Posted opening times vs. actual opening times

[raven]

In the past several years WDW have tried several opening procedures in some of the parks. A few years back if the posted opening time for MK was 9AM then it actually opened at 8:30AM letting people through the gate into Main Street but closing off lands around the hub until 9AM when the official opening announcement was made. This was done to ease the gate from crowds at actual opening times. With EMH resort guests were allowed in at 7:30AM to enter the entire park.

On my last visit when MK opened at 9AM guests were held ouside the entrance until 9AM with the opening show with Mickey arriving on the train. The same procedure was in place at AK with a character show at opening.

My question is have the procedures changed again? What are they like now? Do they change for peak times? Seasonal times? Just trying to plan a hassle-free trip. :wave:

 

[MicheleK]

I was just there last month and we were let into Epcot before 9:00 but did the rope walk to Sorin right at 9:00. AK was the same. We has breakfast at Breakfastasaurus at 8:00 but were roped off until 9:00 when we did the rope walk to EE. Both on Sorin and EE we got to be one of the first families to ride:sohappy: .........that was awesome!

 

[figment1985]

I went in march... but yeah um.. i never wake up early enough to get there as they open up- lol.

Raven, I will be a pop century when you will be there

 

[kennygman]

I does seem to vary by season. We went Xmas season and they let us in early most days. My kids got pins at each park for being among the first in line too.

 

[wickedfan07]

When I was in WDW in late March/early April, we were allowed in to Animal Kingdom about 15 minutes before 9 but could only go as far as The Oasis. We waited for the safari truck/character opening to go by, and then made a beeline for Expedition Everest. I can't say anything about the other three parks because we never got there early enough. (Stupid band trips.)

 

[CrashNet]

Rope drop and main gate entrance to parks varies depending on the season. If huge crowds are anticipated, say during the holiday season at EPCOT, Rope drop will be moved up to the plaza at the Tip Board. This way, guests are already in and past the ticket scan and at opening, can go straight to the fun. It also thins the huge crowd waiting outside trying to get in.

During off-season, it just stays at maingate. The extra space just isn't needed.

 

[raven]

Raven, I will be a pop century when you will be there

I noticed! We should drop a line to each other...although I don't plan on spending too much time at the resort, lol. :wave: