How early to arrive?

[JackieJ]

I was wondering how early we should arrive at the park? Will there be long lines to get into the Magic Kingdom? We will be there on Sunday (tomorrow!)We are staying at the Marriott Grande Vista in Orlando and really don't know what time we should depart so that we don't have a long wait to get in!

thanks!
Jackie

 

[Craig & Lisa]

Well, the first thing I would check out is to see if it's early entry that day, because you can only get in then when you are staying on property. Then get to the gate at least 30 to 60 minutes before to have a good chance in the park. If not the time I stated is the same, also if another park has early entry that day MK may not be too busy in the morning.

 

[bgraham34]

The earliest i have ever gotten to a park is 15 minutes after the park opens. No lines at all which is great.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

No lines at all, bgraham, because the 10,000 people ahead of you are already in line for the rides...

Get to MK at least 45 minutes before it opens...unless you have any little kids in your party that have to see the Welcome Song on the train station, move to your far right and and as close to the entry way as you can...you can even go past the entry way and then move back toward it in front of the other 10,000 people waiting in one giagantic mob to get in.

Make sure you leave yourself enough time to get over to MK by Monorail or by Boat, as you will not be able to park your car at MK itself. YOu have to park at the transportation center and add 30 -45 minutes for that ordeal.

This is now peak time at MK. Don't arrive after the park opens unless you don't really want to ride anything and are willing to get a few fast passes for the day.

 

[bjlc57]

call for opening time..

call the parks for the opening time.. if they say 9am be there at 7:50 because.. sometimes the parks open an hour before posting.. and they do let you in the actual park before it opens just to move the crowd forward..

if you are going to be at WDW for a number of days, read the unofficial guide to WDW ( a book by Bob Segligher.) and it will what day to go where.. like instead of the magic Kingdom on Monday go to Animal Kingdom instead.. it breaks down which day to go to which park when...

BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLED COKE PRODUCTS with you .. Like 32 oz bottle of POWWER AID.. you can buy it a wal-steins for less then a buck.. or you can pay $3 for a 20 oz bottle in the park.. Make sure that it is coke products.. much less hastle.....

 

[parker kim]

I thought they changed the opening a hour earlyer than the offical opening time. I was told you wait at the gate now til the offical opening time. Have you had this experences lately. This could very much determen what time to arrive.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

No. The attractions open at the stated times. The gates to the park open between a half hour and 15 minutes before the attractions open. You will be held inside the park at rope drops that lead into the different lands.

There are occasional Extended Early Morning hours (one time per week). Look at the calendars at waltdisneyworld.com and they will indicate which parks open one hour early on which days. The early entrance is ONLY for people who stay at the resorts. They will require a room key/ticket for you to get in.

You are well advised to get a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW 2006 or the Passporter 2006 to answer these basic questions.