7:30 chef mickey adr and mk ropedrop

[AR81]

Is it possible to make ropedrop at MK with a 7:30 am breakfast at chef mickeys? I know I could have gotten Crystal Palace but we are only doing one character meal and my boys are too old for winnie the pooh.. lol.. I know the point is to get into the park early but I really wanted chef mickeys. So if I get there a little early for my adr say 15 or 20 minutes and hopefully I will get seated at 7:30. Even if we miss one character I want to leave by 8:30 and walk to MK. Is this plan unrealistic? Anyone else done chef mickeys before mk opening and made it ok for ropedrop. I realize I will be at the very back of the crowd but still make it for the opening hopefully. What do you think?

 

[Suellen]

Depends what time Rope Drop is.... it could be pushing it. The walk will probably take about 15 to 20 minutes getting out of the Contemporary and over to the walking path.

If you try I recommend asking for your check right when you sit down. That way you can go when ready.

Depending what time of year you go.... we have waited 30 minutes beyond our ADR at CM's in the morning.

 

[baler31]

Yes, it is possible, I am assuming you mean a 9am MK opening. We have done several times but you need to be there early to get one of the first seatings when they open. The problem is it will not be a leisurely breakfast and for that reason I don't advise most people to do it. When we do it we don't see all of the characters, we ask for the check right after we get our beverages and then we jump on the monorail as it is usually not crowded at that time. We are usually at the gate at 8:45.

 

[AR81]

It is a 9:00 opening. Do they do the ropedrop/opening ceremony before the actual opening time? Do you think walking over is the best way or the monorail? We have never been to the Contemporary resort and our first time attempting to get there at opening. I had the choice of an earlier adr but I really think my family would kill me if I had them up at 5:30/6:00 on vacation!! I was thinking about taking a cab from Pop to Chef Mickey's at 6:50-7:00. Do you think that will be enough time to get to our 7:30 adr since we are taking a cab? I have to juggle my family who are not really morning people to begin with and keeping them happy but it looks like we will be sacrificing seeing the opening ceremony and getting there a little after 9 then. As far as ride lines/crowds, do you think getting there a little late, 9:15 or so, will make that big of a difference? Thanks

 

[disneybliss2]

Yes, it's possible if the park opening is 9 a.m. We've done it actually by accident. We arrived too early for reservation (overestimated the amount of time needed for transportation). Arriving early played to our favor because we were seated early and in and out to arrive in time to MK. Our reservation time was for 8:30, so we intended to arrive at 8:15. Instead, it was more like 7:45. They very quickly seated us, and we were out and over to MK before the rope drop ceremony occurred. We didn't rush either; we ate at our own pace and saw all of the characters. If you arrive early, it's very likely you'll be seated early. It only takes us 10 min. to walk back over to MK. so I think you'll be fine.

 

[AR81]

Yes, it is possible, I am assuming you mean a 9am MK opening. We have done several times but you need to be there early to get one of the first seatings when they open. The problem is it will not be a leisurely breakfast and for that reason I don't advise most people to do it. When we do it we don't see all of the characters, we ask for the check right after we get our beverages and then we jump on the monorail as it is usually not crowded at that time. We are usually at the gate at 8:45.

I was thinking as long as we are leaving the table after already paying at 8:30 that should be okay. Since it is a buffet and we are not having to wait for food, is an hour not long enough to at least see most of the characters? What time do you think we should get there? Maybe 7:05 or 7:10? Will they sit us as soon as they can even though our adr is for 7:30? I am a newbie so I really do appreciate the advice. Thanks so much

 

[AR81]

I also forgot to mention that we are going during busy summer season-- first week of August...

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Since it is a buffet and we are not having to wait for food, is an hour not long enough to at least see most of the characters? . . .

1) Probably not.
2) Meals start very early, characters do not.
3) Don't expect characters until closer to 8:00am.
. . . a couple might start early
. . . most start closer to 8:00am
4) My guess is 8:30 to see all characters.
5) Plus, depends upon where in the restaurant you sit.
. . . close to the character door, and you see quickly
. . . toward the other side of eatery, you wait for them to circulate

 

[AR81]

1) Probably not.
2) Meals start very early, characters do not.
3) Don't expect characters until closer to 8:00am.
. . . a couple might start early
. . . most start closer to 8:00am
4) My guess is 8:30 to see all characters.
5) Plus, depends upon where in the restaurant you sit.
. . . close to the character door, and you see quickly
. . . toward the other side of eatery, you wait for them to circulate

Oh wow, didn't realize the characters wouldn't already be circulating the room when we get there. So the 7:00 am people have to wait til at least 8:00 to see characters? What about the entertainment like the parade for the kids and singing, waving napkins, etc..?

 

[creamypuffs]

I'm interested to hear also when the characters start going around too. I have 7am ADR 2x as I was hoping to be able to get to the parks after.... not going to be happy if we don't even see some characters!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

It is a 9:00 opening. Do they do the ropedrop/opening ceremony before the actual opening time? Do you think walking over is the best way or the monorail? We have never been to the Contemporary resort and our first time attempting to get there at opening. I had the choice of an earlier adr but I really think my family would kill me if I had them up at 5:30/6:00 on vacation!! I was thinking about taking a cab from Pop to Chef Mickey's at 6:50-7:00. Do you think that will be enough time to get to our 7:30 adr since we are taking a cab? I have to juggle my family who are not really morning people to begin with and keeping them happy but it looks like we will be sacrificing seeing the opening ceremony and getting there a little after 9 then. As far as ride lines/crowds, do you think getting there a little late, 9:15 or so, will make that big of a difference? Thanks

Have you considered booking a late breakfast instead? That way you can definitely be there for rope drop & everyone gets to sleep a little later. If I was only doing one character meal, I wouldn't want to risk everyone being grumpy, due to getting up too early. We're not morning people either, so I know how it is. If you get to the park at rope drop, you'll be able to ride a lot of things, before going to CM for breakfast. Just a though.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I think it's totally possible. Mind you- we had a 7:05a adr at CM's, but we also did breakfast, had a bit of a delay to go over food allergy issues with the chef, had a big birthday cake during the meal, ran back to our hotel room at CR, and made it on the monorail and arrived at Epcot for 9a rope drop...so if we could make it to Epcot in time with all of that...I totally think you can make it to MK in time with a 7:30. I'd also recommend arriving early just b/c lots of people try to get walk ups. The line can get really long by 7:30. I know the family seated behind us had a 7:20a...so I think your plan to arrive early is a good one.

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Have you considered booking a late breakfast instead? That way you can definitely be there for rope drop & everyone gets to sleep a little later. If I was only doing one character meal, I wouldn't want to risk everyone being grumpy, due to getting up too early. We're not morning people either, so I know how it is. If you get to the park at rope drop, you'll be able to ride a lot of things, before going to CM for breakfast. Just a though.

I agree Plus if you're only doing ONE character meal, why would you want to rush it? That's part of your vacation too so ENJOY

Going to the rope drop at MK is special. Mickey comes along on the train & opens the park after a small welcome ceremony. There's so much excitement it makes me tingle with joy just thinking about it.

You'd be able to fit in several rides, pick up a FP and exit the park for your Chef Mickey bfast if you can schedule the latest possible time slot. Then after your leisurely meal, by the time you get back to MK, hopefully your FP time will be available & you can walk right on.

By then you may decide to head back to your resort for an afternoon swim & nap. I can't think of a more magical morning

 

[AshleeH]

I agree with others, it is possible, just keep in mind that your ADR guarantees you a table, but the reservation time is not guaranteed, so it could take a while to actually sit. I wouldn't think it would be much of an issue since it will be so early in the morning, but you never know with such a popular character meal.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Oh wow, didn't realize the characters wouldn't already be circulating the room when we get there. So the 7:00 am people have to wait til at least 8:00 to see characters? What about the entertainment like the parade for the kids and singing, waving napkins, etc..?

1) Maybe
. . . there are staggered starting times for characters *
. . . the character appearances are also staggered
. . . they appear about every 20-minutes
. . . so-in 60-min, you can see them all
2) So, it can easily take 1-hr to see all characters.
3) In the early am, sometimes 90-minutes.
4) The activities are also staggered
. . . events are typically repeated every 30-45 minutes
. . . sometimes once-per-hour
. . . napkin-birthday-waving and parades are such examples
5) Thus, in a 90-min meal, you
. . . see all characters (assuming no absenteeism)
. . . see parade
. . . see birthday celebration (napkin waving)

* As an example: Some may be ready to start the day and be
on-stage at 7:15, some 7:30, some 7:45. Also, characters have
specific union break periods, such as on-20min-off-20min or even
off-30min. This excludes costume change time, if required. So, a
character might make an appearance tour once-per-hour or slightly
less often.

 

[AR81]

I think I am going to keep my 7:30 adr and just go in knowing that I might not make ropedrop. If I do great, if I don't it should only be by a few minutes. I don't want to feel rushed because I know my 8 year old is going to love Chef Mickeys. I will get there early as planned and be sure to ask for my bill as soon as they take my drink order so that can be situated.. I just want to keep my expectations realistic. Thanks very much for all the info. I really do appreciate it.