Possible? Or A Lot of Disney Magic Needed....

[RebelScumRunner]

My family and I have a CRT at 9:35 AM.

How realistic is it to visit Merida immediately after rope drop and make it to that reservation on time? The park opens at 9:00 on that day.

Wishful thinking?

Is there any character that we can possibly meet prior to that breakfast? Or should we just chill and take a slow stroll to the castle?

 

[Tomh]

I think that would be cutting it pretty close. It is suggested that you be at your dining destination 20 minutes prior to your ADR time, so you should be at CRT at 9:15. I don't think that 15 minutes (even 25, assuming park opens a bit early) is enough time to walk to meet and greet, wait in line, have your time with character(s) and then get to CRT.

Not sure why you have a 9:35 breakfast, that is right in the prime time to get stuff done. I always have breakfast before the park opens, either at an early ADR, or in our room before we leave for the parks. From park opening until 12:00, we will not spend time eating unless it becomes absolutely necessary for some reason.

 

[prudence64]

I don't see why not. I wouldn't think Merida is thaT popular to get a long line right away, it's close to CRT and I wouldn't worry about being there 20 minutes early.

 

[RebelScumRunner]

Not sure why you have a 9:35 breakfast, that is right in the prime time to get stuff done.

It is what it is. I've been making efforts, here and there, since I first booked the breakfast to change it to a little earlier.
Plus, this is the first time I am planning an entire WDW vacation so I've been learning on the go. In prior years it was my parents (pre-interwebs)...then my friends...now, my wife tossed it all at me. I've actually really enjoyed planning.

It is suggested that you be at your dining destination 20 minutes prior to your ADR time, so you should be at CRT at 9:15. I don't think that 15 minutes (even 25, assuming park opens a bit early) is enough time to walk to meet and greet, wait in line, have your time with character(s) and then get to CRT.

Duly noted. I thought I was being a bit unrealistic, and needed a reality check. Thanks.

 

[RebelScumRunner]

I don't see why not. I wouldn't think Merida is thaT popular to get a long line right away, it's close to CRT and I wouldn't worry about being there 20 minutes early

That was my original thinking, except I have seen that Merida can be quite popular...hence the reason I wanted to knock her off our list right after opening. Meh. We'll be in MK for 2 1/2 days or so, so, I'm sure we'll get around to her.

 

[prudence64]

If it were me I'd head to Merida without mentioning it to the child who wants to do it and weigh it in the moment. If the line is too long, hop over to something that's quick and the child won't know the difference.

 

[ElsasFan]

Yes, I think it is possible. We went in November and did Little Mermaid first, then met Merida next. We walked on to the ride, then waited less than five minutes to meet her. It is a short walk to CRT. You could always try, then ditch the line if it turns out to be slow for some reason.

 

[davidl81]

I think you can. And CRT will give you 10 extra mins or so if you are a little late. We had a 9:55 this week and did not get there till 10:10. Not a problem.

 

[wintotty]

I think Merida meet and greet starts around 9:30a.m. , not at 9a.m.
Last few times we've been to MK RD, (Nov 2014 and May 2015) we had to wait for a while for Merida to show up.

 

[Jfsag123]

Merida is scheduled to show up at 9:15 according to Kenny the Pirate, and this was our experience a couple of months ago. If you head straight to Merida at RD, you can probably be first in line, or pretty close to it. We were first in line one morning (because we had missed her on the previous trip and my kids were desperate), and were done by 9:20 or so, with archery practice, which you can opt out of. With CRT being as close as it is to Merida's meeting location, I think you'd be fine.

 

[lauradis]

I would change it to closest to 10:40 that's when breakfast ends.

Rope drop get all fp+for am knock out as much as fantasy land as possible.

you don't have to show up 20 mins early to your adr, just try to never be more then 15 mins late.

 

[Tomh]

you don't have to show up 20 mins early to your adr, just try to never be more then 15 mins late.

Good to know. I have pretty religiously been at my ADR's 15 to 20 minutes early every time over the course of 6 trips. There have been times when having an extra 10 minutes of wiggle room really would have helped.

 

[lauradis]

Good to know. I have pretty religiously been at my ADR's 15 to 20 minutes early every time over the course of 6 trips. There have been times when having an extra 10 minutes of wiggle room really would have helped.

There are early people and late people.

ADR are not a guarantee of that time, they are more like you have a place in line, to get table.

Im a early person, so it would drive me nuts to not be at an adr 10 mins early to check in.