What's with making us wait for MK?

[Disneynutcase]

I just got back from a glorious long-awaited trip to WDW. Since the last time any one of the ten of us was in Orlando was 15 years ago, a lot has changed in the interim, almost all for the better.

Although I'll be posting details of our trips to each park in subsequent posts, I thought I'd start by sharing what was our most dismaying and stressful moment.

According to official and unofficial propoganda, including postings on this website, all four WDW parks claim to open their entry areas about a half hour prior to official opening times. Not true for MK. As an Angeleno, we frequent Disneyland a lot and make a habit of getting there a good half hour prior to opening to get lockers, grab a cup of coffee, etc, so we can get to the first ride once the rope at the end of Main Street drops. This usually results in a good hour or so of easy short lines. Trying this same tactic is nearly impossible now at MK in Florida.

First of all, upon arriving to Orlando on April 3rd, we quickly found out that MK was up to capacity and closing its parking lot by mid-day from April 1st thru the 4th. A good sign for some eventual improved hours and patron treatment.

We ventured to MK on April 5th (our second day of touring), knowing that it will probably be very crowed (and it was). We applied the "get there early" strategy for this day, arriving at the TTC at around 8:15 (we were lodging in a rent-a-house off-site), only to be kept waiting in a mob of antsy patrons at the TTC gates until the park's unposted new opening time of 8:30.

Once they finally let us in, the monorails were absolutely nuts (had to have been at least 2-3 thousand people there by then) so we opted for the ferry. It took 3 ferries until we got a ride and by the time we got to the MK gates, it was after 9:00am. We ended up on our first ride Dumbo at 9:25. Note: it was my daughter's 4th b-day so she picked the first ride. And we encountered a 35 minute wait for Dumbo when we were hoping before this drag of an entry situation happened to have maybe a 5 minute wait. Although the rest of our day went relatively smoothly, this weirdly frustrating entry procedure put every one of us in a foul mood for at least the first hour of riding.

I do believe WDW resort guests were bussed to the MK entrance prior to 8:30 but were kept outside of Main Street until 8:30.

Also anyone with PS reservations for a breakfast either in MK or at one of the three MK lake resorts were allowed on the Monorails to get to their breakfasts.

In fact, on our follow-up second visit to MK on the 9th, we had 8:05am PS for Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast and felt relieved to by-pass the mob at the TTC only to be kept completely outside of MK until 8:00am. But when we were finished eating and greeting princesses, it was 9:15 and we were in excellent position for Fantasyland rides.

The big overall complaint and question remains why are they keeping us out? Our party rented strollers, got lockers, (and weren't the only ones who did so), and several others complained that they would be happy to shop at the Emporium on Main Street if they were let in early.

Funny thing was, we never encountered this delayed entry treatment at AK, Epcot or Disney/MGM. In fact, Epcot's entry area was open for business with Spaceship Earth and parts of Innoventions running by 9:15 on scheduled 10:00am openings.

You'd think since MK is so popular that they'd let people in to spend money on Main Street--at least to let them get lockers and stollers. How hard would it be to rope off somewhere within the Train plaza to handle the early arriving crowds?

Best news in all this: my wife is friends with a V.P. at Disney who works directly with Eisner. She actually comped us into AK (our first day of touring). Very cool lady! The deal was that she wants details of how our trip went, and my wife plans to tell her of our collective dismay over how MK opens for business. It truly is our only complaint. Hopefully, we won't be the only ones who air there gripes about this and they'll fix this park's entry procedure.

But nothing is worse than spending the first hour of a visit to a park by getting exhausted and frustrated within a collectively miserable mob of people who just want to get in and have some fun.

Details of our days at the parks and other exciting tidbits, particularly about some great deals we stumbled upon, still to come.

 

[disneyreports]

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom during Spring Break...

 

[uavoice]

Just out of curiosity, you said that they let people over early who had priority seating at the MK for breakfast, how do they know if you do? Do they have a list or do you just tell them that you have breakfast reservations? Thanks.

 

[Disneynutcase]

In short, to answer your question, both.

They just kind of let us in at the TTC--we told them we had a PS (and Tuesday the 9th wasn't as busy of a day as Friday the 5th--people had gone home). But once at MK, they had a list at the front gate even before you hit the security line.

I don't know what they'd do to you if you tried to B.S. your way to the MK gate. Didn't seem like anyone there wasn't supposed to be there.

But still, we got to the MK gate at about 7:45 along w/ many other patrons and they still made us wait at the turnstiles until 8:00am. Kind of weird since half the parties in line had small kids, several of whom like us needed strollers.

Just seems to defy the old Disney exploit/bilk the customers at every turn mentality. Why not let the consumers in early to do some early spending?

And no, I don't think this really had anything to do with Spring Break (aside from the huge crowd gathered on the AM of the 5th). I was led to believe that they are now operating like this every morning.

With the slog one has to make to get around that darned lake, it would be nice not to stress people out by having to fret over what time we're actually going to get into the park. After all, MK really has the most attractions and tends to have the worst lines. And as I said, WDW didn't do this at the other parks' openings, just MK.

To me and everyone standing at the TTC on Friday morning, it defied logic and merits a bit of a complaint, don't you think?

 

[kal1484]

Originally posted by uavoice
Just out of curiosity, you said that they let people over early who had priority seating at the MK for breakfast, how do they know if you do? Do they have a list or do you just tell them that you have breakfast reservations? Thanks. [/QUOTE

The cast members at the gates have lists, and let you in if you are on the list.

 

[no2apprentice]

Just got back from our trip about 1 hour ago from WDW. Our first day at a park was April 7, the park being MK. We tried to get there early, to be there for the rope drop, but I accidentally brought some office equipment that I meant to leave back in our hotel room. I had to be escorted up to the security office to have the equipment checked until I was done in the park. I had some interesting conversations with the security personnel, and although they didn't come right out and say it, it was very clear that the WDW was never going to be the same because of 9-11. When I made some comments about the increased security, one of them said "We're just getting started."

The next day we went to MK, we got there in time to enter when the park opened. As we walked down Main Street, we passed by a group of about 8 men in a tight circle. All had radios, dressed in casual clothes, but only one had a CM nametag and was obviously briefing the others. It sure looked like "plainclothes" security to me. It could have been something else, but I'm not familiar with alot of the internal operations of the parks.

Maybe your wife's friend can find out if it's primarily a security consideration for not letting people into Main Street before official opening times. Maybe it's just personnel considerations. Hope you find something out.

 

[WDWPVNY]

We are going next week (staying off-site) and plan to use the "arrive early" strategy as well. Anyone else who has been to MK very recently - Have they started the Monorail/Ferry transportation earlier? Open up Main Street at 8:30 (for 9am park opening)?

We young ones want to go on Dumbo first too and I don't want to start the day with a 30 minute wait.

 

[ToTBellHop]

if you want to get to the park before everyone else, as always, you have to stay in a Disney Resort. It was this way when Early Entry was in effect and it seems it is still this way. I'm personally glad I get a half hour before the mobs show up when I stay on property (haven't stayed off property since 1990...).

 

[castlecake]

You are complaining that They opened the gates at 9? It makes sense that if they open at 9 they let you in at 9, doesn't it?:veryconfu

 

[Disneynutcase]

First, regarding the last posting--all unnoficial and even the official Birnbaum guidebook recommend getting to MK about a half-hour prior to posted opening time so one can get on Main Street before the rope drops at the main hub.

Grandted most guides were written before 9/11 and before WDW axed the early entry program. And from my previous trips to WDW years ago, as well as way too many trips to Disneyland out my way, I know for a fact that they used to always let guests into MK prior to the stated opening time just to get some business going on Main Street and to not create a bottle-neck mob scene out front. And what I'm saying is that on April 5th and 9th, they didn't let people in, instead they opted for a mob scene.

Now you can consider me a cry-baby, but everyone in my party of 10 would've loved to enjoy an extra hour of sleep since our up-and-at-'em early touring stategy for all parks depended on us trying to be at the gates about a half hour prior to official openings. And at MK on April 5th, we wasted a good hour of time for no real good reason other than a dumb inconsiderate non-posted new policy.

They had no problem letting us into AK, Epcot, and Disney Studios prior to opening on any of the three days we went to those parks.

I personally hate that WDW put a lake between the park and the parking lot at MK. It's always a major pain to cross, unlike the comings and goings at the other parks.

And yes, I wanted to be in MK early to get Dumbo out of the way with as minimal a wait as possible. As it was, for my party's five days of touring all four parks, Dumbo had the longest wait that we endured anywhere and this was at 9:40am. And not riding was out of the question: just what we didn't need was two four year olds, a seven year old and a two year old having fits because the ride Moms & Dads said was up first is now cancelled and/or postponed.

My point is that it would be nice if somewhere someone posted some notice that non-WDW resort guests will be held back at the TTC until opening time, giving WDW resort guests the advantage.

That is the intention of my original posting.

Thus if you're staying at a WDW resort, kudos for you. In fact my advice to you would be to get to the park by opening before the non-resort guests cross the lake or you'll be really sorry you didn't. As for non-WDW resort guests, be prepared for frustration if you want to be there at park's opening. There will already be lines for a lot of popular rides by the time you get in the park.

We were glad that we had a 8:00am Breakfast PS within MK on our second day of touring MK. We ended up done with our breakfast at arond 9:15 and hit the Peter Pan ride with no line at all. A half hour later Peter Pan was mobbed--40 minute wait.

And for the time and energy and enthusiasm and sleep deprivation everyone in my party put into this trip, it was a bummer to feel like we got a bit ripped-off by Disney for not letting us in the park when it was opened. To me, gaining access to the TTC is not admission to MK. Instead that came 35 minutes later when we were finally able to get across the stupid lake.

 

[BradleyJ]

Originally posted by Disneynutcase
My point is that it would be nice if somewhere someone posted some notice that non-WDW resort guests will be held back at the TTC until opening time, giving WDW resort guests the advantage.

I love how you are now able to take to the time to post your feelings on this issue.

When this information WAS POSTED, and has been being discussed on various places all over the internet for the 8 MONTHS prior to your visit.

Just because you didn't bother to look doesn't mean no-one posted the information.

If you had made any effort to look or ask, you would have known.

 

[jcmayid]

I think if you lose the gripe you will see the whole deal with the lake, it is supposed to make you feel like you are arriving in a new world or something. what you are saying basically is wouldn't it be nice if MK were right on International Drive, where you can see space Mt. from you HoJo Motel. The lake is great, I love it, if you don't like the wait, schedule your vacations for slow season, I usually do and never wait more than 15 min for any ride.

 

[ToTBellHop]

My question is: if you had to stand around so long the first time, why did you go and do the same thing again 4 days later? You do not enter the magic kingdom at the gate...the sign is about a mile down the street. Therefore, everything beyond that is not opened to non-resort guests until the posted opening time, this includes the monorail and ferryboat. Regardless of how it USED to be, this is how it is NOW. I might add that there is no real point in showing up 45 minutes early anyway. You go into Main Street and everything else is roped off. The only park that ever let us in early was Epcot and the only thing open was Spaceship Earth. I don't think it's a valid argument that you couldn't get in early. Why don't they let people in early anymore? Well, b/c they would have to extend quite a few Cast Member's shifts which is something they don't want to do at this point. If you hate the Seven Seas Lagoon so much, either stay at a Disney Resort where you drive around it or go to Universal where I can assure you they didn't "waste" the money building lake that is a mile wide...I personally love disney waterways. As for the "mob"...it was Spring Break and disney was setting all-time attendance records...did you expect walk-on lines at the most crowded park on property?

 

[Disneynutcase]

First of all, I totally aplogize if I'm offending anyone by my posting. I think some of the comments back are being deliberately mean and y. I just thought posting my experience would be a nice thing to do as a clear warning for what travellers to MK might be expecting.

And to be absolutely honest, I read the posts on this forum religeously (sp), have been for close to a year, and recall seeing a few items that warned of some new procedures to get into MK, but nothing that mentioned what happened to us. If somebody reported a similar experience, then I somehow missed it. It's hard to read every posting because there is A LOT here.

Also know that we didn't leave for our trip until April 3rd and I was closely monitoring reports on this site up until the evening of the 2nd. Although people reported sell-out record crowds, no one really discussed opening procedures.

I really found a lot of great info on this site. We got thru parks with relative ease. Dumbo was our longest wait at all four parks, mainly because I made it a point to fully understand how to use Fast Pass, but secondarily because of how you guys discuss everything at the parks. This helped us organize and prioritize what to do and see.

We never ate a mediocre meal the whole time we were at WDW and this is totally attributed to these discussion boards. In short, we knew where to eat and where to avoid. And we did a lot of eating at the parks.

The Seven Seas Lagoon is very pretty, but for MK and Disneyland, I'm a habitual open-to-close kind of guy (and now with kids only go til about 9:00pm because they crap out). I find the extra ride to the MK main gate to be a time consumer, mainly because I always end up coming and going when there are crowds. But I've always been there early and they used to have the monorial and ferry running early as well as Main Street opened early. Sometimes it would take a train or ferry or two before I got to ride, and this, I've always felt is kind of a drag. But maybe it's just me, folks.

And if you're not the type who tours the parks like me, the kudos for you. What I do works. Despite the delays, in two trips to MK we rode everything but Space Mountain, Snow White, and missed Hall of Presidents. We even rode Buzz Lightyear and Splash Mountain twice. And we did this in about 17 hours total with two sit-down character meals included.

If you can say you have similar success walking into MK late, then kudos for you. I'd also like to know how you do it because getting into the park as early as possible usually gets my crew on 4-6 rides in the first 90 minutes.

Understand that I was bummed that the effort to get to MK early was thwarted for no good explainable reason other than "because they felt like opening this way."

I did not seem to me like this did anything for crowd control beyond giving people who were fortunate and wise enough to make it to MK's gate a 15 minute head start on the rest of the mob. And believe me, I WAS NOT the only person in this mob who was dismayed by this procedure. A lot of people were angrily airing complaints. Since I have friends who work for Disney Parks, I did not get angry, but instead made a polite inquiry, knowing that these guys were just following someone else's orders.

Now if this still seems like I'm griping AND if my posts offend you, then I suggest you take a chill pill. My hope is that a) someone who is planning to go to MK reads this and gains knowledge, and b) perhaps someone else besides my wife will have access to top Disney brass and encourage them to alter this entry procedure.

It wasn't that big of a deal.

And regarding why we went back and "endured" a second day: what choice did we have? If we wanted to go to MK, this opening procedure is what we were facing. BUT on our second visit, we had a breakfast PS (made back in February) that allowed us to by-pass the gathering mob that was already assembling at the TTC at 7:45am (actually there was only a handful of people foolish enough to be waiting that early). So our second visit was far less confusing and far less stressful.

In fact, some of our party got to ride up front on the Monorail which was one of many great highlights of our trip.

Read my posted trip reports and you'll see that I'm not really that negative of a person. This entry procedure is really my only complaint for our entire 7 day trip at peak season.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by Disneynutcase
And at MK on April 5th, we wasted a good hour of time for no real good reason other than a dumb inconsiderate non-posted new policy.

Well... Actually, it's not a new policy. For the past two years that I know of... they've always held guests off at the TTC, and had the "First Family" do the countdown. The only thing that changed, was that they used to drop the rope at 8:30. Starting this past October, it was moved to 8:45. That's the only change. We castmembers would refer to this as the "Blow-in." On a typical day, the blow-in would last about 15-20 minutes. On the MK side, they would have a similar First Family countdown, but thiers would be at 9:00.

Originally posted by Disneynutcase
it was a bummer to feel like we got a bit ripped-off by Disney for not letting us in the park when it was opened. To me, gaining access to the TTC is not admission to MK.

I'm sorry you feel like you got ripped off, but I don't quite understand where you would get that from. The rope gets dropped at the TTC prior to the park's actual open time. The only thing that I can see that might have gotten in your way of getting to the park for the rope drop over there would be crowds. Not much we can really do about that being the week after Easter Sunday (One of our busiest weeks of the year), although we do have the capacity to move large amounts of people efficiently. I remember that Friday, and I do know that we were *EXTREMELY* busy that day. We even brought in Disney Cruise Line busses to shuttle people from the TTC to the MK.

The only way to overcome the crowds at the TTC would be to stay on property. As you mentioned, one of the perks that Disney Resort Guests get is being dropped off right at the turnstiles. This is a privlege they get extended because they pay a premium price for thier room.

Originally posted by Disneynutcase
But still, we got to the MK gate at about 7:45 along w/ many other patrons and they still made us wait at the turnstiles until 8:00am. Kind of weird since half the parties in line had small kids, several of whom like us needed strollers.

There is a method to our madness, I assure you. I know some of WDW's policies and proceedures may seem stupid and dumb and have no reason at all... but they do exist for a reason, even if you can't readily see it. Prior to 8:00, there are all sorts of maintenance and cleaning that is going on within the MK. Vans and trucks are parked on Main Street, custodial is hosing down the pavement, and other things going on. It's really quite interesting to see, but as you could imagine, Disney doesn't want the guests to see any of that.

 

[Disneynutcase]

Thanks for the insight.

As I said, I've known a CM or two out my way as well as Disney Parks PR people and executives. On our vacation, we also hooked up with a friend who works at Downtown Disney in WDW on our first day of touring (which was at AK).

And also as I said, I didn't voice anger at the CMs operating the gates like other patrons were doing. I did, however, ask one of them why they were allowing what become thousands of people to sit at bay when there was money to be made on lockers, stroller rentals, hat/film/glasses, not to mention coffee and muffin sales on Main Street.

This is what they used to let us do. It's what they still let us do at other parks. And I fully admit that I was unaware that they no longer operated this way at MK. Now I know.

My thinking in Disney now operating this way is that they know that MK will always be the crown jewel at WDW. No one goes to WDW and skips MK (the percentages for people who do that has to be way low). Therefore they can do as they wish. I just wish I knew about the non-access to Main Street opening because I drug my mother-in-law out of bed early and had to deal with angry glances and a bunch of "huffing" because we were stuck waiting and then stuck in the midst of a crowd of similarly stressed patrons who were anxious to cross the lake.

It just wasn't a fun way to begin the day.

Fortunately, there was plenty of time left for fun, and we were able to somehow stay ahead of crowds--did a lot of mass loaders and theater attractions in the afternoon when we weren't using a Fast Pass and we loved everything that we did.

And, by the way, a big thanks to all the CMs on the board who were working at WDW during the last two weeks. Despite the crowds and some way testier attitudes on display than my group ever exhibited (boy, there were some cranky folks there), you guys are a class act. Everything was kept as fun and as up as can be, despite whatever anger or adversity you were facing from the massive amount of guests.

 

[no2apprentice]

Disneynutcase, I always enjoyed the effect of the lake in front of MK, of being "transported", leaving the real world behind. I always thought it was designed that way for that specific effect. Then I discovered on this site that in the original plans, there were supposed to be five resorts around the lake on the monorail route. It kind of throws a whole new light on why they designed the layout with the lake. Just think of it: five resorts, all around the lake, on the monorail route, all with access to the MK by boat or monorail. From what I understand, all of the other resorts came along as an afterthought, not part of the original plans (I think - someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Anyway, just thought I'd share that with you.

BTW, when we were at AK last Wednesday (4-10), everyone had to wait until 9:00 to enter. But, being that it was our first time at AK, I don't know if Disney has done it any differently in the past.

I feel for you with your in-law experience. Been there, done that (fortunately not at WDW). Glad my wife doesn't read these posts.:lookaroun

 

[Disneynutcase]

Re: AK

Yeah, it's been opened different from what you experienced. We went on 4/4 and arrived about 7:50am for an 8:00 opening and found the park open--I believe there was some kind of rope off area somewhere within the Oasis or at the beginning of Discovery Island.

We unfortunately weren't able to go in until 8:10 since we were waiting for a friend to join us. Just know that people were going in prior to official opening time. But this was a week earlier than your visit and the park was packed by mid-day, and I think the WDW brass knew it was going to be busy.

Wasn't 4/1 some kind of record attendance for AK? I could swear I read something on this site about the new record just before we left for our vacation on 4/3/02.

 

[2much2do]

Hi Disneynutcase,
Thanks for your post. I do not want to flame you like some others have done, but I do want to say a few things. First of all, your post accomplished your purpose for me. I definitly learned a lot. Here is what I learned:

1. I am very glad that I am staying on Disney property, and that I always do!
2. I am also very glad that we have priority seatings for character breakfasts every single day of our upcoming trip! I made sure to schedule the breakfasts that were inside the parks at 8AM so I can get in early, eat, and be ready to go when the park opens (and, I'll already be INSIDE!!!)
3. I am very glad I do not follow the stupid unofficial guide "get up early and get to the parks before they open and tour like a raving lunatic commando" plans! I hate stress.
4. I am glad that we never, ever go during very crowded times of the year!


Thanks agin for your post!!!!

 

[no2apprentice]

I would LOVE to be able to go during less crowded times, but, with kids in school, just not possible yet (*heavy sigh* - maybe after the kids get into college).