Can we get from Epcot Entrance to Garden Grill in time?

[Corbie]

Hi, will be visiting Disney World for our first time this fall. I'm making ADRs and can get a 9:15AM res. for Garden Grill. Will we be able to get from the entrance when it opens at 9AM and to the restaurant in time? Thanks!

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Hi, will be visiting Disney World for our first time this fall. I'm making ADRs and can get a 9:15AM res. for Garden Grill. Will we be able to get from the entrance when it opens at 9AM and to the restaurant in time? Thanks!

Yes you can walk there in 15 minutes.

Just a suggestion:
By all means, book the 9:15 ADR. Keep checking though, for an ADR before 9:00. If you find one, you will be let into the park before it opens, eat breakfast, then head to Soarin' (which is just downstairs from Garden Grill) and ride it before any of the 9:00 rope drop crowds show up! No line!

 

[Shanti]

Hi, will be visiting Disney World for our first time this fall. I'm making ADRs and can get a 9:15AM res. for Garden Grill. Will we be able to get from the entrance when it opens at 9AM and to the restaurant in time? Thanks!

Yes, absolutely.

 

[Corbie]

My original idea was to get an earlier res., but they were booked. Is the food worth it or should we plan on picking up something at one of the bakeries? (We're all grown-ups, so the character dining while fun is not a must.)

 

[Shanti]

My original idea was to get an earlier res., but they were booked. Is the food worth it or should we plan on picking up something at one of the bakeries? (We're all grown-ups, so the character dining while fun is not a must.)

It's a good breakfast, but you will be missing prime time touring while eating. It depends on what attractions you want to tell how much that matters, though. The only rides at Epcot with really long lines are Soarin', Test Track & FEA. But I've stood in long lines for all 3 of them and survived. If you want to do them all in one day & there are no EMH, & you can't stand lines, then you might have a problem. I'd recommend dining at 10ish rather than 9:15, so you can make use of the rope drop hour for at least one of them. Or just eat at 9:15, and then suck it up and wait in 2 real lines that day. I personally wouldn't substitute a bagel for breakfast at WDW- we like having a real breakfast to help us power through our park days. But to each his own.

 

[Cinderella94]

I would never give up the first hour of no-lines time if meeting the characters isn't a necessity for you.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

My original idea was to get an earlier res., but they were booked. Is the food worth it or should we plan on picking up something at one of the bakeries? (We're all grown-ups, so the character dining while fun is not a must.)

The food is standard breakfast fare. I enjoy a hearty breakfast as much as the next person and it was good, but the food itself wasn't particularly memorable. You mentioned the character interactions are not important so that leaves the Pre-Park-Opening (PPO) as the only aspect that's really valuable if you can get one. Given the info you've shared about your traveling party, if it were me, I would either:

1. Look for a PPO ADR there rather than 9:15 as you will be missing prime time for park touring before the morning crowds build. Keep checking frequently as people change plans and cancel all the time. Also sign up for Touring Plans reservation finder. It's free. You don't need to have the paid subscription.

2. As you suggested, grab something from one of the bakeries and enjoy the low crowds at rope drop to ride the popular attraction(s) with little to no line. Then perhaps enjoy a sit-down lunch after the crowds have started to build.

 

[Thing 1]

I would only do a 8:00 or 10:30 or later. Ok food but not worth wasting that prime hour of touring time. Characters are really good and we like it with kids but have no done it in several trips as the kids are getting older.

 

[tndisney5]

I would agree on the later time...we always do lunch or dinner there that way we can ride stand by in short line for Soarin' or Test Track.