8am at Tusker House Questions

[spideyspence]

First trip last year was fantastic. When we were walking out of Magic Kingdom my daughter said she couldnt wait to come back next year. So......we are.

Wondering if someone with some experience on this one could clear up some varying opinions I have found.

I have an 8am reservation at Tusker House. What time do I arrive for them to let us in and is there a specific location they allow us in at? Is it a long walk to Tusker House from the entrance? Sorry, we did not do Animal Kingdom last year.

Thanks again, this board is amazing.

Take it easy

 

[pauly's girl]

They will allow you in when you get there....when the resturants open there will be someone at the gates to let everyone in. I would get there about 30-45 mins early it is a pretty long walk from the gate to the resturant. Tuskar house is located in towards the back of AK. Love this breakfast! Enjoy and have a magical vacation!!

 

[jenjersnap]

I will be interested to read other responses to this question to see if our experience was unusual. In December, they didn't start trying to let anyone in until 8:00 a.m. I say "try" because there was a system issue and it was another 15 minutes before anyone actually got through the gate. We arrived about 7:40 and were about 15 families back. I don't think my fairly-brisk walking family takes more than 10 minutes to get to Tusker House from the front so I doubt I would bother timing my arrival at the gates any earlier than that.

Also, if you are driving be aware that the parking lot attendants are VERY inconsistent about opening the lot. This past time they opened about 7:30 but the time before that they didn't open until a hair-raisingly late 7:50. I have been assured by a CM here at the dis that CMs at Tusker House are aware of the issue and will seat you if this makes you late.

All in all, though Tusker House is our favorite character meal and very worth it, those pre-opening slots seem to be a bit of a gamble!

 

[DaniB]

And in our case, we had ressies for 8am (or 8:05am) but AK had a morning EMH. Which meant the CMs did not let anyone in for their ressies until *after* park opening.

 

[spideyspence]

Thanks as always. Looks like arrive at 7:30- 7:40 is the consistent thing I found. Plus, cross fingers for no problems.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We love Tusker House Character breakfast, other than Boma it's the only buffet we enjoy. For the last 3 years we've booked 8:15 ADR's on AK days with am EMH and we get there about 30 minutes ahead, and we've always gotten in. We just had to show our resort keys. It is a bit of trek to get there, we check in, I then collect all tickets and FP's for the safari and then by that time we go into breakfast.

 

[spideyspence]

It is not early morning hours when we are going, so the dream is that breakfast will be done and I will go FP the Safari. Does that sound like the right option?

Thanks again

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It is not early morning hours when we are going, so the dream is that breakfast will be done and I will go FP the Safari. Does that sound like the right option?

Thanks again

I FP the safari before I sit down to breakfast and then I can do the safari around 9 - 9:30 after we eat. If it's not EMH then no one is getting in, you'll probably be done eating by the time people start coming through!

 

[spideyspence]

Fantastic, then we will head to the Safari right after eating and and I will FP something else before that and meet my family there.

Thanks again. I just finished my Hollywood Studios plan, so now starting this plan. 3 weeks left till we go.

Thanks again

 

[Tanzanite]

Love Tusker house great charactors good food enjoy

 

[emmababy]

What characters are there? Did I read that Donald is outside? Are they in the same gear that they are at Camp Minnie and Mickey? That would save some lines for us. We are doing the same time too!

Where in the park is Tusker House?

 

[magicalcouple]

We did this in December. It was not an EMH morning and our reservation was for 8 a.m. We got to AK at 7:50 a.m. and got in a special line where they checked off our names and let us in to the park. No problems! We got from the entry to the Tusker House in just a few minutes, and it was not a mad dash or anything. I love eating early at Donald's- and you are all ready in the middle of the park when you are finished and it is opening. Great for you- get on that safari while the getting is good!!!!

 

[Belleandtinker]

Can you get a FP before the park opens? If we have reservations on a 9 am park entry day and our ADR are at 8:05 am, can we get a FP before we sit down? Or at 9 am do I have my DH get a FP?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Can you get a FP before the park opens? If we have reservations on a 9 am park entry day and our ADR are at 8:05 am, can we get a FP before we sit down? Or at 9 am do I have my DH get a FP?

1. In attendance, in safari gear: Mickey, Donald, Goofy, & Daisy

2. In our experience( the last 3 years in June), with 8:15 ADR's but I've only ever gone during am EMH so that may make a difference. I check in at the restaurant, the family sits outside waiting to be called and I walk to the safari, which is not very far from the restaurant and I get FP for everyone. They won't seat you till your entire party is there, so by the time I return we get seated. We come out around 9:15 and the FP's are usually for around 9:30am give or take 5 minutes. Only once did we not need the FP because there was no one in line.

I've never gone when it wasn't EMH's!

 

[marymac123]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack but, I am trying for an 8am ressie-would the buses at the WL get us there in time?

 

[jenjersnap]

Can you get a FP before the park opens? If we have reservations on a 9 am park entry day and our ADR are at 8:05 am, can we get a FP before we sit down? Or at 9 am do I have my DH get a FP?

FP machines start working when the park opens so you cannot get a FP before 9 a.m. It is super easy to have someone run over to the Safari for FPs at 9 a.m.

 

[shawnh199]

Character breakfast buses run from Disney Resorts to the parks before the regular buses run. Character breakfast buses generally begin running @ 7am to AK, Epcot & DHS. To MK, buses begin around 630am, although others have posted the time earlier than that.

Just be aware that the buses don't run as frequently for the breakfasts as they do regularly. They come about every 30 minutes from what I have read.

We do a character breakfast each morning at the park we are attending and have never had trouble getting to a ADR on time using Disney buses (or just a little behind - from what I have read, they will generally sit you if you aren't running more than 15 minutes behind. We haven't been that late, so I can't speak from experience, but 5-10 minutes late has been no problem.) If we are late, it's usually because we didn't get up out of bed when we were supposed to!

Enjoy Tusker House - it's our favorite!!

 

[DaniB]

What characters are there? Did I read that Donald is outside? Are they in the same gear that they are at Camp Minnie and Mickey? That would save some lines for us. We are doing the same time too!

Before our trip I kept reading that Donald does not sign anything. And that he does not come into the restaurant. I'm glad I read that before-hand, because that's what happened with us. So I did have to catch Donald in Epcot later on our trip!

Donald is out front for photos with a PPP and you have to pay for the photos.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Is the Donald photo opt like the Chef Mickey photo opt? They bring the pictures to your table and you can buy them. Or can they be put on your photo pass?

 

[Belleandtinker]

After we get in the park for our ADR (before the park opens), can we go anywhere in the park (for photos not to ride) before our ADR? Or are there ropes other places?