Crystal Palace - entry to park time?

[Stitchie13]

We have a breakfast arranged at CP for 9.10am - the park opens at 9am but obviously we'd like to get into the park whilst its quiet to get some pictures - will they let us in at 8.30am?

 

[zelie]

Normally I suppose yes

 

[BrownHP800]

They will probably let you in a little early but you will be escorted right to CP. You will not be allowed to walk around and snap up pics. Arrive 30 mins early and go to the CM at the rope and let them know you have an ADR and see if they will let you go in before official opening.

 

[scjo68]

You can probably get in early.

We have had early reservations at cp many times.

Sometimes they just let you in stem you tell them you have a reservation and don't ask what time it was for.

Sometimes they ask for more details. If so, you may not get in until closer to 9:00.

We have never once been "escorted". We are able to leisurely walk to cp, taking pic of main street, castle, etc. of course we are only allowed on Main Street and hub.

 

[nancydrew79]

We have never been escorted, either. Some times they will check the reservation list, some times they won't. We have always been free to wonder around and take pics as we wish.

 

[Overexcited]

We have a breakfast arranged at CP for 9.10am - the park opens at 9am but obviously we'd like to get into the park whilst its quiet to get some pictures - will they let us in at 8.30am?

The only place we had trouble getting in for a ADR before park opened was Animal Kingdom! MK they let us no problem, they did not escort us.
Unsure why someone said they would, is this new??

 

[amberloo16]

yes they will my family and I did just the last time we visited. What a beautiful sight to see when no one is around

 

[hugo]

We have reservations at 8:10 for CP coming up. How early can you get in? Also what time does the monorail start running? Thanks for letting me hijack your thread OP!

 

[DeborahA]

We have booked breakfast many times at CP before opening time and we have been admitted early, and only on one occasion did they require us to wait in a line where they were checking ressies. In all those times we have never been escorted to CP. We just made our way on our own and snapped pics along the way. I wonder if this might be a new rule--if some guest ventured places where they didn't belong and ruined it for others. Would be very sad because we think this is one of those special perks of an early reservation.

 

[ThreeKMom]

We had a 9:10 reservation for CP in February and tried to enter at 8:30, the CM at the gate told us we would have plenty of time to get there when the park opened at 9:00.

We were not allowed to enter early!

It was O.K. though, we just watched the opening ceremony, it was the first time we actually took the time to watch it!

 

[princesslover]

They will probably let you in a little early but you will be escorted right to CP. You will not be allowed to walk around and snap up pics. Arrive 30 mins early and go to the CM at the rope and let them know you have an ADR and see if they will let you go in before official opening.

I have never, ever heard of this happening. We had an 8:10 reservation last time we went. We got in the breakfast ADR line and walked in. A CM never said two words to anyone in that line.

I'm not suggesting that someone with a 10:00 ADR get in early. But for crying out loud, it's breakfast! I doubt the CM's have time to worry about whether your ADR is 8:40 or 9:00 and whether that gives you the right to "snap pictures." Geesh!

By the way, our is at 8:55. I thought that was quite an odd time for an ADR. I'm hoping to get in by 8:25.

 

[nancydrew79]

Our last one was for 8:20 and we were let in at 7:30 when we got there. We took tons of pics and sat out on the CP porch and took more pics. I guess it depends on whatever CM is "in charge" of the ressies entrance that day.

 

[minnie mum]

I have never, ever heard of this happening. We had an 8:10 reservation last time we went. We got in the breakfast ADR line and walked in. A CM never said two words to anyone in that line.

I'm not suggesting that someone with a 10:00 ADR get in early. But for crying out loud, it's breakfast! I doubt the CM's have time to worry about whether your ADR is 8:40 or 9:00 and whether that gives you the right to "snap pictures." Geesh!

By the way, our is at 8:55. I thought that was quite an odd time for an ADR. I'm hoping to get in by 8:25.

Some CMs will check closely for ADRs and others won't. Some will let folks in really early and others won't. I'd say the chance of the OP getting in before the rope drops is good, since the restaurants ask guests to arrive at least 15 min. before their ADR time. No need to get upset about this. While I have never heard of guests being escorted from the entrance to the restaurant either, I have definitely heard of guests being prevented from wandering away from Main Street and the hub.

As for your ADR time- why does this seem like an odd time for an ADR? Why is it more odd than 8:25?

 

[MrRomance]

Whenever we have had pre-park opening ADRs in the parks, the CM at the gates asks for you ADR details. They used to have a list on a clip board but last time it was all on a tablet. Once they confirm you have an ADR, the CM escorts you down to the restaurant. We have not had an early ADR for CP but we have had them for other restaurants.

 

[princesslover]

Some CMs will check closely for ADRs and others won't. Some will let folks in really early and others won't. I'd say the chance of the OP getting in before the rope drops is good, since the restaurants ask guests to arrive at least 15 min. before their ADR time. No need to get upset about this. While I have never heard of guests being escorted from the entrance to the restaurant either, I have definitely heard of guests being prevented from wandering away from Main Street and the hub.

As for your ADR time- why does this seem like an odd time for an ADR? Why is it more odd than 8:25?

Umm, not upset at all, actually. I just think it is odd that a CM would feel the need to escort someone to an ADR, for fear they may linger too long on Main St and snap a few photos (gasp!!!) For the happiest place on earth, it doesn't sound like a nice practice. I think the chances of that happening with a 9:10 reservation are extremely low.

I have never had an 8:55 reservation so I thought it odd. 8:25 is the time I am planning to arrive, not an ADR time. Thanks!!

 

[kmb584]

Whenever we have had pre-park opening ADRs in the parks, the CM at the gates asks for you ADR details. They used to have a list on a clip board but last time it was all on a tablet. Once they confirm you have an ADR, the CM escorts you down to the restaurant. We have not had an early ADR for CP but we have had them for other restaurants.

We do 3 pre-RD breakfasts per vacation, twice a year in April and October, and have done so for the last 4 years. We've never once had a CM escort us to our restaurant.

 

[minnie mum]

I am certainly not doubting Mr Romance's previous experiences, but from my own experience and those of many PPs, I don't think that it is typical. I mean, think of the logistics. How many CMs would they need in order to escort every single party from the park entrance to the restaurant from 7:45 to 9 am? Granted that it is not a long walk to CP or CRT. But it is a bit of a haul to H&V, Tusker House and Akershus. It just wouldn't be practical.

 

[princesslover]

I am certainly not doubting Mr Romance's previous experiences, but from my own experience and those of many PPs, I don't think that it is typical. I mean, think of the logistics. How many CMs would they need in order to escort every single party from the park entrance to the restaurant from 7:45 to 9 am? Granted that it is not a long walk to CP or CRT. But it is a bit of a haul to H&V, Tusker House and Akershus. It just wouldn't be practical.

And, if I may, I will add that *if* they check ADR's they are going to give a lot of slack to any reservation around the 9:00 hour to give people a chance to arrive 15 min early, plus allow time to walk there. (Even though I have never had mine checked at all.) I am pretty confident that the OP is all set.

 

[DanieD0909]

I have done CP several times over the last few years - always with ressies before park opening. We have never even been asked for our confirmation or anything. Once inside we are able to go all the way up and through the castle...Cinderella castle also has bfast before park opening. They even have photo pass folks out taking pics. Last time we were there in May, the photo pass lady was basically found a private photo shoot of our 7 month old!!! It was awesome!

 

[Zeppelin]

you'll have plenty of time once the park opens...better yet you can watch the rope drop then walk to your CP reservation in time...