ADRs at Park Opening

[Yorel]

We have an 8:10 ADR @ Crystal Palace. MK changed opening hours from 9AM to 8AM on that day. How can I ensure that I do not get caught up in regular crowds and potentially be late for our ADR (we don't really want to arrive any earlier than we have to)?

Will we be allowed to enter the park before they open for general admission? How do they typically handle ADRs at park opening?

 

[supersnoop]

Will we be allowed to enter the park before they open for general admission? How do they typically handle ADRs at park opening?

No, you will not get in before general admission. They have a habit of dropping the rope 5-15 minutes early. You'll be let in with everyone else.

 

[maxiesmom]

We have an 8:10 ADR @ Crystal Palace. MK changed opening hours from 9AM to 8AM on that day. How can I ensure that I do not get caught up in regular crowds and potentially be late for our ADR (we don't really want to arrive any earlier than we have to)?

Will we be allowed to enter the park before they open for general admission? How do they typically handle ADRs at park opening?

You won't be allowed in early. If you don't want to get caught up in the park opening crowd you need to be at the front of it, which means arriving early. I'd aim for arriving no later than 7:15.

 

[MikeP22]

Just so I understand... Would they have been allowed in early if the park opening time was 9am?

 

[cdnjason]

Just so I understand... Would they have been allowed in early if the park opening time was 9am?

Yes. Folks with PPO ADRs check in at the gate and are permitted early access to the park for breakfast.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Really? This surprises me. I thought you guys would say she can definitely get in at 7:45am, whereas RD might be few minutes later. If the park were NOT opening at 8am, she would be let in before 8:10, right? ::

 

[Yorel]

Thanks for the feedback. I also searched the forums for other peoples' experiences, and most people in similar situations were allowed in early. I also called WDW reservation number and they said that since I should be at the restaurant 15 minutes early, that I would likely be allowed in before park opening because there would be no way to get in otherwise.

Kind of a mixed bag. Maybe it ultimately depends on who's at the gate. I guess we'll try to get there early, with our 20th Anniversary Celebration buttons highly visible and see what happens. If anyone is interested, I'll come back and update on my experience.

 

[DarkPaw]

Calling for info. is just about de best way of getting bad info...

Each time I've had a ADR a 8 with an 8 opening, I've not been let in early.

 

[Yorel]

Calling for info. is just about de best way of getting bad info...

Each time I've had a ADR a 8 with an 8 opening, I've not been let in early.

Yes I recognize that their answer is not a guarantee. But was hoping that I might get some insight. I think the most helpful feedback was from the positive experiences of other travelers with similar situations.

 

[gap2368]

rope drop is about 15 minutes before normal park opening so you will more then likely get in with the rest of rope drop

 

[cdnjason]

I was not allowed in early when I had an 8am ADR on a EMH day.

 

[maxiesmom]

Really? This surprises me. I thought you guys would say she can definitely get in at 7:45am, whereas RD might be few minutes later. If the park were NOT opening at 8am, she would be let in before 8:10, right? ::

Yes. But now they will start letting guests in at 7:45. So no need for them to let the OP in earlier than that