Which is why I went straight to PP, then the Carousel, and then WtP…
2 Likes
Wrong. It is a mistake to use it for headliners.
2 Likes
I agree. Last week at MK like I said above, I was able to get on PPF, the carousel, and WtP in that ETPE plus have time to just meander around Fantasyland taking pictures and enjoying the morning. They actually opened PPF at 8:15 with regular opening time at 9:00.
3 Likes
You’re at the Swan, right? You should be eligible for MK evening hours on May 6…
Just keep in mind that some rides like Peoplemover aren’t open during EEH.
I know you have limited time - from our recent adventure, personally, I would prioritize after dark:
Starlight
HEA
Rapunzel magic shot?
7DMT is so much more intense after dark! I find it boring during the day. Ask to wait for last row for extra oomph (almost brought it up to BTMRR at night for me)
Peoplemover if you can make it in time (we got our dessert party space after Starlight, then sent everyone else to do Peoplemover, which worked well)
Dumbo was nice, and the walking tunnel to Tron was really cool. Tron at night is a plus, but it’s over so fast, I’m not sure how much you notice? I love the vibe under the canopy.
1 Like
That’s just the two of them. DS and GF fly in that evening (late).
1 Like
Ahh, thanks for the clarification.
1 Like
I have been to WDW over 20 times over the past 40 years. I have never been able to get to the parks early. When the kids were little it was impossible to get everyone moving in the same direction in order to be there early. Now when it is just the wife of I she has little interest in rushing out the door in the morning. I had always study the Unofficial Guides and know that a key part of the strategy is to get to the parks early and I am fully capable of getting myself there for the rope drop.
I came to realize that it was not that important to stress everyone out for since we were on vacation. My last trip I took everyone - my grown children and my grandchildren and I learned to focus on happy outcomes and not rushing all the time (although a little prodding at times). Having a good plan certainly helps the process, but my plans now factor in that we are not getting there early.
Of course, this means more money for lightening lanes, but the trade offs are worth it.
9 Likes
Thank you for the thoughtful response. What a wonderful experience to share with the grown children and grandchildren!
We have been making trips for around 20 years too, although less frequently the last several years. It seems that many of my tried and true strategies don’t work as well anymore, with Lightning Lanes vs Fast passes, 30 minute early entry versus 60, social media getting the word out about what works, etc. We have always been very good about getting out early, taking a break, and going back later. This allowed for multiple rides of favorites. Now, that just doesn’t seem possible, even with extreme effort and planning. That is fine, but I have just been trying to figure out what is worth the effort, and what isn’t. And I also need to reset expectations amongst family members who have been “spoiled” by visiting on the lowest crowd days (which doesn’t exist as much anymore), collecting and stacking, etc.
Bottom line is, I think I am pretty caught up now. I doubt we will go to extreme efforts to make early entry, we will have lightning lanes, have more reasonable expectations, and we will have a wonderful time. We probably just won’t go on SM five times in one day like we used to!
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to my education.
3 Likes
Yes, thanks for the details. We can apply some of them on our late night at MK when we are there until 11, but since my husband and I arrive around 7pm, and my son and GF land at 10, we won’t be making any attempt at the extended evening hours. Next time, when we can enjoy a longer trip!
2 Likes
Yes, I think MK early entry is way better than the other Ep and DHS, especially with RnR down. We can easily enjoy several nice rides there before crowds arrive. I think if we make any early entry, it will be at MK. Unfortunately our MK day is right after our DHS late night that includes 10:30 F!, so I am not sure if everyone will be ready to roll early. I guess we will play it by ear, but if we do, we will absolutely enjoy that time at MK. Thanks for the tips!
1 Like
When Disney first made this switch, the part that isn’t always brought up is it went from 1 park offering 1 hour early to 4 parks offering 30 minutes early. The reason is that while it is less time in a given park, it is spreading the EE guests across four parks instead of 1. I personally much prefer the 30 minutes to the hour because it was harder to plan around a single park needing to align to my park days. With all four parks at 30 minutes early, I don’t have to plan around which park happens to have EE.
7 Likes
Good point!
1 Like