CRT not letting you enter Fantasyland early anymore?

[JanieMc]

Hello, I've always thought after the first seating for CRT, guests were permitted to go into Fantasyland early. Now it looks like everyone's being held until rope drop? we're not hellbent on Elsa and Anna--not in a "make or break our entire trip" kind of way--but we thought we'd leave CRT and head straight for Fairytale Hall and beat the crowds. However, if we can't do this, I really don't want to hurry through our pricey breakfast to be part of a stampede... What are others doing with regard to rope drop, A&E early strategy, etc? I know FP+'s are "the ticket," but it's going to be futile now--we'll be there Aug. 29.

I'm glad Cinderella is my daughter's favorite!! I think after dining with all the princesses, a free-for-all bolt kind of destroys the mood, do you think? (And believe me, I'm a "quiet commando" park tourer...)

 

[letsgoreds]

We were there in early December (CRT), and we were held at a rope on the far side (in front of the carousel) of the castle. So, you do get a jump on the rope drop folks, but you are standing at this rope with all of the other early ADR families. There is still an advantage.

 

[Ladyleslie68]

I had the same thought when we had 8:20am ressies at CRT back in May. But no go - we got out of there and were stopped by the rope and then got literally crushed by the crowds who swarmed over us. It was ridiculous. We were right there at the rope and because of the way you have to go around the carousel, we were pushed back by those on the outskirt edges and it was a nightmare....so, no, don't rush through your expensive breakfast. On the flip side, once the crowd dies down, there were literally no lines for rides in Fantasy Land!

 

[BurleyGirl]

But I think the main perk of those early ADRs is still having a practically empty Main Street to walk down before those opening crowds are ushered in...that to me is heavenly That's truly what I pay the money for...I'm no longer interested in the characters/the experience (although that French Toast Puff sure is tasty!) I hope they don't ever mess with that!

 

[Aurora0427]

Do not rush through your expensive meal at CRT to try and beat the insanity to Anna & Elsa. Relax and enjoy your meal. If they had 7am ADR times, then it would work easily. Unfortunately I think only Chef Mickey does ADR's that early.

 

[lovesdumbo]

The rope drop by the castle has been there for years and years. If you're out of breakfast at CRT or CP before park opening they only let you go so far.

 

[danielangie]

Yes, please do not rush through your breakfast...we just got back...had the first appt of the day at BBB...she was done by 8:20...we had to wait at the rope until the "mob" and cast me beers walking them caught up to us...even though we were there first, we had no chance at being first on ANY ride...you would think they would let those already early and waiting for the rope stay at the front of the mob, but nope...once they meet up with you, it's a free for all...it honestly was quite scary how out of control the people in the mob got once the CMs let them go...

 

[Robo]

The rope drop by the castle has been there for years and years. If you're out of breakfast at CRT or CP before park opening they only let you go so far.

Ditto.

The OP might be thinking of being able to go into Fantasyland after an early departure from CRT (or CP) on a day that MK is having AM Extra Magic Hour.

In THAT case, guests CAN head into FL "early" after a breakfast, even if they are not staying at a WDW resort.

Unusual situation.

 

[JanieMc]

Thanks so much for the insights, guys. I also now know to be prepared for rope drop and the mob... I think we'll linger and take advantage of the crush for A&E to zag as they zig...

I'm going to tell my children we get to wave at A & E in the parade!! And I do have FP+ for that...

 

[JanieMc]

But I think the main perk of those early ADRs is still having a practically empty Main Street to walk down before those opening crowds are ushered in...that to me is heavenly That's truly what I pay the money for...I'm no longer interested in the characters/the experience (although that French Toast Puff sure is tasty!) I hope they don't ever mess with that!

I love this perspective. Indeed!! And we've never been to CRT or gotten in early for anything other than EMH. My older kids are boys who had no interest in princesses, and now I'm blessed with little 5-yr-old twins, one of which IS a princess! These two have never been to WDW. We're going to focus on what we HAVE and not try to get in every little thing that is remotely possible. We've already been beyond fortunate to get the 8:05 a.m. CRT and dinner at BOG, different days.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

Thanks so much for the insights, guys. I also now know to be prepared for rope drop and the mob... I think we'll linger and take advantage of the crush for A&E to zag as they zig...

I'm going to tell my children we get to wave at A & E in the parade!! And I do have FP+ for that...

Make sure you are standing on the correct side of the street. Some of the new floats are 1 sided.... and we were NOT on the correct side to see Anna and Elsa. We could see a tiny bit of Olaf after the float went by us. I was so ticked at myself that after all my time planning I hadn't realized that would be the case. We were in frontier land, and if you are in the road, facing the direction the parade goes, you want to be on the right side of the road.

 

[JanieMc]

Make sure you are standing on the correct side of the street. Some of the new floats are 1 sided.... and we were NOT on the correct side to see Anna and Elsa. We could see a tiny bit of Olaf after the float went by us. I was so ticked at myself that after all my time planning I hadn't realized that would be the case. We were in frontier land, and if you are in the road, facing the direction the parade goes, you want to be on the right side of the road.

OMG, Lacey, thank you sooo much for this. I'm going to look up where the FP+ viewing is and make sure we're standing on the right side--literally. Thank you. P.S. I'm from South Carolina myself--Beaufort--and worked for The Greenville News in my 20s--I know upstate SC quite well, from Anderson over to Spartanburg!

 

[JanieMc]

Hoo yeah! Just looked up the FP+ viewing area, which faces the castle and where you can stretch out, apparently... the floats face this side. I'm glad you cued me to check it out though, Lacey... I'd never thought of the tactic of right or left.

 

[kmb584]

Hoo yeah! Just looked up the FP+ viewing area, which faces the castle and where you can stretch out, apparently... the floats face this side. I'm glad you cued me to check it out though, Lacey... I'd never thought of the tactic of right or left.

The floats actually rotate so that's something to keep in mind too.

 

[asta]

Not Disney related but a story about making do with small children and characters. We were at a minor league baseball game last night with the San Diego Chicken there for entertainment. Two cute little boys behind us (somewhere between 2 and 4 years old) were all about wanting to see him. When the chicken came close to our seats he was surrounded by so many kids that it was a little too crazy to get close. When the chicken turned and waved at the crowd, the very smart mother of the cuties behind us made a huge deal about how the chicken saw them and was waving to them. This made the boys happy and they went back to eating their ice cream. Sometimes it is more about how the parents handle things than about what your kid actually gets to do.

 

[mom2rtk]

The floats actually rotate so that's something to keep in mind too.

Yep. No way to predict which part you'll have the best view of. I totally don't get why they would do that. Seems very ill-conceived.