Why get to parks early?

[Elk34]

I was reading a suggested itinerary in one of our guide books (Unofficial Guide to WDW I think) and it said to get to the parks 40 minutes before open and one hour before open on early entry days. What is the reasoning behind this?

I can understand if you want to be there when the gates open and run to the #1 attraction etc. but what good does it do to be 40 minutes early? Is there that big of a wait for the gates to open that you need to be there 40 minutes early to be the first one waiting? Is it worth it? If you are at the back of the group waiting for the open is it that much worse than being at the front? 40 minutes early in the morning is hard to come by with small kids in tow.

I really can't see us being a family that runs when the ropes drop considering we have a 4 year old, a 7 year old and 60 year old Grandparents with us but I was just curious what the logic behind this plan is. Any ideas?

 

[candleonwater]

Based on what I experienced the week between Christmas and New Years, I can't see why you would need to get there THAT early!

On the one morning when we did go to MK early (Dec 28) we hopped on the bus at 7:30 for an 8:00 opening and rode all the rides we wanted to by 10 am...

 

[Ratpack]

When we were there in July, we got to the gates about 30 minutes before opening and that was plenty of time. They do have characters out to entertain while you wait. I think they exaggerate a little just to prepare people for the wait. Now, if you want to "open" the park, then you need to get there probably an hour or so before opening. They take one of the first in line to do this.

 

[XStAnt]

I suspect when the Unofficial Guide went to press they still occassionally opened the gates before the official time and let people in early. Now, with budget cutbacks, etc, they reportedly don't do that anymore.

However, if you get to the park as early as possible you can ride more of the major attractions before it gets crowded and the lines get long.

 

[followme2disney]

and that really is only necessary during busy times. I do agree that it is best to take advantage of the mornings. Crowds start to arrive around 10am. We experienced the same as candleonwater this past Christmas.

 

[kilee]

If you have to go to a park via the ttc then you may want to arrive there that early. Last year we arrived at WDW and hour before opening. It took us almost that long to get to the MK. Granted we had to buy our tickets, but the line only had a handful of people in front of us. It was really the wait for the monrail.

 

[Safari Steve]

Unless you are staying on-property, there is no need to show up any earlier on an Extra Magic Hour day... Generally, breakfast seatings at Crystal Palace and Ciderella's Royal Table start around 8am. Guests with priority seatings for these restaurants are admitted into the park prior to posted opening. The turnstiles generally open around 8:30-8:45, with the official opening ceremony taking place around 8:45. Until the show is over, guests are held in the entry plaza. After the show, guests are invited to walk through the train station into Main St. USA, where they can visit with characters, browse the shops, grab a bite for breakfast at the bakery, or head to the Hub. The lands open (this is known as rope-drop) at 9am.

 

[kevind65]

probably no need to get there that early any more. It used to be that if a parks stated opening time was 8am, many times that park would open at 7:35 or something like that. when we were there last may-june; parks were pretty well opening right at the stated time and there were pretty long lines to get in. so, I guess if you don't want to behind quite a few people when the gates open, you might want to get there a little early. We usually try to arrive at the parks 20-30 before scheduled opening.

 

[mikewdw]

we always get there early but at xmas we saw a show at the opening at MK that we had never seen. sometimes you get some entertainment but not always. but now with the bag check lines you have to plan 5-15 minutes extra, especially if you and group are carrying backpacks etc. we like being early, you can usually get your 2 or 3 favorite rides and a fastpass for another in the first 1-2 hours
mikewdw

 

[Safari Steve]

The show is usually performed every morning. If it's very cold or raining, it can be cancelled. There are dancers, one of the citizens of Main St. makes an announcement, and a WDW steam train brings Mickey and lots of other characters from the Toontown Fair station along with a special guest family. After the show, the characters can be found in Town Square.

 

[apagano]

The logic is that by getting there 40 minutes prior to opening you will be among the first patrons in the park and will be able to hit the most popular attraction before the crowds get big. As opening time approaches, the line gets bigger and it takes longer to get through the "security check."

Getting there early is probably the best advice I ever got about touring WDW. My wife and I are not morning people, so whenever we travel we typcally don't get going until about lunchtime. For our first Disney trip together we made an exception and got up very early and were in the parks for rope drop every morning. What a difference it makes! We had all the major attractions done before noon. By the time the lines started to build, we were moving on to the live shows and minor attractions.

Granted, there are just two of us with no children or grandparents in tow, so it's easier for us than for others.

 

[susy]

If you are not staying onsite, I would avoid Magic Morning days. Do the day"after".

Getting there at least 30-40 minutes early is a must if you want to get a lot done WITH MINIMAL WAITING. If you think waiting 30 min- hour to get in seems long to kids (or you), try waiting that amount of time for EVERY ATTRACTION! Once inside get all of your "priority attractions" done and then you can tour at a more leisurely pace. Twice at Mk (on a Sat. of Coumbus and Veteran's weekends) we were able to do all we wanted by 10:30 am on one day and 1pm the other time. We left to go back to our resort and I couldn't believe the lines we were seeing then and the amount of people just coming in- the kids we crying on the way in! I assume it's becase they ahd to wait a VERY long time to get int the gates! Once we left the MK at 10:30 am and you should have seen the line at guest services!!!!!!

 

[kmgl78]

It does pay to get there early. We once rode Space Mountain twice in about fifteen minutes. When we came out the second time, the line was over an hour long.

Once when our children were young, we went to Early Entry and did eight or nine attractions before 9 a.m. (Dumbo, Snow White, Peter Pan etc.). It would normally take most of the day to do all of this. The lines were 30 min. to 1 hour long the rest of that day. This is very helpful for young children because they get to have a lot of fun right away in the morning instead of spending three hours standing in line to ride 3 rides. Of course, now they have Fast Pass so that helps the line standing situation too.

These examples are for June. Of course, if you are going at a less crowded time of the year it is not as important to get there early.

 

[candleonwater]

Random thought here... do any of the characters ride any of the rides at opening?

 

[renessa]

Yep, Candleonwater, they sure do!!! There have been lots of reports of the 'first' ride on Pooh, with Pooh, etc.

I also think that when the unofficial guide asks you to be there 30-45 minutes early, he is taking into account that it will take you longer than expected to get everyone up and moving in the morning and transportation as well. We were in the world on the week of 4th of July, andwe were two "morning people" adults. We had trouble making the first bus on occasions, and buses don't always run on a perfect schedule. We only waited 15 minutes, but everyone was in good spirits and characters entertained. Good luck! Ren

 

[Greg K.]

You never know when they might open the gates early. We've been there at 7:30 for an 8 a.m. opening, and had them open up at 7:45. Sometimes, even earlier.

But the REAL reason to get there that early is the CROWD. If you get there just 10 or 15 minutes early, you will find yourself standing behind HUNDREDS of people, all trying to squeeze through the turnstiles and security checks. The music in the park will be playing, characters will be glimpsed frolicking on the far side of the gates, and you will just be ANTSY to get in and get going!!

Make the effort and do it. You can thank me later.

 

[lentesta]

Hi candleonwater,

If you''re going during a less-busy time of year, I think 20-25 minutes ahead of opening is probably fine. As other folks have noted, the opening schedules during busier times of the year are quite variable. And I think we wanted to avoid a chart in the Guide that said "If you're going at this time, show up this many minutes early." Let me know if you have a specific question, though, and I'll see what I can find out.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

The turnstiles generally open around 8:30-8:45, with the official opening ceremony taking place around 8:45. Until the show is over, guests are held in the entry plaza. After the show, guests are invited to walk through the train station into Main St. USA, where they can visit with characters, browse the shops, grab a bite for breakfast at the bakery, or head to the Hub. The lands open (this is known as rope-drop) at 9am.

Steve, I have no idea WHAT you are talking about- I mean on the bolded part above.
When does this happen?
It hasn't happened the two trips I've been on! They didn't let us through the turnstiles at ALL until opening time. What's this ceremony you speak of? The characters were there in that area after they let us in.. but it was always on time and the earliest was 5 minutes early.
(first trip was offsite and we got there 45min early each time- weren't allowed in until exactly opening time. Second trip was onsite and even when I was almost first in line for extra magic hour- almost always not let in until exactly one hour before opening and once 5 min early ...unless my watch was off that day? LOL)

Did I miss this opening ceremony/show somehow both trips?

 

[Safari Steve]

The opening ceremony is relatively new. It probably did not exist on your last visit, but it debuted around October, I think... At around 8:45 one of the citizens of Main St. and about a dozen dancers come out and do a little musical number, the citizen (Scoop, or Mayor Weaver, or Shiela Shufflehop, or someone else) announces the name of the special guest family. The train pulls into the station full of characters, as well as Mickey and the guest family. Mickey and the family get off the train and everyone counts down from 10. The family throws pixie dust, and the ropes at the entry plaza holding area come down. All the characters from the train go down to Town Sq. for meet-and-greets.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Safari Steve
The opening ceremony is relatively new. It probably did not exist on your last visit, but it debuted around October, I think... At around 8:45 one of the citizens of Main St. and about a dozen dancers come out and do a little musical number, the citizen (Scoop, or Mayor Weaver, or Shiela Shufflehop, or someone else) announces the name of the special guest family. The train pulls into the station full of characters, as well as Mickey and the guest family. Mickey and the family get off the train and everyone counts down from 10. The family throws pixie dust, and the ropes at the entry plaza holding area come down. All the characters from the train go down to Town Sq. for meet-and-greets.

How do they pick the guest family? is their a certain type of family they look for? Is it possible for a single mom and son to be picked to be the guest family?