When to ride Soarin during DCA EMH?

[WendyWhy]

We're checking in to GCH on a Monday morning (4/3) where EMH opens at 8am. I think we will try out the GCH entrance this time since it's now limited to GCH guests so we can see if there is any difference!

I was thinking we could do Soarin first (since it's right there), then TSMM, Screamin, then RSR? This sound like a good plan? Or wait to do Soarin later in the day w FP? Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[Geemo]

We're checking in to GCH on a Monday morning (4/3) where EMH opens at 8am. I think we will try out the GCH entrance this time since it's now limited to GCH guests so we can see if there is any difference!

I was thinking we could do Soarin first (since it's right there), then TSMM, Screamin, then RSR? This sound like a good plan? Or wait to do Soarin later in the day w FP? Thanks in advance for any input!

Boy I wouldn't use the GCH entrance, unless you plan to line up at least an hour before it opens for EE.
The entrance has been limited to GCH guests only for sometime now. At least from opening to 11am.
The volume of people trying to focus through an extremely small security check makes for a real bottle neck getting into the park.
The mere number of strollers is enough for me to go out to the main gate.

For DCA EE we like to start at the back of the park and work our way forward. We plan to get in the line for Soarin' about the last 5 minutes of EE.
The CM's will have all the non-EE guests behind ropes until 9am and you'll need to skirt by the mob to show CM your room key to get past for Soarin'

Good luck using the GCH entrance for DCA.

Geemo

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Unless it's changed recently, the GCH entrance can't start letting people through until the park opens, so unless you're literally first in line, you're at a huge disadvantage there.

 

[Niltiac]

Unless it's changed recently, the GCH entrance can't start letting people through until the park opens, so unless you're literally first in line, you're at a huge disadvantage there.

I've seen several people report recently that they let everyone through security before opening and hold them at a rope. That was also my experience in October. We were at the front of the line, but in the end it didn't matter because the entire line had made it through security before opening, and we all got to take off at the same time. I don't know if it's an official change or if the process varies day to day, but it seems like my experience wasn't isolated.

To the OP, if you want to try that entrance and it's not going to ruin your day if it backfires, I say go for it. The day we went, we went straight for TSMM but it was down, so we rode Screamin a couple of times with no wait, did something else that I can't remember, and toward the end of EMH Soarin had about a 10 minute wait. Not sure if that helps you decide. I liked starting with Screamin because the view of the empty park from the top was wonderful.

 

[RE1333]

I would at least consider using the GCH entrance for early entry. Everyone warned us that it might not be a good idea, including the cast member that checked us in. But during my stay last week, we tried the GCH entrance for early entry one of the days, and it worked out quite nicely. We regretted not using it on the previous days. The line looked daunting at first. It was backed up to the front of White Water Snacks and not moving. But they started letting people in probably about 20 minutes before the start of early entry. We were actually through the gate and on Soarin' a few minutes before the official 9:00 am start of early entry because the Soarin' cast members said they were gonna start early. We got two rides on Soarin in by 9:15 am.

As for what rides to focus on in the morning, I would recommend Soarin' since it's very close to either entrance and the line seemed to remain short throughout early entry. We avoided Radiator Springs during the mornings because we thought it would waste valuable time. It forms a considerable line very very quickly. It's much easier to use fastpass to do that one (or the single rider line). California Screamin' seemed to be a walk on even after regular park open.

I would recommend heading straight for Soarin'. Then making your way over to TSMM if you're interested in that one. Use whatever early entry time you have remaining to hit Screamin' and any of the less popular rides you're interested in. At around park open, plan to go grab fast passes for Radiator Springs. It forms a scary looking fastpass line before the official park open, but the line moves quickly once they start distributing fast passes. I would think you'd be safe waiting until after the initial rush has cleared to go get yours, but you can always play it safe and get in line early. You can use the app to gauge how fast they are being distributed.

My only caveat to this would be that we were visiting on days with medium crowds. The experience might not work out as nicely on really busy days. Although the earlier opening times might help balance the crowds out.

 

[Sun_soakin]

We're checking in to GCH on a Monday morning (4/3) where EMH opens at 8am. I think we will try out the GCH entrance this time since it's now limited to GCH guests so we can see if there is any difference!

I was thinking we could do Soarin first (since it's right there), then TSMM, Screamin, then RSR? This sound like a good plan? Or wait to do Soarin later in the day w FP? Thanks in advance for any input!

This is exactly what we do and it works out great! We usually get to do TSM and screamin 2x ea before moving to RSR (shortly before front gates open)