In a panic about getting to character b'fast!

[Greg K.]

We've set up an 8 am breakfast at the Crystal Palace during our trip. Now DW is wondering how on earth we'll get there.

We will have her parents with us, who are not exactly ready for the 100 meter dash; they're in their late 60s and not all that speedy.

DW thinks we should DRIVE from BWV to the MK parking lot REALLY REALLY EARLY. Like 7 am. Or earliere. And she thinks we should be walking up Main Street at 7:15, to give Mom and Dad LOTS of time to shuffle up to the Hub. (I honestly don't think they're THAT slow, and suspedt DW is being overly conservative in her time estimtes!) Anyway: I told her that's impossible, because they don't even open the parking lot until 7:30. (Or do they let in character b'fast people earlier??)

I think we should just plan to take the character b'fast bus -- but SHE thinks it will be JAMMED with people and we'll have to get a LATER bus and we'll NEVER get there on time.

Help. Please. Any ideas?

 

[maci]

We have had a 8am cindys breakfast before, and we drove to MK. They do let those with PS, in early. It really is fun to be on main street with few people on it that early in morning, and it makes for great pictures!
I like your DH idea!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Relax. We have done this several times. Just get to the bus stop at least 45 min. to an hour prior to your PS time and you'll be fine. I would do an hour to be safe. It won't take more than 20 min. tops to walk from where the bus drops you off to the CP. I could make it in 5 min. if I had to. And I doubt very seriously that the buses will be that crowded. Post this over at the resorts boards as well and I'm sure Tyler(aka ChipnDale Express) will tell you this same thing, and you can trust him because he is a Disney bus driver who is an expert at these things!

 

[Laura's Dad]

If you are staying on site, there are buses that carry early character breakfast participants to the theme parks. They start running an hour before park opening and run about every 20 minutes. The bus you need will be marked "Magic Kingdom" and will drop you off at the enrtance to the MK (which is much better than parking and riding the monorail or ferry). You need to tell the bus driver where you have PS's for. Once you go through security, go to the far left turnstile. They will have a list of PS's (excuse me, they are now Advanced Reservations) and will let you in early to get to your breakfast. The Crystal Palace should not be that busy at 8 a.m., so it won't matter if you are a couple of minutes late. Enjoy!

 

[Nora94]

they don't even let you in the gate until exactly 8:00. So, one person at 8 gets through the gate, walks (yes you can walk and it's ok) a little faster than grannie, and gets there to check in. If they get sat, than gma and gpa can join them at the table when they get there.

There is NO reason to get to the gates before about 7:45.

If you are a on site guest, use the busses. Driving to magic kingdom is a pita cause you drive park and think you are there, than have to monorail or ferry over. The bus takes you right there.

Nora

 

[tjmw2727]

they don't even let you in the gate until exactly 8:00. So, one person at 8 gets through the gate, walks (yes you can walk and it's ok) a little faster than grannie, and gets there to check in. If they get sat, than gma and gpa can join them at the table when they get there.

There is NO reason to get to the gates before about 7:45.

If you are a on site guest, use the busses. Driving to magic kingdom is a pita cause you drive park and think you are there, than have to monorail or ferry over. The bus takes you right there.

Nora

Actually if you have a ps they will definately let you into the MK early, head toward the left and the cm's will have a list of ps's and names and let you through the turnstyles.

I personlly would take the bus - no questions about it. Driving to TTC and then taking a boat or monorail to MK can be time consuming and lots more walking for the grandparents. When you take the early bus for character breakfasts you will be dropped off directly at the MK rather than TTC.

I wouldn't worry about the dash either as one or two in the party can head to CP and check in while the others take more time. You generaly have to wait a bit even with a PS for the next table for your party size.

Have a great time and no stress!
TJ

 

[maci]

When we drove and got there early for our PS, parking and riding the monorail was not a problem AT ALL. I would agree "normally" it would be. But at that early in the morning, we were the 2nd car in the parking lot! We took a picture, LOL!!

I know lots of people dont like to drive, we did not find it to be a pain that day. And let me just say that night, when everyone else was waiting for the buses, we were QUICK to get to our car!

I know, I know, I am in the minority on this issue, just trying to give another perspective.

 

[Traveliz]

Actually if you have a ps they will definately let you into the MK early, head toward the left and the cm's will have a list of ps's and names and let you through the turnstyles.

TJ

I have found that for the 8:00 am PS will not let you in until right at 8 -- I was standing at the gate in a sprinkle - and yes I was in the right spot - they were letting no one in with PS until 8am.

Liz

 

[iwish81792]

Do you know how early does the monorail starts running?

 

[Nora94]

Actually if you have a ps they will definately let you into the MK early, head toward the left and the cm's will have a list of ps's and names and let you through the turnstyles.

TJ

Yes, but they still don't let you through that turnstile until EXACTLY 8:00 even with your ressie in hand. You are let in early, but it is not until 8.

 

[JandT'smom]

You are not let through the turnstile to start walking to the resturant till almost 8:00 am. I think that is why the first PS times are for 8:05 am so people have time to walk from the front of the park.