Early entry soft opening

[BrotherCraig]

Well, let's hope that they don't do rope drop for the non-resort guests until posted opening time and really stick to the Early Entry for Resort guests 30 minutes prior to make it work without confusion. You would think that would be the plan, right?

 

[AndreaDM]

So any advice on what time to be at the IG for Epcot's early entry next week?

 

[BrotherCraig]

If it opens at 11 am, I would be there at 10 am. Just to be sure and take advantage. I don't believe anyone knows how this is going to go.

 

[meremac]

I don't believe anyone knows how this is going to go.

Truer words have never been spoken .

 

[Grasshopper2016]

If it opens at 11 am, I would be there at 10 am. Just to be sure and take advantage.

This is wise advice. But it's annoying that it's true. Getting up crazy early (on non-EPCOT days) and then waiting around for 60 minutes just to get a 30-minute head start doesn't seem like that great of a perk.

 

[BrotherCraig]

This is wise advice. But it's annoying that it's true. Getting up crazy early (on non-EPCOT days) and then waiting around for 60 minutes just to get a 30-minute head start doesn't seem like that great of a perk.

I 100% agree. With us, my wife would definitely use that waiting time to take at least 500 more pictures with our three kids crying about it. lol

 

[shb5007]

Does any know if the International entrance for EPCOT will be a part of this? Or main entrance only?

 

[poetz]

Does any know if the International entrance for EPCOT will be a part of this? Or main entrance only?

It will be included. It's the only way for the epcot and skyliner resorts to get into the park.

 

[rdaky]

This is wise advice. But it's annoying that it's true. Getting up crazy early (on non-EPCOT days) and then waiting around for 60 minutes just to get a 30-minute head start doesn't seem like that great of a perk.

I agree. Either way, you're standing around waiting. You're either waiting in line for the ride or you're waiting to get into the park. While die hard rope droppers might think it's worth it, being someone who has rope dropped myself, I'm just not sure that it actually saves time overall.

 

[jeff_h]

Sorry but IMHO 30 minutes doesn't mean much, compared to the previous morning or evening "EMH" being hours (plural) rather than half-hour (fractional)... definitely not enough to make me spend the extra $$$ to stay on-site again.

 

[chaoskids]

I'm looking forward to reading posts about how this is going work!

 

[luv2cheer92]

Sorry but IMHO 30 minutes doesn't mean much, compared to the previous morning or evening "EMH" being hours (plural) rather than half-hour (fractional)... definitely not enough to make me spend the extra $$$ to stay on-site again.

Its all 4 parks every single day though. I'm excited for it!! There are plenty of other reasons why I continue to stay onsite, so this perk doesn't really sway me one way or the other.

 

[jeff_h]

Its all 4 parks every single day though. I'm excited for it!! There are plenty of other reasons why I continue to stay onsite, so this perk doesn't really sway me one way or the other.

If that works for you that's good, I much prefer the old way with a meaningful (IMHO as it did make a difference for me) benefit at one park rather than a lackluster benefit at each park.

 

[MainMom]

Interested in hearing how this works! I’m hoping they start letting people in before the 30 minutes.

 

[mom2febgirls]

Historically have photopass photographers been available during early entry?

 

[CWTC]

Agreed - interested to hear functionality of this. How do they confirm hotel guests and separate everyone to try to ensure advantage is maintained?

 

[Armoire]

Am here at Magic Kingdom this morning and took advantage of early entry. All guests could enter until the castle, but CMs had a checkpoint to scan your resort card (assuming also magic band or phone). All other guests were kept behind a rope.

 

[cw517]

Am here at Magic Kingdom this morning and took advantage of early entry. All guests could enter until the castle, but CMs had a checkpoint to scan your resort card (assuming also magic band or phone). All other guests were kept behind a rope.

What time did they let you enter? Were any shopping or dining places open?

 

[Ariel620]

Didn’t old EMH post wait times for the early opening? I tried to check this morning to think about strategy for what rides to hit? If it’s worth it to get up early, etc.

I know wait times aren’t posted for unofficial openings (like when the park unofficially opens an hour before it is supposed to), but for EMH they posted the wait times, I think. I’d like to see it for this new early morning opening too.

 

[Roxas_XIII]

At EPCOT - Our resort bus arrived at 10:26 and we walked right in. There were clear signs telling us where to go, and before the regular entrance there was a cast member scanning magic bands to confirm eligibility. I saw on his screen after my badge was scanned, it flashed green and said "*my name*: eligible." Theree didn't seem to be any photographers in front of the ball, but my family and I could get my mom's ECV rental and head to Test Track. The wait was about 20 minutes by the time we got there.