Garden Grill 9:00 am

[Shellbells]

We just booked a last minute trip for next month. I was hoping to get an earlier one but I was able to get a 9:00 am at Garden Grill. The park opens at 9:00 am. Will they let us in a little early for the reservation?

Thank you!

 

[Haygar2]

How early were you thinking?

 

[Shellbells]

I've read on here that they let you in really early if you have PPO ADR's. I'd like to start eating at 8. But honestly, I'll be happy if they let us in anytime before 9.
I'm so excited that my husband agreed to this last minute trip but it's also stressing me out a little. All the ADRs I wanted were booked and quite a few fast passes too.

 

[Dug720]

Technically 9 is not considered a PPO. They might let you in a few minutes early to walk to The Land, but other than that... I honestly would not expect them to let you in before about 8:45 if that.

(And as an aside, I really wish they would NOT do the "seat in the order of arrival" but in ADR order like other places. It's not fair that someone could have an 8:15 ADR and get there on time but have to wait because a bunch of 8:45 ADRs showed up and got seated.)

 

[Shellbells]

I understand why you feel that way. I'd be frustrated if I had an ADR and I had to wait. But unless Disney changes their process, I'd take advantage if I could.
I'm probably not going to find an earlier time but I'll keep checking.
It's my husband's first time at WDW and we didn't get many good FP so I'd like to eat early and get in line for Soarin' as soon as possible.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I had an 8am ADR last month and they let us in AT 8am. I would not count on getting in early.

 

[Dug720]

I understand why you feel that way. I'd be frustrated if I had an ADR and I had to wait. But unless Disney changes their process, I'd take advantage if I could.
I'm probably not going to find an earlier time but I'll keep checking.
It's my husband's first time at WDW and we didn't get many good FP so I'd like to eat early and get in line for Soarin' as soon as possible.

The big frustration is that it seems based on my experience (and that of family and friends) at other restaurants that Garden Grill has gone rogue in this seating in arrival order in general rather than ADR order and within that order of arrival.

And I suspect that in these days of the internet it is only a matter of time before someone shows up with a dinner ADR and says "I really wanted a breakfast, but those were all gone. But I know you seat in the order of arrival because I saw it on the DIS/internet" (the worst words a CM can hear - and the least likely to get you any extra help) and raises a huge stink until Disney checks it out and shuts down what never should have been happening period.

But the bottom line is 9am is not a PPO and will most likely not get you in any earlier. In addition to searching for an earlier time, why not also search for a later time, then RD Soarin' and eat after?

 

[Llama mama]

I have an 8:00 ADR , planning on walking from beach club at 7:30. That should put me in plenty of time to check in with Garden Grill to spend a nice hour eating and pictures correct? Unless they sit ADR’s who are after me first right? We want to catch one ride at opening.