Crystal Palace: Which is better? Empty park vs. yummier meal?

[cindyland]

Just another way to drive my husband crazy.

Last month I made our lunch ADR for Crystal Palace based on the menu and my daughter's request for a character meal.

Then I started reading more and more about getting into the empty park for an early morning breakfast ADR at CP. I tried, and got a reservation for 8:05!

This is our first family trip to DW (hubby and I went for our honeymoon almost 20 years ago), and we are DL veterans. We never have the chance at DL to go in before opening so I thought this would be great fun for my kids to see an empty Main Street, and really see the differences between DL and DW. Plus I plan on purchasing a photopass, and figured this early entry would make for great family castle shots without extra people.

Strangely enough, I have seen an empty MK before. I visited DW on a business trip 15 years ago, and went to the MK at night after closing for a corporate event. I thought it was really cool, and I think it would totally blow my kids' minds (and maybe even impress my husband).

Obviously this will take more than 15 minutes to get lots of pics, how long will they hold our reservation if we're a few minutes late?

So excited!

 

[megan4777]

I don't know that I've seen Photopass people before the park opening. You are ok to take you own pictures, but I don't believe that the Disney Photopass people will be there.

I could totally be wrong, but that's just my experience a few years ago.

Good luck!!

 

[cbg1027]

I don't recall seeing Photopass photographers out that early, but I wasn't looking for them so I might not have noticed.

They will generally let you in the park 10-15 minutes before your ADR. So you won't even really be late. Just be at the gate at 7:45 so you can get in as early as they will let you. Crystal Palace is right off where you'll be wanting to take photos, so if you finish your photo session at 8:04......you'll be able to walk to CP in less than a minute.

You'll have plenty of time.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I don't know that I've seen Photopass people before the park opening. You are ok to take you own pictures, but I don't believe that the Disney Photopass people will be there.

I could totally be wrong, but that's just my experience a few years ago.

Good luck!!

We've done CP a few times in the last couple of years before park opening. The Photopass people are there. Three or four if I remember correctly.

I love walking down an almost empty Main St. It's worth getting up early for.

 

[Deon.Newmankgyxc]

i think yummier meal is better

 

[auntfrannie]

I always try to get an ADR for CP before the park opens. Over the past 5 years I've always seen photopass photographers on main street. They do let people with ADRs into the park well in advance of the 8:05 ADR. I think when I went in May they let us in around 7:45 or so. And since there aren't a lot of people waiting for the photopass guys, it doesn't take as long.

 

[mrsltg]

Definitely stick with the breakfast! We always make an ADR for pre-park opening. It lets you in the park ahead of everyone else and gets you a jump on the big rides - Yes, an empty Main Street is great, but an empty Fantasy Land is better!!!

 

[HDCooper]

We were there in December of last year, with reservations at 8:05. They did not open the doors until 8:15 or so.

We sat/stood on the porch until they opened.

There were photopass photographers out that early.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Breakfast doesnt take that long, in our experience with 8:05 am ressies we have seen all characters and done with our meal by 8:45 at the latest

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

Like the PP said, they'll let you into the park a few minutes before, and most TS restaurants will hold your ressie for 15 minutes afterward before clearing it. HTH!

 

[Colleen27]

I'm not a breakfast personal normally but I wouldn't discount the yumminess of Crystal Palace for breakfast. We had a pre-opening reservation on our last trip and breakfast was quite good, better than I expected of a buffet. There is loads of nice cold fresh fruit, made to order omelettes, and that addictive puffed french toast!

As others have said, you can get into the park a few minutes early to take pictures and still make your ADR on time. And with those restaurant-opening ADRs there is often a short delay in seating anyway because they have so many people arriving all at once.

 

[cindyland]

Yippee! I was talking to a friend the other day, and she said the idea of going into an empty Disney park before opening gave her goosebumps (again, not really an option at DLR). So we're sticking with breakfast, and looking forward to the French Toast!!

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

You can eat great at home, but how often can you see Main Street and the Castle with nobody in front of you???

 

[ratlenhum]

We've done CP a few times in the last couple of years before park opening. The Photopass people are there. Three or four if I remember correctly.

I love walking down an almost empty Main St. It's worth getting up early for.

We've always done 8am ADRs for CP and there are always Photopass people there. We usually get there about 20 minutes before our ressies and take all our shots. From what I understand you can be 15 minutes late before you lose your reservation.

Good luck. CP ADRs prior to park opening is my favorite morning at DW.