8:05 Crystal Palace??

[southcarolinagirl]

We have an 8:05 CP ressie and I was wondering how early we could go into MK?? We would like to have as much time as possible in the empty park for pics etc. Anyone know for sure, or have a good guess??? TIA!

 

[KathyK]

I think that they open the entrance for restaurant reservations at 8:00. But if you stop for a picture or two, they'll hold your reservation.

 

[momto2inKC]

Each of the 4 times we've had an 8:05am ADR they've let us in at 8am.

 

[southcarolinagirl]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[hacknsuit]

We have the same time in December....right before Keys to the Kingdom! I was wondering too!

thanks!

 

[FOXFIELDZOO]

I have one for 9:05 how soon do they let you in then?

 

[catne]

we just had 8:05 reservations in May 2010 and they let people in starting about 7:40 or 7:45. You're supposed to be at the podium checking in 10 minutes before your reservation, and it takes a while to walk up Main Street, even if you don't stop for pictures. There was actually quite a few people in the park, because not only is Crystal Palace doing early breakfast, but so is the Castle, and also Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has early appointments, too.

Same was true over at DHS, we had an 8:10 at Hollywood & Vine, they started letting character breakfast people in at 7:45.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have one for 9:05 how soon do they let you in then?

If the park opens at 9, you REALLY need to be sure you are there a decent amount of time prior to park opening. We ran a few minutes late doing this once. The park was opening in 5 minutes. Not only did we NOT get let in early, but we had to go to the BACK of the hordes of people waiting to get in. Not the stressfree walk down Main Street I had hoped for!

 

[Elbatoast]

I'm a bit confused and I wonder if someone can help me. I have ADR at 8:05 too and I assume when they let you in, you go straight to the restaurant. However, when we leave the restaurant, it's likely to be after 9 when the park opens and we may not get pics of us in front of the castle with no other people. How can I maximize the breakfast experience, plus take huge advantage of the "emptiness" of the park for pictures?

 

[mom2rtk]

You need to take a moment to take your pictures on the way in. There will be all sorts of people checking in at once, so a couple minutes won't cost you your ADR. Do keep in mind that if you're at the back of the pack checking in, you will likely be a little longer being seated, but it will be worth it for those beautiful photos.

Photopass photogs should be out already too!

 

[JKnLydia]

I'm a bit confused and I wonder if someone can help me. I have ADR at 8:05 too and I assume when they let you in, you go straight to the restaurant. However, when we leave the restaurant, it's likely to be after 9 when the park opens and we may not get pics of us in front of the castle with no other people. How can I maximize the breakfast experience, plus take huge advantage of the "emptiness" of the park for pictures?

We had an 8:15 ressie earlier this week and they opened the gates for us at 7:45. Plenty of time to saunter down a relatively empty Main Street. I'm sure being a couple of minutes late for the ressie wouldn't be end of the world either.

Hope your trip goes as well as ours did!
-J

 

[2Tiggies]

We were also let in about 20 minutes early for our ADR at CP last year. We had plenty time for pictures and a casual stroll to the podium and were seated right on time. It took less than an hour to finish our meal so we still beat the rope drop crowds.

 

[cheesemouse]

The previous post mentioned that breakfast took under an hour. Is this typical for most people? I'm thinking of doing an 8:05 or 8:10 ressie but wonder if I really will be done and out in time to be at the castle rope drop. It would be just me and my DS(4) and DS(2) so I'm not quite sure how I can make all of those trips to the buffet myself, be the photographer for the character pics, AND manage to get everyone's breakfast in their mouth and out the door by 8:55... Arghhh... What do you think?

 

[mom2rtk]

The previous post mentioned that breakfast took under an hour. Is this typical for most people? I'm thinking of doing an 8:05 or 8:10 ressie but wonder if I really will be done and out in time to be at the castle rope drop. It would be just me and my DS(4) and DS(2) so I'm not quite sure how I can make all of those trips to the buffet myself, be the photographer for the character pics, AND manage to get everyone's breakfast in their mouth and out the door by 8:55... Arghhh... What do you think?

It CAN go that smoothly. But there's no guarantee. There can be delays at the kiosk being seated, and if the characters are slow getting to your table, are you prepared to miss out on one or more to be out in time? To me it's just not worth rushing.