8:25 CP when park opens at 9?

[sharona]

I have this reserved but thinking of canceling. Was hoping for earlier and think we would prefer a non buffet at BOG so I'll be stalking the dining app...

If I keep the 8:25 CP, what time will they allow us into the park? Can we enter at 7:45? I'd like to try to get seated a bit earlier than 8:25 (there are just 2 of us). For those that have done this breakfast buffet recently, how long would you say the meal + character interaction lasted? I don't want to sacrifice too much prime park time but I also don't want to pay all that money and feel the urge to rush through it...

If it matters, we will not be planning to SB for A&E or 7DMT that morning.

What would you do?

TIA for your advice/input.

 

[clambert1273]

We did this March 3or 4th (memory fails) ... we had 8:20 and park opened at 9. We got in around 8am and did our pics with the many photographers and checked in to CP around 8:15. The odds of you getting seated early are very small as there are people already waiting before you get there

Overall it was wonderful and we were in the park around 9:05-9:10 ... we headed to BTMRR and walked right on.

 

[sharona]

That's good to know! Thanks for your input.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Keep it, but keep searching for an earlier time. I'm in the same boat - same time, same place. I don't have personal experience with an 8:25, we've always managed to have pre RD ADRs right around 8. I obsessed over this for a bit and researched the heck out of it. It seems like we'll be let in at 7:45 and if we head straight over to check in we'll be seated earlier. You may not get done right at RD, but it won't be very long after. 8:25 also gives you extra time if you wanted to get some photos and stroll around Main Street.

 

[karpy111]

If you have an 8 am reservation is 7:45 the earliest they will let you in?

 

[sharona]

Keep it, but keep searching for an earlier time. I'm in the same boat - same time, same place. I don't have personal experience with an 8:25, we've always managed to have pre RD ADRs right around 8. I obsessed over this for a bit and researched the heck out of it. It seems like we'll be let in at 7:45 and if we head straight over to check in we'll be seated earlier. You may not get done right at RD, but it won't be very long after. 8:25 also gives you extra time if you wanted to get some photos and stroll around Main Street.

Yes, definitely want the photo ops and the early entry. We'd be getting there by 8 anyway for a 9am opening so I figured I'd see what was available. We've never been to CP, had to cancel it on a previous trip when my DD came down with a 24 hour bug. I just missed BOG during the recent breakfast ADR-apalooza, there was a 9:15 but that was too late so I passed. Good Luck in your quest for an earlier time!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

This is my kids fav character meal. They love tigger and they love getting into the park early. This is 1 meal we don't really try to rush through. I usually am able to get the 8:00am slot. Last year we had the 8:00am slot and I think we were done around 9:15-9:20 or so. Again we didn't Rush. This year my older son wants to meet Merida so we are going to be rushing a little through this meal. But what my hubby might do is get done eating first he's a quick eater and then head over to wear they start the line up. I believe she doesn't come out til like 9:15 so we should still be good.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Yes, definitely want the photo ops and the early entry. We'd be getting there by 8 anyway for a 9am opening so I figured I'd see what was available. We've never been to CP, had to cancel it on a previous trip when my DD came down with a 24 hour bug. I just missed BOG during the recent breakfast ADR-apalooza, there was a 9:15 but that was too late so I passed. Good Luck in your quest for an earlier time!

You too! (Hopefully we're not in direct competition, lol)

 

[limpy]

When we had 8:10 CP res on a 8AM opening day (not EMH), they had everyone with an early ADR line up and then they let that line in at 745. We walked briskly up Main St, took photos, checked in at CP, and were being seated by 8.

 

[sharona]

You too! (Hopefully we're not in direct competition, lol)

4/24?

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

4/24?

Nope, 6/26.

 

[sharona]

Well that's a relief!

 

[marchingstar]

I'm in a similar boat, OP. we're a party of 2, 8:40 ADR at CP on a morning when the MK opens at 9. we're also not headed to SB lines for A&E or SDMT, but I would like to take advantage of shorter lines elsewhere if possible. I'm excited to hear how your breakfast goes--report back to the boards after and share info with inquiring minds, please

 

[MagentaMulan]

This past January, my mom and I had a ressie at 8:30 and we were let into the park at around 7:45am. We checked in at CP pretty early and got seated at 8:15. We were done and out the door at maybe 9:20?

 

[karpy111]

Does the 8 o'clock reservation even matter? It seems like if you have an 8:20 or 8:30 and you show up at 8 people are being seated.

 

[ShanAAE]

We too have reservations before the park opens, that being said, what time before your reservation would they let you into the park? Fifteen minutes? A bit more so you can take a few photos?

 

[sharona]

The instructions on the website and the confirmation say arrive 15 minutes before. From the responses above, it appears that 7:45 is the time they let everyone in, regardless of whether your ADR is 8 or 830...

 

[ShanAAE]

Thanks!!! Looking forward to a few photos without the crowds

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I disagree with the poster who said you are unlikely to be seated early. I have been seated early before with a slightly later pre-opening ADR.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

The instructions on the website and the confirmation say arrive 15 minutes before. From the responses above, it appears that 7:45 is the time they let everyone in, regardless of whether your ADR is 8 or 830...

This has been my experience, too. Several years ago, we had an 8 am reservation at Tusker House and no CMs seemed to care that ours was at 8 and others were at 8:30. Everyone who had a reservation prior to park opening lined up, and we all entered the park at the same time. We still had a few minutes wait, even with 8 am reservations. It would be interesting to know what their system is as far as seating people prior to park opening. Maybe they seat parties based on specific time frames, but at Tusker House, it seemed that there was no particular order. It is not as if we are waiting on tables to clear, but they might need to spread it out so as to not slam a particular server.

I am in the same boat as the original poster. We have 8:20 reservations at CP on a 9am opening day. Hoping to get seated early. Will it help to line up early and check in early? I wonder . . .