Arrival at parks with young kids?
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| Tue, 05-30-2006 - 7:39am |
HI all -- more "inside the red zone planning" going on. Ok, we arrive at WDW Monday, June 12 and will stay until Monday, June 19. We're staying at POR. Traveling with 6 adults and 2 children (ages 4.5 and nearly 3). We've chosen what days to be in what parks for the first part of the week, leaving Saturday and Sunday as "wait and see" days to see what we'd like to go back to. And for better or worse, we aren't following the EMH schedule for those first days -- opting instead for the possibility that parks without EMH may be a bit less crowded. In discussing what time to start our days, we are a bit off kilter and I could use some help. I am of the "arrive early and get going" mindset. While my sister (whose daughter is the younger child) is very concerned about getting to a park to "stand in line for 30 minutes before you do anything".
We are planning: Tuesday - AK, Wednesday - MK, Thursday - Epcot (but have an 8 am character breakfast at Chef Mickey's so that day's starting point is set.) Friday is set as well at least for us because we have plans to visit the Disney Speedway for a ride along (Christmas present to my Nascar-fan DH). Then Saturday and Sunday are open in terms of where we go and when we get there.
So -- any recommendations about what time to actually get to the park if it "opens" at 9 am? I've read to get there early but am not sure what that means or if it is truly necessary. And, if we arrive "before the park opens" is there anything I can tell my sister that might ease her fears about arriving early -- I mean, it's DISNEY -- there must be some *magic* in getting there early -- right?
Thanks for your help! --Careylou

I think you want to get to MK before the park opens. It's better to wait in line to get in and then ride 3 or 4 rides without lines than it is to breeze through the gates just to be faced with lines everywhere you go once you get inside. Plus, you really just have to wait in line to get through the turnstile...then the characters will come on the train to open the park, that will keep their interest. If you want to ride Dumbo you've really got to get there early or you'll spend an hour in line for a 2 min. ride...in my experiences the kids can handle this, but it drives DH over the edge!! Mickey's Toon Town Fair opens about an hour after the rest of the park, so if you get in early you can do Fantasyland and then head over to Toon Town when it opens. I think the same is true for AK as well...get in early and see more stuff.
As far as MGM studios is concerned, with kids that young I wouldn't stress about getting there at park opening. Because Disney studios is mostly shows you really will get in and wait...I think the first playhouse Disney and Little mermaid shows begin about 30-40 minutes after the park opens. If you were going for the thrill rides like ToT or RRC it would make sense to try to ride those right when the park opens. I feel the same about Epcot - I'm not sure you'll miss out on much if your not there right at park opening -but definitely try to get there within the first hour.
I am like a drill sargent getting everyone out of the room in the morning for MK. Our first day we got there 20 min. after the park opened and the lines were already at about a 20 min. wait. The next time we were there for park opening and rode 3 rides (including Dumbo!) within the first 30 minutes. My mom and DH always tease me about getting everyone moving in the morning, but they are quick to change their tunes when they see how we sail through lines at park opening.
Maybe you can compromise - tell her park opening for MK and AK and she can be in charge of mornings for MGM and Epcot.
I'm thinking of staying at POR in January, so I can't wait to hear how you liked it there.
Have a great trip,
Mara
Get there before it opens! You can get so much done in the first hour or two before things get really crowded. It's probably going to be fairly crowded while you're there, but no unmanageable if you arrive early and use the Fastpass system when you can, and when it makes sense.
Plus, if you arrive before opening, you get to see the opening ceremonies!
Steph