Question for early Crystal palace diners???

[kitty2kidz]

If you have had ressies for breakfast at CP, and were done before park opening--where did you get to wait for the rope drop?? Could you walk in through the castle and wait for rope drop outside of Fantasyland?? Also how long did it take for breakfast to eat and visit with the characters?? Can't wait!!!

 

[Vickie46]

I think you are at the end of the inside of the castle... that is where we always wait!!!

 

[jenrose66]

We had the first breakfast seating at CP this past July and we were done about 15 minutes before the rope drop. We went straight to the castle. Just as we were getting there a young male cm was roping off the castle in the center so we couldn't get through for Fantasy Land even though there were other people already there waiting. Then an older woman cm came and a family asked if they could move closer and she smiled and let them by and she let us in too. I thought that was kind of nice. Fanasy Land was great to get out of the way first. I know a lot of people race to the "mountains" but I love the Fantasy Land rides and since they are so short, it's nice being able to get on with no wait instead of waiting for 30 or 40 minutes. We even rode Dumbo with a 10 minute wait! Had we not been in Fantasy Land first, we wouldn't have gotten to do that ride.

 

[princess mom of 4]

Anybody know what time the first seatings are at CP? I got an 8:10 on a day the park opens at 9:00...just wondering if we'll be done before the rope goes down!!

 

[scrapperjill]

I think the first seating is 8am...but I could be wrong. We have an 8:05 seating...and was wondering the same thing as the OP....so I'm intrested in hearing what others have to say.

 

[swilphil]

I thought the first seating was at 8:05. We actually always stay at CP until right at 9 a.m. Tigger leads a little parade around the restaurants where the kids follow. They play a fun song. We still get to Dumbo before a huge line forms.

 

[Donnask8pro]

First seating is 8:05. But where to go first when finished breakfast?? Thats the question..

 

[kymberwolf]

Anybody know what time the first seatings are at CP? I got an 8:10 on a day the park opens at 9:00...just wondering if we'll be done before the rope goes down!!

Even though they officially open for service at 8:00 a.m., I think 8:05 is the first available ressie. If someone has ver gotten an 8:00 ressie, please post it here.

 

[kymberwolf]

First seating is 8:05. But where to go first when finished breakfast?? Thats the question..

 

[lovesdumbo]

I was at CP for an 8:10 ADR last Monday. We were finished up just around 9am and went to Fantasy Land were we walked on everything-even Dumbo we just waited for the next available ride and we did that after Peter Pan, Carosel, and Small World. Here's a shot taken from Dumbo of an empty Fantasyland at 10am. I think a lot of folks get "caught up" in the character greets on Main Street if you enter the park at 9:00. The Food was awesome too!!!

 

[MinnieM21]

First seating is 8:05. But where to go first when finished breakfast?? Thats the question..

When you're finished with breakfast you can walk around Main Street, take pictures in front of the castle, etc. There are ropes blocking off each land and you can wait behind the ropes until the park opens at 9am. You don't have to wait in front of the restaurant and you don't have to wait in the restaurant. Does that make sense?

 

[scrapperjill]

If you have an 8:05 ADR...anyone know what time you can get into the park? I'm REALLY wanting to take some pics of our girls infront of the castle without crowds....and i'm wanting to do it before we go to CP.....I was planning on going about 7:45-7:50...is that possible? I just have no idea as this will be our VERY first trip to WDW

 

[MinnieM21]

If you have an 8:05 ADR...anyone know what time you can get into the park? I'm REALLY wanting to take some pics of our girls infront of the castle without crowds....and i'm wanting to do it before we go to CP.....I was planning on going about 7:45-7:50...is that possible? I just have no idea as this will be our VERY first trip to WDW

They let you in at 8:05am. There's no rush to get to the restaurant at all. The CMs at the CP know that you were let in at 8:05am. We had an 8:05am ADR and slowly walked to the CP.
I was first to check in (even though I wasn't even first in line outside of the MK) and the CMs we just opening up the restaurant. After we were done eating(around 8:45am) there were barely any people in the MK since people were still eating and they hadn't let anyone in the MK yet(besides the people with ADRs).

 

[scrapperjill]

MinnieM21...did you fill rushed in eating? CP is a buffet right? So it's not like we'll be waiting to order and get our meal? They really don't let you in the MK until 8:05...i'd think they'd atleast let you in at 8am to have time to walk to CP...What if your a REAL slow walker? And while were on the topic of getting into MK for ADR early...what do you do if your planning on getting/renting a stroller or wheel chair for the day...or even a locker? Are you able to do that before you head to CP? I seem to be full of questions revolving around our ADR at CP...it's just things I hadn't thought about until now....thanks to the OP (That's why I love these boards)

 

[MinnieM21]

scrapperjill: Yes, the Crystal Palace is a buffet. Your server will explain how the buffet works(that the buffet's over there, name some items and tell you that the characters will be coming around) and take your drink orders. Then you're able to get up and go to the buffet. I didn't fill rushed in eating at all. Since I had a 8:05am ADR, there weren't very many people in the restaurant, so I didn't have to wait in the buffet line. Also, with an early ADR, the characters came to you right away because there were barely any people inside the Crystal Palace. There's Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore (they come around to everyone) and Piglet (who is at the buffet line).

They let you in at 8:05am. I walked really slow and was still first to check in. When I got to the CP, they were just about to open the doors and I had to wait a couple of minutes. Don't worry, you won't get to the CP at exactly 8:05am, that's ok.

I have no idea about renting strollers/ wheelchairs or lockers. Sorry.