Early Entry question

[kbmb]

Going back down in May this year......we've never done a early entry day for any park.

Couple of questions:

1) As for the early entry itself.....is it really crowded with tons of resort guests trying to get into the park?

2) How early should we show up? 1/2 hour before? more?

Keep in mind that I'm going the 1st week in May.....so just curious as to how the early entry days are then.

Thanks!

-k

 

[MKCP 1985]

-never mind-

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I didn't really like taking advantage of Early Entry when I was there. I tried it at Animal Kingdom one day, and the park was packed that day. The lines were much longer than they were when I went back the next day. I liked getting the extra half hour of sleep and then going to a park that wasn't EE.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Hi kbmb. If you're going to take advantage of early entry, be there for the whole thing. Get there at least one hour and 15 minutes before regular opening time.

In the first couple of hours you can get a lot done. After that it will be the most crowded of the four parks.

The key to using early entry wisely is being willing to switch parks. Once the crowds come and you've gotten a lot done, switch to another park.

Because you're going in May and the crowds aren't too bad then, you might be okay. My advice, if you want to use early entry, use the whole thing and be ready to switch parks if you need to. Have fun!

 

[agdbeanie]

I've never really found the early entry to be crowded. Most crowds show up after regular opening. Take advantage of the early entry because May is a very crowded month. I've been quite a few times in May and always had to deal with huge crowds. This is yet another reason to take advantage of early entry because most people don't care to get up that early.

 

[David]

We ALWAYS take advantage of EE mornings. As others have said, be there before the scheduled opening time and you will be surprised just how much you can get accomplised in that extra hour. There will be a lot of folks there, but don't expect a rush of thousands going into the parks at the same time. And if you like getting autographs for kids, it's a perfect time to do that because of there are usually a lot of characters around--even before the gates open.

This trip we are going to try the EE and switch to another park routine. We hav never done that before, but a lot of people really suggest trying that, so we're going to give it a try in October.

As far as May crowds, I have seen it both ways---nice crowds during the week, but bad on the weekends. Our last May trip was two years ago, leading up to Memorial Day weekend. By Saturday it was packed!

But give EE a try. It's fun to walk down Main Street when there are not many people, and my favorite is going to ToT first thing in the morning. It seems to add to the atmosphere, to me!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I guess I should clarify. I haven't been in May but have always heard the first few weeks (weekdays) are not crowded at all. You're after spring break and before school lets out. Towards the end of May schools are starting to let out and I'm sure memorial day weekend is packed!

 

[kbmb]

Originally posted by Disneyfalcon
I guess I should clarify. I haven't been in May but have always heard the first few weeks (weekdays) are not crowded at all. You're after spring break and before school lets out. Towards the end of May schools are starting to let out and I'm sure memorial day weekend is packed!

Yeah....that's pretty much what we are hoping.

We went down last May....around the 2nd week and it wasn't bad. I hoping the 1st week this year will be good because Spring Break and Easter are over....Grad nights have ended (by the 1st).....and kids are still in school.

-k

 

[Lilmama21]

We are going the first week in May too and I'm praying that it's not that busy (it doesn't look like anything special is going on). But now I'm slightly confused about EE (this is a ? to anyone)...I don't need to do anything special except be there at the gate when it opens right? I don't need a pass or anything?? We are staying at a Disney Resort...

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Lilmama21, early entry is available to all guests staying in Disney resorts. You don't need a pass. Technically they could ask to see your room key, but I've never seen them do that.

 

[sissa216]

Originally posted by Disneyfalcon
Lilmama21, early entry is available to all guests staying in Disney resorts. You don't need a pass. Technically they could ask to see your room key, but I've never seen them do that.

Yeah I've always wondered how they monitered if you're staying at a resort. Is it pretty much on your honor? Because I've gone in maingate with my CM ID during the early hours, and they've never stopped me (it was only a few times, though)

 

[Donfan]

The only time I've ever seen them ask for ID was one time at the MK. They had allowed people to come in as far as the hub at the end of Main Street, but to get beyond that you had to show a Resort ID to get to the various Lands.

 

[sissa216]

Ahh that makes sense. Because they do that on normal days, don't they? You're allowed to come in before the officially opens, but you can't get into the lands until the hour.

 

[kbmb]

Thanks everyone......one last clarification.

I've seen alot of people say get there at least 1 hour before opening.......is this 1 hour before the regular time or the early entry time.

So the MK opens at 9am normally. Early entry days it opens at 8am. Does this mean for early entry days we should be there by 7am?

Thanks again everyone for your help!

-k

 

[plutoguy32]

I would avoid early opening days. The two times we did them on our last 8 day trip, the lines to get in and the lines for attractions were considerably longer! Go to the non-early opening parks right as they open and enjoy the lack of lines and crowds! :sohappy: