would you avoid using EE 12/26-12/31?

[emmabelle]

Just wondering the consensus about using early entry during 12/26-12/31. I had the trip all planned using EE and now I'm not sure if I should be going to the particular park the day after its EE instead. Any ideas?

 

[MarkLem]

The parks already open early during that stretch as it is (8:00AM I believe). Last year they did have early entry. and alot of people use it. We went to Epcot at the regular opening time, having forgotten it was an early entry for Epcot. I was amazed at how crowded the park was, and there were already hughe lines for Test Track due to the number of people that took advantage of EE. So if you can up that early, EE is always a good plan.

 

[emmabelle]

Bump.... ....Just curious if anyone else had an opinion.

 

[NMAmy]

We're early risers so we plan on trying it during that week. We'll go to the EE park and then leave after our PS's for lunch. If it gets too crazy, then we'll alter the plan.

We're there for 14 days this time, so I'm trying not to be too rigid in my planning and just go with the flow.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I've never been Christmas week, but we have gone twice during 4th of July week (VERY crowded). We went to EE at every park for the morning only, then hopped to another park. We were able to get so much done before 10:30 AM---it was wonderful.

I don't think we will do EE at Epcot again, though. We have young children who don't ride TT, and World Showcase doesn't open any sooner. So, that wasn't worth it to us.

EE at MK was the BEST. We rode all of Fantasyland and most of Tommorrowland before the park even opened. We followed the UOG itinerary and we were laughing because at 9:50 our itineray said "leave the park to eat lunch and rest". Needless to say, we kept going for a while

 

[emmabelle]

"Jesse"

I agree about MK being the best EE, I wanted to go there on Dec. 26, but I've read that I probably shouldn't go there that day. I was hoping that if everyone piles into MK on the 25th maybe they'll skip the EE on the 26th. Wishful thinking, I'm sure.

 

[Hieatt]

I love early entry - but we are not planning on taking advantage of it that week. With 8:00 regular opening times, I am forced to be realistic and accept the fact that we will not be able to drag 4 kids out of bed and be at the gates at 7:00 a.m. We plan to go to non-EE parks and get there at official opening.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

"Jesse"

I agree about MK being the best EE, I wanted to go there on Dec. 26, but I've read that I probably shouldn't go there that day. I was hoping that if everyone piles into MK on the 25th maybe they'll skip the EE on the 26th. Wishful thinking, I'm sure.

If it were me, I would go to EE on the 26th for just that reason. All EE days that I've been to have been wonderful until around 11:00 when crowds really pick up. So, you could plan a PS at Crystal Palace or one of the MK resorts and leave at lunchtime, then head to another park.

Again, I've never been at Christmas, but this worked for us 4th of July weeks. If you do NOT want to do EE because of a late night the night before, I would head to the park that had EE the previous day. According to the UOG, the crowd level does drop substantially on the 26th, then steadily picks up as you get closer to New Year's.

Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[WDWguru]

We did that week last year and used EE, as we do on every trip. It was more crowded than a "normal" EE, but definitely not as bad as crowds got later in the day. We were amazed that even at that time of year, most of the crowds still showed up about 10:30-11:00.

 

[AppleSister1]

We've gone several times during that week, and will be there again from 12/26- 1/2 this year. We ALWAYS use EE - we can get tons done by 10:30 or 11, then have an early PS for lunch, go for a swim or nap or shopping, then go back out for dinner/parade/show. It's always worked well for us. Of course, there are small children in our group, and they tend to wake up at 6am anyway. I admit I've ordered a pot of coffee through room service at 5am just for myself a few times - but it's worth it in the long run.

Can't wait to be up that early again in 12 days!

 

[MrShiny]

I've found a weired phenonenon about EE. People tend to go to the EE parks moreso than the others, even after the EE period. In fact, it seems crowds really build right at the end of the EE hour. If you can get up really early (like 45 min beefore EE), then the EE park is a good bet for about 45 minutes after EE starts. That may not sound like a lot, but you can cover a lot of ground in that time if (as has been my experience) most people eligible for EE don't makeit there quite that fast. Then about 15 minutes before the regular opening, leave and do any other park.

 

[emmabelle]

Thanks guys! I've always wanted to use that smilie!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you don't go to EMH in the morning, there is a good chance the MK and other parks could close to any guests. During that week, the MK is most likely close at least once or twice a day to all guests.

If you want to be at a park in the morning during Christmas week, you need to get there when the park opens to make sure you get in. You would have a better chance of going on the rides and seeing the shows you want the earlier you go.