Anna and Elsa opening at 9am starting next week?

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Keep in mind that if you get in line at 9am, you may not see them until noon or later.

I think you're a bit behind the times - they're now starting to meet at 9 am (for a trial). IF that is the case and IF the person gets in line right at RD (assuming that's 9 am) they will see them between 9 and 10 am (I'm assuming that some folks will get in line early from Akershus)

 

[crostorfer]

I think you're a bit behind the times - they're now starting to meet at 9 am (for a trial). IF that is the case and IF the person gets in line right at RD (assuming that's 9 am) they will see them between 9 and 10 am (I'm assuming that some folks will get in line early from Akershus)

That is assuming that you are in the very front of the pack at rope drop. You will still be behind the people who made Akershus reservations between 8-9am just to be in line early. If you are not in the very front of the RD crowd, it is possible you will be in the 11-12 pm line depending on your crowd for the day.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

That is assuming that you are in the very front of the pack at rope drop. You will still be behind the people who made Akershus reservations between 8-9am just to be in line early. If you are not in the very front of the RD crowd, it is possible you will be in the 11-12 pm line depending on your crowd for the day.

So what happened to folks meeting from 10 - 11?

The line used to work that you lined up at RD or earlier if you had an ADR and they started meeting at 11. They only met so many people (approximately 1/2 hour to 40 minutes worth) and then took a 20 minute break break. So folks were grouped into the 11:00; the 12:00 etc. We were there on Thursday, January 23rd at RD - dh moved it and we were the 2nd to last family in line for the 11 am meet and greet. 3 families in front of us were from RD the rest were from Akershus. I'm familiar with the system.

Then they changed it (note they changed it the last Sunday in January we were down there and know from first hand experience - I was stalking the line and reporting in. ) They started taking super short breaks - as in walk through the shop and come right back. People were then no longer divided into firm times they were given a wait time estimate "3 hours" etc. Because the girls were then meeting basically continuously - a lot more people were able to be seen.

NOW they're going to meet at 9 am which is going to solve a lot of problems. The people at RD should get in within the first hour. Yes, they would have to "move it" but it isn't going to be like it was when they started meeting at 11.

 

[crostorfer]

So what happened to folks meeting from 10 - 11?

The line used to work that you lined up at RD or earlier if you had an ADR and they started meeting at 11. They only met so many people (approximately 1/2 hour to 40 minutes worth) and then took a 20 minute break break. So folks were grouped into the 11:00; the 12:00 etc. We were there on Thursday, January 23rd at RD - dh moved it and we were the 2nd to last family in line for the 11 am meet and greet. 3 families in front of us were from RD the rest were from Akershus. I'm familiar with the system.

Then they changed it (note they changed it the last Sunday in January we were down there and know from first hand experience - I was stalking the line and reporting in. ) They started taking super short breaks - as in walk through the shop and come right back. People were then no longer divided into firm times they were given a wait time estimate "3 hours" etc. Because the girls were then meeting basically continuously - a lot more people were able to be seen.

NOW they're going to meet at 9 am which is going to solve a lot of problems. The people at RD should get in within the first hour. Yes, they would have to "move it" but it isn't going to be like it was when they started meeting at 11.

I've done this dance before with Rapunzel, when she was in fairy tale garden. If you got in and were in the front of the line at Rope Drop you were still very lucky to get in the 10am line, and were more likely in the 11am-12pm group. One day I arrived in the first wave of RD through the turnstile and the 1pm line was forming.

Granted, there are two restaurants that serve early breakfast in the MK so more people could theoretically be in line, but there are also 2 entrances to EPCOT. People entering via the International Gateway have the advantage in that they are already in the WS when they enter, and don't have to schlep all the way from the front gate. Anyone entering through the IG will beat the front gate people to the punch.

 

[aggiekat]

We had a reservation for 8 at Akershus this past Thursday. We ate breakie and met all of the princesses. At 8:55 I left the breakfast (we were paying our check) and went to the line. I was the 4th person in line.

I would have loved it if we were a week later and they had started meeting at 9:00! At about 9:02 the line started filling up with people who ran into the park at rope drop.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I've done this dance before with Rapunzel, when she was in fairy tale garden. If you got in and were in the front of the line at Rope Drop you were still very lucky to get in the 10am line, and were more likely in the 11am-12pm group. One day I arrived in the first wave of RD through the turnstile and the 1pm line was forming.

Granted, there are two restaurants that serve early breakfast in the MK so more people could theoretically be in line, but there are also 2 entrances to EPCOT. People entering via the International Gateway have the advantage in that they are already in the WS when they enter, and don't have to schlep all the way from the front gate. Anyone entering through the IG will beat the front gate people to the punch.

ah yes, we used to refer to that as the "Rapunzel Run" - we didn't run but we saw plenty of people who did. Might be the time of year but we never had any trouble getting into her first wave of meet and greets which I believe started at 9:15 am.

 

[MommaGinger]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked before but I did not see it. I was able to get 8am reservations for our Epcot day just to meet with Anna and Elsa without the too much of a wait. I have never been to the parks at rope drop never mind before.....what time should we get to the park for our reservation and is there a separate entrance for those with early morning ADR's? Thank you so much!

 

[PrincessRileysMom]

We have an 8:10 breakfast at Akershus. IF Anna & Elsa are still meeting at 9, is it even possible my husband can head over there after he eats (he's fast ha ha) to keep our place in line? Or do we have to be there right at 9am to join him? I am really curious to see how much this will effect the morning times...Also concerned as I don't want to rush her character breakfast to get in line.

And may I ask those that have done the Akershus breakfast and went straight in line for A&E...how do you get to the line from Akershus? I am kind of confused as to how people from ADRs get in line with the rope droppers. Thanks!

 

[*DisneyDreamer]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked before but I did not see it. I was able to get 8am reservations for our Epcot day just to meet with Anna and Elsa without the too much of a wait. I have never been to the parks at rope drop never mind before.....what time should we get to the park for our reservation and is there a separate entrance for those with early morning ADR's? Thank you so much!

I would probably plan to be at the park around 7:30, if not even a little before that. They'll let you into the park prior to your reservation time, because you'll have to walk from the entrance to the restaurant. And yes, they do have a separate entrance for guests with reservations. It's usually one of the furthest ones off to the side.

 

[MommaGinger]

I would probably plan to be at the park around 7:30, if not even a little before that. They'll let you into the park prior to your reservation time, because you'll have to walk from the entrance to the restaurant. And yes, they do have a separate entrance for guests with reservations. It's usually one of the furthest ones off to the side.

Thank you so very much for the information!

 

[aggiekat]

We took a breakfast shuttle from AoA to Epcot. We got to the line for the bus at 7. It did not come until 7:30 ish and everyone was concerned. When we got to Epcot there was someone waiting after bag checks, but before the entrance to check us into the park. Then at a few minutes to 8 they let us all in. We walked back to Akershus, had our breakie and then I left at 8:55 to get in line. I was 4th in line. The line starts directly across from the entrance to Akershus.

Hope that helps!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We have an 8:10 breakfast at Akershus. IF Anna & Elsa are still meeting at 9, is it even possible my husband can head over there after he eats (he's fast ha ha) to keep our place in line? Or do we have to be there right at 9am to join him? I am really curious to see how much this will effect the morning times...Also concerned as I don't want to rush her character breakfast to get in line.

And may I ask those that have done the Akershus breakfast and went straight in line for A&E...how do you get to the line from Akershus? I am kind of confused as to how people from ADRs get in line with the rope droppers. Thanks!

in my experience (and it's been a few years since we've done character meals - I think since 2011 - or late 2010) - you line up at the separate entrance (as another poster mentioned). Then they check you off of the list - they let everyone who has reservations between "x" and "y" back at the same time - like 8 am - 8:20 am or something so if you're there early you can be in an early batch to walk back. then you check in at Norway and they call your name. I think they take people in based on when they checked in rather than their exact reservation time (many times we had an 8:10 or 8:15 reservation but walked quickly back and were first or 2nd seated).

See my earlier post - pay ASAP - like when the waitress comes to get your drink order so that's over and done with.

Then eat and enjoy the princesses. I'd recommend you have DH peek outside at the line from time to time but honestly you should be OK eating then leaving to get in line. Keep in mind Epcot often opens early (like 8:45) but it is a trek back to Norway.

He can leave breakfast early (shoot you can all leave after you pay) but I'd say if possible let him stay and see the Princesses and the kids reactions etc - and get in line. If you have 2 cell phones you can keep in touch easily that way. No doubt if he got up to the meet/ greet and you weren't out yet he could let someone else go in first

The meet/ greet area is less than 20 feet from Akershus -walk out the door and go straight you'll hit the line.

When we were there (January 23rd) they were meeting starting at 11 am and meeting for only 30 / 40 minutes then taking a long break. The 11 am (first group of people) line section went back to the first door of the shop. Now that they are meeting more continuously I'd expect that the 9 - 10 am meet/ greet would go much further back (just to give you a reference point).

 

[supergoofy]

Currently training to run a marathon so front gate to this will be a breeze


All kidding aside this may be a bonus for the FP+ that people are hating.

Instead of stopping and getting a FP you could simply book it months ahead so you can head straight to this.


Think them opening up at the same time as park opening will help with crowds. I do see Akerhaus getting real busy with am ADR's with many folks eating and dashing to get in line.

 

[PrincessRileysMom]

Thanks so much! I wonder how starting the M&G at 9 will change things though...

So if I send my husband first to get in line before 9am, when the line finally starts to move we will obviously have to join him right away, right? I just worry with an 8:10 ADR we will end up having to rush out. I guess we will have to see how it goes this coming week.

Any idea how long the Akershus breakfasts can take? Thanks!

*wrote this before dewdrop's reply- THANK YOU

 

[AliceandAriel]

So they are meeting now at 9AM? How is this working with RDers and line times? I'm either going to get in line on the 10th around 4PM and hope for a 6PM meet, or consider RD on the 12th or evening depending on wait times.

 

[Itinkso]

So they are meeting now at 9AM? How is this working with RDers and line times? I'm either going to get in line on the 10th around 4PM and hope for a 6PM meet, or consider RD on the 12th or evening depending on wait times.

It begins tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. I believe Kenny the Pirate will be there to check on wait times later in the day.

 

[afnaechiquita]

from the IG, the fastest way to norway would be left, yes? looking at the map, i don't see how IG has an advantage because it looks to be about the same distance, unless i'm missing something?

at any rate, i'm excited for this. wasn't planning on getting to meet them but starting at 9 am changes that!

oh... after looking, our akershus reservation was already for 8:20! so i guess my first question doesn't really matter now.

 

[crostorfer]

from the IG, the fastest way to norway would be left, yes? looking at the map, i don't see how IG has an advantage because it looks to be about the same distance, unless i'm missing something?

at any rate, i'm excited for this. wasn't planning on getting to meet them but starting at 9 am changes that!

oh... after looking, our akershus reservation was already for 8:20! so i guess my first question doesn't really matter now.

You can only go left through the IG at RD. It is much closer than the front gate, you just cut through the UK, Canada and Mexico. Don't underestimate that walk from the front gate. It's a long walk.

 

[afnaechiquita]

You can only go left through the IG at RD. It is much closer than the front gate, you just cut through the UK, Canada and Mexico. Don't underestimate that walk from the front gate. It's a long walk.

thank you my only experience being close to WS in the early hours was years ago during an easter breakfast. i guess i never realized we didn't go that far into it, but it seemed like it at the time! now i know.

 

[Berlioz70]

So they are meeting now at 9AM? How is this working with RDers and line times? I'm either going to get in line on the 10th around 4PM and hope for a 6PM meet, or consider RD on the 12th or evening depending on wait times.

With the 9am greeting Disney is advertising that the M&Gs will end at 6pm.