Early start at the theme parks?

[Scarlett95]

I know many of you recommend getting to the theme parks really early (which I completely understand by the way) but how would the queues compare with say going at tea-time and spending a few hours there into the early evening? Any advice would be appreciated as I am busy planning!! Ta xx;)

[afterdenon]

We always aim at getting to the entrance of IOA or Universal by 08:30. You can normally do all the major stuff within a couple of hours with walk on at most rides. IOA normally open around 08:45 and you can get on hulk and spidey a couple of times by 09:30. When we've gone later although the queues are not as bad as middle of the day they are still not as good as first thing in the morning. We tried the same thing with Disney and it works there too. And what tends to happen at Disney is that Fastpasses run out later in the day.

[JoJoBell]

We have ALWAYS found it to be much quieter at opening than late afternoon/early evening. You also have much more chance of finding fasspass tickets have all gone by later on in the day.

[danny68]

As already stated you will find that if you get there for opening you will be able to walk on most of the rides for the first 30 mins so will be able to get 3 or 4 done. Only downside is that you may find yourself waking up on holiday earlier than you would do at home:confused2

[Bondy007]

I think you will find that even going early evening the Q's, in comparison with early morning will be large. 09:00 in most parks you will walk-on most rides, 17:00 until close you will still be Q'ing for at least 30 mins (1hr + on the most popular attractions).

[ely3857]

Getting there before park opening all but gaurantee's a quite first hour or so but getting there afternoon, early tea time it's all up to luck and of course, as another poster mention, FP are probably all gone!

At IOA and USF there is almost no point in going later sometimes 'cos all the onsiters with FOTL access turn up from around 11 onwards and it gets busier by the minute

:)

Jodie

[pongo]

Im all for getting there early unlike at home we are all up with the larks on holiday so i cant see any point in hanging around we would rather be up showered and at the parks as early as poss its nice to be there to see the parks when they are quieter as well not just for the rides you seem to notice more of the details plus you get to get a few big rides under your belt before the masses arrive which can only be a bonus:thumbs-up

[Micky]

It isn't always possible to get to the parks for opening though:omg: especially if you have small children!!! I find my ds2 sleeps later when we have been he gets up between 7-7.30 at home but sleeps until 8-8.30 on hols and I don't intend waking my tired child just to get to the parks to get on the rides!! but hey that's just my opinion! it will be different when we go with family in 2010 though as they intend getting to them all for opening:omg::D

[ScottishSweety]

I'm hoping DD2 will be as early a riser over there as she is here!. We never got to Universal for exact opening but we got there at 9.30 and the place was dead!. Jaws didn't open till 11 (if I remember correctly) and it was lovely strolling about in such an empty park. It was SO quiet we were able to get both girls characatures done..and all the rides were a walk on. DD1 loved th woody woodpecker ride..and we rode it about 5-6times straight..and we were the only ones on it lol.

[Treacle44]

The only trouble with going in the afternoon is you will always have to use the Stand By lines and queue as by the the Fast Pass allocation will have probaly been used up.

x

[BONDY LAD]

getting to the parks b4 opening is absolutely essential,,,,mickey says ,,,my kids sleep till 8/8.30,,,believe me its better waking them early ad getting there to join lines of 1 hour plus ,,,make sure tho mickey if u do that to be fair to the kids let em sleep in next day as they will be whacked,,,i a good way,,,,,as previous, when there early,,, can do loads in first hour maybee two,,, after that,,, forget it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,b ondy

[Kerri]

When we were there a couple of weeks ago Test Track and Soarin at Epcot were out of Fastpasses by 3pm

[Scarlett95]

Thanks everyone for your help as always. I am an early riser so will make sure DH and DS are too!!! Planning continues ..........:wavey:

[KK_Cat]

When we were there a couple of weeks ago Test Track and Soarin at Epcot were out of Fastpasses by 3pm

Twice last week in Epcot they were gone by 1pm, so I guess it gets earlier as the summer progresses. I find that first week of hols you can stay on Irish/UK time and get up early (it's still a lie on really, 6am Florida=11am home) and do early parks get popular rides in, then as you head into 2nd week, ease yourself into Florida time and do late evenings, fireworks and those less popular rides/shows.

[anniealfie]

If you head to the park early does anyone go back home for a afternoon rest and then head back for the fireworks - we have always stayed at off site villa's and thought tis was a waste of time but this time we are on site - so does anyone think this is a good idea

X

[Big_Mark]

Love getting to the parks very early, we stay on site and use the early morning hours so get to the parks at 8:00am.
You do get loads more done before the big crowds.

Saying that we always wake early anyway so why waste time.

This year we will leave DS (15) to lie in if he wants to, we are going to get some pre paid phones to keep in touch.

We did find last August that the evening hours were very very busy.


As for Universal, we stay on site here too, usually for 3-4 nights. You don't have to get to these parks early as you get front of line.

[may]

I agree that it is worthwhile being at the park for rope drop. Due to the time difference I tend to plan early mornings in the first week and later evenings in the second. I have sometimes found that afternoon / evening in Futureworld at EPCOT can be less busy as many people did futureworld early and have moved on to world showcase. Towards the end at Futureworld there are only selected rides open but they tend to be the popular ones and the crowds go down significantly.

[Bondy007]

If you head to the park early does anyone go back home for a afternoon rest and then head back for the fireworks - we have always stayed at off site villa's and thought tis was a waste of time but this time we are on site - so does anyone think this is a good idea
X

When staying onsite this is definitely a good idea. We were onsite last year and often went back to the hotel mid afternoon, as the parks were getting crowded and the temperature was rising... It's nice just to take an hour or so out of the day to have drink and a snack, cool down, recharge and head back later on.
Staying onsite really makes a difference.....