Crazy Question about FEA and PPO Akershus

[wmjeffer]

I feel weird even asking this, but here goes...

I got an 8:05am PPO Akershus ressie. Because we booked a last minute trip, I have not been able to get a FEA FP. My three year old remembers FEA and would definitely like to ride it, but I don't want to rush an expensive meal. There will be three of us - myself, my mom, and my daughter.

If we find ourselves close to park opening with no end to the meal in sight (whether it be late seatings or waiting for princesses), could one of us take our daughter to ride and then come back, while one person stays at the table? Is that even possible?

I was originally concerned about staying longer at our table overall, but I suppose dining at a leisurely pace would have the same result and plenty of people do that. We're less concerned with missing a princess or two, since we did this meal last year (we did really enjoy the food and atmosphere though, so would like to soak that in as much as possible!). Also neither myself or my mom care that much about FEA, so it's fine for one person to skip it. I also realize that sometimes FEA is down in the morning, so we would roll with that if it happened.

I hope that this doesn't offend anyone. I'm just genuinely curious if it's possible. I've never left a restaurant when the rest of my party was seated.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I doubt they allow that (and I wouldn't suggest trying it).

 

[IrishNYC]

If someone is going to leave with the 3 year old, you might as well be done with the meal and all leave. It's not like a quick trip to the restroom.

 

[robndani]

Technically you could but unless you were first in line it would take a while. If you don't care about the princesses I'd just eat quick and go.

 

[JZCubed]

I feel weird even asking this, but here goes...

I got an 8:05am PPO Akershus ressie. Because we booked a last minute trip, I have not been able to get a FEA FP. My three year old remembers FEA and would definitely like to ride it, but I don't want to rush an expensive meal. There will be three of us - myself, my mom, and my daughter.

If we find ourselves close to park opening with no end to the meal in sight (whether it be late seatings or waiting for princesses), could one of us take our daughter to ride and then come back, while one person stays at the table? Is that even possible?

I was originally concerned about staying longer at our table overall, but I suppose dining at a leisurely pace would have the same result and plenty of people do that. We're less concerned with missing a princess or two, since we did this meal last year (we did really enjoy the food and atmosphere though, so would like to soak that in as much as possible!). Also neither myself or my mom care that much about FEA, so it's fine for one person to skip it. I also realize that sometimes FEA is down in the morning, so we would roll with that if it happened.

I hope that this doesn't offend anyone. I'm just genuinely curious if it's possible. I've never left a restaurant when the rest of my party was seated.

Your arrival will not be the first time PPO has been attempted from Akershus to FEA.

The staff has done this countless times by now.

Solution - ask for the check immediately after you are seated.

You start at the buffet and your hot meal is served family-style in the center of the table.

The timing of the Princess interaction will happen such that you should all be able to leave to be on the front of the line at FEA.

Effectively, Disney knows full well that this touring strategy is in-play and makes it happen....magically....for folks who have planned properly.

An aside - our daughter was thoroughly amused by how quickly a meal could be consumed when motivated to be someplace else.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Even if you're out a little late, the thing to know is that FEA does not have FP+ until 11, so all of ride capacity is for standby from 9-11 and it moves quicker. Just buck up and get in line.

 

[Hopefully]

I don't think it is do-able - in a reasonable way. I agree with the others. Get your check right away, eat at a good pace and simply get in line and wait your turn

 

[wmjeffer]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's funny, because it's one of those things that seemingly doesn't harm anyone (we're not skipping our PPO like some, so the restaurant and servers are getting their money, and we wouldn't be using our table for over 75-90 minutes, which is the normal-ish dining window anyway), while still allowing us to enjoy more of our meal. But I understand why it's unreasonable and that some guests would take advantage.

We have decided against it. Thanks again.

 

[AJT607]

I just got back from a trip and found that if you are waiting at the tapstiles at 7:40 or so, you will be near the front of the crowd to be seated. We had absolutely no issues getting in, getting the photo with Belle, visiting the buffet, getting the hot food platter, receiving a refill for the hot food platter, and meeting all of the princesses. We were in line for Frozen around 8:45.

 

[danikoski]

We just did this in February, on a Festival of Arts day, so it was busy.
We got to Epcot around 7:30, were in line for the tapstile at around 7:40. We entered and walked back at a leisurely pace. Got pictures with Belle and seated just after 8. Ate at our leisure...saw all the princesses, stopped at the bathroom, out the door just after 9 am (my mom took a little longer in the bathroom), but still only had about a 15-20 minute wait for FEA. The line for FEA moved really pretty quickly. So eating and enjoying Akershus, and riding FEA, is completely doable. Oh, and we didn't ask for the check in advance, which would have shaved off another 10-15 minutes.

 

[Ruth B]

We could only get a 8:20 reservation.
If we are in line for 730, will we be let in at with the other breakfast ppo.
Has anyone be sat early at Aker, or have you had to wait for your Adr time.
Thank you

 

[Shermonica Simon]

I wonder if anyone has actual experience with what the original poster asked. I have read reports about individual riding frozen, meeting Anna and Elsa all within 15-20 minutes. How is taking 20 minutes for a ride different than going to the bathroom for 20 minutes which is easily how Lon it takes my little ones and I to visit the facilities. Just curious about any actual experience with the sciNero the original posted asked.

 

[AJT607]

You will not get thru frozen and meeting Anna/Elsa in under 20 minutes. You might wait in lines for a total of about 20 minutes but the experiences will add another 15 minutes or so.

I don’t consider 20 minutes away from a table an acceptable bathroom break length. Even if It was acceptable, what you are going to try to do will definitely take more than 20 minutes.

The best bet is what the majority of previous posters have suggested. Show up early and ask for your check immediately upon being seating and finish your meal as close to 9am as you can. That should be plenty of time to have as much food as you could possibly want and enough time to meet all of the princesses. If you aren’t comfortable with that approach, you could consider making a thoughtful choice about what is most important to you, or you could try to abandon your table for 30+ minutes and hope that Disney’s impeccable record of guest service and hospitality will excuse your behavior.

 

[Shermonica Simon]

You will not get thru frozen and meeting Anna/Elsa in under 20 minutes. You might wait in lines for a total of about 20 minutes but the experiences will add another 15 minutes or so.

I don’t consider 20 minutes away from a table an acceptable bathroom break length. Even if It was acceptable, what you are going to try to do will definitely take more than 20 minutes.

The best bet is what the majority of previous posters have suggested. Show up early and ask for your check immediately upon being seating and finish your meal as close to 9am as you can. That should be plenty of time to have as much food as you could possibly want and enough time to meet all of the princesses. If you aren’t comfortable with that approach, you could consider making a thoughtful choice about what is most important to you, or you could try to abandon your table for 30+ minutes and hope that Disney’s impeccable record of guest service and hospitality will excuse your behavior.

It's good to know that 20 minutes isn't the norm for riding frozen. I have read reports of people riding frozen and meeting elsa by 9am when getting on line by 8:40-8:45.

Also, I am not sure why you feel a 20 minute bathroom break is too long. If you have ever had to help one child use the bathroom, then help a 2nd, then use it yourself then wash hands properly(yours and children) you would know that this can take 15 to 20 minutes and that is if you do not have to wait for a stall.