rainforest cafe AK - need park entry?

[Ariel620]

Hi there,
I have a 12:30 reservation for lunch at rainforest cafe at AK. Does this restaurant require park entry to eat at it? I think it's outside of the park right? So would I be able to eat (a long meal) there at 12:30, then enter the park at 2pm when we are allowed to park hop to AK?

I currently have HS reserved that day, so would like to do HS in the morning, and hop to AK at 2pm (with lunch at 12:30). I don't want to do it the other way around because I want another shot at getting a ROTR boarding group if we don't get one the first day, so I'd like to keep the park pass for HS. We will have a car, so hopping is relatively convienient, even if we have to hop back later if our boarding group gets called late.

 

[FCDub]

No Park entry required. In fact, there is an entrance INTO the park at one of the restaurant exits.

 

[tobikaye]

The entrance is outside of the park entrance so you will not have to scan into the park until after you are done eating.

 

[Kerr84]

Just know to try for the boarding groups at 1:00, you must be in the park.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Just know to try for the boarding groups at 1:00, you must be in the park.

Actually you don’t have to be in the park. As long as you’ve tapped into DHS before 1pm you can try for the BG from anywhere.

 

[LovesTimone]

No Park entry required. In fact, there is an entrance INTO the park at one of the restaurant exits.

We had lunch there in Feb. 2020, and they are routing everyone back out through the main entrance. Before the shut down they always used what we call the back door entrance into the park, normally there are cast members, and the turnstile to use your magic band or card.. Remember you will have to go through the temp. check and all that.. So 12:30 would be a good time...

For us at least we don't rush, we normally are in there about a hour and half... so you should be good to go...

 

[Kerr84]

Actually you don’t have to be in the park. As long as you’ve tapped into DHS before 1pm you can try for the BG from anywhere.

Disney need to change this then. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/star-wars-galaxys-edge/request-boarding-group-in-advance/

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Disney need to change this then. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/star-wars-galaxys-edge/request-boarding-group-in-advance/

Yeah, that whole thing is outdated considering it's talking about park hopping starting back up in January. I'm just telling you how it works in practice, you don't have to be inside the park at 1 as long as you were tapped in prior.

 

[Kerr84]

Yeah, that whole thing is outdated considering it's talking about park hopping starting back up in January. I'm just telling you how it works in practice, you don't have to be inside the park at 1 as long as you were tapped in prior.

I like your way much better! Thank you!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Enjoy, Yum n fun too!

 

[person]

We had lunch there in Feb. 2020, and they are routing everyone back out through the main entrance. Before the shut down they always used what we call the back door entrance into the park, normally there are cast members, and the turnstile to use your magic band or card.. Remember you will have to go through the temp. check and all that.. So 12:30 would be a good time...

For us at least we don't rush, we normally are in there about a hour and half... so you should be good to go...

With some of these complexes, making sure you have enough time before closing time can be a bit of an issue sometimes, can't it?