How do you fit bkfst in at CP BEFORE rope drop?

[Picabo]

I keep reading that it's a "must do" to get an 805a ressie at Crystal Palace for bkfst and then you're in the park and ready to go at Rope Drop. I have questions - since I haven't been to Disney in YEARS and never there that early in the morning! And...never with kids.

-- Park opens at 9am, right? So how the heck to you eat bkfst wtih 2 toddlers and see all the Pooh characters and be DONE by 9am for park opening??

-- Is 805a the earliest you can get a ressie and, if so, what time do they start allowing those with early ressies into the gates to go down Main Street to get to CP?

-- I'm guessing many people get an 805a ADR, so wouldn't that mean there's a huge line-up at the buffet - thus slowing down the whole bkrst and making it impossible to be done by 9a?

Having 2 toddlers (who aren't the fastest eaters, especially if they are going to have Pooh and friends there to distract them - would it be better to NOT go early in the morning and instead use our time to get on the rides in Fantasyland early and then have lunch at Crystal Palace instead??

THANKS

 

[jenniferhouston2]

Picabo,

At the MK turn styles, there is always an entrance for "Guests with ADRs". You need to have your ADR confirmation number with you. You will be allowed in around 8am. Then you walk down a nearly vacant main street and go to CP. The buffetts have multiple lines and really do move fast. Its a great time to get breakfast, see some characters, and take pictures in a nearly empty park.

You are not allowed any further in the park beyond the main hub---you cannot go into any lands. (at least that was the rule 2 years ago) Does anyone know if that is still correct?

 

[KatMark]

You are not allowed any further in the park beyond the main hub---you cannot go into any lands. (at least that was the rule 2 years ago) Does anyone know if that is still correct?

Yes, that is still correct.

 

[Picabo]

So I understand the "magic" of getting there before the park opens and when there are no crowds, etc - but what I wonder is if it's really do-able to eat (with toddlers) and be done by 9am? Or is that too rushed?

 

[jenniferhouston2]

Personally, I have been there with two toddlers and yes it is doable. During the 8:00 hour, the buffet lines are pretty fast in my experience.

Of course, my family eats like horses (if you leave your hand on the table you might pull back a nub)

Others may give you a different opinion.

 

[stanmills34]

we have an 8:05 on 3-19 we do it every time we go and you will be in and out no later than 8:45 they are very quick to get the characters around and the food lines move quick..I would say it's a must do..There are also a few people who make ressies just to get in the parks early and don't eat..

 

[eventamy]

I haven't done CP yet (though we are next year) but we had an 8:00 ADR for Donald's Breakfast at Tusker House in AK almost 2 weeks ago. I have a 1 year old DD and a 5 year old DD. We found we had plenty of time to eat and see the characters (photos and autographs) and then get outside for Rope Drop, we even still had to wait about 10 minutes or so.
I find it's easier BECAUSE it's a buffet. There's no wait time to order or for your food. You just get right up and get it.
If you are worried about it though, do what we did at AK, ask for your bill as soon as you sit down, get that out of the way and you'll have one less thing to wait for.

 

[Picabo]

If you are worried about it though, do what we did at AK, ask for your bill as soon as you sit down, get that out of the way and you'll have one less thing to wait for.

Great idea!!!!

And all in all, I suppose we'll be there 8 days so even if we miss a few min at the begininnging of the day - it's not like we won't ahve plenty of time, eh? haha

 

[brendaziz]

We've done 8:05 bfast at Tusker house at AK w/ 2 toddlers and been w/ plenty of time do a diaper change/potty break and still waiting for ropes to drop for the rides.
buffets are really quick imo

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Our experience has been that they let you in at 8AM, we take a few pictures in a near empty hub, get in line for CP, get called into the restaurant have the server take our drink orders, get food, then wait for all of the characters, we've missed rope drop.

You're right. It will be very hard to get it done with two toddlers in 50 minutes. But we have done it-this is how.

*get there early
*go straight to the restaurant (do not get caught up in the beautiful park)
*send everyone except one person up to the buffett immediately
*be prepared to miss a character or two

It isn't worth the commando rush to miss the pictures

 

[kimmylaj]

we have done it but i must say the characters must have been having a slow day, because we had to leave because 2 characters still hadnt made it over and we had been done eating for 10 minutes already. Honestly we had a better time when we made the last breakfast ressie. we got a bunch of stuff done in the morning and when everyone else was heading in to the park we sat to have a late breakfast and take our time with characters

 

[jenjersnap]

Our experience has been that they let you in at 8AM, we take a few pictures in a near empty hub, get in line for CP, get called into the restaurant have the server take our drink orders, get food, then wait for all of the characters, we've missed rope drop.

You're right. It will be very hard to get it done with two toddlers in 50 minutes. But we have done it-this is how.

*get there early
*go straight to the restaurant (do not get caught up in the beautiful park)
*send everyone except one person up to the buffett immediately
*be prepared to miss a character or two

It isn't worth the commando rush to miss the pictures

I have to agree with this advice. We have never gotten to see all the characters and been out in time for rope drop. Since rope drop is a priority for us and we've eaten at CP many, many times, it's no big deal to miss a character or two. So, take that for what it's worth. I think lunch might be the more relaxing option for you.

(Others have mentioned Donald's at AK and we have never had a problem seeing all the characters before rope drop there. Go figure. I figure it's because CP is enormous and the characters stop mingling in order to march around in the parade every half an hour or so.

 

[laurainsem]

So this is probably the silliest question you've ever seen posted, but i'm going to risk the humiliation!

If you go in for your ressie prior to rope drop, do you have to go back to the gate to slide your KTTW, or are you already good to go to the lands?

Again, silliest question so feel free to laugh it up!

 

[Brave teacher]

So this is probably the silliest question you've ever seen posted, but i'm going to risk the humiliation!

If you go in for your ressie prior to rope drop, do you have to go back to the gate to slide your KTTW, or are you already good to go to the lands?

Again, silliest question so feel free to laugh it up!

Already good to go. You go straight to your land of choice after eating.

 

[summermac]

I'm also debating a late breakfast (that would really be a lunch) vs. the early morning ressie. I want that puffed french toast darn it!!!

 

[MeLaNie9]

We have done it twice with 2 toddlers - and one of them has food allergies so we have to wait for the chef to come to the table, walk us through the line, and make him special waffles. The kids just don't eat a ton there because of the fun and excitement of seeing the characters and being in the "parade" with the characters.
I should clarify that we haven't been out exactly right on time for rope drop at 9am either time, but have been out very soon after (like 9:10-9:15am) and still be able to walk right on to rides. However, on our CP morning, which is usually our first MK morning, we tend to circle into Adventureland first because the Magic Carpets are always our 1st MK ride - they are my older son's favorite!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

There are also a few people who make ressies just to get in the parks early and don't eat..

that is tacky!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I've done the 8am CP breakfast many times and we are done eating by 9am but always have to wait for a character or to pay the bill. I've learned to get the server to pay the bill early but we still seem to always wait on a character.

 

[Faldred]

With two toddlers, how important is it -- really -- to be there right at "rope drop"? I mean, maybe on a truly heavy crowd day there may be a need for it, but even if your 15 or 20 minutes "late" into the park, you'll still probably not see huge lines anywhere until closer to noon.

I'm not convinced it's worth rushing an experience like a character breakfast for the kids just so you can do "rope drop".

 

[Picabo]

With two toddlers, how important is it -- really -- to be there right at "rope drop"? I mean, maybe on a truly heavy crowd day there may be a need for it, but even if your 15 or 20 minutes "late" into the park, you'll still probably not see huge lines anywhere until closer to noon.

I'm not convinced it's worth rushing an experience like a character breakfast for the kids just so you can do "rope drop".

I totally "get" what you're saying and agree with you. Guess I'm "stuck" on the whole "touring plan" thing and determined to get on Dumbo before the line is toooooo long! haha But, you're right. I guess I need to sit back and enjoy the character bkfst and not worry so much about time!