Pre-Park ADRs

[blf14]

Talk to me about pre-Park opening ADRs! I know “empty Main Street” photos are much less attainable than in years past due to the new opening procedure... but is a relatively less crowded Main Street still possible? Or is It just always crowded now (sometimes just less so relatively speaking)?


I’ll admit I’m interested in the photo since we have an amazing one from when my oldest 2 were little. But also- my youngest is very easily overwhelmed. I thought a less crowded Main Street experience might help her ease in to Disney a bit more. But I’m not going to kill myself snagging the ADR (and getting everyone out of bed!) if it’s all the same. Any suggestions?

 

[GillianP1301]

With a PPO ADR, you get access to Main St. at the same time as the RD crowd, so there really isn't much benefit strictly from an entry time point of view. If you want a TS breakfast, then there is still benefit it doing so before park hours so you maximize your park time. But if you don't really want the TS breakfast and just want in early for the empty (or emptier) castle photo, then your best bet is to be at the front of the RD crowd.

 

[blf14]

With a PPO ADR, you get access to Main St. at the same time as the RD crowd, so there really isn't much benefit strictly from an entry time point of view. If you want a TS breakfast, then there is still benefit it doing so before park hours so you maximize your park time. But if you don't really want the TS breakfast and just want in early for the empty (or emptier) castle photo, then your best bet is to be at the front of the RD crowd.

Thank you! We do want the TS breakfast... but wouldn’t worry about doing it *quite* so early without the added benefit of an emptier Main Street.

 

[blf14]

With a PPO ADR, you get access to Main St. at the same time as the RD crowd, so there really isn't much benefit strictly from an entry time point of view. If you want a TS breakfast, then there is still benefit it doing so before park hours so you maximize your park time. But if you don't really want the TS breakfast and just want in early for the empty (or emptier) castle photo, then your best bet is to be at the front of the RD crowd.

Oh! Also! Is there no longer, then, the separate entrance/line for those with an ADR? Everyone funnels in together?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

As PP said, there's no empty castle photo to be had because you're let in maybe a minute or two ahead of everyone else.

You can definitely get empty back of the castle pictures, though, if you have a BoG PPO. It was only us and the CMs waiting to head towards Peter Pan at RD.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Oh! Also! Is there no longer, then, the separate entrance/line for those with an ADR? Everyone funnels in together?

PPO are to the left, and let in just slightly before everyone else. By the time you get to the castle and find a PP photographer, there will be other people up there, too.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

There's really no "less crowded" Main Street anymore unless you pay for EMM. The park opens to everyone about an hour before actual park opening time. The only PPO ADR that gets you behind the castle (where it will be more empty) is BOG but that doesn't help you get the classic "here we are in front of the castle" photo.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have seen the almost empty castle photos more now at night, for people who just stick around as late as they can after closing.

 

[gap2368]

If your DD dose not like crowds I find getting to the MK around 8:15-830 And then finding a place in the hub ( not the bridge going to 7DMT) to watch the welcome show ( some times I will do the tables at Casey some times I do more of the hub. I then will wait a minute or two and walk behind the crowded to my first ride.

 

[Lydia S]

Like everyone else mentioned...not an empty Main St, but definitely emptier than usual. Another plus was that the park photographers were there, and the lineups weren't nearly as long as they usually are AFTER rope drop/mid-morning. We had a BOG breakfast reservation, and got in line for SDMT right after with plenty of time to spare, and at rope drop, since everyone was rushing to do SDMT, we were able to get Space Mountain and 4 other rides done all before 9:30AM on a 9AM open day with hardly any crowds.

 

[blf14]

If your DD dose not like crowds I find getting to the MK around 8:15-830 And then finding a place in the hub ( not the bridge going to 7DMT) to watch the welcome show ( some times I will do the tables at Casey some times I do more of the hub. I then will wait a minute or two and walk behind the crowded to my first ride.

Interesting idea, thank you! Yes, My youngest will be almost 4. She’s been to Disney many times, but not any that she remembers and I want to make it as wonderful for her as possible (and she’s easily overwhelmed!)

 

[gap2368]

Interesting idea, thank you! Yes, My youngest will be almost 4. She’s been to Disney many times, but not any that she remembers and I want to make it as wonderful for her as possible (and she’s easily overwhelmed!)

I do not handle crowds at all ( and when I say at all I mean at all) if you have a stroller she can stay in their if the crowds get too much for her until you find a good spot to watch the welcome then after have her get back in the stroller until you get to your first ride ( if you get caught in the RD crowds) if you are going to either PP of 7DMT first you might want to head there a little quicker then other rides

 

[Vickie1016]

On NON EMH mornings, we (myself, DH & DD13) always do PPO BOG or Crystal Palace. We are at MK by 7:15-7:30 so that we are closest to the front of the PPO bkfst reservation line. This group is let into MK prior to the rest of the guests, but it is a very short window (maybe 5 minutes). We do not stop at the first Photographer, we head right for the last one, closet to the castle. That being said - DD is now 13 & can walk fast to get to the castle for a very less crowded picture (only a handful of people behind her)

Since this new opening procedure, we have only had one picture in front of the Castle with no one behind DD (and I took that with my phone, not photopass).

I do not have any experience with this, but wonder if after the welcome stage show when most people head to their first rides, is the area near the Castle is less crowded?