Elsa and Anna meet and greet strategy

[MarineVet]

I don't think the no-show thing at Akershaus is as dire as people are making it out to be. You're only talking about a handful of pre-opening ADRs to begin with and of those, only a few may no-show each day. They have enough trouble filling that restaurant each day that they're not about to start making people prepay.

I must be missing those days that they have trouble filling that restaurant, because on every trip I try for an early morning reservation and usually can't find one. I was lucky once in December 2011 and was able to get one for an upcoming trip in May, but only one day was available for the whole week we will be there. From the looks of this thread, I was lucky to get that one time, as some of the reservations will be made as throw aways.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

I must be missing those days that they have trouble filling that restaurant, because on every trip I try for an early morning reservation and usually can't find one. I was lucky once in December 2011 and was able to get one for an upcoming trip in May, but only one day was available for the whole week we will be there. From the looks of this thread, I was lucky to get that one time, as some of the reservations will be made as throw aways.

Do the CMs at the gate check the party size? For example, I have an ADR for 3... say I posted it on the ADR cancelation thread and another party of 3 found that date and time would work for them. Could we all 6 show up at the gate at 7:30 ish.... get into the park early like we all want. I could get in line like I want, and they could go eat like they want? Everyone would win? Or would the CM say, "nope sorry, only 3 people allowed in early!" ???

 

[princessekrus]

That was true on Friday. Are you sure it didn't revert to 9:00a as of Sunday? That is my understanding.

Sorry - you are correct. Apparently they like to make things really confusing by changing the times every week!!!!

I edited my original post so that no one gets confused. Why, on Earth, did they move it back to 11am for ONE WEEK, and a busy week at that!!!!

Oh well. We saw them, and I am happy for the folks who hit it on a 9am week. I hope it stays that way. We will be back in November, for Thanksgiving, and I will have to figure out my Akershus strategy if it stays at 9am.

 

[hammie59]

I don't think the no-show thing at Akershaus is as dire as people are making it out to be. You're only talking about a handful of pre-opening ADRs to begin with and of those, only a few may no-show each day. They have enough trouble filling that restaurant each day that they're not about to start making people prepay.

I'm thinking this is a relatively new issue given the extreme popularity of Frozen without an area setup with FP+ to meet them. I'm also assuming that most people weren't going to such extremes to get early entry to EPCOT before Anna and Elsa came about. These are just my thoughts knowing how Disney does close loopholes here and there when they start losing money, etc...

I'm not judging anyone that does a throw away ADR for this. That's their business as far as I'm concerned, and see it as a way of "making it work" for what they find important to their vacation. I just wouldn't be surprised if Disney made it more difficult by charging full price in advance. Hopefully they'll just create a FP+ option instead.

 

[mesaboy2]

Sorry - you are correct. Apparently they like to make things really confusing by changing the times every week!!!! I edited my original post so that no one gets confused. Why, on Earth, did they move it back to 11am for ONE WEEK, and a busy week at that!!!! Oh well. We saw them, and I am happy for the folks who hit it on a 9am week. I hope it stays that way. We will be back in November, for Thanksgiving, and I will have to figure out my Akershus strategy if it stays at 9am.

I'm guessing a lack of CMs, perhaps related to the marathons--just a guess.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

Hopefully they'll just create a FP+ option instead.

This would make me (and many more Im sure) Soooooooooo happy!!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Do the CMs at the gate check the party size? For example, I have an ADR for 3... say I posted it on the ADR cancelation thread and another party of 3 found that date and time would work for them. Could we all 6 show up at the gate at 7:30 ish.... get into the park early like we all want. I could get in line like I want, and they could go eat like they want? Everyone would win? Or would the CM say, "nope sorry, only 3 people allowed in early!" ???

Would like to let you know that I think this would be considered a reservation transfer, and you wouldn't be able to use the ADR cancellation thread on the Restaurant Board for this purpose since it's just for cancellations, and not for trades or transfers. But at any rate, if you have a reservation for 3, then you can only get 3 people into the park early - only the guests with reservations get in.

Using the scenario where you bring along another party of 3, you could make a reservation for 6 and then have the other 3 go in to eat while your party gets in line. There isn't any charge for a partial party showing up.

There won't be any FP+ option as long as they stay in Norway. That location cannot support FP+. if they gave out a few FP+ per hour, and then allowed the FP people to go first, the regular line would have real problems even getting in to meet them.

 

[luckygirl539]

Anybody going March 5-12 with an ADR with an extra spot? I'll meet you there and wait in line for all of our families!

 

[delmar411]

Would like to let you know that I think this would be considered a reservation transfer, and you wouldn't be able to use the ADR cancellation thread on the Restaurant Board for this purpose since it's just for cancellations, and not for trades or transfers. But at any rate, if you have a reservation for 3, then you can only get 3 people into the park early - only the guests with reservations get in.

Using the scenario where you bring along another party of 3, you could make a reservation for 6 and then have the other 3 go in to eat while your party gets in line. There isn't any charge for a partial party showing up.

There won't be any FP+ option as long as they stay in Norway. That location cannot support FP+. if they gave out a few FP+ per hour, and then allowed the FP people to go first, the regular line would have real problems even getting in to meet them.

They could make it a ticketed m&g though. Print out enough FPs for the day and hand them out first come first served until the tickets were gone. Making it a no standby attraction.

 

[afm1229]

So has anyone had luck with an 810 ADR, been able to somewhat enjoy the breakfast experience and still have one member able to get in line for A&E around 845?? We are staying at BWV and I'm wondering if it would be better to enter through the back at rope drop, run to the line, hopefully see the girls before 11(that's if they start at 9 and not 11) and eat a late breakfast afterwards??? We have 3 small children that really want to eat the the princesses as well as see Anna and Elsa.

 

[Jendress]

This is GREAT info, thanks.

I'm heading there the last week of March and I will be at the IG entrance if anyone is interested in running together. Can we get RunDisney to sponsor a medal for us?

We will be there the last week of March as well. What day are you planning to go to Epcot?