Is Disney experimenting with opening times?

[Dusty11]

A couple of weeks ago I read somewhere that Disney is experimenting with opening times at Hollywood Studios. Published opening was 9:00 but they we were allowing people into some sections of the park at 8:30 with no rope drop. Did I dream this or is it true and is it still going on? We will be in the parks on Sunday!

[Altair]

We were at the studios on 1/5 and arrived at 8:45 and walked right in. Fast Pass return times were also pushed back. We rode TSM and were off before official park opening. At Epcot, the way to Soarin' was different than before also.
It seems they do try to adjust things a bit to help out.

[MickeysBestPal]

Is Disney experimenting with opening times?

Yes.


Only MK still offers a Rope Drop SHOW along with an inside-the-gates holding area.
MK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."

DAK no longer offers a Rope Drop SHOW, but still has an inside-the-gates holding area.
DAIK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."

Epcot and DHS no longer offer a Rope Drop SHOW, AND no longer offer an inside-the-gates holding area.
Epcot and DAK Gates open approx. 15 min. "early."

As always, arrive well before the posted opening time at all parks.

[cer]

When we were there in Sept 2011 we experienced some of this.

We did not make it to AK, but...

At DHS, they DID do a rope drop in a holding area, but no pre-show. - I guess this has probably changed since we visited.

EPCOT - like the previous poster said, no pre-show/no holding area. - We really liked this entry. The turnstyles controlled the flow of traffic into the park and there was no foot race or need to be escorted to Soarin'...this is one change I think I can embrace.

[HiHoKermitTheFrogHere]

I was in Epcot on either Oct. 14 or 15 and experienced this, too. I arrived at the International Gateway turnstiles around 8:30 a.m. We were held there until about 8:45, at which point we were allowed into the park. I have been to Epcot at park opening before, always through the International Gateway, and expected to walk through International Showcase and be stopped behind a rope somewhere in the vicinity of Journey Into Your Imagination. To my surprise, I just kept on walking, straight into The Land pavilion, right to the Soarin FP machines where I got a FP, then right through a no-wait line for Soarin. I was OFF of Soarin at 8:58, two minutes before the posted opening time for the park (AND I had a FP to ride again with a return time soon after that!). I was rather shocked and surprised (but pleasantly). As one previous poster alluded to, it was nice not to be shoulder-to-shoulder with people in a footrace to the Soarin FP machines.

[Darbylew]

This sounds great. We will try it next time we are there.

[cuteduck223]

no more rope drops anywhere but in MK? I think i might be devastated. For real though, we loved the HS drop.