8:05 or 8:10 at CP?

[Jordyn1123]

This might seem silly because it's only 5 minutes, but is an 8:05 or 8:10 reservation better at the Crystal Palace? Park opens at 9. I just really want to make sure we have enough time to get some good pictures in front of the castle, but I'd like to be done with breakfast before rope drop if that's possible. It's our first trip and we are surprising my son for his 8th birthday. Any advice is much appreciated

 

[Alesia]

The earlier the better, but it won't really make much (if any) difference.

 

[gem21]

There's no difference and you'll probably be let in at the exact same time...

 

[Jordyn1123]

So in your opinion, taking the 8:05 will give us plenty of time to take pictures?

 

[Lucius Best]

So in your opinion, taking the 8:05 will give us plenty of time to take pictures?

Maybe? Depends on how many pictures, how quickly you get seated, and how long it takes you to eat.

We did CP first day on last trip. Everyone lines up outside the front gate (my parents got there around 7:30am and were close to front of the line), then they let you down Main St around 8am. We didn't waste any time, took a few pictures of the castle, both with photopass photographer and on our own. Then there was a short line to check-in at CP, after which we waited about 5 minutes to be seated.

We were able to eat and see all the characters come by. We thought we were fine for 9am park opening, but did not realize that MK's opening celebration actually was starting around 8:45am. So when we sauntered out of CP at 8:55am, there were already hordes of people coming down Main St. If we hadn't dilly-dallied, we could have beaten the rope drop crowd.

 

[Jordyn1123]

Maybe? Depends on how many pictures, how quickly you get seated, and how long it takes you to eat.

We did CP first day on last trip. Everyone lines up outside the front gate (my parents got there around 7:30am and were close to front of the line), then they let you down Main St around 8am. We didn't waste any time, took a few pictures of the castle, both with photopass photographer and on our own. Then there was a short line to check-in at CP, after which we waited about 5 minutes to be seated.

We were able to eat and see all the characters come by. We thought we were fine for 9am park opening, but did not realize that MK's opening celebration actually was starting around 8:45am. So when we sauntered out of CP at 8:55am, there were already hordes of people coming down Main St. If we hadn't dilly-dallied, we could have beaten the rope drop crowd.

How long does it take to walk from the front gates to the castle? We have never been so I don't know any of the specifics like that. I am thinking maybe the 8:10 to be safe. I know a 5 minute difference is so silly, but don't know if that 5 minutes would add on an extra 20 waiting for the characters.

 

[minnie mum]

Usually the line for early ADRs is let into the park around 7:45-7:50. That gives you 15-20 minutes to walk the one long block to the restaurant. At a normal walking pace (no gawking or stopping for pictures) it might take as long as 5 minutes.

Dithering over a 5 minute difference in ADRs at the very beginning of seating is just silly.

 

[Jordyn1123]

Usually the line for early ADRs is let into the park around 7:45-7:50. That gives you 15-20 minutes to walk the one long block to the restaurant. At a normal walking pace (no gawking or stopping for pictures) it might take as long as 5 minutes.

Dithering over a 5 minute difference in ADRs at the very beginning of seating is just silly.

Like I said, it may sound silly to you, but I have never been. I have tried to do as much research as possible. So thanks

 

[Arden01]

So in your opinion, taking the 8:05 will give us plenty of time to take pictures?

We just went last week and had an 8:05 reservation. They let everyone in at the same time around 7:50. They did ask the time of our reservation when we got to CP. We were given a buzzer and seated by 8:05. It was one of my favorite dining experiences. The food wasn't spectacular, but the restaurant is beautiful and it was relaxing. My daughter went to the bathroom and missed Tigger on the first round, so we waited until he came back. We didn't leave until 8:55/9:00 -ish and the park had opened by then. We went to Peter Pan at rope drop and waited about 10 minutes. As for photos, we decided to pick one spot and get photos in front of the Partner's Statue. It was perfect and there is literally no one in our photo but our family. Totally worth it.

Added: we did the photo before we checked in. I think we got there a little before 8.

 

[Jordyn1123]

We just went last week and had an 8:05 reservation. They let everyone in at the same time around 7:50. They did ask the time of our reservation when we got to CP. We were given a buzzer and seated by 8:05. It was one of my favorite dining experiences. The food wasn't spectacular, but the restaurant is beautiful and it was relaxing. My daughter went to the bathroom and missed Tigger on the first round, so we waited until he came back. We didn't leave until 8:55/9:00 -ish and the park had opened by then. We went to Peter Pan at rope drop and waited about 10 minutes. As for photos, we decided to pick one spot and get photos in front of the Partner's Statue. It was perfect and there is literally no one in our photo but our family. Totally worth it.

Added: we did the photo before we checked in. I think we got there a little before 8.

Thank you for this. Peter Pan is where we will be headed first after breakfast so that's great to know. Thanks!

 

[Lucius Best]

Thank you for this. Peter Pan is where we will be headed first after breakfast so that's great to know. Thanks!

Like previous poster said, you shouldn't have a problem getting on Peter Pan with short wait even if you don't get out of CP right at rope drop. The vast majority of rope droppers are heading to 7DMT. If you have a choice, I would always take the 8:05am ADR, theoretically get seated quicker.

 

[Jordyn1123]

Like previous poster said, you shouldn't have a problem getting on Peter Pan with short wait even if you don't get out of CP right at rope drop. The vast majority of rope droppers are heading to 7DMT. If you have a choice, I would always take the 8:05am ADR, theoretically get seated quicker.

Awesome. That was my hope I think I've planned it out pretty well and will be using a FP for 7DMT. I have been planning this for over a year and have about 90 days to go. Thanks for your help!

 

[gem21]

Last time I went I had an 8:05 ADR for CRT. We arrived at the park around 7:45, got let in around a few minutes after that. We took pictures in 3 different locations on Main Street, got checked-in around 8:05 and took our picture with Cinderella and were seated around 8:10.

I know this is your first trip, and you have posted two different threads with this questions but everyone has been really kind and helpful in explaining that there is no difference between the two and no using stressing. If it makes you happy go with the 8:05

 

[Jordyn1123]

Last time I went I had an 8:05 ADR for CRT. We arrived at the park around 7:45, got let in around a few minutes after that. We took pictures in 3 different locations on Main Street, got checked-in around 8:05 and took our picture with Cinderella and were seated around 8:10.

I know this is your first trip, and you have posted two different threads with this questions but everyone has been really kind and helpful in explaining that there is no difference between the two and no using stressing. If it makes you happy go with the 8:05

Is this not a place to ask for advice on your trip? Who said anyone hadn't been nice? I have been very thankful for everyone's responses. Maybe you haven't read my replies. Thanks for being condescending

 

[gem21]

Is this not a place to ask for advice on your trip? Who said anyone hadn't been nice? I have been very thankful for everyone's responses. Maybe you haven't read my replies. Thanks for being condescending

I have read all you replies but given that you posted two threads on this topic I was just trying to help you understand that while there are lots of things to stress about when planning a Disney vacation, a 5 minute difference should not be one of them. I was just trying to be helpful and re-assure you that no matter which you picked you'd be fine. Sorry if you misinterpreted it.

 

[Jordyn1123]

="gem21, post: 54338901, member: 286941"]I have read all you replies but given that you posted two threads on this topic I was just trying to help you understand that while there are lots of things to stress about when planning a Disney vacation, a 5 minute difference should not be one of them. I was just trying to be helpful and re-assure you that no matter which you picked you'd be fine. Sorry if you misinterpreted it.[/QUOTE]
Thanjs

Thanks for your advice. I posted it into the second thread because I wasn't getting any responses on the one. I thought maybe I posted it in the wrong place so I tried another location. Thanks again and sorry I misinterpreted