Akershus before Epcot opens - please explain

[oasispaul]

If you have an ADR for Akershus at 8 am and Epcot doesn't open until 9 am, how does that work? I assume (like the Magic Kingdom), there is a special gate for early ADR's? Is that gate located in the front (main) entrance to Epcot? If so, how long does it take to get from the main gate to Norway (seems like it would take at least 10 minutes).

Also, if you finish breakfast at Akershus before park opening, where can you go? Is there a rope drop area somewhere between World Showcase and Future World? Will you beat the crowds to Soarin'/Test Track or get there after them?

Thanks!

 

[CathieArms]

I, too, am interested in this question. Specifically, I'd like to know if we can go through the International Gateway into Epcot for a before-the-park-opens ADR, or whether we have to go to the main entrance.

Thanks.

 

[darwinsrule]

We did Akershus last August with our girls (5 and 1 at the time). You go to the entrance as you normally would, there is a gate open and the CM has a list of everone (in theory) who has a reservation that morning. They check your name against the list and you go in. The list is not the most accurate in the world. Our ressie didn't show up on it (CM commented that it happens all the time). We had a print copy of the ressie on hand just in case. Once through the gate you walk over to Norway and check in as Akershus.

I should say it is a strange experience walking through a basically empty park. Almost surreal.

Go for it. Our 5 year old has a picture of her and Belle up on her wall and wants another one this summer.

Gerry

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Yes. We went through the International Gateway entrance. We were the only ones there! They let us in 10 or 15 minutes before 8 according to my DH's recollection. I think it was closer to 8 than that. We didn't show up on their list either. The CM was going to make a call. The manager said to just let us go through.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

We had an 8:05 am adr at Akershus last Sept. There are separate turnstiles for character dining & we went in the main entrance. It was probably about a 10 minute walk to Norway - and it seemed like a long walk. We finished our breakfast around 8:45 & headed to Test Track - we had to wait outside of TT until the cms brought the people from the main gate at 9:00.

 

[hannaconda]

I just checked the park hours for Animal Kingdom. I have got a ADR for 8:25am and the park not open until 9am. Do they have a gate to go through or is it get there at 9a.m. and wait until after rope drop?

 

[CathieArms]

I just checked the park hours for Animal Kingdom. I have got a ADR for 8:25am and the park not open until 9am. Do they have a gate to go through or is it get there at 9a.m. and wait until after rope drop?

I'm sure they'll let you in early. You may want to be sure to bring your confirmation number for your ADR, though I was never asked for it last year.

You'll be fine. Get there 30 minutes before your ADR (because you need walking time to get to the ADR) and they'll let you in. If in doubt about where you need to be, just ask a CM.

 

[shawnh199]

The breakfast gate for Epcot is all the way to the far left of the entrance gates. I'd give yourself atleast 10-15 minutes for the walk. It's rather long, especially if you have little ones.

The breakfast gate for Animal Kingdom was to the far right. I've heard that sometimes the CM's won't let you in until 8am, but I can't imagine why if you have an 8am ressie.

I would assume that both gates will open at about 745am like it does at Magic Kingdom. We've never had ressies early enough at Epcot or Animal Kingdom, but Magic Kingdom opens the breakfast gate at 745am.

As with any WDW ressie, I'd make sure to have a copy of your confirmation number with you. I've only been asked for our name, but we always have confirmation numbers with us.

Enjoy your character breakfasts. These are two of our favorites that we don't miss on our trips!

 

[ibcnu]

We are also going to Akershus for an 8:30am ADR through the back International entrance. We are staying at the Beach Club, I'll be sure to print this ADR so there are no problems at the back gate.

 

[RMulieri]

We are also going to Akershus for an 8:30am ADR through the back International entrance. We are staying at the Beach Club, I'll be sure to print this ADR so there are no problems at the back gate.

I would...They wouldn't let us thru even with it( we weren't on their clipboard) until they called the restaurant to double check..

 

[oasispaul]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

 

[PoohsFan1]

We always do early morning breakfast at Akershus, we like to have an ADR that is closest to 8am if possible. With that said, the park is so pretty that early in the morning and being able to take pictures of the park with hardly any people around is priceless. When you walk up to the turnstiles there will be a seperate one for just the character breakfast with CMs in front with a clip board. When they let you through they will ask for your name so they can check it on their clip board, if your name matches the one they have, they will let you in. Once you are finished, and if you have time, you can take a leisurely walk back towards the front of the park. The RD is where the fountain is in FW so you can go up to that. I would position yourself so that you are closest to Soarin if that is where you want to be or to TT, after RD there will be CMs leading the pack to the Land pavillion so people are not shoving and pushing their way there.

As for the IG question, there too are CMs at the turnstile there that will do the same thing as the front of the park. The best part about the IG is that you have a much shorter walk than if you were in the front of the park. Have a great meal....Akershus is a family tradition of ours and you will not be disappointed

 

[ibcnu]

I have an 8:30am ressie on the day the park opens at 9am. I was thinking of moving the ressie to 9:50am so we can instead focus on being at RD at 9am, get a FP to Soarin' or Test Track, then go to breakfast. After breakfast, use the FP, then get another FP to whatever one we didn't to do earlier. That way we're done with anything fast pass, can enjoy the rest of the morning, etc.? Make sense than being at breakfast at 8:30, my concern would be rushing through an 8:30 breakfast, only to get out at 10am or something and THEN starting our day in Epcot.

 

[KimDisFan]

We have 9:40 am ressies, I plan to head to Soarin at RD for FP while DD & DH hear to TT for a ride (it is my DH most favorite ride at WDW ). Then we will head to our Princess breakfast, my DD15 is very excited about the breakfast.