Disney park opening time question

Wanted the LIFer thoughts before I go on disboards (if I do at all).

We're going to DW President's week staying offsite this time at my in law's timeshare. We will probably hit 3/4 parks - debating whether to skip AK or HS.

I am almost done making my touring plans and will do my FPs this weekend.

I just noticed that they changed the opening times for both MK and AK from 9 am to 8 am on the days I want to go there.

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand it's extra touring time during which I'm sure most of the rides will be walk ons. On the other hand, we'd be up at the crack of dawn, and while I've been there enough to know it's not a relaxing vacation, I'd rather not add that much more stress to my week off. (I teach in Brooklyn and would rather not get up earlier than I do to go to work. )

AK - if we even go - I'm not that worried about because we're skipping Expedition Everest (DS is an inch too short for it ) and will FP anything else we want to do that usually has a major line. So I don't feel the need to go commando there.

It's MK I'm worried about. If we get there at 8:30-9 with an 8 am opening, will it already be jammed? Do you think the extra hour will make a big difference in the morning crowd levels?

Yes I am overanalyzing but if you indulge me then thank you!

Re: Disney park opening time question

I do think it would make a difference since it is a school break time. That is probably why they changed the hours, to accommodate crowds.

We went last year in early March during a non-break time but still fairly busy time. I was shocked at how fast the lines grew. By 10:30, most rides were already at 30-45 minutes.

If you were going in early December, late April/early May or another non-busy time, I would say it would not matter as much if you don't get there at opening. At the same time, they would open at a normal time during those days because the parks wouldn't expect such large crowds. Hope that makes sense.

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Re: Disney park opening time question

Personally, I'm a big advocate of arriving for rope drop at MK. I was just there in December, and rope drop was when we got to MK. I had been unable to get a FP for Mine Train, and by the time we walked from the entrance to the attraction, there was already a 45 minute wait. By the time we got off, the posted wait time was 75 minutes. The week we went is the biggest DVC week, but the slowest overall December week. I can't imagine not arriving at rope drop during spring break.

Re: Disney park opening time question

Sorry to say but yes that hour makes a huge difference during school breaks. It is not just a half hour. You would want to be at the gates (not pulling into the TTC parking lot) by around 730 to get through security and ticket lines. If they moved park opening an hour, I would assume it means they are anticipating huge crowds. Disney doesn't extend their hours unless they are anticipating huge crowds based on resort attendance and ADR bookings. If you were going slow season I would say eh, if you don't mind some waits go later. But school breaks are very crowded. Might I suggest easywdw.com. His info is excellent. He also shows crowd pictures. You can go back and see pictures of a typical February break day.

Having said the above for MK and EPCOT. We were there mid May last year. We went to the AK around 11. We FP safari, kali and Mickey/Minnie. We did everything we wanted. It will be much more crowded but AK is a good park to try a bit layer as long as you have your FPs in place. MK is always busy (a slow day their attendance is Yankee scandium at capacity) and takes more than a day to really enjoy it. The only way to do MK late is if you have multiple days, goof FPs and don't mind lines. Easier to do as adults, harder to do with kids.

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I don't know if this helps but we went durning spring break last year. We stayed at the contemporary so we could walk to MK. They also had 8am opening. By 8:30 am it was mobbed and by 9 crazy. There were 15 minute lines already.

If you mind lines, be there at rope drop!

Re: Disney park opening time question

Ok, thanks all.

That's what I was afraid of.

We went President's week two years ago and only waited on line more than 5-10 minutes once because I planned it out well.

However, I think things have changed with FP + and I think crowds are even higher than they were 2 years ago.

Yeah I follow Josh's site religiously. I find him more accurate than TP.

I am probably going to switch our days around to the 9 am openings.

Re: Disney park opening time question