Rope drop and ADR

[monica9]

Since we are using our fast pass in frozen, we need to get to Epcot for rope drop for soarin and then test track. We want to eat at garden grill. I have an 8:30am which is the earliest I can find but there's a 9:30 also. Think we can take the 9:30 and run to soarin first? Only problem is we have our 13 month old so will need to do rider switch. There's also a 1pm but we are hoping to go back to our resort and nap and come back for Epcot at night. I was hoping to leave Epcot for 12 so we can get back by 3 (staying at AKL). Park closes at 11 that night. What to do!what to do

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Since we are using our fast pass in frozen, we need to get to Epcot for rope drop for soarin and then test track. We want to eat at garden grill. I have an 8:30am which is the earliest I can find but there's a 9:30 also. Think we can take the 9:30 and run to soarin first? Only problem is we have our 13 month old so will need to do rider switch. There's also a 1pm but we are hoping to go back to our resort and nap and come back for Epcot at night. I was hoping to leave Epcot for 12 so we can get back by 3 (staying at AKL). Park closes at 11 that night. What to do!what to do

Just FYI, even though that PPO reservation is for 8:30, you are still let in to the park early with the PPO crowd (7:50ish) and will 'likely' be seated early too. I've done this a couple of times and have been seated shortly after arriving regardless of my ADR time. I've done this with the specific purpose of eating somewhat quickly and being out the door either to do TT or Soarin' at/relatively close to RD and it's worked pretty well.

YMMV, but that's been my experience.

 

[monica9]

Just FYI, even though that PPO reservation is for 8:30, you are still let in to the park early with the PPO crowd (7:50ish) and will 'likely' be seated early too. I've done this a couple of times and have been seated shortly after arriving regardless of my ADR time. I've done this with the specific purpose of eating somewhat quickly and being out the door either to do TT or Soarin' at/relatively close to RD and it's worked pretty well.

YMMV, but that's been my experience.

Meaning we should get to the park for7:50 and maybe be seated before our 8:30 reservation? So you think it would be wise to keep the 8:30 in hopes to getting to soarin at least by 9:30

 

[monica9]

Just FYI, even though that PPO reservation is for 8:30, you are still let in to the park early with the PPO crowd (7:50ish) and will 'likely' be seated early too. I've done this a couple of times and have been seated shortly after arriving regardless of my ADR time. I've done this with the specific purpose of eating somewhat quickly and being out the door either to do TT or Soarin' at/relatively close to RD and it's worked pretty well.

YMMV, but that's been my experience.

They won't open rides at 8 if letting people in at 7:50 right?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

They won't open rides at 8 if letting people in at 7:50 right?

Unless there are AM EMHs that morning (which would be from 8AM-9AM), then no.

To my knowledge it's been a very long time since Epcot has had a regular park opening before 9AM. It's not like MK which can (and often does) have 8AM openings added which can screw up folks with PPO ADR plans.

I just checked my photos from last time I did this. We were going through the ticket gates at 7:47AM and my first photo of us seated with a character was 8:03AM. I'm pretty sure my ADR was for 8:20 if I'm not mistaken. Obviously everything 'worked' for me timing wise that particular morning, we were done and off to TT along with the rest of the rope drop crowd. Obviously a few minutes here/there can change things.

Does that help?

 

[monica9]

Just managed to get a 10:15 am for garden grill after refreshing my phone all day!

Think we can do soarin and test track with rider switch all between 9-10:15?

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

You can use the rider switch later...for the second person.

 

[monica9]

You can use the rider switch later...for the second person.

Oh awesome! Thank you!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Yes you will make the 10:15. Garden Grill has always been very lenient when it comes to ADR time. We have gotten seated much earlier - or was going to be an hour late - we went to them first and they said not to worry. But you should make the 10:15am.