trips at 8:30 however, it was different for our last several trips. Instead of the early entry to Main Street, there was a "show" put on with various characters at the entrance and on the top of the train station. The turnstyles then opened at 9:00. Even with the "new" procedure, depending on your goals, it can still pay to get there for 8:30 so you will be closer to the front of the crowd waiting to enter at 9:00.

They used to open the parks early (especially MK) with much greater frequency, as you noted.

The UG has had the mention of this in there since back then - it doesn't happen very often any more, maybe it needs to be updated.

I believe they still do so occasionally during especially high attendance - basicly to keep the congestion at the turnstyles down.

N.E.D.

 

[KathylovesPooh]

Just wondering cause it's never occured to me, but why would you want to get there right as the park opened. I guess I can understand if it is a very crowded day, but otherwise why?

Even on a slower day (we've been in Feb and Nov), you can accomplish so much more in the first hourer than you can later in the day. No lines, just walking onto a ride. Definitely worth getting up and going early.

 

[lentesta]

Hi folks,

It happened to me in March, which is why it's still in the book. One day at the MK, we were only allowed as far as the tunnel near the train station. Later in the week (probably because of crowds), we were allowed as far as the end of Main Street, where the walkways to Tomorrowland, Adventureland, etc., were still roped off until 9 am.

As others have speculated, I'm pretty sure the end-of-Main Street opening is to relieve congestion in the entrance area, so it's probably used more during periods of peak attendance.

Hope this helps!

Len

 

[KathylovesPooh]

Hi folks,

It happened to me in March, which is why it's still in the book. One day at the MK, we were only allowed as far as the tunnel near the train station. Later in the week (probably because of crowds), we were allowed as far as the end of Main Street, where the walkways to Tomorrowland, Adventureland, etc., were still roped off until 9 am.

As others have speculated, I'm pretty sure the end-of-Main Street opening is to relieve congestion in the entrance area, so it's probably used more during periods of peak attendance.

Hope this helps!

Len

So should I just assume it is hit or miss and there is no way of knowing ahead of time?

 

[xmelissax]

Wow,I didn't realize it would make such a different on less crowded days.Thanks

 

[puffkin]

We have been their busy (mid summer) and slow (early December) and we have never been let into MK earlier than a few minutes before 9 (or whatever official opening time is that day). A few times, we have been let in to a rope drop at AK and Epcot, but I think that is just cause they have a little opening show with characters and such. I know once we were let in at MGM to the end of Hollywood Blvd, but we usually don't get to this park right at opening for some reason.

In DL in 2003, we were there at a relatively slow time (early November) and they did let us in there about 30 minutes early and had a rope drop. I remember getting breakfast snacks at the Bakery and waiting for the drop. I don't know if this is standard practice here or not, but most mornings I was there, they did a rope drop.

We usually accomplish more in the first hour or two than we do the rest of the day (especially in the summer) so getting to the parks at opening is a crucial part of our touring strategy!

 

[VSL]

What a great pic of your dog and cat, puffkin!

The cat is so into the camera, and the dog is like, 'What are you doing here?'