Park Open Procedures

[Fanthomastic]

There actually are reasons why Disney opens some parks earlier than posted opening time. And publishing these variations from the posted times would be counter productive. The variation generally is consistent however. For example for the past several months MK has had a published opening time of 8am but the park has generally opened at 7:15 with some attractions (the same ones daily) opening at 7:30. This has been generally consistent until the recent change that will now be the new daily schedule.

So, to arrive at MK for the 7:15 open, what’s the best plan for a resort guest to arrive in time to be the first ones on those attraction? Is Snow White one of them?

 

[peter11435]

So, to arrive at MK for the 7:15 open, what’s the best plan for a resort guest to arrive in time to be the first ones on those attraction? Is Snow White one of them?

That is no longer the process. Since last Tuesday all MK attractions open at 8am.

 

[wdwmagic]

So, to arrive at MK for the 7:15 open, what’s the best plan for a resort guest to arrive in time to be the first ones on those attraction? Is Snow White one of them?

This is what happens at MK now https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...rns-to-magic-kingdom-at-walt-disney-world.htm

 

[G00fyDad]

Not to go off topic or anything but this drives me nuts. "guests can arrive at the park via Disney transportation at around 7:15am, and guests parking at the TTC arrive at the tap-styles around 7:30am." What is that all about?? So because I rent a car I am deemed unworthy to get to the turnstiles at the same time as those riding the busses?

 

[socaljoeyb]

A perk for resort guests? I understand your frustration though.

Not to go off topic or anything but this drives me nuts. "guests can arrive at the park via Disney transportation at around 7:15am, and guests parking at the TTC arrive at the tap-styles around 7:30am." What is that all about?? So because I rent a car I am deemed unworthy to get to the turnstiles at the same time as those riding the busses?

 

[G00fyDad]

A perk for resort guests? I understand your frustration though.

I am a resort guest. I just choose to use a car instead of getting on a bus.

 

[wdwmagic]

Not to go off topic or anything but this drives me nuts. "guests can arrive at the park via Disney transportation at around 7:15am, and guests parking at the TTC arrive at the tap-styles around 7:30am." What is that all about?? So because I rent a car I am deemed unworthy to get to the turnstiles at the same time as those riding the busses?

The busses obviously benefit from being able to go straight to the front of the park, whereas the guests in cars have to negotiate the trek to the park.

If you are one of the first cars to get through the TTC auto plaza, you will still be beaten to the park by resort guests on foot or via busses.

 

[EeyoreFan#24]

Am I missing something. If they open “early” there will be lines in the park, but if they hold until time, the people don’t disappear, they just wait at the rope instead. So waiting behind the same people, just in different places.

 

[pdude81]

When do they start letting people in park at epcot now? I thought 10 but still waiting outside now

 

[wdwmagic]

When do they start letting people in park at epcot now? I thought 10 but still waiting outside now

It has been 10am. Where are you being held?

 

[wdwmagic]

Am I missing something. If they open “early” there will be lines in the park, but if they hold until time, the people don’t disappear, they just wait at the rope instead. So waiting behind the same people, just in different places.

Correct, although it means attractions don't need to be operating and people are contained in one area.

 

[pdude81]

It has been 10am. Where are you being held?

Held outside tapstiles until 10:16. At rope for TT they are saying it will open at 11. Hopefully they'll let us still queue for TT at 10:45

 

[pdude81]

Rope drop 1040 today but threatening weather. Not sure if that factored in. TT open immediately

 

[G00fyDad]

The busses obviously benefit from being able to go straight to the front of the park, whereas the guests in cars have to negotiate the trek to the park.

If you are one of the first cars to get through the TTC auto plaza, you will still be beaten to the park by resort guests on foot or via busses.

Fair point. I just can't bring myself to get on a bus at WDW.

 

[EnjoyingLife]

I’ve always been confused about this. Are you all saying rope drop may happen up to ~30 min before official opening time, and buses may begin departing hotels ~60 min before rope drop? Curious how early you need to be in the bus line if you want to be there for rope drop—does it depend on proximity of your hotel to the various parks?

 

[Fanthomastic]

The busses obviously benefit from being able to go straight to the front of the park, whereas the guests in cars have to negotiate the trek to the park.

If you are one of the first cars to get through the TTC auto plaza, you will still be beaten to the park by resort guests on foot or via busses.

If I remember correctly, if you take bonnet creek (past Port Orleans) to Vista Blvd, it brings you out just inside the TTC auto plaza. Is there anything preventing an Uber driver to go that way and drop passengers somewhere between the Contemporary Resort and the bus stops? I would think no?? To me this seems like the quickest way to MK from any resort that requires bus transportation to MK.

 

[mm52200]

There may be reasons, but it's a negative for guest satisfaction. The uninformed get to the park 30 minutes "early" only to find that the park is already open and there's already a wait for major attractions because Disney purposefully obfuscates the opening times.

Or alternatively, you're a planner like me and so many others on this board, and you can't really know when a park will necessarily open its parking lot, its gates, or its attractions. It seems like there could be consistent rules. For example, parking opens at T-60, turnstiles open at T-30, rope drop/attractions open at T-0.

Disney doesn’t purposely try to trick the guests. If they can get the park open earlier, it’s a perk, a surprise and delight. Otherwise opening time is published. Regardless it doesn’t matter if the park is open or not when you get there 30 minutes early, those other guests are already going to be in front of you in line. Atleast this way they’re already getting on and off the ride

 

[Weather_Lady]

Since rope drop has now been reinstated I’d just like to know when resort guests are going to get the 30 minutes early they touted earlier this year. I’m going in August. Will it be by then or is this going to another one of the 50th anniversary “perks” they’re going to hold off on until Oct 1?

Every now and then I ask this on the MDE Chat feature, or via an e-mail. Every time they tell me they have absolutely no idea when this is going to start and that "no decisions have been made." I think they don't want people canceling or rescheduling onsite stays around early entry, so they're playing coy about when it will start.

 

[castlecake2.0]

Not to go off topic or anything but this drives me nuts. "guests can arrive at the park via Disney transportation at around 7:15am, and guests parking at the TTC arrive at the tap-styles around 7:30am." What is that all about?? So because I rent a car I am deemed unworthy to get to the turnstiles at the same time as those riding the busses?

Not everyone can be first, they have to balance the crowds

 

[G00fyDad]

Not everyone can be first, they have to balance the crowds

But I have to be first!!