Early Entry Testing in the Magic Kingdom Was Not So Early
We showed up to the Magic Kingdom today with swift feet and a TouringPlan. Today, our goal was to head straight for Space Mountain as soon as we tapped in for Early Entry to see if we could recreate the “4 Attractions Before 9:45am” testing we wrote about last November. Spoiler: it didn’t work out, so let’s review why.
Magic Kingdom Early Entry started at 8:30am today and regular entry was 9:00am, just like the day we tested in November. The main gates opened at 7:48am and our tester tapped in at 7:52am. A quick hustle down a still decorated Main Street, and the Early Entry tap was done at 7:54am. A beeline was made for Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. Our testing in November saw Seven Dwarfs Mine Train begin running and loading guests at 8:15am – a whole 15 minutes before Early Entry was supposed to start. As a reminder, Early Theme Park Entry is a benefit provided to Disney resort guests that allows them access to parts of each park 30 minutes before regular entry when everyone with a ticket is allowed access.
Our tester was in line for Space Mountain at 7:58am but the ride did not open until 8:26am. That’s 11 minutes later that Seven Dwarfs opened on our last 8:30am Early Entry day. We asked the Cast Member at the entrance to Space Mountain if this was the usual opening time and they explained that they usually open earlier.
Our tester had no wait for Space Mountain and headed for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train immediately after disembarking the rocket.
The posted wait at Mine Train was 25 minutes when our tester got in line at 8:41am. The TouringPlans Lines app timer, below, right, was stopped at 9:06am as our tester boarded the train.
Today wasn’t a testing fail, but we did have some challenges. Completing Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train by 9:11am on a Crowd Level 5 day was good, but we’re testing the same plan again next week.
Where would you like for us to test next? Let us know in the comments!
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That’s most helpful thank you.
I will be staying at Grand Floridian so I guess walking might be the best option there.
You have to Rope Drop the Rope Drop. Which means being on the first bus/monorail/boat of the morning to be near the front of the line. And then you need to pray that the Mine Train doesn’t open 20 minutes late. I’ve been amazed at how much more waiting I did when I was just 10 minutes late.
Chuck!! Are you a TouringPlans Subscriber? If so, please let us know what year you joined because we are 100% making a shirt today that says “You have to Rope Drop the Rope Drop” – Mike, Liner, “since xxxx”. This is exactly what we try to stress and this is why we updated the Lines App with the rope drop feature!! If you show up 30 minutes after Magic Kingdom EE rope drop, you’re going to wait in line at least 60 minutes more. Email me your subscription date and your shirt size, please! Christina@touringplans.com
Do I understand you arrive at the gate about 50-60 min prior to early entry time ?
That’s slightly disheartening as I thought 30 min might be enough.
With transportation time to is about 75min prior or so. Is that correct ?
Hi Anne, You’ve hit on the most important part of rope drop – especially at the Magic Kingdom. If early entry is 8:30am, Resort buses will start dropping at 7:30am. Depending on where you’re staying, you may need to be on the bus at 7:00. Many of the buses idle and keep guests onboard until right when security opens at 7:30. The reason I’m using the 8:30am EE example here is that 8:00am early entry times in the Magic Kingdom are less reliable. All of this to say, if you’re coming from a distant resort, like Animal Kingdom Lodge, plan to be at the bus stop at 6:45am for 8:30am early entry. The goal, if you’re really going to be at the front of the pack and knock down several rides in the first 2 hours, is to be stepping off your bus 60 minutes prior to the start of early entry. I hope this helps. Please let me know if not! -Chrissy