How long before ADR can you enter the parks?

[toxa]

We have an ADR for CRT at 9AM sharp. MK opens 9AM on that day. What time can we get into the park?

Then there's this Rapunzel photo op. Is it near the castle? Starts at 9AM too? What are the chances of taking a picture before breakfast?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyBabies]

They begin letting you in before 8am (depending on your reservation time) to at least 20 minutes before rope drop (9am in this case) since CRT and Crystal Palace begin reservations at 8am every day. There is a special entrance for this and you will have to give them your name to confirm the reservation before they will let you in (it is a good idea to have your confirmation number with you just in case - although I have never had a problem where I needed mine).

The Rapunzel meet in greet is where the old Story Time with Belle was located, so it is very close to the castle. But if your reservation is at 9am, you will not have time to stop and get an autograph because it is an experience (not just an autograph meet and greet) and takes about 30 minutes. Eventually they will make Rapunzel a regular meet and greet, but I haven't heard of it changing yet. You will want to wait until after your breakfast to get your photo. CRT may hold your reservation for a few minutes, but 30 minutes is a bit too long.

Hope this helps.

 

[toxa]

In my shoes you would be there by 8:00 hoping to get into and hang around empty Main Street and castle (photos), or it's more likely they won't let us in until 8:40? I'd rather spend those 40 minutes in bed if chances are they enforce 20 minutes only...

About Rapunzel, I assume there will be a big line after breakfast. Is it worth the wait for 2 adults that just want a picture? I mean, I don't mind a 30 minutes "experience" with a princess, but it's my wife and me, so I must behave

 

[TheRatPack]

The first few years we did early ADRs we got in with plenty of time to spare....time to take a leisurely stroll to CRT and admire the empty street...take lots of photos...etc.

The past 2 years we've been let in maybe 20 minutes, sometimes less, minutes before our ADRs.....and so you don't have much time to get to the podium and check in.

 

[Nadjalu]

Policy is 15mins before your adr time. Some CMs will go a bit before that,but don't count on it.

 

[toxa]

If I'm lucky and get into the park say 30 minutes earlier than ADR. Can I hang around Main Street on my own pace, or they actually escort you to the restaurant?

 

[Hopefully]

They let you in 15, sometimes 20 minutes before your ADR time, not sooner. You will be able to stroll down a nearly empty Main Street and snap pictures at your own pace. They do not escort you. There are Photopass photographers available on Main Street as well, so you can get a picture of both of you with the Castle in the background.
It is neat to walk down a nearly empty Main Street
Enjoy

 

[canadianmom2three]

We have never done this before, but since we are going at Xmas this year, I secured 8:05 ADR's at Crystal Palace and Akershus on days that both parks open at 9:00 - does it work the same way at Epcot??

DH is not really fussy on using the DDP for breakfast, and would prefer not to get up so early, but imo the parks will be packed later in the day, and it would be fantastic to have that peacful time to admire the decorations etc....

My other question - will we be done breakfast and out of there before rope drop (assuming the kids don't care about the princesses at Akershus) and in that case are we free to walk around the park???

 

[jlhay]

If you finish before rope drop you'll be held at another rope until opening. So you could wander the park only in a small area.