We have an 8:10 ADR for our upcoming trip. If you are staing at a WDW resort, they will run buses for the character meals that open before the rest of the park opens. It is much easier to get to the MK by bus as opposed to driving and taking the monorail/ferry from the TTC. We have done this twice at the Crystal Palace. My wife is a photography nut and one time got a picture of my daughter w/Mickey and Minnie in front of the castle with no one in the background. Since this happened, it is a must for us to go when we vacation at WDW. They then go to Tinkerbell's Treasures to wake up Tinkerbell while I pay the bill. By the way, the character interaction at Crystal Palace is some of the best I've seen at character meals. The food is also good.