ADR before park opens -- Where can we go when done?

[SanDiegoDayTripper]

Our family has a 8:15 ADR at Crystal Palace on a morning when the MK opens at 9 a.m. When we are done eating, I'm assuming right around or even before 9:00, where can we go? Will we be escorted back to the main gate to reenter when the official opening time is? Or will we be able to shop on Main Street? Are there rope drops at the entrances to the lands from the Central Hub? I'm trying to figure out where we should head to so we can do Mickey's Philharmagic first. Will we be able to line up and wait for a rope drop at the entrance to Fantasyland? Does FL even open right at 9:00? Sorry for all the questions, and thanks!

 

[mrp4352]

We've never gotten out in 45 minutes - and I've only gone once with little ones. But by the time you eat and see all the characters, it takes a full hour.

However, if you're there for the food and not the characters, you probably will get out earlier and they'll funnel you back to main street unless part of the park happens to be open early that day for EMHs.

Have a serving or two of breakfast lasagna for me!!

 

[missymagic]

Usually they will just make you stay in the Main Street area the ropes will be up so you won't be able to go anywhere else. But if you are going in at 8:15 it usually takes at least an hour. Or at least everytime I have gone it did.

Take advantage of the empty park for a family picture in front of the castle with noone else in it.

 

[LAL77]

Hi there. I'm not sure where you're allowed to go, but when we had dinner at CP it took well over an hour for all of the characters to come by. Maybe it's different for breakfast? Anyway, I really think it was more like an hour and a half for us! Have a great time.

 

[DVCLiz]

San Diego, a word of advice. Even if it does take you a full hour, if you think you want to go on any other rides in Fantasy Land in addition to Mickey's Philharmagic, do them first!!! Once you get to FL, get a FastPass for either Winnie the Pooh or Peter Pan, then go and ride the one you didn't get the FP for. Those are the two most crowded rides in FL. Oh, and if you want to ride Dumbo, it should be done in the first hour as well. Snow White, Small World and the Carousel can be done later - they don't build up crowds as quickly. And the Philharmagic seats several hundred at a time, so the most you should have to wait for it is the length of the current show. I wouldn't waste my first hour seeing the Philharmaic unless it was the only thing I wanted to do in FL.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Frantasmic]

We had 8:05 a.m. CP ADRs. We finished right around 8:55 or so and went to the rope drop under the Castle at 9:00 a.m. We got so much done that first hour in Fantasyland.