Character meal before park opens

[lovespink]

We are staying at ASMo and have ressie for the PSB meal at Epcot for breakfast at 8:45 am.... Was told transportation runs one hour before park opens... Is this enough time to get from hotel to Akershus early to check in?

 

[jcriket]

Welcome to the boards!
And if the busses run 1 hour before the park opens then it sounds like it should be enough time. And if you happen to be a little late they are very accomodating. But I think you should make it on time.

 

[Tinkwantabe]

We are staying at ASMo and have ressie for the PSB meal at Epcot for breakfast at 8:45 am.... Was told transportation runs one hour before park opens... Is this enough time to get from hotel to Akershus early to check in?

This is a big concern for me as well as we have a 810a reservation at the castle. Staying at the Poly we can get on the monorail but how early should we leave and do we just go to the gates and tell them we have a breakfast reservation? Any help on this from ppl who have done this already is really appreciated.

 

[lovespink]

I'm just worried about the entrance gates being really crowded due to the park just opening!

 

[cdntourguide]

Each resort has a special "early" bus for people going to the Character breakfasts and early morning tours. Most of the early buses will start around 6:30am.
Each park will use a special gate for those people attending either the early morning tours or the breakfasts, with someone having the reservation list of people attending the early morning funtion: so not to worry, you will not get stuck in a crowd waiting for the park to open.

 

[lovespink]

Each resort has a special "early" bus for people going to the Character breakfasts and early morning tours. Most of the early buses will start around 6:30am.
Each park will use a special gate for those people attending either the early morning tours or the breakfasts, with someone having the reservation list of people attending the early morning funtion: so not to worry, you will not get stuck in a crowd waiting for the park to open.

Thanks cdntourguide.... that's reassuring!

 

[Tinkwantabe]

yes - i too thank you - I was so worried about that since it is the 1st full morning after we arrive.

I am so glad that you guys are out there thank you thank you

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

This is a big concern for me as well as we have a 810a reservation at the castle. Staying at the Poly we can get on the monorail but how early should we leave and do we just go to the gates and tell them we have a breakfast reservation? Any help on this from ppl who have done this already is really appreciated.

I would say if you are at the monorail by 7:30am you will have more than enough time. If it's an EMH morning all the turnstiles will open before 8am. If it's a regular 9:00 opening find the Cast Member at what will likely be the only open turnstile and they will check your name on the dining list. Have your confirmation number available just in case they can't find your name. You will then be allowed into the Magic Kingdom with almost nobody else around. I understand that is truly a "magical" experience.

 

[LISAMWDW]

It's actually very easy and very magical to get into the parks early for your ADR. Just be sure you get up early enough! Once at the gate, look for a CM and they will direct you to the appropriate line. It's an incredible experience to walk around the parks without anyone else there! One thing we forgot to do is, after your breakfast, be sure to go back towards the front so you can have your photo taken for the Disney Photo Pass card. We didn't get any pictures done at MK! Imagine that big mistake!

 

[chr1972]

Each resort has a special "early" bus for people going to the Character breakfasts and early morning tours. Most of the early buses will start around 6:30am.
Each park will use a special gate for those people attending either the early morning tours or the breakfasts, with someone having the reservation list of people attending the early morning funtion: so not to worry, you will not get stuck in a crowd waiting for the park to open.

Do you know how I can find out more information about this? I've got ADR's at 8:05 for Crystal Palace. The park doesn't open until 9 that day. I was told that transporation did not start running until an hour before the gates open and that we would not be able to make the 8:05 if using Disney transportation. We are thinking about flying instead of driving and if we do, I was going to cancel our ADR's. But if I can find out more information about the early transportation, I can keep my ADR's!!!!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Do you know how I can find out more information about this? I've got ADR's at 8:05 for Crystal Palace. The park doesn't open until 9 that day. I was told that transporation did not start running until an hour before the gates open and that we would not be able to make the 8:05 if using Disney transportation. We are thinking about flying instead of driving and if we do, I was going to cancel our ADR's. But if I can find out more information about the early transportation, I can keep my ADR's!!!!

First thing is to relax.............Now the second thing to always remember is to NEVER EVER EVER listen to any transportation information from any Cast Member in person or on the phone unless he/she is wearing the purple pants of the Disney bus drivers. For whatever reason Cast Members are notorious for giving out absolutely bad info regarding transportation. WDW bus service starts at 6:30am daily for the MK area breakfasts and 7:00am daily for the rest of the World. You will not have any problems getting to the Crystal Palace for your 8:05am reservation. Just be at your resort bus stop at least 45 minutes before you ADR. Personally I would allow an hour just in case a bus just left and you have to wait. But I would always rather be early than late...it's just me.
If you need transportation info of any kind regarding WDW go over to the transportation thread here on the DIS. Plenty of great people to help you, including a former Disney bus driver (Tyler) who moved to another position at WDW. He is the one always warning to only accept transportation info from the bus drivers....they are the ONLY ones who know how the system works.