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MikysGirl
09-13-2006, 09:28 AM
The earliest I have arrived at the gates was probably 8:45am for a 9:00am opening and there were a bunch of people ahead of us in line.

Are there any restrictions on how early you can get to the gates? Or how early does the Security screening start might be a better question!

Thanks!

backsthepack
09-13-2006, 09:34 AM
I am not sure what the earliest you can actually arrive is. We are usually there about 30 minutes prior to the opening.

Vegitabeta
09-13-2006, 09:36 AM
Well people were waiting outside from like 3 or so in the morning for the Pirates premiere, but that was a special thing!

Niwel
09-13-2006, 09:54 AM
Usually about 10-15 minutes (depends on when the parking lot opens, since you can usually only get in there 30 minutes before DL opens except on early entry days)

On 7/17/05 I was there about 3:30/4 a.m....

mystycalchyk
09-13-2006, 09:56 AM
on 05/05/05 I was there around 5am, and on most NYE's I am there around 5:30ish. Other than that we get there maybe 20 mins before they open.

DangerMouse
09-13-2006, 10:11 AM
We try to be there 45 minutes before they open. Sometimes the bag check is open already, and sometimes not. If not, the line just forms there, and then there's a mad dash to the even numbered gates.

bradk
09-13-2006, 10:19 AM
the earliest you can get in line (typically) is 7 am. that's because they clear out the esplanade area for security reasons and re-open at that time. you're actually able to go through the area before that. i don't think there's any time restriction in that respect. all of DTD (but not the shops) is open as well.

cwillis
09-13-2006, 11:36 AM
we went there at 5am last new years out of pure excitement.

we enjoyed sitting in the dark in the rain until CMs started showing up. we eventually had to both pee and were not the first ones in the park.

Dexter
09-13-2006, 11:42 AM
on 07/17/05 I got there at 1AM for the 8AM opening and there were already a couple thousand people in front of us.

I'll never forget how much fun we all had in line that day, and being able to sleep next to California Screamin was pretty cool too.

SeansMom
09-13-2006, 12:26 PM
We try to be there 45 minutes before they open. Sometimes the bag check is open already, and sometimes not. If not, the line just forms there, and then there's a mad dash to the even numbered gates.

Why the even numbered gates?

momuvseven
09-13-2006, 01:54 PM
I think it was about 0630 last New Year's Eve. We walked to the park in the dark, there was no one out at all and no traffic. It was really exciting to be going to Disneyland that early and our first time going on a holiday. We stopped at 7-11 for coffee and fed the kids something light along the way. I don't recall waiting much to get in, we had saved our early entry and we went crazy riding all the rides in FL (walk-on) until about ten o'clock and then went to have a character breakfast at the Plaza. We had PS so didn't have to wait but the standby line was really long! By that time things were kind of busy but OK, we went to see Santa since we hadn't been all week. The entire day was pure magic. Even the rain and late night crowds were something I am glad we didn't miss out on.

DangerMouse
09-13-2006, 02:27 PM
Why the even numbered gates?

During non-peak times, they only open the even numbered gates at park opening.

SeansMom
09-13-2006, 03:55 PM
During non-peak times, they only open the even numbered gates at park opening.
It is true...you really do learn something new every day! Thanks, DangerMouse :).

pisces
09-13-2006, 05:52 PM
the earliest you can get in line (typically) is 7 am. that's because they clear out the esplanade area for security reasons and re-open at that time. you're actually able to go through the area before that. i don't think there's any time restriction in that respect. all of DTD (but not the shops) is open as well.

I've lined up at 6:30 am. I think the trams start delivering people at 6:45 pm.

pisces
09-13-2006, 05:55 PM
I think it was about 0630 last New Year's Eve. We walked to the park in the dark, there was no one out at all and no traffic. It was really exciting to be going to Disneyland that early and our first time going on a holiday. We stopped at 7-11 for coffee and fed the kids something light along the way. I don't recall waiting much to get in, we had saved our early entry and we went crazy riding all the rides in FL (walk-on) until about ten o'clock and then went to have a character breakfast at the Plaza. We had PS so didn't have to wait but the standby line was really long! By that time things were kind of busy but OK, we went to see Santa since we hadn't been all week. The entire day was pure magic. Even the rain and late night crowds were something I am glad we didn't miss out on.

I was there! I guess I blended in to the scenery. I was at those gates at 6:30. Hey I didn't see anyone either.

Now 6:40, the lines did start getting backed up. And, 6:45.......you might as well have gone home, because the lines were backed up to the candy canes by then.

But, from 6:30 am to about 6:40, NYE there were few people...

....and then ---whooosh--- all of the sudden the line backs up out of nowhere!

kisroo
09-13-2006, 06:05 PM
I'll never forget how much fun we all had in line that day, and being able to sleep next to California Screamin was pretty cool too.

Yes. I am jealous!!!

Back before they took phone reservations for the balcony, I lined up for tickets at Guest Relations around 4:45am. :eek: (I got tickets, though!)

One trip we had reservations at Goofy's for 7am. We were walking the esplanade at about 6:30am and security stopped us and asked where we were headed. Once we told them we were heading to Goofy's they let us in. My guess was that they were not letting people line up that early.

To get in, I usually like to be there 30-40 mins prior to opening. Mr kisroo, on the other hand.... :rolleyes: If I can get him in line that early, it's a good day. ;)

~kisroo:)

Skunker
09-14-2006, 05:21 AM
We were the second car in line for the parking lot once. They gates were locked, so when they opened and let us in to park, I thought we'd avoid long lines. WRONG! When we got to DL, there were already huge lines on the esplanade. How could that be? I know we were among the first people who actually parked and got into the park....where did all the people come from who were already there? And if they were EE and driving, how would they have parked before us?

momuvseven
09-14-2006, 06:06 AM
They walked from area hotels.

3894
09-14-2006, 07:14 AM
Hmmm, probably 8 a.m.

MammaSilva
09-14-2006, 07:22 AM
in the OLD days of EE...pre 9/11 and security tents....6 a.m.

In the fun old days of camping out for fantasmic balcony tickets....1:30 am...yeah I was sitting there as the park emptied....I had to be first since I bought out both shows...I was nice and warned folks that I was doing it when they started showing up around 4am.

DJ_MENTOS
09-14-2006, 12:13 PM
For the date of the first Pirates Premiere I arrived at the Gates at 6am. We got in at 6:30 and I had a blast for two hours, with no waits!

dznyphreak
09-14-2006, 05:39 PM
I was there shortly after midnight on 7/17/05 and slept in front of a bug's land. I was there until 11:30 that night. Best time ever!!!! I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was also there early for 05/05/05, but don't remember what time. Someone else who was there can tell me at what time the line hit the DCA gates, as that's where I was standing in line.

Pirate Princess
09-14-2006, 07:41 PM
I was there shortly after midnight on 7/17/05 and slept in front of a bug's land. I was there until 11:30 that night. Best time ever!!!! I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was also there early for 05/05/05, but don't remember what time. Someone else who was there can tell me at what time the line hit the DCA gates, as that's where I was standing in line.
Wait... they let ou sleep in DCA???
I never knew this... and I checked the board like a madwoman back then...
Must not have looked to closely at the 7/17 events since I knew there was no way I would bring my child into that madness (and still keep my sanity).
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE DCA SLEEPOVER!

Alex S.
09-14-2006, 11:26 PM
I once got there about 3:30 a.m. But that was back when the only way you could get Fantasmic balcony tickets was from guest services the day of the reservation. Since there are only 15 seats or so you had to make sure you were at the front of the line or very near.

When I got there at 3:30 I was second in line. Fortunately the person in front of me wasn't looking to buy 15 seats.

Before about 6:00 a.m. you can pretty freely walk through the esplanade and, unless they have tightened things a lot sit in front of a gate if you want, but they'll eventually boot you out for final cleaning and staging.

You can still get through the Esplanade during that time but you'll likely be escorted by a bag checker or security person to make sure you exit the other side.

Malcon10t
09-15-2006, 12:26 AM
On 5/5/05, we got there about 7am and we were in line at the monorail track (for the person who was at the DCA gates.) On 7/17/05, we "slept in" and lined up at 5:30am and were in the DTD group at the bakery, then when they let us thru to enter, we were about 5 back at the gate and watched all the DCA folks enter. It was fun!