Conquerering the Anna and Elsa Line: Our Experience

[appleorchard]

Of course, this will be changed soon, but here's how our experience meeting Anna and Elsa last Friday went.

We had an 8:15 am reservation at Akershus. We were at the Epcot monorail at the TTC at 7:30, when it supposedly arrives. It didn't. The monorail finally showed up about 7:50. We got to Epcot a little after 8 and booked it over to Akershus. There were already 4 or 5 dads in front of us for the A&E line.

All three of us-- me, DD and DGD -- checked in at the platform so we wouldn't be charged for absentee people. Then my DD took her little three legged chair and plopped it down in the A&E line. We had made friends with the family right behind us on the monorail, so she and that dad agreed to watch each other's spaces so they could run in and grab something to eat. We didn't get in until 8:25.

Things started off very slowly in the restaurant. I had told DD to come in in 15 minutes and she and I would switch places, figuring I'd be done eating by then. Not even close! Our hot food hadn't even arrived yet. So DD grabbed some cold stuff and took it back outside.

The Princesses took forever to come around. Everyone in the place, it seemed, was nervously looking at their watches, because nearly all of us had someone waiting and holding our place in the A&E line. The last Princess finally hit our table at 9am and I grabbed DGD and we high-tailed it out to the line. Numerous dads were racing in and trying to rush their families out of their as their turn approached. We got there right before we were due to go in-- I think my DD let 1 family go ahead of her.

Our waitress was fantastic! She packed up hot food for my DD and brought the bill out well ahead of time.

My advice would be to get to Epcot by cab, if necessary, since this is the second experience we've had with the monorail not starting service at 7:30 like it's supposed to. But be very aware that if you have an 8:15 reservation, you're cutting it very close to see the Princesses and actually eat, especially since the checkin process at Akershus seems to move very slowly.

If you don't have a reservation--be at the front of Epcot and RUN! My DD said it was hilarious to see people racing up to the line, but they definitely got there in time to see A&E with less than an hour's wait.

 

[SillySallySews]

CRT and TCP both open for early breakfast in the MK, right? Should make things interesting after they move. I wonder if it would even be worth making a run for it at RD. Maybe RD on an EMH day and waiting until they start meeting would be best if you don't have a FP+? I'll be watching here to see how it plays out.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I am so glad my DD's are beyond the princess stage ... I mean, I was sad when they left it behind, but this Anna & Elsa thing would give me a panic attack!

We were at Epcot on Thursday for rope drop (we went to Test Track). We heard lots of Dads discussing their Anna & Elsa strategy at the main gate. It was tense!

 

[MuddyTires]

So glad they're going over to MK with the FP+ so we don't have to deal with that when we go. The idea of getting to the park extra early for a character breakfast, which isn't cheap, only to feel rushed and needing to be elsewhere, and having somebody waiting in line instead of eating with us, is not at all appealing.

 

[Sephora]

So once they go to MK are they not going to be at Epcot anymore?

 

[FLchick415]

So once they go to MK are they not going to be at Epcot anymore?

Correct. At least, that's my understanding. However, I feel like they should keep them at Epcot along with having them at MK. Maybe it would ease up some of the line.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

So once they go to MK are they not going to be at Epcot anymore?

I'm pretty sure that is correct. They are being moved over to the MK to avoid the 4 hour waits. Although, i'm wondering if things are really going to change that much for the average person who doesn't secure one of the needed FP+ for the meet and greet. I'm betting they'll still have a significant wait time in the standby line.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm pretty sure that is correct. They are being moved over to the MK to avoid the 4 hour waits. Although, i'm wondering if things are really going to change that much for the average person who doesn't secure one of the needed FP+ for the meet and greet. I'm betting they'll still have a significant wait time in the standby line.

There are 2 rooms on either side of Fairytale Hall so they will be able to get people through twice as fast. It will still be a long standby wait but it shouldn't be as bad as at Epcot.

 

[Minnesota!]

Honestly, that sounds miserable and I would be crabby the entire day. No way am I rushing through a pricey breakfast to see anyone.

 

[Ava]

Honestly, that sounds miserable and I would be crabby the entire day. No way am I rushing through a pricey breakfast to see anyone.

Seriously. I also feel bad for the restaurant staff, having to deal with all of their customers rushing, asking for food boxed up (which they probably aren't really supposed to do since its all-you-can-eat), etc.

I'm glad they'll be moved to MK by the time we go. My strategy is to try for FP+ later in the afternoon on our last day, before MNSSHP. And then my DD will get to meet Elsa while dressed as Elsa, because I'm 99% certain that will still be her costume choice come Sept.

 

[appleorchard]

Honestly, that sounds miserable and I would be crabby the entire day. No way am I rushing through a pricey breakfast to see anyone.

Actually it was crazy annoying and kind of funny at the same time. I think my DD had a MUCH better time than I did waiting out in the courtyard. Just her and a million dads! I was inside wishing the princesses would just get to our table, already. I almost had a heart attack when they did the "parade" around the room-- that was the last thing I wanted to see just then.

My DGD never eats a thing at these meals so she enjoyed just seeing the princesses and wasn't aware of all the Frozen drama going on outside -- and in my stomach!

The Meet and Greet, however, was very VERY nice and we were out by 9:15.

 

[appleorchard]

Seriously. I also feel bad for the restaurant staff, having to deal with all of their customers rushing, asking for food boxed up (which they probably aren't really supposed to do since its all-you-can-eat), etc.

I'm glad they'll be moved to MK by the time we go. My strategy is to try for FP+ later in the afternoon on our last day, before MNSSHP. And then my DD will get to meet Elsa while dressed as Elsa, because I'm 99% certain that will still be her costume choice come Sept.

We didn't ask for food to be boxed up-- she just brought it. The food is on a family-style plate, it's not like they're going to serve it to another customer(I hope) Yes, I'm sure it's been quite stressful for them, but it's probably also increased their tips lol. I know it did mine!

 

[wiigirl]

I'm pretty sure that is correct. They are being moved over to the MK to avoid the 4 hour waits. Although, i'm wondering if things are really going to change that much for the average person who doesn't secure one of the needed FP+ for the meet and greet. I'm betting they'll still have a significant wait time in the standby line.

ditto...

 

[Cheert789]

Of course, this will be changed soon, but here's how our experience meeting Anna and Elsa last Friday went. We had an 8:15 am reservation at Akershus. We were at the Epcot monorail at the TTC at 7:30, when it supposedly arrives. It didn't. The monorail finally showed up about 7:50. We got to Epcot a little after 8 and booked it over to Akershus. There were already 4 or 5 dads in front of us for the A&E line. All three of us-- me, DD and DGD -- checked in at the platform so we wouldn't be charged for absentee people. Then my DD took her little three legged chair and plopped it down in the A&E line. We had made friends with the family right behind us on the monorail, so she and that dad agreed to watch each other's spaces so they could run in and grab something to eat. We didn't get in until 8:25. Things started off very slowly in the restaurant. I had told DD to come in in 15 minutes and she and I would switch places, figuring I'd be done eating by then. Not even close! Our hot food hadn't even arrived yet. So DD grabbed some cold stuff and took it back outside. The Princesses took forever to come around. Everyone in the place, it seemed, was nervously looking at their watches, because nearly all of us had someone waiting and holding our place in the A&E line. The last Princess finally hit our table at 9am and I grabbed DGD and we high-tailed it out to the line. Numerous dads were racing in and trying to rush their families out of their as their turn approached. We got there right before we were due to go in-- I think my DD let 1 family go ahead of her. Our waitress was fantastic! She packed up hot food for my DD and brought the bill out well ahead of time. My advice would be to get to Epcot by cab, if necessary, since this is the second experience we've had with the monorail not starting service at 7:30 like it's supposed to. But be very aware that if you have an 8:15 reservation, you're cutting it very close to see the Princesses and actually eat, especially since the checkin process at Akershus seems to move very slowly. If you don't have a reservation--be at the front of Epcot and RUN! My DD said it was hilarious to see people racing up to the line, but they definitely got there in time to see A&E with less than an hour's wait.

I'm surprised they let you do this. When we were there in march we were not allowed to enter the breakfast until our whole party was there. Which meant one of us either had to miss the breakfast to hold the line or not hold the line. So congrats you got to do both even if it was rushed

 

[cigar95]

There are 2 rooms on either side of Fairytale Hall so they will be able to get people through twice as fast. It will still be a long standby wait but it shouldn't be as bad as at Epcot.

I'm surprised it's only 2 rooms. I would have guessed about 4. Maybe the old Snow White ride didn't take up as much space as I might have thought.

Reading this thread makes me think that a 9:10 reservation at Akershus might allow one a rather quiet restaurant.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm surprised it's only 2 rooms. I would have guessed about 4. Maybe the old Snow White ride didn't take up as much space as I might have thought.

Reading this thread makes me think that a 9:10 reservation at Akershus might allow one a rather quiet restaurant.

There are at least two other rooms devoted to other princesses.

 

[appleorchard]

I'm surprised they let you do this. When we were there in march we were not allowed to enter the breakfast until our whole party was there. Which meant one of us either had to miss the breakfast to hold the line or not hold the line. So congrats you got to do both even if it was rushed

We were all there when we checked in at the podium. When they took us back I just told them where my daughter was and that we were going to switch off. If we had to, we were all going to go in, sit down and then she would leave. Maybe they've just gotten tired of arguing with people lol. We were perfectly willing to all go in if we had to, then my DD would have gone right back out.

I'll be very glad when we don't have to do this kind of thing anymore! Our princess era is winding down, DGD only wore the two Frozen dresses my DD made for her a total of about 4 hours and never put another princess outfit on. She did, however, go on Space Mountain 6 times! Looks like our emphasis will be changing in the near future. My DD is quite sad about it, which is one reason I think she was willing to go to these lengths. If it had been me alone, or when my kids were younger-- no, I never would have done all this!

 

[cigar95]

There are at least two other rooms devoted to other princesses.

Yeah. I was thinking 4 *each*.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm surprised it's only 2 rooms. I would have guessed about 4. Maybe the old Snow White ride didn't take up as much space as I might have thought. Reading this thread makes me think that a 9:10 reservation at Akershus might allow one a rather quiet restaurant.

There's two rooms on each side. Two for Anna and Elsa and two for Rapunzel and Cinderella. So four total.