Scored an 8 am at Akershus with a little switcheroo!

hollypoast

Travel Planner Specializing in Disney
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
1,097
I'm sure everyone here is aware of this trick but I thought I'd share my luck in case it helps someone out.

My ADR date is today. I got up early hoping to grab a PPO (Prior to Park Opening) reservation at Akershus. No luck... the closest I could get was 8:45 am. (not enough time to eat, meet princesses and get in line for Frozen Ever After before the park opens) Today over lunch I looked again but nothing so I started playing with the number of people in the party. I was able to reserve an 8 am reservation for 6 (I only need 2). Then I went into my reservations and tickets screen and was able to modify the reservation, changing it from 6ppl to 2ppl and it allowed me to keep the SAME TIME! I'm so excited and cannot believe it worked! Yay! I can't wait to get home and tell my DD... she is going to freak out. :)
 
All of the pre park reservation people get let into the park at the same time. A person with the 8:45 reservation would get in to the park and be able to go to their reservation at the same time as the 8:00 person. People are seated first come first served, not by time.

GLad you got the ressie you wanted!
 
All of the pre park reservation people get let into the park at the same time. A person with the 8:45 reservation would get in to the park and be able to go to their reservation at the same time as the 8:00 person. People are seated first come first served, not by time.

GLad you got the ressie you wanted!

My past experience differs from this. I have had a PPO res. at Crystal Palace and was held at the gate until about 15 minutes prior to the res. time....
 
It is interesting that two members have had totally different experiences regarding this. Hoping others may chime in, as many of us have not been in several years, and know not what to expect.
 

I've had many PPO res. many times over the years including 3 last November and my family has never been held back. Were you held back recently? Maybe it's a new way of doing it?
 
I've had many PPO res. many times over the years including 3 last November and my family has never been held back. Were you held back recently? Maybe it's a new way of doing it?


Two years ago we had a Crystal Palace res. at 8:20 am. We arrived at the gate/check in person at 8 am and she had us wait 5 mins. before letting us enter the park. Also, a few years back our kids got hungry early so I tried checking in at Akershus 25 mins. early (for lunch res.) and they said we could not check in until 10 mins before our reservation time. Based on these two experiences I assume we needed an 8 am reservation at Akershus. (bubble bursted) :(

So, I guess the question is, how early do I need to arrive at the park to ensure that I can use my 8 am reservation at 8 am? Seems really unfair that someone with an 8:45 am res. can slide in and take my spot.
 
This gives me hope on my 8:20 rezzie. So by policy, I can check in at 8:10, but may as well head straight there and try at 8 AM? The wort they can do is tell me no, right?

EDITED TO ADD: I was just able to change my rezzie to 8 AM doing this too! Yay! Thank you for the heads up!

EDITED TO ADD AGAIN: I was able to do the same to my Tusker House rezzie and now have a pretty little 8 AM rezzie for that one too! Thank you SO much!
 
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