Crystal palace and early entry

[AvonPooh]

How early do my reservations for breakfast at CP need to be in order to get in early for the "alone" castle pic? I really wanted to get this picture before everyone else arrives at the park but the earliest I can get breakfast reservations is 9 am. Will they let us in early for that? It isn't a EMH day either so does that help? I know sometimes they let you into main street early but don't drop the ropes till later. Help if you know the answer!

 

[butiflfeet]

Well, they usually want you at the restaurant at least 15-20 minutes prior to your ADR time so if the park opens at 9am that day chances are you will be in the park before rope drop in order to make it to your 9am ADR on time.

 

[DoleWhipMom]

We had a ressie there last year before park opening and were allowed in early an were able to get "empty" Main Street pics. It was very cool to be in the park so early. Just make sure you go with your ressie number.

 

[HsvTeacher]

We've had three different 8:05am ressies for CP on days when MK opened at 9:00am. We always arrived at the park by 7:45am. The first time, Main Street and the castle area were empty. The other two times, once in March and once in May, there were a lot of people there, because they were filming. I think it's just the luck of the draw.

If MK opens at 9:00am, I would try to get as close to 8:00am. That way you have a better chance to take pictures, and nothing beats being able to make it ahead of the crowd to the second set of ropes for rope drop!

 

[CindyandBrice]

I am looking forward to my 8:05 reservation at CP on Aug 7. I enjoy getting up early and seeing Main Street empty.

Cindy

 

[CharacterFan]

I've had 9:00-9:05am adrs for CP several times and every time I've been told to wait and enter with the rest of the guests. I'd suggest trying to get something 8:05-8:45

 

[HardShell]

Are any of the park photographers running around that early, or are you left to your own devices for such "pre-opening" photos???

(I've never been there before the park opened and pics like this never crossed my mind, but we have a couple of early breakfast ADRs coming up for our September trip...)

 

[CharacterFan]

Are any of the park photographers running around that early, or are you left to your own devices for such "pre-opening" photos???

(I've never been there before the park opened and pics like this never crossed my mind, but we have a couple of early breakfast ADRs coming up for our September trip...)

Maybe, Maybe not. I've been there and there have been and other times there hasn't. (I may eat at CP a little too often)

The times they have. There has been 2 photographers, 1 at the partners statue at the middle of the hub, the other at the top of the "hill" right where you turn for adventureland

 

[AvonPooh]

I kept trying and now I have 8:15 reservations. Hopefully we will get those pics! Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Experiment_626]

I finally got an 8:20 am ADR for Crystal Palace this August. I'm looking forward to the meal, of course (I love some breakfast buffet!), but I wanted this primarily to get these "grail" photos with few to no guests. How early are they likely to allow us into the park? Once we're in, will they allow us to wander around Main Street and the hub for the purposes of taking photos, including using my tripod, or will they expect us to shoot "on the run" as we walk to the restaurant? I dream of being able to photograph the castle/ Partners statue with no guests in view, but I hope I'm allowed a minute or three to set things up properly.

SSB