Reservation at Tusker's

[WeLoveToyStory]

Just wondering how this will work or if it's even possible....We are staying at CBR and I made an 8:10 a.m. reservation here on our AK day. It's a day when AK doesn't open until 9 a.m. I read the buses don't start running until an hour before park opening, which means we'd only have 10 minutes to get there if a bus came right away and I know that's not going to work out. Is that correct about buses? We won't have a car so will be relying soley on Disney transportation. Just wondering if I'll need to move my reservation to a later time. If the buses do run earlier than 8 a.m. and I can keep this reservation, what time does Guest Services open because we will also need to stop by there and get a GAC for our son. I could walk back up and get it if they open later but I'd rather not have to do that if I can avoid it.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

There will definitely be character buses running by 7 am and more often than not, we have found buses available as early as 6-6:30 am. You will be fine with your 8:10 am adr for Tusker - definitely keep it because with that adr you should be done in time for rope drop and you will be at the beginning of the pack for the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. This is what we used to do when we ate at Tusker House for brkfst on our AK day and it always worked out great.

 

[WeLoveToyStory]

Thanks! I did run across info. somewhere after I posted stating character buses start running earlier. That was our plan too. Get in the park for breakfast and hopefully be done right at opening so we'll already be there at rope drop.

Anyone know what time Guest Services opens though? This will be the 1st day of our trip that we are in the parks and I need to get a GAC for my son and was hoping to get it on our way in before we headed to the restaraunt.

 

[shawnh199]

I believe guest services is open if its the same kind of thing where my sister-in-law got her electric cart. We had an early morning ADR before the park opened and strollers, etc were available to get at that time. At Magic Kindom there was a small shop open where we were able to get an autograph book. I imagine the same would be true of each park.

Hope that helps.

 

[brajfamily]

Although we rent a car, we always make a ressie at Tusker House for 8:00 on our AK day. It works out GREAT! The buffet is excellent and the character interaction is too. We actually go there because it is my husband's favorite breakfast place and his top pick when making ADR's. Plus, as someone already said, you will be at the rope drop just a short distance from the safari. Have a great trip!

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

We have never had an issue making our ressies that early. The buses are always running. We usually stay at POP but this year we are also staying at CBR with 8:10 ADR's there.

 

[matt and beth]

Just to second the previous comments.

We just returned from WDW and found the buses running at seven for the AK. Just make sure you are at the stop at 7! They only run about 20 minutes apart. So, if you miss the first bus you put yourself behind.

Secondly, you will absolutley love getting to the park so early. I ran and got FP to Everest and we walk right on to the Safari. We hit the two main atractions in the first 30 minutes of park opening.

 

[WeLoveToyStory]

Thanks for all the great responses! I've been a long-time lurker, 1st time poster. I've pretty much been addicted to this site since I found it this time last year when I started planning our '09 trip. Disboards is my "crack".

One more question about guest services...I can't remember from last summer...do you have to go through the turnstiles to get to guest services? I'm thinking maybe we can just jet over to Epcot Wed. evening after we arrive and get settled and get our GAC for our son so we don't have to rush and try to do it the following morning before our Tusker's breakfast.

 

[SueM in MN]

Each park has a Guest Relations station inside and just outside of the park. You need to go thru security, but do not need to go thru the turnstiles into the park to get to Guest Relations.
There is more information in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which you can get to by following yhe link in my signature.

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Just to second the previous comments.

We just returned from WDW and found the buses running at seven for the AK. Just make sure you are at the stop at 7! They only run about 20 minutes apart. So, if you miss the first bus you put yourself behind.

Secondly, you will absolutley love getting to the park so early. I ran and got FP to Everest and we walk right on to the Safari. We hit the two main atractions in the first 30 minutes of park opening.

I think we missed the 7 AM bus from POP, but caught the next one and had plenty of time. We had time for a picture in front of a sign, attitude from a couple kids who needed "a talking to", enjoyed the unique Christmas tree and got more pictures. They were not letting people through the turnstyle yet. We then lined up at the turnstyle while a CM came down with a list of ADRs. Then everyone walked back to TH. We took our time, even had a CM offer to take a family picture for us in with the tree in the background. Waited in small line to go through and get our pictures and in to the restaurant.

Honestly, if I had an 8:10 ADR, I would treat it as an 8AM ADR, as I think there is no distinction made that early in the AM.

I would also ask for the check right away, so you have everything handled and you can leave when you want to. We forgot and our kids thoroughly enjoyed the buffet! At 8:55, we weren't finished yet, so I sent DH to FP KS, while asked for the check. Then we settled up with he came back with our KTTW cards. Didn't affect our touring, but on a more crowded day, it may have been an issue. GET YOUR CHECK EARLY!!!