Escorts before park opens?

[amymanny]

Hi, I just booked breakfast at Ariel's Grotto at DCA and was told that I had to park at Downtown Disney parking and then go to the entrance and find my escort. Maybe I missed it, but where exactly would the escort be located? I don't want to miss getting in. Thanks in advance!

 

[DangerMouse]

What time is your PS ressie?

 

[pixiewings71]

At the main entrance there will be 1 gate open, they will check their list and make sure you're on it, they will then tell you where to walk to get to AG (past Soarin' and GRR). We were told we would have an escort but we didn't, we were just directed where to go and they had CM's along the way making sure you didn't turn off and go where you weren't supposed to.

 

[amymanny]

The reservation is for 9:50, and DCA opens at 10 that day. Thanks for the info, pixiewings71! I forgot to ask--is the main parking lot open? We have free parking at Minnie & Friends, but the Dining rep told us to park at DTD parking. We'd rather go to M&F.

 

[actionvaughn]

You absolutely should park at M&F. Unless you plan on doing Ariel's and nothing else, you'll have to pay for your parking at DTD. Otherwise, I'm thinking, it's the first 3 hours that are free...

 

[eolian]

We had 9:50am reservations with the park opening at 10 earlier this month. When we arrived at the park they were letting everyone in (I've heard it's common for the park to open the gates 30 min early) and there were signs directing us how to get to the breakfast. Once we got past the GC entrance we had to pass by a CM to get through a roped off area and they just asked where we were going, no list or anything. He let us pass and away we went. They told me to park in the DTD lot and they would validate parking, but we took ART.

 

[bumbershoot]

The reservation is for 9:50, and DCA opens at 10 that day. Thanks for the info, pixiewings71! I forgot to ask--is the main parking lot open? We have free parking at Minnie & Friends, but the Dining rep told us to park at DTD parking. We'd rather go to M&F.

Of course, as DL will already be open.

 

[DangerMouse]

eolian is right. Official park opening is at 10, but they will let everyone in the front gates at 9:30 and most people will head to Soarin (it's the only ride open at that time). You will need to just walk through the Condor Flats area (I acutally picked up some FPs for Soarin as I walked by), past the Security CM at the ropes at GRR (he'll let you through when you say you're eating at Ariel's), and across the Pier to the restaurant. No "escort" is needed.

 

[Padstack]

You absolutely should park at M&F. Unless you plan on doing Ariel's and nothing else, you'll have to pay for your parking at DTD. Otherwise, I'm thinking, it's the first 3 hours that are free...

Actually, a meal at Ariel's will get you a full day of free parking in the DTD lot. Remember to ask for the parking validation, at the restaurant, and they will hand you a ticket. We found this to be very handy in that we could browse through the DTD stores on our way to our car at the end of the day without having to backtrack to the tram.