EMH vs PPO on non EMH day

[clbielick]

Apologize if this has been answered recently-planning our first trip staying on site. But, which is better? We have park hoppers, and are planning 4 park days. Girls will be 2.5, 4 & 6. Wasnt sure if better to do PPO garden grille or askerhause on non EMH day then try to get onto a few tier 1s, vs going on EMH. SImilar for MK and BOG. We are early risers so getting there early isnt a big deal

 

[yorkieteacher]

We loved our PPO Akurshus breakfast. Although it was scheduled at 8:15, we got to Epcot at 7:30 and we were admitted at 8, We had good food and great interaction with the princesses and were finished at 850. We went next door to Frozen and were second in line behind another breakfast family. We walked onto the ride at 9, then went over to meet Elsa and Anna with less than 5 minute wait. It was great.

 

[SaintsManiac]

PPO Garden Grill hands down. Last time we did it we got 2 rides on Soarin before they opened the park. Then hit everything in Future World (besides Test Track) without FPs. Met Ralph and Vanellope, too.

Food and characters are the BEST. Walking through FW and the Land with hardly anyone else in there is golden.

We try to do this PPO every trip.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Caveat that we’ve never been to Akershus (to add a third spelling to the thread, ... I kid, I always have to look it up) so I don’t have a fair comparison, but we have enjoyed a few PPO breakfasts at GG in a manner similar to @SaintsManiac above and think it’s a solid plan. The food at GG isn’t all that, but it’s perfectly fine for Disney breakfast standards, it’s quick, the character interaction is typically very fun, and getting a jump start on the day is great. We typically ask for the check right away just to get that over with so we don’t get delayed at the end.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

I've never done PPO, but I see the appeal. And there is another angle to that appeal: It depends on whether or not you want to eat before or after a few rides. I'm utilizing EMH on my upcoming trip just because it's me and my dad and we can eat whenever. That said, I recognize very few food places besides the Starbucks locations are open during EMH and it's really not worth trying for a PPO during these days also.

PPO is good to make sure you (and your kids) are not walking around on an empty stomach beforehand. With no one worried about food, you can just focus on the attractions as people have already mentioned with their experience.

The one caveat I have is that a park is not guaranteed to open after a PPO. And what I mean by that is the parks have changed hours before (and have done so just this year) to where they open earlier than the initial PPO reservation. I've seen people lament their PPO being ruined because of this. So just keep that in mind when you make the ADR.

 

[yorkieteacher]

Soarin' is typically an easier to get fourth fast pass, plus the lines are generally shorter later afternoon even without a fast pass. So riding it first after a Garden Grill breakfast still could mean a line at Frozen. You may need rider swap at both Soarin' and Test Track with your 2.5 year old so I would start out on a happy note with something everyone can ride. Epcot has always opened regularly at 9 (AFAIK), and you need to be careful about regular morning hours changing at MK with a BOG PPO.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I've never done PPO, but I see the appeal. And there is another angle to that appeal: It depends on whether or not you want to eat before or after a few rides. I'm utilizing EMH on my upcoming trip just because it's me and my dad and we can eat whenever. That said, I recognize very few food places besides the Starbucks locations are open during EMH and it's really not worth trying for a PPO during these days also.

PPO is good to make sure you (and your kids) are not walking around on an empty stomach beforehand. With no one worried about food, you can just focus on the attractions as people have already mentioned with their experience.

The one caveat I have is that a park is not guaranteed to open after a PPO. And what I mean by that is the parks have changed hours before (and have done so just this year) to where they open earlier than the initial PPO reservation. I've seen people lament their PPO being ruined because of this. So just keep that in mind when you make the ADR.

Epcot doesn't change their opening hours like MK does. Now that could change once the "new Epcot" is complete, but it's safe to make PPO there.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

Epcot doesn't change their opening hours like MK does. Now that could change once the "new Epcot" is complete, but it's safe to make PPO there.

It's good to cover the bases just in case (especially since the OP mentioned interest in a PPO at BOG). But I will concede to your point regarding EPCOT.

 

[clbielick]

Wow-this was incredibly helpful!!!! (and fast!)
Will try to get PPO at GG or Askerhaus (sp!) on a non EMH day and skip EMH for epcot. I will probably plan for EMH for MK if cant get a good BOG time at MK (will aim for the Epcot EMH day), but will cancel BOG if i get it and hours change. My kids arent big eaters any way so the idea of spending a ton of money on food and having them waste it is not appealing.
Thank you so much!