How early to arrive for Topolino's Terrace bar seat?

[EpcotPhoenician]

Staying at Riviera next week - how early prior to opening do the hostess Cast Members typically show up? I'd like to get a seat at the bar 1 or 2 nights. Is 4:45PM (5PM opening) early enough? Or is it a Trader Sam's situation where you need to get there very early?

 

[RuntheMouse]

We ate there on 8/17 around 6:00 pm in the dining room. There were several tables and places at the bar that we available and it didn’t really start getting full until we were eating dessert. Our waitress said it doesn’t get really busy until closer to fireworks. We were keeping an eye on it for our trip in October in case I can’t get an ADR.

 

[HopperFan]

We ate there on 8/17 around 6:00 pm in the dining room. There were several tables and places at the bar that we available and it didn’t really start getting full until we were eating dessert. Our waitress said it doesn’t get really busy until closer to fireworks. We were keeping an eye on it for our trip in October in case I can’t get an ADR.

That was our experience. No trouble with seating anywhere until about an hour before fireworks.

 

[BeachMouse1]

First time we arrived at opening and were seated immediately we were there nearly 2 hours and there was always a seat at the bar or a bar table available. Next time we went around six o’clock and had no problem getting a seat. There are a nice amount of bar tables as well as seats at the bar. But if you really want to eat there getting there at open you should be fine

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm usually able to get a spot at the bar or bar seating area immediately or within minutes. As others mentioned, it can bunch up at Fireworks, but otherwise usually has availability. I'm there 4 times a year - late Jan, mid June, early Sep, and early Dec. Hasn't been a problem any of those times.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Definitely not a Trader Sam’s situation. If you arrive at 4:45, you will most likely be standing the elevator area waiting for the restaurant doors to open. As others have mentioned, it can be difficult around fireworks time and the terrace fills up with people standing to watch them.