breakfast ADR and park opening time

[meganb]

If we have CP 8:30 am and TH 8:30 am reservations (on different days of course) will we have enough time to eat and be done for 9:00park opening?

And what time would we want to arrive at the park for the reservations?
Or, if staying at Pop, what time should we leave the resort?
Thanks for the help, we are not early morning people!!

 

[OandA]

First off no you will not have time to eat and get to the 9:00AM opening. Both of those restaurants take about 1 hour for you to see all of the characters. If you don't care about the characters then I guess theoretically you could rush out but why would you pay those prices for a meal without characters right?

Secondly we stayed at the Pop last year and did both of these restaurants.

Crystal Palace - Plan to get to the park earlier than your reservation! You get to walk up and down an empty Main Street and take pictures with little to no people around! Great for ones with the Castle! I would plan to leave Pop about 45 minutes to an hour before your reservation time depending on how busy the parks are. Better to be safe than sorry!

Donalds Tusker House - Plan to leave Pop about 40 minutes prior. Animal Kingdom is close to the Pop but keep in mind that the Tusker House is in Africa, a bit of a walk inside the park.

 

[MissionMouse]

If we have CP 8:30 am and TH 8:30 am reservations (on different days of course) will we have enough time to eat and be done for 9:00park opening?

If you can eat in 15 minutes and don't care about meeting the characters, then it would work. Otherwise, I would say try to get an earlier time or select an alternative for breakfast if you want to go riding at 9am.

And what time would we want to arrive at the park for the reservations?
Or, if staying at Pop, what time should we leave the resort?
Thanks for the help, we are not early morning people!!

Use reverse planning method. You have to:8:30
Check-in ADR at least 10 minutes prior; 8:20
Walk down mainstreet: 8:10
Mainstreet picture: 8:00
Process through security 5-10 min
Security to bus station 5-10 min
unload bus 3min
bus ride 25 min
http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx
load bus 3 min
wait for bus 5-20min
walk to bus station (x factor)

 

[meganb]

Thanks for the info,
The only other option for CP was 10:20, I feel like that would disrupt the morning, only being in the park for an hour and having to go sit down, right?

Which would you pick 8:30 or 10:20? We are celebrating a birthday, so I liked the idea of having a special meal first thing...

Thanks!

 

[OandA]

Both are fine choices. I personally would do the 8:30AM one. I like to get into the park when it's empty. Its pretty Magical. Plus the later the day goes on, the further behind the seating becomes at park restaurants. You may not get seated until 15-20 minutes after your reservation time if it is after 10AM. We had that happen to us last trip. Then you feel like you're wasting a lot of time just sitting there waiting.

If you really want fastpasses you could always send a family member out once the park officially opens at 9AM to get them too. If it is for Jungle Cruise it is a 3-4 minute round trip walk to get them and back.

 

[dsnydrmn]

Last May we had a 8:25 ADR at CP and we were there when they opened up the gate for the early diners to get in. We took our time walking down Main Street and when we got to CP I went ahead and checked in, this was probably about 8:05, I knew we were early and we were prepared to wait for our time. I was surprised when we were called in and seated about 5 minutes later. It's definitely not a guarantee and it certainly wasn't planned, but it was a great start for our day. We saw all the characters, ate and we were out in the park a couple of minutes before opening. We love CP, enjoy!

 

[Hopefully]

With a 8:30 ADR you will not be done and out by 9:00
Enjoy

 

[kwdw]

I'd keep the 8:30 time - and leave your hotel room at least one hour before that if you are taking the bus (1:15 for CP would be better).

Having time to enjoy Main Street before the park opens is AWESOME - you need to plan for that.

For TH - it would be very easy for someone to run over to get FPs for the safari during the meal at 9 am. It's a very quick walk. And the walk for the entrance to Animal Kingdom and TH will take time.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

It won't hurt to check in early and hope for an early seating. I wouldn't be too surprised if you get it too. It also will help if you go ahead and ask for your bill while you're eating so that when you're done you can go ahead and step out into your day without waiting around.

As others have said though, you won't be out in half an hour. Have a wonderful time though. We love the CP!

 

[shawnh199]

We have been seated early at both places.

To even have a shot at making rope drop, be sure to take care of your check very early on in your meal. It can take 10-15 minutes or more, especially if you are on the dining plan and signing several different copies of receipts. We missed RD at CP because of this. It was our very first character breakfast before the parks open and I guess you live and learn.

I'm not sure about Tusker House, but you will want to get to MK early enought to check through security and get in line for the character breakfasts (all the way to the right hand side of the entrance turnstyles.) We were let in about 745am (others say 750am) so you won't get in any earlier than that.

Check in first! It's your best shot of being seated early. I guess most people don't check in until closer to their ADR time; we had a 815am ressie and were seated 5th, right at 8:05 when they start seating. Then take care of pictures in front of the castle (no one can get into the restaurant until 805am). It's great being in MK that early with so few people around.

Have fun!