08:20 ADR at Crystal Palace - In Time for 09 Park Open?

[serendipity]

My husband and I have a reservation at CP at 08:20. We'd really like to make it out by 09:00AM so we can make a run for Space Mountain. How quickly are guests sat when checking in? Any suggestions or feedback?

 

[disneybliss2]

I think it will be a tight squeeze. One thing you can do to speed things along is ask for the check as soon as you're seated. It's a buffet so it will be a fixed price. If you get the bill in advance, you can have it paid for rather than waiting at the end which will delay you further. Also, if possible, you could arrive earlier than your time and chance getting seated early (we've done this) which will open up some time making it not so time crunched. We typically arrive 15 min. before our reservation time. We were off on our transportation times on our past trip, so on a couple of occasions we ended up at the restaurant 30 min. early. Surprisingly, both times we were seated early rather than having to wait closer to our reservation time. You could try going in a little earlier to help out as well. Good luck!

 

[shawnh199]

We had a 815adr on our last trip. We checked in as soon as we got to the restaurant and we were the 5th family seated right at CP opening @ 805am. We were done by 845 (food and characters) but we learned from that morning to take care of our check early on in the meal. We missed rope drop by 5 minutes because it took soooo long to take care of the check. I don't know how many receipts we went through (dining plan) and waiting on our waiter (who was dealing with lots of people's checks at the time).

Do, check in as soon as you can and take care of your check early on in your meal and you might have a shot.

 

[Tricia1972]

It would be almost impossible to do if you actually go for your reservation time of 8:20.

If you show up early and take an 8:05, then sure!

 

[serendipity]

It would be almost impossible to do if you actually go for your reservation time of 8:20.

If you show up early and take an 8:05, then sure!

Is it normal for them to let people in early?

 

[Nadjalu]

If you shovel food in your mouth and gulp down the food, not relax or even enjoy this meal you could do your time frame.

Other than that you won't make your time.

It has been our experience to be seated early at CP. Even as much as an hour ahead of time. But the most you can get is 15mins, as they will only allow you in the park 15mins before adr time.

Personally I would waste my time with a sit down breakfast if I am on that tight a schedule. JMO

 

[Cinderumbrella]

If you don't care to see all the characters, then yes, you will probably make it. But do as the others have stated- show up and check in early, request the check from the waiter as soon as you are seated (and pay it promptly ) and be prepared to eat quickly and not linger over the buffet.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

i think it's totally do-able! if it's just you and your husband...no kids, you should be fine. make sure you get there a few minutes early and check in. you probably won't get in early, but you need to be checked in for sure!

if you're like us, breakfast isn't our biggest meal of the day. it doesn't take us more than 30 minutes to get our fill in the morning. you do have to be wary of the time, make sure you pay your bill when you sit down. at 8:50, start thinking about taking your last bites and a last gulp of coffee we do this at hollywood and vine at hollywood studios.

if you're a slower eater... i guess you could always send him running for a fast pass and he could come back and finish

 

[lamb616]

if you check in at 8:00, maybe they'll seat you early. Also, do you care about the characters? When we were at CP it took FOREVER for the characters to get to us. At least 30 minutes before the first one got to us, and then about another 1/2 hour for 2 more to get to us and then we ended up leaving before Tigger got to our table b/c we wanted to get out to the park!!

 

[dsnymomof4]

if you check in at 8:00, maybe they'll seat you early. Also, do you care about the characters? When we were at CP it took FOREVER for the characters to get to us. At least 30 minutes before the first one got to us, and then about another 1/2 hour for 2 more to get to us and then we ended up leaving before Tigger got to our table b/c we wanted to get out to the park!!

I agree with this. The last 2 times we ate at CP, we were done eating long before we had seen all the characters. So, if missing a character or 2 isn't a big deal, then I would say you would be done in time. I agree with the PPs who said get there early, so you will be seated earlier. Since it's a buffet, you control getting the food and eating, so you can take as long as you need.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

In Oct. we had an 8:05 ADR we were the 3rd people seated and it was a rush. I wanted to get to the Dumbos. We had to leave before we got to see TIGGER. The next time we'll just go and enjoy the meal and get on our way when we're done. It's definitely doable if you shovel down your food and only see part of the characters. If your not really there to enjoy the meal then you'll be fine.

 

[KungFoomF]

You might be able to get seated early. Beyond that, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. Just enjoy your meal. Take your time. You are on vacation. If you don't get out until 9:15 that's ok. The lines will still be short.

Unless you are seated by 9:15 I wouldn't think you'd make it unless you eat fast and generally not enjoy the meal or characters. The Crystal Palace buffet is one of the best breakfasts in the 'World. Don't rush it.

 

[BaysMom]

If it is that big of deal to be first on the ride...Id skip the Character Meal... Enjoy your time with the characters!!!!

 

[baler31]

To make it you will have to be seated before your adr time, this will greatly depend on the time of year going and how they are booked. You will have to rush through eating and not see characters. You will have to ask for your check as soon as you sit down. You might make it.
Examples: On our last trip we had 8:05 adrs at both CRT and CP. We arrived at 7:45 and made our way to each restaurant(we did stop to take photos etc). We were immediately seated at 8 at CRT and at 8:05 at CP. We immediately asked for our check which the CM was quite disconcerted by.

CRT food came quickly we ate saw the princesses and left at 8:50. The restaurant was not crowded at all. CP we had to wait for food to placed in some of the stations and we had a wait for characters( we did not wait to see all of them), we finished at 9:05.