Crystal Palace 8 am res on 9 am opening day

[McGirth]

We just booked a Crystal Palace 8 am res on a 9 am opening day (June 2018 trip). The idea was to get breakfast done early and ride things with long lines we otherwise wouldn’t want to use a FP on (e.g. Peter Pan). Will we be able to get back to Fantasyland or will we be restricted to the Frontier/Adventureland side? We considered getting an 8 am res at BoG but preferred the idea of the CP buffet. We’re WDW veterans but we’ve never done a rope drop or PPO breakfast (we’re late sleepers!), so any PPO advice would be appreciated!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We just booked a Crystal Palace 8 am res on a 9 am opening day (June 2018 trip). The idea was to get breakfast done early and ride things with long lines we otherwise wouldn’t want to use a FP on (e.g. Peter Pan). Will we be able to get back to Fantasyland or will we be restricted to the Frontier/Adventureland side? We considered getting an 8 am res at BoG but preferred the idea of the CP buffet. We’re WDW veterans but we’ve never done a rope drop or PPO breakfast (we’re late sleepers!), so any PPO advice would be appreciated!

With a CP reservation, you cannot get past the hub until the morning welcome show is over, which is usually just a few minutes before 9AM (if the park opens at 9AM that day). The welcome show will start at 8:55AM.

A CP PPO reservation gives you no particular advantage in getting into any lands or onto any rides first compared to the regular rope drop crowd. Although being in the park/ ready to go in itself is an advantage - but you'll still be in the hub with everyone else.

FWIW, a large majority of the rope drop crowd heads to rides like 7DMT. You should still be able to easily get a quick ride on PP in if you head straight there. At CP, make sure to ask for your check when you first sit down so you can go ahead and get that out of the way.

Hope that helps!

 

[McGirth]

With a CP reservation, you cannot get past the hub until the morning welcome show is over, which is usually just a few minutes before 9AM (if the park opens at 9AM that day). The welcome show will start at 8:55AM.

A CP PPO reservation gives you no particular advantage in getting into any lands or onto any rides first compared to the regular rope drop crowd. Although being in the park/ ready to go in itself is an advantage - but you'll still be in the hub with everyone else.

FWIW, a large majority of the rope drop crowd heads to rides like 7DMT. You should still be able to easily get a quick ride on PP in if you head straight there. At CP, make sure to ask for your check when you first sit down so you can go ahead and get that out of the way.

Hope that helps!

With a CP reservation, you cannot get past the hub until the morning welcome show is over, which is usually just a few minutes before 9AM (if the park opens at 9AM that day). The welcome show will start at 8:55AM.

A CP PPO reservation gives you no particular advantage in getting into any lands or onto any rides first compared to the regular rope drop crowd. Although being in the park/ ready to go in itself is an advantage - but you'll still be in the hub with everyone else.

FWIW, a large majority of the rope drop crowd heads to rides like 7DMT. You should still be able to easily get a quick ride on PP in if you head straight there. At CP, make sure to ask for your check when you first sit down so you can go ahead and get that out of the way.

Hope that helps!

Thank you for the info! But a res at BOG WOULD have gotten us into Fantasyland and closer to the ride lines? Mistake on my part...should have booked BOG!

 

[Sarahraegraham]

I haven’t done CP PPO breakfast yet, but BOG PPO definitely lets you get in line earlier than those as regular RD, at long as you don’t take an hour to eat.

I’ve had great success at regular RD doing PP followed by WtP with very little wait, so if that is your aim and you want CP instead of BOG I’d keep it, get to CP as soon as they open and then head over to the bridge into Liberty Square to head to PP.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you for the info! But a res at BOG WOULD have gotten us into Fantasyland and closer to the ride lines? Mistake on my part...should have booked BOG!

Yes, that is correct. BOG gets you "past" the hub and into the behind the castle area. BOG guests that finish early try to line up for (mostly) 7DMT and often will get in an early ride before the masses get there.

FYI, BOG PPO reservations are currently not available for booking past April/May (you said your trip is in June). Disney has made no announcement as to the rationale. Either Disney is changing something with the BOG PPO setup, or they're just slow to load them into the system (which is a bit odd). Might want to keep an eye out on this topic if important to you.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We just booked a Crystal Palace 8 am res on a 9 am opening day (June 2018 trip). The idea was to get breakfast done early and ride things with long lines we otherwise wouldn’t want to use a FP on (e.g. Peter Pan). Will we be able to get back to Fantasyland or will we be restricted to the Frontier/Adventureland side? We considered getting an 8 am res at BoG but preferred the idea of the CP buffet. We’re WDW veterans but we’ve never done a rope drop or PPO breakfast (we’re late sleepers!), so any PPO advice would be appreciated!

you are assuming that park opening does not change to 8 am as has happened. park hours can and do change about a month out from trip. just be prepared.

 

[CAS239]

Yes BoG would get you "into" the park before rope drop and allow you to get a ride in or line up early.

Keep an eye on park hours though. This far out, I wouldn't be surprised if regular park hours change to 8am opening instead of 9

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP, I agree keeping an eye on the MK opening park hour is absolutely critical, but just for reference there was only one 8AM regular park opening in June 2017 (excluding EMHs, only talking about regular park days). Not saying things can't change in 2018 (because they very well could), but generally speaking summer hours aren't nearly as 'nice' as they were not too long ago where abundant early openings and late closings were more common.

 

[Bullseye]

Personally I never get done with CP breakfast in under an hour and wouldn't want to rush it. It's a character buffet, take your time and enjoy it. Even if you get out by 9:15-9:30 you'll still get on some rides faster.

 

[TristiK]

In June 2016 we had an 8 am CP reservation with a 9 am opening. We had no issue getting into NFL and were first in line for PP. However, this was before the new opening procedures so YMMV

 

[Tomh]

We frequently do CP PPO . . . if they change the park opening to 8:00 (has happened to us, even in August) that's kinda mess up your day.

You don't really get any advantage as far as getting to rides before anyone else, however, if you ask for your check as soon as you are seated, and get out of the restaurant before 9:00, you can easily hit Fantasyland for PP, and then have time to go hit Splash, and Big Thunder before the lines get long there, and you might even manage a go on Pirates, or the Haunted Mansion without super long lines. That isn't a bad start to the day.

 

[McGirth]

Thank you one and all for the info!

 

[softball chick]

We've done many PPO reservations but like others have said, we struggle to finish at CP in under an hour. Because of this, we don't go into it looking to get an advantage for beating attraction lines at park open. Instead, we take advantage of the fact that we can get pictures on Main Street and in front of the castle with minimal crowds behind us. Nothing beats deserted castle pictures - we just take our time down Main Street once we are let in and be sure to stop at every Photopass photographer we see.

 

[tinkerjo]

Even on a regular rope drop day you can hit everything in fantasyland pretty quick with no wait. We like to start in frontier land and make our way to adventure land. We can hit all these rides in 2 hours with little to no wait and use our fast passes for 7DMT, space mountain and buzz later in the afternoon. Once you do a rope drop you will never be a late sleeper again

 

[Cinderella94]

I think this breakfast is a disadvantage. We've done CP many times and have never been in and out in less than an hour.