Early Crystal Palace ADR

[crazycatlady]

We have an 8:05am ADR at the end of September with a 9:00 am park opening. We are two adults who have eaten at CP many times in the past, so will not be spending time with the characters. I am assuming we will be done eating before RD (since that is our past experience). If we are headed to FL (specifically SDMT), where will we be held? We have usually lined up outside of the AL rope because we like to hit up Frontierland first, but would like to knock out the FL rides early in the day this time. I have a FP+ for the Mine Train later in the week if we don't ride it this day, but just wondering if the CP people get a little bit of a jump on the RD crowd. We may head for Frontierland instead if we will be behind a huge crowd headed for the same ride we are. Thanks for any help!

 

[Robo]

We have an 8:05am ADR at the end of September with a 9:00 am park opening. We are two adults who have eaten at CP many times in the past, so will not be spending time with the characters. I am assuming we will be done eating before RD (since that is our past experience).

1. If we are headed to FL (specifically SDMT), where will we be held?

2. just wondering if the CP people get a little bit of a jump on the RD crowd. We may head for Frontierland instead if we will be behind a huge crowd headed for the same ride we are.

1. Likely at the Fantasyland end of the Castle tunnel (near CRT entrance) or at the Hub's Fantasyland bridge (that heads toward the Teacups.)

2. That has come into a bit of controversy lately (due to some CM error, from what we can tell) and those entering from an early ADR (it was from BoG) were not allowed to enter the ride queue until after the front Rope Drop guests arrived.

 

[crazycatlady]

That has come into a bit of controversy lately (due to some CM error, from what we can tell) and those entering from an early ADR (it was from BoG) were not allowed to enter the ride queue until after the front Rope Drop guests arrived.

Thanks, Robo! I have been reading along with that thread and got to wondering what the process was for CP. If all goes well, we will be ahead of the RD crowd. If not, we will just head to BTMMR. Gotta admit, I would love to get on the Mine Train with low wait and not have to "run with the bulls" to do it.

 

[quakechicago]

I just read on that OtHeR WDW site via facebook that they're recommending adults book pre-park but skip going to the ADRs. So they pay $10 pp instead of the full fee for breakfast and just go line up. If this continues to happen, Disney will continue to be wonky. I don't think it's just a random CM, but the way Disney tries to test changes live and sees what the reaction will be.

(Or someone will finally figure out to make a morning standby queue dining line and then not only will they get the $10 pp but the dining covered too. Or they'll rope off the restaurants and require a receipt to be let in the parks before RD.)

 

[StirlingSilver83]

When we were there in April we had a 8:00 AM ADR and we were done by 8:45. We were leaving as everyone was just being let into the park. We had a FP for 7DMT that morning but we headed straight for the Merida M&G and were first in line for her when she started seeing people.

 

[crazycatlady]

Thanks for the replies! We will have the DXDP so need to schedule early breakfasts to use up credits. We will definitely be eating, although not too much so that we can eat 2 more meals that day , which is why I am pretty sure we will be done early. Glad to hear you beat the masses, StirlingSilver83! It's really great to get one of your must-dos done with little wait.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Yeah we were on the deluxe plan as well. I find if you schedule early breakfasts and then mid lunchs around 12ish and then dinners around 6ish it can totally be done. It is a lot of food but we usually don't take long to eat. Everyone always says to give yourself an hour in a half 2 hours at character meals and honestly I think we only spent an hour in a half like once at 1 of the character meals. Usually we are done in an hour and we don't loose much park time. Plus its a nice break from the crowds and a break from the heat

 

[Tex]

We just did CP at 8am and we were finished at 8:30. We saw all the characters. Then headed to adventureland. It was a really fast meal. We only hit the buffet once each. There were 2 adults and 4 kids. We also had an 8am BoG and finished at 8:45.

 

[Robo]

And, to save waiting time, be sure to ask for your meal's bill first thing after you are seated.
Settle up within the first 15 minutes of dining, and you won't be stuck at the end of the meal waiting for a check.

 

[crazycatlady]

And, to save waiting time, be sure to ask for your meal's bill first thing after you are seated.
Settle up within the first 15 minutes of dining, and you won't be stuck at the end of the meal waiting for a check.

Ooooo, great tip!

 

[Wendybird55]

We usually do early breakfasts in park. One time at CP we finished breakfast before park opened. We headed towards Fantasyland and was held back just after castle...it was nearby carousel...anyway, we had one of our best Disney moments because as we were waiting to be let in (planning on going straight to whichever popular FL ride DS liked - can't remember) the evil stepsisters walked up to carousel...as soon as park opened we were let in and were able to get pictures with step sisters and then better yet, were able to ride on the carousel with them...it was great listening to them complain as they rode the carousel...so be careful about rushing to a particular ride or attraction right at rope drop after early breakfast..in your rush you may miss out on an even better surprise moment.