Time Saver #2: Arrive at the Theme Parks Early

If you don’t follow any other of my suggestions for vacationing at Disney World, follow this one! To get the most of your Disney World vacation, arrive at the park entrance 10 minutes before the official opening time.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be standing at the gate when the park opens. Your goal is to beat the crowds! And being there early is the virtually the only way to stay ahead of the crowds.

How to Get There

If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, go to the bus stop (or monorail station or boat dock) no later than 40 minutes before the official opening time.

If you’re staying offsite, leave your hotel so that you arrive at the theme park parking lot no later than 20 minutes before the opening time. Headed to the Magic Kingdom? Get to the parking lot no later than 40-45 minutes before the opening time. You’ll have take the tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center, then the monorail or boat to the Magic Kingdom.

Just to be clear: If the Magic Kingdom opens at 9:00 AM, you should be in the parking lot by 8:15.

By the way, if you need to rent a stroller, look for an express rental station right outside the entrance. It can save valuable time!
And pick up a Times Guide with attraction hours and show times.

Stay Focused When You Enter the Park

I love the opening ceremony at each park. Only the early birds — like us! — have the honor of seeing it. It might feel a bit crowded, but the crowds will disperse quickly so don’t fret.

Now here’s the real trick… When you enter the park, head straight to your destination! Do not get distracted by character greetings, photographers, shopping, or food breaks. (If you need a restroom break, take care of it before the gate opens.)

Your target destination will depend on your family. In any case, move quickly from attraction to attraction. Fit in as many attractions as you can. Use your waiting time to check the Times Guide and plan afternoon activities.

(The following guidelines reference the FASTPASS. Turn to Page 20 for details on how to use FASTPASS.)

I said you should head straight to your destination. Where exactly should you go? Here are my recommendations:

Magic Kingdom

If you have small children or want to enjoy the classic attractions, go straight to Fantasyland. To get there, go straight down Main Street USA toward Cinderella Castle. The Castle is usually open so go straight through to Fantasyland. If the Castle is closed, you can take a route around. To the right is faster.

Go straight to Dumbo and ride. Then pick up a FASTPASS for Peter Pan’s Flight, and go to the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Then work your way around the other Fantasyland rides, ending with Peter Pan’s Flight, where you’ll use your FASTPASS. Move as quickly as you can. You should be able to ride all of the Fantasyland attractions within one or two hours.

If you prefer thrill rides, you’ll take a different route. First go to Tomorrowland — Head down Main Street USA and turn right before the Castle and pick up a FASTPASS for Space Mountain. Then walk across the park to Adventureland to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.

Next go to Frontierland and ride Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. Head back to Tomorrowland — You should be able to get another FASTPASS by this time. So pick up a FASTPASS for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, then ride Space Mountain using your FASTPASS.

Follow these suggestions, and you’ll hit the most popular attractions before the park gets crowded. I’ve been able to ride all of the Fantasyland attractions within an hour… If I had arrived an hour or two later, it could take four hours to get as much done.

Epcot

Enter Epcot through the main entrance. You have three different options for FASTPASS tickets. I recommend getting a FASTPASS for Soarin’ first… Head to the right and take a shortcut through Innovations West. Go to the Land Pavilion, take the escalator or stairs down and pick up a FASTPASS for Soarin’.

However, if Mission: SPACE or Test Track is at the top of your “must-ride” list, head to the left when you enter. Take a shortcut through Innovations East. Go straight to get a Mission: SPACE FASTPASS, or veer right for a Test Track FASTPASS.

(Note if you’re staying at an Epcot Area resort … Take the boat, enter through the International Gateway, then hotfoot it to Future World. Follow the signs to your destination.)

With a FASTPASS in hand, go back to The Seas with Nemo and Friends, which is next to the Land Pavilion. Ride the Nemo “underwater” ride, then see Turtle Talk with Crush inside. It should be time for your FASTPASS attraction.

If you really want to save time, you’ll need to hop back and forth across Future World to pick up another FASTPASS tickets when you’re allowed. You should be able to hit most of the top attractions at Future World — or at least have FASTPASS tickets in hand — within two hours.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The pace is a little slower at Disney-MGM Studios, so you don’t have to rush quite as much. But it still pays to be there when the park opens.

If you’re a fan of thrill rides, start on Sunset Boulevard. After you enter, go down Hollywood Boulevard and turn right down Sunset Boulevard. Go all the way to the end and take a left to the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster. Pick up a FASTPASS ticket, then go next door and ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

If you have small children, check the Times Guide and work out a schedule to see Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Showtimes are limited, so you must be at the park early to have enough time to see all of the shows in one day.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The pace is even slower at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But you still have a mission: Ride Expedition Everest and the Kilimanjaro Safari before the park is crowded and hot. In case you’re wondering why … the best viewing of the Safari is early morning, and the line at Expedition Everest gets long very early. FASTPASS is essential!
When you enter the park, head right and follow the signs to Asia. There will probably be a line even for the FASTPASS. Get in line and get FASTPASS tickets. Then quickly walk across the park and ride Kilimanjaro Safari.

And Enjoy Cooler Temperatures

By the way, there’s another major advantage of arriving early — cooler temperatures! Florida is warm or even hot most of the year. Getting to the parks early means that you’re doing most of your serious touring when the temperatures are cooler.

If you’re like me, you and your family will be much happier if you can enjoy the parks before the weather gets too warm.