Need help on Park Opening Times

R

redc55

New Member
Original Poster
Just 10 days away from 5 days at the Contemporary and we are psyched.

Just a quick question on when the Parks "really" open. The Unofficial Guide says that the parks really open about 30 minutes before the Official Opening Time, ie., 9:00 official--> then 8:30 unofficial...or 8:00 Extra Hour Official Time---> then 7:30.

What do the gurus on this site say??? Plus any advise on handling Easter week crowds with a 7 and 9 year old would be helpful.
 
MKCP 1985

MKCP 1985

Well-Known Member
Yeah, this has been posted before, but would someone remind us of the early opening days for each park, and what time a person can get admitted on non-early opening mornings? Thanks a bunch!
 
se8472

se8472

Well-Known Member
the few times I opened space, I really never saw anyone in there before at least 10 minutes before we where suppost to open. But we always got the call on the radio that guest where in the park, but I never really thought to look at my watch to see what time that was since I was always trying to make sure the trains where running at the right time and spacing was right
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
A few years ago you could just about count on the parks opening early. We were just there in October and February and they opened right when they said they would. They let you throught the turnstiles and hold you there until the opening time. Once or twice they were two or three minutes late!:eek:

During quieter times, assuming you already have your tickets, I would be there 30 minutes early. This will give you time to park, walk over, go through baggage check and then wait with the crowds for the park to open. The characters come at Epcot, MK and AK to "open" the park.

Now Easter is a very busy time so that might change things. If no one knows for sure, I would go 30 minutes early the first day and see what happens.


As for navigating crowds during Easter
1. Follow the unnoffical guide's advice for which day which park(assuming you have a current copy)

2. Avoid early entry unless you're willing to switch parks mid morning

3. FASTPASS as often as you can. You should ALWAYS have a fastpass in your possession.

4. Understand, it's crowded and you might not see everything, so relax and enjoy what you have time for!

Have fun!:sohappy:
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
According to Mouseplanet Early Entry days are

Sunday Magic Kingdom

Monday Animal Kingdom

Tuesday Disney-MGM Studios

Wednesday Epcot

Thursday Magic Kingdom

Friday Animal Kingdom

Saturday Disney-MGM Studios
 
no2apprentice

no2apprentice

Well-Known Member
When this topic has been brought up before, most people with recent visits pretty much say the same thing...the parks seldom open 1/2 hour early. Most attribute it to a combination of staffing cutbacks and post 9/11 security measures.

I noticed also, that in the '04 edition of Unofficial Guide it still recommends to get there really early. Our personal experience in visits during June '03 and April '02 was that MK opened about four minutes early when we there, and that was it. Everything else opened on the dot.

If you are going to be following the Unofficial Guide plan, or any plan, it still wouldn't hurt to get there early, so you can be at the front of the crowd when the park opens.

Hope you have a great time!:)
 

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