With EE can we enter on the Monorail or just the Main Gates?

[sasha]

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I've never seen it. We're staying at the DLH in September and we're doing EE. DH was wondering if we could enter through the Monorail to try to get in line for Nemo or do we have to enter through the Main Gates?

TIA!

 

[biolabetty]

You can do either the monorail or the front gates for EE, I took the monorail myself when I stayed at the DLH.

 

[disneyscootergal]

Since you're staying at a Disney hotel, you certainly CAN ride the monorail into EE, but several posters on here have said that it's not such a good idea because while it sometimes leaves right on time (or even a bit early), it often leaves 10-15 minutes late (after 7:00), and you would arrive to find the line for Nemo already 2 hours long. So, basically, it's hit and miss for getting you to Nemo in time to be one of the first.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Scootergal is right! We made the mistake of taking the monorail one morning and didn't get into the park until much later, we should have just walked. Also, first thing, they only run one monorail at a time. So after the one leaves, you have to wait for it to come back and that can take awhile. I prefer to walk in the a.m. but its nice to take back after a long day or for a midday break. Enjoy your trip and the DLH!

 

[SunDevilDaddy]

As stated you can do both. The vibe I get about the monorail and EE is that you are taking a big gamble. On one hand, if the monorail leaves the station 5 min before the gates open you are a big winner and will be first in line at Nemo. However, if it leaves 5 min after they start letting people through the gates, you will already have an hour wait ahead of you. So it really comes down to how big of a gambler you are.

If you chose to ride the monorail make sure to be one of the first people at the station waiting in line. You have to get on the first train in order to beat/make it together with those coming from the gates.

 

[McRib]

Just got back last week from a DLR trip and this very situation. We did walk-in EE and went straight for Nemo (which about 90%+ of the EE people were doing). By the time the first monorail pulled in, the Nemo line was pretty substantial. I'd definitely recommend walking over, it's not that far.

We got in line at 6:30 for a 7:00 EE. There were maybe 10-12 people in line at that time. In the time between 6:30 and 7:00, the EE lines grew significantly. Based purely on my experience from last week, my best advice is be in line at the park entrance no later than 30 minutes before EE opening. You should have no trouble getting on Nemo pretty quickly.

 

[Adam&Alex's Mom]

We are staying at the DLH in August and have been pondering the same question... What we are leaning towards is taking the gamble and going on the monorail... if we make it early, great... Nemo here we come! If we don't... we switch to Plan A and walk to FL and do the rides there. The logic being that if so many people are heading to Nemo.... it won't hurt us much if we go to FL a little late. We have 2 EE days to give it a try!

 

[Hound 109]

We are staying at the DLH in August and have been pondering the same question... What we are leaning towards is taking the gamble and going on the monorail... if we make it early, great... Nemo here we come! If we don't... we switch to Plan A and walk to FL and do the rides there. The logic being that if so many people are heading to Nemo.... it won't hurt us much if we go to FL a little late. We have 2 EE days to give it a try!

I don't agree with this thought.

Being one of the first onto PP & then Dumbo is the only way to avoid long lines there (unless you're there at park closing). All three times i've done EE, the line at PP for those who were barely 8-10 minutes behind me.... was very long, probably a 30 min. line at that point. (& of course then there's Dumbo).

It's been said often.... by smarter people here than me....When doing FL....be one of the first on PP & then do Dumbo. (& after those two, do Alice & Matterhorn)

I would never take the Monorail in at rope drop.

Yes, if i was sleeping late. Yes, at any other time of day. But not at EE (or a non EE day) rope drop.

(I also wouldn't plan on the monorail - back to the hotel - after the fireworks)

Have fun.

 

[SunDevilDaddy]

We are staying at the DLH in August and have been pondering the same question... What we are leaning towards is taking the gamble and going on the monorail... if we make it early, great... Nemo here we come! If we don't... we switch to Plan A and walk to FL and do the rides there. The logic being that if so many people are heading to Nemo.... it won't hurt us much if we go to FL a little late. We have 2 EE days to give it a try!

Still make sure you are on the first train out of the station. That way if Nemo is already seeing long lines you don't get caught in a long line for PP and Dumbo. As hound mentioned these two rides must be done 1 and 2 and mustbe done before lines start to build or else it will effect the rest of your schedule.

Other than that, I agree with your idea. We sort of had the same philosophy with Nemo when we went in late June. We headed towards Nemo, saw an hour wait and moved into FL . We were able to ride 6 of the 8-9 EE rides before 8am.

 

[Adam&Alex's Mom]

Thanks for the tips!!

 

[sasha]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I really appreciate it.

So what we've decided to do is DH will be at the main gates 30-45 minutes before EE, which shouldn't be a problem because when we're going DL doesn't open until 10. The plan is he will "walk very fast" to Nemo to get in line. Then me, DD4 & DD2 will take the Monorail and meet him in line at Nemo. Hopefully we'll be able to get right on. That would work best for us because I can't imagine walking by myself with 2 young children (without a stroller) all the way from the DLH through DTD and then through the gates all the way to Nemo. I can walk fast, but they can't. Hopefully the Monorail will be the way to go for us since it will drop us off right by Nemo. I'll just plan to get to the Monorail line early.

So if anyone doesn't think this is a good idea please let me know. Also, I didn't even know that Nemo was an EE ride until you all informed me that it is. After Nemo we'll hit PP and then Dumbo. Plus I'm hoping DL will be a lot less crowded because school will have already started by then.

 

[Hound 109]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I really appreciate it.

So what we've decided to do is DH will be at the main gates 30-45 minutes before EE, which shouldn't be a problem because when we're going DL doesn't open until 10. The plan is he will "walk very fast" to Nemo to get in line. Then me, DD4 & DD2 will take the Monorail and meet him in line at Nemo. Hopefully we'll be able to get right on. That would work best for us because I can't imagine walking by myself with 2 young children (without a stroller) all the way from the DLH through DD and then through the gates all the way to Nemo. I can walk fast, but they can't. Hopefully the Monorail will be the way to go for us since it will drop us off right by Nemo. I'll just plan to get to the Monorail line early.

So if anyone doesn't think this is a good idea please let me know. Also, I didn't even know that Nemo was an EE ride until you all informed me that it is. After Nemo we'll hit PP and then Dumbo. Plus I'm hoping DL will be a lot less crowded because school will have already started by then.

Divide & Conquer....Brilliant.

Have a great time.

 

[sasha]

Thanks Hound! I can always count on you.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think your plan sounds great! As long as you get on the first monorail, and with getting their early you should, I think you and dh should both arrive to Nemo around the same time. Divide and Conquer, I like that! And Disneyland should be very much less crowded in September. I do have one suggestion, if you have multiple morning, I might suggest you do Peter Pan and Dumbo the other day, the one when you are not doing Nemo first IF the lines look bad at those rides once you finish with Nemo. Other Fantasyland rides should be good, those two always build quickly. So if you get to those and the lines are long, just do those another day and when you can get there first. Although in September you will probably have no problems with any of this. Good luck, you will love the DLH and the low crowds!

I just thought of something else. Make sure when you check in that they give you two room charge slips. They only do one automatically with the name of whichever one of you is on the reservation and guaranteed credit card. They can print another one, with the other name very easily if you ask. Because both you and your husband will need a slip to get into EE since you are going via different gates. Tha slip of paper is what they check to make sure your dates and party number correspond with when and how many your are getting in for Early Entry. And that way you will also both have your own slip to charge back to your room if you are not with the other. Have fun!

 

[disneyscootergal]

Good thinking, Amy! I don't think that would have occurred to me.