Dining reservations prior to park opening?

[StarLime]

I made a breakfast reservation for Tusker House at 8am the day I am there. The park doesn’t open until 9am.. how does that work? I’ve never been at a park for rope drop before. Is there a dedicated entrance for dining? Or should I try to find a cast member and let them know?

Additionally, does anyone know how early they’d let me in for that 8am reservation? Thanks in advance!

 

[Ghost Host 998]

There are several in-park restaurants that will offer reservation before park opening. Each park will have a dedicated line to let you in for your reservation. Typically, Disney will tell you they will let you in 20 minutes earlier that your reservation time, but often the cast members will let all the pre-opening reservation holders in at the same time.

The 2 issues you may or may not run into are:
1) AK may update to an earlier opening time as you get closer to your actual date, and
2) If you are using Disney's transportation, you may be cutting it close for a 1 hour pre-opening reservation. If you do not have your own transportation, I would look into UBER/LYFT just in case.

 

[Fangorn]

The entrance for early reservations is almost always on the far left end of the entrance turnstiles. The one time I've seen it on the far right side was because they were doing some sort of construction on the left. If you're unsure, just ask any CM you see out front and they can direct you.

Steve

 

[Debbie Jean]

Don’t know when you’re going but AK is now opening at 7:30. Early entry is 7AM.

 

[StarLime]

Don’t know when you’re going but AK is now opening at 7:30. Early entry is 7AM.

Oh I didn’t know this. I’m going the second week of May and it says the park opens at 9am then. Is there a chance it’ll open at 7am in May as well?

 

[sponica]

Oh I didn’t know this. I’m going the second week of May and it says the park opens at 9am then. Is there a chance it’ll open at 7am in May as well?

I think they've been tweaking the hours about 3 weeks in advance? Give or take.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Yes, definitely tweaking hours so there is a chance they will extend. Although at the moment with spring break the parks are packed, I’m guessing there isn’t a really slow time in May. Keep your eye on the website for updates.

I did a pre-opening breakfast at the Castle in MK yesterday and it’s super easy to check in. If you don’t see the dining cast member, just ask another and they will direct you.

Bob appetite and have fun!