Driving to early Character Breakfast

[Lamb1995]

We are staying off campus and will be driving to a 8:10 breakfast at CP. We were told that we needed to drive to the Contemporary and walk over to MK to make it on time. We were told the monorail will not be running to arrive at gate at 7:45. I have not been to Disney for 15 years and have never been to Character breakfast. I definitely want to get there for everything.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well..not sure who told you to park at the CR, but that is officially a 'no-no'. Only guests staying at the CR are entitled to parking there, or those who are eating at the CR. Parking there is not provided free of charge for park access.
You could valet park at the CR though, and then walk over to MK...takes about 8 mins.
Or, you could drive to the TTC, park your car and take the express monorail over to MK. Because you have an early ADR you should be allowed on the monorail. I would plan to arrive by 7:30 so that if you are denied access to the express monorail (for whatever reason) you have time to walk over to the Polynesian and take the resort monorail from there to MK. The walk takes about 8-10 mins. When you get to the TTC, you will find a pathway (actually a paved walk) way over to the left of the TTC area. It is marked so you know you have the right place. When you get to the GCB (Grand Ceremonial Bldg) at the Polynesian, go to the second floor and get on the monorail there..it starts running at 7am. The monorail ride should take about 15 mins or so, maybe less depending on your wait time. Then get off at the MK.
If you have to head to the Polynesian, I would plan on 45 mins travel time...all inclusive..to MK and CP. You will need to be at the MK entrance by 7:50 in order to get into MK and over to CP in time for your 8:10 ADR.

If it were me, I would just pay to valet at CR. You're going to have to pay to park at the TTC anyway. Might as well just pay to valet and be closer to MK...will take much less time to get to CP that way.

 

[l3utt3rf1yk1ss3s]

I had this same problem. I have an early ADR for CP at 8:15 on crazy July 4!!!!!!
I got five million mixed reviews and tips and so I decided to call Disney directly and told them my situation (staying at family condo, early ADR, want to be there around 7:20ish).

The woman I spoke with told me that as long as I show up at the parking lot and find a security guard and show him my ID and confirmation of my ADR I will be allowed into the parking lot. She said that after I park I will have to use the monorail as that will be the only thing available that early in the morning.

So basically you should have no problem!

Good luck! Let me know how it is! Im so excited to dine with Pooh!

p.s. (I hear you should offer Piglet some bacon!!)

 

[goofy4tink]

I had this same problem. I have an early ADR for CP at 8:15 on crazy July 4!!!!!!
I got five million mixed reviews and tips and so I decided to call Disney directly and told them my situation (staying at family condo, early ADR, want to be there around 7:20ish).

The woman I spoke with told me that as long as I show up at the parking lot and find a security guard and show him my ID and confirmation of my ADR I will be allowed into the parking lot. She said that after I park I will have to use the monorail as that will be the only thing available that early in the morning.

So basically you should have no problem!

Good luck! Let me know how it is! Im so excited to dine with Pooh!

p.s. (I hear you should offer Piglet some bacon!!)

Show up at which parking lot??? CR or TTC lot? I would imagine the TTC if you were told to use the monorail.

You can park at the CR, but just for the time you are actively at the CR. You could park there, eat, then move your car. But, since you'll be paying to park in any case, I would just pay to valet park at the CR. That way you can just leave the car there for the duration.

BUT...valet parking may not be available for non-resort guests during busy times of year. The valet people may turn people away from valet lots if it's too busy.

 

[seashoreCM]

Drive to the Magic Kingdom (parking lot; Transportation & Ticket Center) and take the Resort Monorail to the Magic Kingdom.

Should something go wrong (hopefully no more than once in a blue moon), it is up to the maitre'd and then Guest Relations to make it right (e.g. seat you, tardy; this last one is a no-brainer). (Unfortunately more often at Tusker House and other Animal Kingdom restaurants)

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[twinsplusone]

We stayed off site and had the first breakfast ADR (8:10, I think). We just drove to MK, parked, took the monorail and waited in the area for ADRs. I'm pretty sure we arrived at the parking lot at 7:15 because I didn't want to have any surprises that would make us late for breakfast. It worked out perfectly. So unless they changed the procedure, parking at MK and taking the monorail shouldn't be a problem that early.

 

[Lamb1995]

A friend of mine will be staying at "Movies", but will not have a car. Can she give me her parking pass?

 

[goofy4tink]

A friend of mine will be staying at "Movies", but will not have a car. Can she give me her parking pass?

To what end? To avoid parking costs? If so, I guess they could. But, on the other hand, they may ask for ID as well..like a room key. Not at all sure about that though.