Entering WDW early

[jkp464]

I believe you can enter WDW earlier than rope drop for character breakfasts. If so, can you still enter early without a character breakfast? How do they know who has character breakfasts and who doesn't? I realize rides, etc. won't be available, but I thought if the Main Street bakery was open we could grap a quick breakfast. Mainly I'd like to takes pictures on Main Street without tons of people!

 

[ZoZo]

You won't be able to get through the gate with your confirmation number for your ADR (for a character breakfast). That's really the only way to get a good photo of main street without people.

 

[Belle1962]

There are usually CM's between the gates and restaurant that is serving breakfast to keep guests moving and not "wandering" into parts that are not yet open. I believe with the exception of the special breakfast at Tony's--each park has only 1 table service open for breakfast--so everyone has to head there.

 

[jkp464]

Thanks for the info. Can I enter early even if my reservation time isn't until after park opening? I can make a 9:30 reservation -- can I enter at 8:30?

 

[dkostel]

I don't believe so, they have always checked my time.

 

[EmptyCinema]

We've never had the time checked. At MK, both Crystal Palace and Cinderella's Royal Table serve breakfast, so things are a little more lax. The shops would not, however, be open. All it takes is the reservation number.

 

[steph-in-ky]

We just got back about 2 weeks ago and we had an 8:15 reservation at Crystal Palace. I had the res. # but the lady at the gate didn't ask for it or look at it she just let us go on in when we said we had a breakfast reservation. Not sure if this is the norm or not but that was our experience. If anyone is thinking about doing the CP character breakfast by the way I can tell you that we really enjoyed and it and the breakfast buffet was really good. Also I liked having the early breakfast because we were finished right before the park opened and were able to get to the area of the park we wanted to before the crowds.

 

[toesmom]

We just got back about 2 weeks ago and we had an 8:15 reservation at Crystal Palace. I had the res. # but the lady at the gate didn't ask for it or look at it she just let us go on in when we said we had a breakfast reservation. Not sure if this is the norm or not but that was our experience. If anyone is thinking about doing the CP character breakfast by the way I can tell you that we really enjoyed and it and the breakfast buffet was really good. Also I liked having the early breakfast because we were finished right before the park opened and were able to get to the area of the park we wanted to before the crowds.

Try to make a breakfast reservation before 9am, that way you can get in before the rope drop. But make sure it's early enough to still enjoy the park before it gets really busy.

BTW each time we've had early breakfasts, the CM did check our confirmation number and time. Also, we were asked twice by CM once inside the park where our breakfast was and at what time. This was on the way to CP.

 

[EmptyCinema]

I think it depends on the CMs a lot, and also how busy things are. It probably also depends on whether or not you are walking towards a restaurant versus stopping to take pictures every ten steps.

As for Crystal Palace: can you say puffed french toast?

 

[princess jackie]

We've had several breackfast reservations before the park opens. One time the CM checked the time, conformation number and my ID before letting us into the park. The next time the CM didn't look at anything. So I wouldn't count on getting in the park early. You can always try though.