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You are here: Home / Blog / Monorail Hours, Flower and Garden Preview, Presidents Week Rope Drop, Crowds, Kringla Epcot 2/23/12 Part 1

Monorail Hours, Flower and Garden Preview, Presidents Week Rope Drop, Crowds, Kringla Epcot 2/23/12 Part 1

February 25, 2012 ~ 11 minutes read24 Comments

Today we are doing something that is very rare for this website.  We are actually going to follow its advice.

Today’s (Thursday February 23rd) Monorail hours with the 7am morning Extra Magic Hour/8am regular opening at Magic Kingdom and Epcot’s usual 9am – 9pm day:



With the fairly unusual 7am morning Extra Magic Hour at Magic Kingdom, we have the Resort Monorail opening at 6:30am instead of its usual 7am.  The Express Monorail begins operating 30 minutes prior to the general opening as usual.

Disney is busy gearing up for the Flower and Garden Festival that begins March 7th.  We have this new flower/butterfly scene below and a playground area being constructed in the top right corner.

A look back from the monorail.

And another one on the opposite side.  That’s the Butterfly House in the upper left.

It’s about 8:25am so we have some last minute pruning and maintenance going on.

In an otherwise empty theme park.

It isn’t even 8:30am and we already have some significant lines forming in front of the turnstiles.

There had been a question as to where the turnstiles are located in relation to the trams/monorail/security.  Most people will pass through this way as we have the parking lot trams to the left, the exit from the Epcot Monorail behind us, and the resort bus stops also to the rear

Once you pass through security, you’ll proceed through here to the turnstiles.  You can see the lines forming in the distance.

We have about 40 people in line already at the turnstiles on the far left.

About 20 people in line at the turnstiles down here to the right.

And a total of 7 people at the two turnstiles all the way over here.  Where these people are standing is typically the last turnstile that will be manned by a cast member at opening.  The furthest two turnstiles are used as an exit.

This “parade of ECVs” was kind of bizarre and something I’ve never seen before.  Each one has a flag or some other item representing one of the countries that they probably aren’t actually from.

A look down at the turnstiles at 8:40am.  As we saw back in September when Disney first removed the “rope drop show” along with the ropes themselves, a prerecorded voice comes on exactly at 8:45am and says hello to you in the languages of the World Showcase.  He then asks you if you’re ready for the time of your life, which is usually met with a meek response.  So in true announcer form, the voice again asks you if you’re ready for the time of your life, which is usually met with a slightly stronger reaction.  At 8:47am, the turnstiles begin operating and you’re let into Epcot to go wherever in Future World you please.  Soarin’, Test Track, Mission: Space, and any other Future World attraction will be operating.

Stitch begins appearing at 8:45am.

Along with Daisy.  Come back later because their lines will be short and we don’t want to take the time now to visit.  If you don’t think you’ll be able to get the kids past them, head into Epcot on the left side of Spaceship Earth.

And please don’t get in line for Spaceship Earth first thing.  Come back at 5pm and the wait will be ten minutes or less.  Our morning priorities are the Character Spot, Soarin’, and Test Track.

I’ve seen some concern expressed that people staying at the Epcot Deluxe Resorts are let through the International Gateway entrance later than the main entrance.  The walk is also a bit further to Soarin’ or Character Spot from the International Gateway.  We took a detailed look at the new rope drop procedure from the International Gateway in this post.

Zoomed in, we can see that people are already streaming in from the International Gateway entrance at 8:52am, meaning they were let through the turnstiles around the same time as the main entrance, or 8:47am.  These people are taking a shortcut to Soarin’ through the walkway that takes you to the Imagination Pavilion.

Which would cut a couple of minutes off the trip.  These people are headed down toward the base of World Showcase, where they’ll probably take a left and continue walking toward the Fountain.  That works too, especially if you’re headed to Test Track, Mission: Space, or something else.

Not a lot of people coming through this way.  As you might be aware, there is no transportation to the main entrance from the Epcot resorts.  You would either walk or take the boat to the International Gateway.  If you’re staying at one of the Epcot Area Deluxe Resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, BoardWalk Inn, Swan, Dolphin), I don’t think you need to stress out over trying to get a cab or or taking your own car to the front entrance.  The nice thing about the International Gateway is that the number of people that arrive by 8:40am is fairly consistent throughout the year.  The International Gateway only used by those staying at the Epcot area resorts or possibly those with a breakfast reservation, so off-site guests aren’t a concern whatsoever.  While occupancy can be variable and is probably slightly higher over busy weeks like this one, you’re not going to see a wild increase in lines or crowds at 8:30am.  If you’re that concerned about getting into Epcot as early as possible, just arrive at the International Gateway by 8:25am and line up at security.  You’ll probably be the first people through security and the turnstiles.  Generally speaking, “rope drop” at the International Gateway is much more subdued than the main entrance.  Whenever I’ve been over there, people are just hanging out around the benches rather than bothering with a formal queue.

We’ll start by visiting the Character Spot.  Most of the conventional wisdom overlooks the Character Spot, where you can meet Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy in their classic outfits one after the other.  If you’re interested in visiting the characters here, I actually recommend visiting first thing in the morning or sometime after 7pm.  Afternoon waits on a day like today will be 50+ minutes and it doesn’t offer FASTPASS.

I wasted a bit of time taking those pictures above, so we have a few groups in front of us already.

But there’s going to be a lot more people here in just 20 or 30 minutes.

The characters:





Can’t beat the pure joy of seeing your child meeting the fab five.  The nice thing about the Character Spot is that there’s only one formal queue to meet all five characters.  You’ll probably be waiting a minute or two for your turn at each character, but it’s more convenient than the individual queues you’ll run into at places like Animal Kingdom’s Character Greeting Trails.

Up to Soarin’ at 9:06am.

A steady stream of people walking down the stairs to Soarin’.

There are several positives to riding standby this early in the morning.  Obviously, lines are going to shorter than just about any other time of day.  Second, the FASTPASS return time will be sooner than any other time of day in case you would like to ride later.  Third, people with FASTPASS aren’t a concern because the earliest return time is around 9:40am.  Because FASTPASS returners have the priority, you’re looking at a much longer wait later in the day even if fewer people are somehow in the standby line.

With the high overall crowd level (8) and the popularity of Soarin’, FASTPASSes are already 80 minutes out at 9:09am.  The return time of 10:30am to 11:30am is pretty convenient though, because it will give us enough time to ride Soarin’ and then head over to Test Track, Sum of All Thrills, and Mission: Space before returning to the Land Pavilion to ride Soarin’ with FASTPASS, have lunch at Sunshine Seasons, and hop on Living with the Land and/or Circle of Life.

At 9:11am, the posted wait time was:

20 minutes.  With a lower overall crowd level, the posted wait time would be closer to 10 minutes.

We’re backed all the way out here.  Later in the day with FASTPASS returners, this would be closer to a 60 minute wait, if not longer.

I was back out front at 9:42am, for a total wait/ride time of 31 minutes. That’s not too bad. Even with FASTPASS, you’re looking at about 25 minutes worth of wait/ride time because you’ll still be waiting in the secondary line and then in the preshow area.

By 9:42am, the posted wait time was up to 60 minutes.

With FASTPASS nearly three hours out.  This past Tuesday, the peak wait at Soarin’ was an even 200 minutes.

We’ll take a look at Sunshine Seasons’ breakfast menu while we’re here:


That Panini sure looks good.  There’s really no way I would take the time to order, pay for, and eat a meal this early in the day though.  We want to get over to Test Track and some other attractions as early as possible because waits are only going to get longer as more people arrive.  I prefer to eat a smaller breakfast either back in the room or on the way to the theme parks.  Clif Protein Bars are my usual go-to.  Light, cheap, relatively high in calories and protein, and they taste like cardboard.  Really makes you look forward to eating at Lotus Blossom Cafe later.

We’ll take a look at the treat case while we’re here:














Like everything else at Sunshine Seasons, the desserts are better than most anywhere else.

No wait over here at Living with the Land, but most people will want to head over to Test Track.  If you’re doing a more compartmentalized two-day approach to Epcot where you basically split Epcot in half, you may want to head over here after Soarin’.  I prefer the compartmentalized approach because it minimizes waits at every attraction, decreases walking, and gets you up to World Showcase to enjoy the Pavilions when few people will be around.

A lot of people out here in front of the Land Pavilion already at 9:50am.  With my fiddling around, I’m about 20 minutes behind where I would be if I was in a hurry to move from place to place.

Looking in the opposite direction up at the Land Pavilion – a lot of people incoming.

Checking the wait times on where we’ve been and where we’re headed.  That five minute wait at the Character Spot is up to 40 minutes already and the wait time at Test Track is up to 30 minutes with FASTPASSes just under an hour out.

Test Track with a 30 minute posted wait and a line out the door.  I think we’ll skip the standby line and grab FASTPASSes after Sum of All Thrills and Mission: Space.

My advice is to do Sum of All Thrills before Mission: Space because Mission: Space has a much higher capacity.  We’ll take a look at the line again after disembarking from the attraction (spoiler: it’s much longer).  With lower crowds and/or more of a hurry, this is about where we would be if we rode Test Track under normal circumstances.  It’s just before 10am.

We’ve taken an extended look at Sum of All Thrills in the past, but I’ll rehash a bit of it for you.  This is the simulator we’re going to be stepping in after we design our ride.  It’s upside down at the moment.

You’ll begin in this preshow area where you’ll be introduced to physics along with a brief explanation of what we’ll be doing in the next room.

This is the design stage where you’ll step up to one of these tables and swipe your card given to you in the previous room.

First, you’ll select the intensity of the ride by choosing between the bobsled (least intense), roller coaster, and jet-fighter (most intense).  Then, you’ll choose from a variety of drops, turns, lifts, etc.  Using the ruler, you’ll set the height of the lift and the dial is used to set the speed of your vehicle.  In the upper right hand corner is a button used to test the course.  If you set the speed too high, the lift too short, etc. the screen will tell you that you need to recalibrate and try again.  Once you complete one piece, you’ll move on to the next until you finish the course.

And you can give it a generic name and then “upload” the course to your card.

You’ll give your card to one of these cast members and then board your KUKA RoboSim 4-D Simulator.  The cast member can see you on the monitors there, so try not to scream too many obscenities.  Or try to scream and make as many obscenities/obscene gestures as possible.  There are free lockers up here to place any loose items during your 90 second ride as well.

Overall, it’s a fun and recommended experience.  Lines typically hit 15 to 25 minutes in the afternoon.  Keep in mind that the posted wait time very rarely changes from 15 minutes regardless of how many people are in line.  Even with 15 people in line, you’re looking at the entire process taking about 20 minutes.

The line at 10:20am is much longer than it was 25 minutes ago.  It’s going to take these people 30 to 40 minutes to get through the ride.

We’ll continue with Mission: Space, Kringla Bakeri, and more Flower and Garden Festival.

Last modified: August 27, 2014 Filed Under: Blog

Comments

  1. BQuay says

    February 25, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    The breakfest panni is awesome. Had it twice during my last trip. Great advice on the charachter spot. We were heading for Soarin’ first thing but decided to stop there and it took less then 10 minutes!

    Reply
  2. Clint Fanslow says

    February 25, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    The problem with the International Gateway isn’t when they begin letting people through the turnstiles, it’s when they begin bagchecks. There are only two lines for bag checks and when I was there during Jersey week they didn’t start bagchecking people until 8:50 and many people that were there well before 9:00 didn’t make it into the park at 9:00

    Reply
  3. Dan Young says

    February 25, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    DON’T EAT THE PANINI no matter how hungry you are! I had it once about a year ago, and it featured a cheese that tasted like FEET! Maybe it was just an off day and they’ve improved it, but I was burned so badly by this that I don’t think I’ll be trying it again in the near future.

    Reply
  4. Dawn says

    February 25, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Hey Josh…I just need to clarify..are people that arent staying at a monorail resort allowed to use the resort monorail to get to MK from the TTC?
    and I just read on Touringplans that they closed Habit Heroes…you’re feelings were right on that one! (again)

    Reply
  5. Dawn says

    February 25, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    OH!..sorry, and does the resort monorail stop at MK every trip? … or is there something special we need to do ? (the MK is not listed in the “making stops at..” section) and do you know how long it takes? Im trying to decide between taking a bus from my resort and driving to the TTC.

    Reply
  6. Terri in So Cal says

    February 25, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    Thanks Josh. I never get to SS in the a.m. so I found some new items to add to my snack list. Looking forward to Part 2. One of these days I would like to make it to the Flower and Garden Festival but I think I’ll try to Christmas season first. (We did it the year the Osborne Lights were closed due to LM&A being built. 🙁

    Reply
  7. Jill says

    February 25, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    Dawn, are you trying to get directly to MK from your resort? Or do you need to get to the TTC?

    Anyone can take any monorail they want. You do not need to be a resort guest.

    If you aren’t a member already, I definitely recommend joining the easyWDW forum. There is a whole section for transportation information.

    Reply
  8. Dawn says

    February 25, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Hi Jill, thanks, yes, I will be going from Coronado directly to MK, I like to drive, I actually enjoy the monorail ride in the am (gets the kids excited) and the ferry at night…usually I dont do the EMH and Ive never done one at 7am, but they are at that time the whole week, Im just really nervous about getting to the TTC at 6:30 ish and not being able to get to MK.
    I “suck” (can I say that? ) at the forums, Im a navigation failure!…I am a member but I can never find anything..I search and search and , well you get the ideaÜ…thanks for your help though..so the resort mono will definately take me from TTC to Mk at 6:30…Im good! Ü
    Yes, I could take the bus…I am anti public transportation, I tend to get carsick if Im not doing the driving, but I could suck it up for one morning..Ive just never used Disney transportation and I dont want to be on a bus for 1/2 an hour when I can drive in 10 minutes …..

    Reply
  9. Jill says

    February 25, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    If you search and can’t find your answers on the forum, just start a new topic and I’m sure you’ll get responses. People over there are really informative and helpful. (Plus, it’s just a fun forum to be a part of!)

    Reply
  10. Ferg says

    February 25, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    Nice update, Josh. Thanks! When Test Track is closed for refurbishment, do you think Sum of All Thrills will still be the priority before Mission: Space?

    Reply
  11. Shares says

    February 26, 2012 at 3:35 am

    Can’t wait for part 2!!!!

    Reply
  12. Ann says

    February 26, 2012 at 7:11 am

    Great walkabout! Will you be doing another one to see what effects the Test Track closure will have on Soarin and FP times?

    Reply
  13. Nicole says

    February 26, 2012 at 8:44 am

    I really shouldn’t read this blog when I’m hungry. Chocolate raspberry cupcake? Yes please.

    Reply
  14. keri says

    February 26, 2012 at 9:48 am

    @Dawn:

    .Ive just never used Disney transportation and I dont want to be on a bus for 1/2 an hour when I can drive in 10 minutes …..

    No worries! If you get on the bus at the last stop at Coronado, it will take you directly to the front gates of the MK in the same amount of time it will take to drive to the TTC. It’s not like “regular” public transportation. In fact, you’ll be saving yourself a leg of the journey – no worries for the monorail or ferry. Of course, if you get carsick if you’re not the one driving, that’s a perfectly good reason to take yourself over 🙂

    And the resort monorail does stop at the MK every trip – they just don’t advertise it, since they don’t want the hordes hogging the cars, as it’s meant for the resort monorail folks.

    @Josh:
    Is the butterfly garden in the same place as last year? It looks like it, but I’m not quite sure.

    Reply
  15. Dawn says

    February 26, 2012 at 10:19 am

    keri thank you so much! if its truly a short trip maybe I will take the bus…if its quick enouph I wont be sick all day…can you tell me what you mean by the last stop? Ive never been to Coronado before
    I suppose i should be having these discussions on the forum .. sorry Josh…i will try it again…hopefully I will find these nice ladies there Ü

    Reply
  16. Jana says

    February 26, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Oooohhhhhh……key lime pie at Sunshine Seasons, how I miss thee.

    Reply
  17. keri says

    February 26, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    @Dawn:

    Many of the larger resorts have multiple bus-stops within, so that you needn’t walk too far to get to your room. I believe Coronado is one of them. Josh included a bit of information in a Coronado Springs basic write-up here: http://www.easywdw.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort-review-at-disney-world-orlando-florida/

    Also, he stayed there last September and has a more thorough post with lots of picturse: http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/coronado-springs-resort-review-etc/

    It looks like the El Centro stop (where all the amenities are) is the last one before the buses go to the park.

    Reply
  18. Anonymous says

    February 27, 2012 at 5:20 am

    “With the high overall crowd level (8) and the popularity of Soarin’, FASTPASSes are already 80 minutes out at 9:09am. The return time of 10:30am to 11:30am is pretty convenient though, because it will give us enough time to ride Soarin’ and then head over to Test Track, Sum of All Thrills, and Mission: Space before returning to the Land Pavilion to ride Soarin’ with FASTPASS, have lunch at Sunshine Seasons, and hop on Living with the Land and/or Circle of Life.”

    That’s pure gold, right there.
    We thought the panini was really good and a nice change from the usual.

    Reply
  19. Hilary (MaddiesMom) says

    February 27, 2012 at 7:25 am

    re: protein bars – do you have a Whole Foods by you? Try Perfect Foods Bars. They’re in the vitamin section in the refrigerated case. The Almond Butter ones are a-ma-zing. I can’t eat regular protein bars because of my pesky soy sensitivity.

    Reply
  20. Jamie says

    February 27, 2012 at 8:52 am

    If we arrive at Epcot around eleven (this will be our arrival day) on a Sunday in September that has a crowd level of 2, do you think we will be able to get a fast pass for Soarin’ or will they be gone?

    Reply
  21. Natalie says

    February 27, 2012 at 10:06 am

    Clif Bars do taste like cardboard. I continue to eat one for breakfast every morning though. I guess out of laziness to make/try anything less cardboardy.Try the Clif Mojo ones though, they are less cardboardy.

    Also, thanks for the character spot pics. My 2 yo is having a blast looking at pics to get prepared for their size.

    Reply
  22. Debbie says

    February 27, 2012 at 11:41 am

    @Jamie-We went last Sept and had no problem getting fast past around 11/11:30. We grabbed it, went to see Crush, came back, had lunch and then Soarin’. Parks are not crowded in Sept with 2 crowd level but it was real humid for me, the desert dweller!

    Reply
  23. Karen says

    February 28, 2012 at 9:33 am

    My mother and I had the panini on our most recent trip. We both didn’t like it very much. It was too savory and heavy for our tastes.

    In contrast, the Animal Kingdom’s breakfast panini at Pizzafari was much better.

    In both case, the panini’s were big enough to share. (We do not eat that much at each meal, though.) We find it best to always start with one order of everything because usually that is enough.

    Reply
  24. Jamie says

    February 29, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    Thank you, Debbie! We live in Mississippi, so we’re used to the heat. We’re also planning to have lunch at table service restaraunts or quick service restaraunts with air conditioning so we get a break from the humidity at the worst part of the day. I was hoping to grab a fast pass and then get lunch before riding Soarin’.

    Reply

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