How to get into DL early besides staying onsite

[HR85]

It is my understanding from what I've read on here that the only way to get into DL early is through staying at Disneyland Resort (on site) or purchasing EMM on 3 day+ tickets? My question is am I allowed early access Into DL and get in before the crowds if I do an early breakfast? I know this is possible with Disney World but haven't seen this mentioned with Disneyland. Thanks in advance!

 

[Geemo]

On days that Disneyland opens an hour early for MM/EE, the Plaza Inn generally begin dining reservations 10 minutes after that.

So if you have a reservation you would enter through a gate closest to DTD. The CM will scan your ticket once they confirm you on the list.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do be aware that's not a cheap option at $30.99 per person. Nor quick as you'll want to enjoy breakfast & character interactions. Idk how long on average breakfast takes but I'm sure others here can help on that one.

 

[Disney_Alli]

The MM isn't necessarily an additional cost most 3+ day tickets that are purchased in advance include it. If you're doing 3 days in the park its definitely worth it to check for prices on tickets with MM.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Do be aware that's not a cheap option at $30.99 per person. Nor quick as you'll want to enjoy breakfast & character interactions. Idk how long on average breakfast takes but I'm sure others here can help on that one.

Yeah, if meeting all the characters is your goal, it takes a while since the restaurant is relatively large with both inside and outside seating. Some of the characters definitely take their time, which is great when they are with you, but obviously takes longer. I would say an hour and a half to be safe. It actually took us 2 hours to meet Minnie last time, but mainly because we ended up switching tables right before she got to us, so we actually didn't see her until the were shutting down breakfast and all the characters basically swarm the room together to make sure they see everyone.

It's different than Ariels Grotto, which is extremely efficient in the way they run the characters. The restaurant is much smaller, and goes much faster, but the interactions are also shorter.

 

[lilmissfoodie]

ABD also gets you in early to each DL and DCA. It's not cheap but if you're a Disney fan, and you can afford it, it's definitely worth it.

 

[Jerryp49]

What does ABD stand for ?

 

[Darkbeer1]

"Adventures by Disney", a packaged tour.

https://www.adventuresbydisney.com/north-america/hollywood-disneyland-tour/

 

[HR85]

Thank you all for your suggestions. My goal was to schedule an early breakfast and take a few quick family pictures in front of castle (before huge crowds) then go to breakfast. Just curious how much in advance will they allow you to enter before your breakfast reservation? Thanks

 

[SMD]

In my experience, which was prior to the 60th, you won't be allowed to reach the castle with a breakfast reservation. They check tickets at TL and FL entrances.

 

[HR85]

Wow really? So much different than DW! Any other suggestions on how to get pictures in near castle before big crowds hit? Aside from EMM? We only planned on 2 days. Thanks

 

[Steven G]

U really can't. However you should be able to frame your picture to include just your family and the castle. There is often a CM ready to take pictures of people for photo pass, you may want to ask them for tips, or just use the photo pass feature.

Btw, I did do the adventures by Disney trip, and as others have said, it offered what you want. Our group of about 20 guests were the only guests in the park for about an hour and we got some great pictures at the castle. It's of course expensive and 5 days long...

 

[nikkislaght]

so from what I remember. if you stand at the town square , there is a castle photo op.. and then seeing that you will walk down main street to get to Fantasy Land you can just stop at the Walt and Mickey statue .. then back track to your breakfast appointment .

I'm not sure if that's allowed or not. We usually have a MM but don't use it.. we did it once and I recall being directed towards FL with ropes.. but I can also recall being able to stand at the statue first .

 

[fsjking]

I'm not planning on doing this, but I wonder if you did the reservation thing like the OP was talking about and just found a CM with a camera and told them you wanted some shots with the castle, they would escort you up and take the pics?

 

[HR85]

U really can't. However you should be able to frame your picture to include just your family and the castle. There is often a CM ready to take pictures of people for photo pass, you may want to ask them for tips, or just use the photo pass feature.

Btw, I did do the adventures by Disney trip, and as others have said, it offered what you want. Our group of about 20 guests were the only guests in the park for about an hour and we got some great pictures at the castle. It's of course expensive and 5 days long...

I would love to have done this but we will not be able to spend more than 2-3 days tops (most likely 2) in Cali. So therefore it looks as though EMM is our best bet. I wouldn't be denied pictures near castle with EMM would I? Thanks

 

[mom2rtk]

I would love to have done this but we will not be able to spend more than 2-3 days tops (most likely 2) in Cali. So therefore it looks as though EMM is our best bet. I wouldn't be denied pictures near castle with EMM would I? Thanks

It's not so much that you would be denied. It's that the area near the castle is roped off. You can't even get there. At WDW the entire area on Main Street, including right up to the castle, is open. That's because early breakfast in the castle is offered there. At DL, only Plaza Inn offers early breakfast (not sure about Carnation Cafe, but it's even further back on Main Street) so there's a rope across Main Street near the restaurant.

We always do early entry, and I wouldn't count on great photos then. Too many guests flooding Main Street toward the castle at the same time. Our best shots were about 30 minutes into early entry when everyone is already where they planned to be, and the regular entry crowd isn't in the park yet.

We took this one just over a week ago around 30 minutes into the 7 AM early open.

IMG_4543 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[HR85]

It's not so much that you would be denied. It's that the area near the castle is roped off. You can't even get there. At WDW the entire area on Main Street, including right up to the castle, is open. That's because early breakfast in the castle is offered there. At DL, only Plaza Inn offers early breakfast (not sure about Carnation Cafe, but it's even further back on Main Street) so there's a rope across Main Street near the restaurant.

We always do early entry, and I wouldn't count on great photos then. Too many guests flooding Main Street toward the castle at the same time. Our best shots were about 30 minutes into early entry when everyone is already where they planned to be, and the regular entry crowd isn't in the park yet.

We took this one just over a week ago around 30 minutes into the 7 AM early open.

IMG_4543 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Ok, to do this you used EMM correct?

 

[mom2rtk]

Ok, to do this you used EMM correct?

This was done half way into the hour of early entry time at DL. It's called EE (Early Entry) for those staying onsite, who get it every day of their stay (some days at DL, others at DCA), or MM (Magic Morning) for those with a 3 day park ticket with MM privileges (most 3 day or longer advance tickets have this) It's only at DL for MM.

But it's all the same hour of early entry into the park.

 

[Steven G]

Actually it's early magic hour (EMH) for resort guests, and MM for 3 day+ tickets. I only say so you don't get confused when you're there.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-admission-options/

And yeah, you'll need to wait until after rope drop, and people run off to whatever ride they want to get on first. 20 to 30 minutes in, you should be able to take a great pic in front of castle, as previous poster showed. Of course, you'll need a 3 day+ ticket to get MM.

 

[SMD]

There are ways to get good castle pic during park hours. You'd be surprised how good the PP CMs are at framing castle pics to minimize people. They will take pics with your camera. Also, on the walkway to FL on the Matterhorn side lots of people stop for pics because the railings on the bridge are so high you can't see the people walking through the castle.