Garden Grill PPO and Soarin

[BMonhaut]

We have a party of 10 (4 kids - two 7 yr olds, 4, and 2) and are planning one day at Epcot the first week of April 2017. We hope to get FP for Frozen (at least for the girls as 10 FP might be tough to get) and want to know how advantageous a PPO breakfast is at Garden Grill to get on Soarin first thing. The only characters we really want to see there are Chip and Dale - we'll see the others a different time. I normally don't like PPO breakfast, I know Disney can change hours on whim and screw up the best of plans, but hoping this will work for us. Any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[Robo]

As you noted, a PPO ADR to "beat the crowds" has become an "iffy" thing.

So much so as I'd rate it as, "Proceed at your own risk."

 

[BMonhaut]

Thank you Robo. It scares me that we're going at Spring Break time and the hours will get changed at the last minute. I'm starting to lean more to having lunch there and just trying our best for Soarin first thing - or skipping Frozen for my boys.

 

[lchicago]

We had a 8:20 ppo at Garden Grill last month for this exact purpose. We were through the turnstiles right at 8. We told our server we wanted to ride soarin right when it opened, which he said wouldn't be a problem. He brought us our check with the food. We met all the characters. Our server then came by 5 minutes prior to the ride opening just to let us know. We ran down and walked right on. Worked perfectly.

 

[Barbara76]

We had a 8:20 ppo at Garden Grill last month for this exact purpose. We were through the turnstiles right at 8. We told our server we wanted to ride soarin right when it opened, which he said wouldn't be a problem. He brought us our check with the food. We met all the characters. Our server then came by 5 minutes prior to the ride opening just to let us know. We ran down and walked right on. Worked perfectly.

I am curious what time was it when he gave you the heads up?

 

[lchicago]

I want to say around 8:40 or 8:45 as I know we were sitting down on the ride before 9.

 

[Barbara76]

I want to say around 8:40 or 8:45 as I know we were sitting down on the ride before 9.

Nice, so the whole breakfast look you only 15 min? Or did they seat you / serve you before 8:20?

 

[lchicago]

They took us before 8:20. We got to GG at 8:05 and were sat right away. All the characters came by almost immediately and we actually got several repeat visits. It did feel a little rushed to squeeze in actually eating in between all of the characters but I definitely left full.

 

[Barbara76]

They took us before 8:20. We got to GG at 8:05 and were sat right away. All the characters came by almost immediately and we actually got several repeat visits. It did feel a little rushed to squeeze in actually eating in between all of the characters but I definitely left full.

Thanks for the info, we have an ADR for 8:05 in December, so hopefully the timing works out for us too!

 

[lchicago]

Good luck! It worked great for us. We were on the first ride of the day. We had the row all to ourselves! Then scooted over and walked right on Living with the Land. Had our own boat for that one too!

 

[brockash]

We have a party of 10 (4 kids - two 7 yr olds, 4, and 2) and are planning one day at Epcot the first week of April 2017. We hope to get FP for Frozen (at least for the girls as 10 FP might be tough to get) and want to know how advantageous a PPO breakfast is at Garden Grill to get on Soarin first thing. The only characters we really want to see there are Chip and Dale - we'll see the others a different time. I normally don't like PPO breakfast, I know Disney can change hours on whim and screw up the best of plans, but hoping this will work for us. Any thoughts? Thank you!

We did this this past Aug. and it worked out well. Be sure to check-in as soon as possible (while Disney will tell you different, in our experience of doing PPO breakfasts for over 10 years, you're seated much more in order of your check-in order than your actual ADR time.) We've had ADR's at 8:05 and as late as 8:45, but if we've gone straight to check-in once they let us in the park, we've always been seated within 10 mins. of arrival. Also, be sure to ask for your check as soon as you're seated. We actually ended up seeing all the characters multiple times at GG before we left the restaurant at 8:40 to head to Soarin ahead of the crowd, but that really just depends on how busy it is etc.

ETA: I will echo what pp's have said about you'll still probably feel rushed. We saw the characters a lot, but we really did have to eat quickly in between to get out by 8:40, so just know it's not going to be a relaxed pace etc. lol.

 

[BMonhaut]

Thank you everyone for your help. I'll talk to our group and see what they want to do. Sounds like it could work well - and they're used to being rushed onto rides. Thank you again!

 

[M&J's Mom]

We have the same plan for 11/27. GG at 8:05 and hoping to beat the crowds to Soarin' and then head to TT. Hoping for FEA Fastpass later in the day. We will hope for the best and deal with whatever happens!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Sorry I am jumping on this cause I have a question. We have 8:45am for GG and will be coming in the back way. Anyone know if they will let us in early and possible seat us early? I am more worried about having to deal with the crowds going to Frozen and being late for our ADR since we also will have to park a stroller?

 

[Wdwfan2016]

Soarin opens daily at 8:45 am for those with dining reservations. We had an 8 am reservation and finished with plenty of time.

 

[Robo]

Sorry I am jumping on this cause I have a question. We have 8:45am for GG and will be coming in the back way. Anyone know if they will let us in early and possible seat us early? I am more worried about having to deal with the crowds going to Frozen and being late for our ADR since we also will have to park a stroller?

Yes.