Crystal Palace Early How Early?

[webhead15]

Hoping someone might have some details or advice.

Trying to figure out what option to do: we want to take advantage of the empty park, for photos etc.

1) we have a reservation for CP at 9:10am, for 5, 2 adults 2 children 1 infant, how early can we go into the park for this reservation?

or

2) we have a reservation for just 4 for 8:20am on different day, (we didnt think we need to reserve a seat for 2 yr old. as we didnt even have a FP+ profile set up for him) Do we have a good change of them adding another seat for us when we arrive.


Thoughts?

 

[rtilner]

I have gone into animal kingdom for an early breakfast at tuskers.

I entered on the right side and told them i have reservation and somebody was there who also had a list of guests that had eary reservations to tuskers. And i was allowed in.

I believe done that for the crystal palace also.

I remember entering the park early it was so peaceful and to got photos whihout getting other people in your pictures.

 

[webhead15]

so u recommend to keep my 5 person reservation and go in an hour early?

the 8:15 4 person seems so appealing, just worried about needing the extra seat for my youngest

 

[deebs]

You do need a seat for your baby. Call dining and see if you can add 1 more to your reservation....otherwise you may have an issue

 

[quakechicago]

so u recommend to keep my 5 person reservation and go in an hour early?

the 8:15 4 person seems so appealing, just worried about needing the extra seat for my youngest

You will need a seat for your youngest. Just call and see if you can add.

 

[webhead15]

i have called so far no luck with extra res, they have said we are welcome to put him on one of our laps, it was confusing to us as newbies at first, he didnt have the Fast Past, so we didnt have a profile for him.

so we should probably stick with the 9:15 res and just go an hour early?

love all the feedback thank you !

 

[quakechicago]

I'd keep trying if your dream is pre-park

 

[webhead15]

shoot im confused .. with my 9:15 reservation will i be allowed in before park opening ????

 

[mommyof3princess27]

If they open at 9 then they may let u in then. Or a few minutes early

 

[maxiesmom]

Keep trying to change the earlier ADR to 5, up until your trip. You really do not want to sit at a 4-top, trying to hold a baby.

 

[monagh10]

I'm not sure they will let you in an hour early for your reservation, guess it depends on how intensely they are checking the reservation list

 

[dizziefan]

i have called so far no luck with extra res, they have said we are welcome to put him on one of our laps, it was confusing to us as newbies at first, he didnt have the Fast Past, so we didnt have a profile for him.

so we should probably stick with the 9:15 res and just go an hour early?

love all the feedback thank you !

Wow, so the CM on the phone told you you'd be fine with the table for 4, as long as your toddler didn't need a seat?? That's what happened every meal anyway last time we went, so I just booked a lot of tables for 4 for our next trip with our older toddler, assuming we wouldn't need the extra seat. But then I read on here that even if that if the child is on your lap, you still need the table for 5...I just can't remember the exact reasoning, though (occupancy levels, maybe??)

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow, so the CM on the phone told you you'd be fine with the table for 4, as long as your toddler didn't need a seat?? That's what happened every meal anyway last time we went, so I just booked a lot of tables for 4 for our next trip with our older toddler, assuming we wouldn't need the extra seat. But then I read on here that even if that if the child is on your lap, you still need the table for 5...I just can't remember the exact reasoning, though (occupancy levels, maybe??)

Two reasons that I can think of. The first being the occupancy levels. The second being I can easily see someone booking say a table for 4, claiming their child will have no need of a seat. And then the ADR time comes and that same person insists on a table large enough for their little one to have a high chair, or to have a space to pull up their stroller.

The phone CMs are notorious for giving out bad information. It is sad, but true. I honestly trust my fellow Disers more than I do the phone CMs.

 

[GWhitten98]

I would love to hear the answer to the original question. how early can a group get in with a 9am ADR? We have one at CP at 905; I was hoping to get in around 830ish. I am not pushy enough to think I could get in an hour early but would really love 15-20 min to wander causally down main street and take a pic in front of the castle with little to no other people!

 

[Hoopfamily]

Not sure of the official get in time. But we have done numerous before open in park meals. I find they usually hold you until 15-20 minutes before your time. Except at Akershus because you have to walk 8 miles to get there, and one of the things we love about that is the empty park pics. We have never been let in an hour before. And always had a CM as a guide, they don't just want you roaming the park alone an hour before open. Also the CM's are in a hurry to get you to your destination because they have another group of guests waiting at the front to get in for their time.