Everything Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE) - Please Read Post 1

[LovesDisney55]

Yes they drop off where the buses do.

Thank you!

 

[JodyK]

I would just play around in the app before you go to get an idea on costs. I never saw a Minnie Van for under $50 when I was there a few weeks ago so I'd just be prepared.

 

[LovesDisney55]

I would just play around in the app before you go to get an idea on costs. I never saw a Minnie Van for under $50 when I was there a few weeks ago so I'd just be prepared.

Appreciate the heads up, for sure.

 

[heathsf]

Here is a new place to talk about everything dealing with early theme park entry! Share your tips and strategies here. What worked for you? What are your early theme park entry plans?

Please be sure to follow DIS guidelines!

As of October 1, 2021, as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, Disney Resort hotel Guests and Guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy 30-minute ETPE to any Walt Disney World theme park, every day, including check-in and check-out days.

Official Information on Disney's website. Link includes list of all Disney Resorts plus select other hotels that qualify for Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE) and attractions that should be open for ETPE.

For the purposes of this thread, Early Theme Park Entry is considered to be 30 mins prior to posted park opening time. E.g. If park hours for the day are 9AM - 9PM, ETPE officially begins at 8:30 although it is common to allow resort guests to walk towards attractions approx. 40 mins prior to posted park opening time.


Getting There:
The best place to ask transportation questions is on the Transportation Board

Disney Buses
Buses start running 45-60 mins before ETPE but it’s recommended to arrive at bus stop 90 mins before ETPE begins to be towards the front of the crowd.

Skyliner
Skyliner starts running about an hour before ETPE but it’s recommended to arrive at Skyliner 90 mins before ETPE begins to be towards the front of the crowd.

Uber/Lyft drop offs at a resort require an ADR, not Quick Service.

Guests arriving at DHS via Uber/Lyft at DHS enter via the bus entrance and are normally granted access to the drop off location earlier than the parking lot opens. At all other parks, Uber/Lyft enters with cars approx. 1 hour before ETPE begins.

Driving
Parking lots open about an hour before ETPE. Guests arriving more than an hour before ETPE may be turned away.

Disney’s Boat Transportation
Disney’s Water Transportation

Disney transportation is running with sufficient time to get you to the parks in time for ETPE.

The Parks
How much earlier than posted times guests can normally enter?
It appears per limited current reports, guests may be granted access to the park up to 90 minutes before posted park opening. E.g. If park hours for the day are 9AM - 9PM, ETPE attractions officially begin at 8:30. Guests are reporting they may be allowed into the park as early at 7:30 (DHS) or 8:00 (Epcot and AK) and then be held at holding point(s) within the park until sometime between 8:15 and 8:30. Please see below for further details.

NOTE: Be sure to watch for signage both before entering the parks and afterwards as guests are being divided in to Resort Guests and non-Resort Guests. You don't want to wait in line only to find it's the wrong one.

How does ETPE work for guests?
Magic Kingdom: All guests will be allowed access to the park approx. 60-90 mins (time fluctuates based on the day) before posted park opening time. Those eligible for ETPE will have their bands scanned at the hub entrance to Tomorrowland or Fantasyland (near Tea Cups) approx. 40 mins prior to posted park opening time and be permitted to access the open attractions in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Attractions in the other areas of the MK are not open for ETPE and guests wishing to access those areas will be held at the entrance to those lands until official park opening. (Attractions listed below). Guests staying offsite will be directed in the hub towards Adventureland and held until posted park opening where an announcement will be made when the park is open. There is no official park opening show at this time for either ETPE or offsite guests.

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Eligible resort guests will be allowed access to the park approx. 90 mins before posted park opening time. ETPE guests will be held outside the tunnel to Galaxy's Edge, near Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, inside Toy Story Land and on Sunset Boulevard. Approx. 40 mins prior to posted park opening time, guests will be permitted to access the open attractions. (Attractions listed below). Guests not staying at a Disney resort will be held at park gate until posted park opening. Update: In late November 2021, some guests reported being able to ride 'Rise of the Resistance' and 'Millennium Falcon, Smugglers Run' up to 30 mins earlier than official ETPE time. This may be temporary and due to busier Thanksgiving crowds so may not happen each day.

Epcot: Eligible resort guests will be allowed access to the park approx. 60 mins before posted park opening time. Guests will be held to the right and left of Spaceship Earth, near the construction walls or, near Canada when entering via International Gateway. Approx. 40 mins prior to posted park opening time guest will be permitted to access the open attractions. (Attractions listed below). Guests not staying at a Disney resort will be held at park gate until posted park opening. Note: Guests arriving via International Gateway (IG) will have an advantage for Remy due to gate proximity. Guests from non-Skyliner/Epcot resorts wishing to enter via IG may wish to take a resort bus to DHS then walk, take Skyliner or Friendship Boat to the IG entrance for ETPE.

Animal Kingdom: Eligible resort guests will be granted access to the park approx. 60 mins before posted park opening time. They will be held on the bridge leading to Pandora. Approx. 40 mins prior to posted park opening time guest will be permitted to access the open attractions. (Attractions listed below). Guests not staying at a Disney resort will be held at park gate until posted park opening.

How will I access the parks for ETPE?
Whatever method you normally use to enter the park (MagicBand, MagicMobile, card) will also work to grant you access to the park for ETPE.

What if my band doesn't scan to allow for ETPE?
It's been reported that if it is your check-in or check-out day that your band may not scan to grant access for ETPE. If this is the case, a quick show of your resort reservation on MDE to a CM should clear this up and grant you access.

Which attractions should I head to first?
A headliner attraction is recommended and would depend on personal preference.



Attractions that should* be open during ETPE:

Magic Kingdom Park (All attractions open for ETPE are located within Tomorrowland and Fantasyland)

• “it’s a small world”
• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• The Barnstormer
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Epcot

• Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along
• Frozen Ever After
• Mission: SPACE
• Remy's Ratatouille Adventure *NEW* Note: IG guests will have an advantage reaching this attraction first.
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ™
• Toy Story Mania!

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain *currently closed for refurbishment*
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Na’vi River Journey
• TriceraTop Spin

*Please note that attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational.

Post 1 says that EE is closed for refurb but now that it's reopened is it part of ETPE?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Post 1 says that EE is closed for refurb but now that it's reopened is it part of ETPE?

Great catch - thank you @heathsf !

EE has reopened and is part of ETPE.

Post 1 has been updated thanks to your help!

 

[bullcat_02]

During Early Entry, where do they hold you coming from Fantasyland into Liberty Square? I'm planning on hitting up Fantasyland during EE but would like to do Haunted at official park opening.

 

[elgerber]

During Early Entry, where do they hold you coming from Fantasyland into Liberty Square? I'm planning on hitting up Fantasyland during EE but would like to do Haunted at official park opening.

By the Tangled bathrooms.

 

[Juventus]

By the Tangled bathrooms.

If I head to say space or 7 Dwarves first during early entry and fantasy/Adventureland have yet to open and I want to then "ropedrop" thunder mountain, is it best to line up and head out by the tangled bathrooms or head back out to the hub and line up behind the masses there?

 

[scrappinginontario]

If I head to say space or 7 Dwarves first during early entry and fantasy/Adventureland have yet to open and I want to then "ropedrop" thunder mountain, is it best to line up and head out by the tangled bathrooms or head back out to the hub and line up behind the masses there?

Personally I would line up with those at the Tangled bathrooms. Crowds will be smaller there as many inside are in line for attractions or on attractions rather than in line for park opening rope drop.

 

[Lisa P.]

Staying offsite in the fall. Thinking about parking at HS (where we'd end up in the evening) and walking over to the IG at Epcot for rope drop.

What time do the parking lots open at HS? What time are offsite guests allowed to enter at the IG? If it's before official park opening, where are they held until parking opening?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Staying offsite in the fall. Thinking about parking at HS (where we'd end up in the evening) and walking over to the IG at Epcot for rope drop.

What time do the parking lots open at HS? What time are offsite guests allowed to enter at the IG? If it's before official park opening, where are they held until parking opening?

Many answers in post 1. Please check there for lots of ETPE info.

I believe IG offsite guests are held either just outside or just inside IG.

If you’re interested, another option to get from DHS to Epcot is the Skyliner.

 

[buyerbrad]

During Early Entry, where do they hold you coming from Fantasyland into Liberty Square? I'm planning on hitting up Fantasyland during EE but would like to do Haunted at official park opening.

Earlier this week, after rope dropping SDMT, we walked straight past Small World at 8:58am toward Haunted mansion and walked right on.

 

[paults]

Is the early entry still being used? Is it for all year if it is being used?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Is the early entry still being used? Is it for all year if it is being used?

It is part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations do it is anticipated to last through March 2023.

 

[paults]

thanks for the quick answer

 

[daisylovesdisney]

I just looked up the early morning entry info on the WDW site. It says "Valid theme park admission, park reservation and Resort ID are required." Can they get all that info from our Magic Band, I don't think we even receive room key cards anymore so not sure what resort ID we'll have.

Epcot and DHS are both opening at 8:30am every day during our visit. Do they allow resort guests in starting at 8am or do they often start a bit earlier?

Finally, what is favorite pick for the first ride? I'm torn between TT and FEA in Epcot and MMRR and SDD in DHS.

 

[Haley R]

I just looked up the early morning entry info on the WDW site. It says "Valid theme park admission, park reservation and Resort ID are required." Can they get all that info from our Magic Band, I don't think we even receive room key cards anymore so not sure what resort ID we'll have.

Epcot and DHS are both opening at 8:30am every day during our visit. Do they allow resort guests in starting at 8am or do they often start a bit earlier?

Finally, what is favorite pick for the first ride? I'm torn between TT and FEA in Epcot and MMRR and SDD in DHS.

Your magic band is enough. They’ll scan it before letting you into the park further for the early entry.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Yeah, everything is on the magic band. Worst case scenario, show them the app with your resort stay information, but you shouldn't need it.

As for first rides, will you be doing Genie+ at all?

If not, I'd probably do SDD and TT as first rides. I think they get the longest waits throughout the day.

 

[daisylovesdisney]

Yeah, everything is on the magic band. Worst case scenario, show them the app with your resort stay information, but you shouldn't need it.

As for first rides, will you be doing Genie+ at all?

If not, I'd probably do SDD and TT as first rides. I think they get the longest waits throughout the day.

Yes, we're planning on Genie+! I have to buy it day by day though so hoping that all works out okay. We'll be hopping parks each day and have read it's better to use your Genie+ for the 2nd park, it's so hard to decide what to do. It will be hard for me not to book Genie+ rides as early as I can each day, not sure about only using it for park #2.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Yes, we're planning on Genie+! I have to buy it day by day though so hoping that all works out okay. We'll be hopping parks each day and have read it's better to use your Genie+ for the 2nd park, it's so hard to decide what to do. It will be hard for me not to book Genie+ rides as early as I can each day, not sure about only using it for park #2.

Yeah, that park hopping strategy is tough to think about, but seems to work great in practice for some people.

If your starting park is dhs, I'd definitely rope drop ssd. If starting in Epcot, I'd go with test track. If you're planning to hop and stack rides, those are what I'd choose as well, though Remy's would be up there depending on your Epcot entry point.