Driving to Donald's Brek

[Queenie]

Hi,

I'm thinking of booking Donald's Breakfastosaurus but have noticed lots of posts that we will not be able to drive into the car park before park opening. We are staying off-site so we can't get the bus. Do I bother booking an 8.30am ADR or is it not worth it as we won't be able to get there?

Help!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Unless things have changed I would not make the reservation until after park opening.
In the past only Disney buses were allowed into the AK parking lot early.
I know this from personal experience.

 

[NC State]

We had an early time last year and I remember we sat at the gate and talked to the CM until they were allowed to open. Once we parked we still had to stand and wait for the park to open. (Which was nice because when we left that afternoon we were very close to the parking lot.)It wasn't bad, we were still the first ones to be seated for the day.

 

[shoegal1032]

I have two 8 am ADRs (crystal palace and donald's) and we're staying off property. When I called to make them, they asked where I was staying, so why would they let me make an ADR that I couldn't get to?

I'm calling now...

Amanda

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, this is true. It's just another case of the CMs at dining thinking they know what is best as far as transportation. The last time I wanted to make an ADR for Donalds Breakfastasaurus, the CM at Disney Dining told me that I wouldn't be able to get there for the seating time I wanted. She said the transportation just couldn't do it. Now, my question would be...if a resort guest can't take a bus to AK to have an early ADR at Donald's, then who is?? Off-site people can't get in before the park officially opens to offsite people. So...if the restaurant starts seating at 7:30 am, who the heck is going to be there, and how did they get to AK to begin with?? I told this CM that I would 'take my chances'. Of course, I was there with time to spare. There are buses going to all the parks for those early morning ADRs.

 

[kydeb1346]

I never realized this could be an issue. We are staying off property (and did tell the CM on the phone) and have an 8am ADR for Donald's Breakfast. Surely, they would have mentioned this if it was the case or at least I hope so!

Can someone please confirm?

 

[pjupton]

I called for Donald's and said we'd be staying at POP and using WDW transportation. The dining CM said 8:50 was the earliest seating on a day the park opens at 9 AM. When I asked if there was anything earlier and said we might get a rental car, suddenly I was able to book for 8 AM.

I can't remember for sure, but when we drove to AK for 9 AM opening last fall, I'm sure we got in the parking lot by 8:30 if not earlier. We were held at the turnstiles until 8:45 then held at the Tree of Life until 9 AM. Everything moved up an hour on the day that AK had morning EMH. Regardless, guests with AR's for Donald's were admitted and escorted to the restaurant.

 

[Queenie]

We've actually changed and gone for Chef Mickey's at 8.30am. We want to park at MK, will that be ok?

 

[momofdbsdc]

I read on another board that the parking lot opens at 7:45-7:50, so that basically, you have just a nick of time to make it to the restraunt.

 

[angy]

I was just there last week for an 8:00 seating. I drove from my resort(Pop) to AK and told the parking attendant I had a breakfast reservation. He let me in and I as able to park and wait at the turnstile until about 7:50 when they let us in. The park did not open until 9:00.

 

[momofdbsdc]

Thanks for the info!

 

[cobbler]

Well isn't this fun. We have an 830am ADR for Donalds for an upcoming trip and we won't have a rental car.

Hopefully the busses will be running and if not then oh well we are going to be late. If they aren't going to let you in, why bother having seatings avail at that time.

 

[dmslush]

Well isn't this fun. We have an 830am ADR for Donalds for an upcoming trip and we won't have a rental car.

Hopefully the busses will be running and if not then oh well we are going to be late. If they aren't going to let you in, why bother having seatings avail at that time.

The busses will be running, don't worry! I think you will enjoy the WDW transportation, we love it!

 

[Kaycee]

Dmslush is right - the busses will be running. We've had breakfast at Donald's 4 times at 8:00 on days when the park opened at 9, and the Disney busses have always gotten us there in plenty of time.

 

[Fire14]

never mind

 

[Pat]

We stay offsite and have a rental van. We ate their last week. Our reservations were for 8:00. We had no problems getting into the parking lot. We did have to give our name, etc. to a CM before they would let us in the park.