Strategies for A&E after 8:05 Crystal Palace?

[WriterGina]

We have an 8:05 ADR for Crystal Palace on our first MK day (a non-EMH day), with crowds rated by TouringPlans as a 5. Because we're off property, the only FastPass+ for Anna/Elsa we were able to get was at 10:30 pm on our second day, which is probably kind of pointless as a) I've heard the lines aren't that long at that time anyway, and b) there is virtually no chance my kids (9, 7 and 4) will be coherent at that time of night after a full day in the park. (Especially the 4yo.)

So I'm thinking of trying to arrive plenty early for Crystal Palace (7:30 early enough?) and not be too leisurely with breakfast, so we can be at the Castle rope before it drops (which is shortly after 9 am, when the "walking rope" group from the main gates gets there, correct?) and try to get to the A&E line before it's insane. We won't be heartbroken if we don't get pictures/autographs with every single Pooh character.

Any suggestions for strategies here so that we can do our best to get a relatively short standby wait? Where to stand? Which path to take? I know we need to be sure to ask for our check fairly early. Anyone else have any other recommendations/tips? Has anyone been successful doing this?

 

[Candleshoe]

When you get seated and meet your server, ask him/her to bring your check right away. That's what we always do at CP so we can "check out" while we're still eating

 

[Missyrose]

We have an 8:05 ADR for Crystal Palace on our first MK day (a non-EMH day), with crowds rated by TouringPlans as a 5. Because we're off property, the only FastPass+ for Anna/Elsa we were able to get was at 10:30 pm on our second day, which is probably kind of pointless as a) I've heard the lines aren't that long at that time anyway, and b) there is virtually no chance my kids (9, 7 and 4) will be coherent at that time of night after a full day in the park. (Especially the 4yo.)

So I'm thinking of trying to arrive plenty early for Crystal Palace (7:30 early enough?) and not be too leisurely with breakfast, so we can be at the Castle rope before it drops (which is shortly after 9 am, when the "walking rope" group from the main gates gets there, correct?) and try to get to the A&E line before it's insane. We won't be heartbroken if we don't get pictures/autographs with every single Pooh character.

Any suggestions for strategies here so that we can do our best to get a relatively short standby wait? Where to stand? Which path to take? I know we need to be sure to ask for our check fairly early. Anyone else have any other recommendations/tips? Has anyone been successful doing this?

They will let you in around 7:45 or 7:50 if the park has a 9 a.m. opening. If you are staying to see every character at Crystal Palace, you won't be done until at least 9, or more likely after 9. By that point the line for A&E will likely be 80 to 120 minutes. There have been two pockets during the day that sometimes see dips in wait times for A&E, the first coming a couple of hours into the park day, between 10:15 and 11 ish, sometimes the wait during that time will drop to the 45-60 minute range, sometimes lower on less-crowded days. Worth walking by at that time to see.

The other (non-park-closing) time for a lower wait would be during Festival of Fantasy/Wishes. Most people in the parks like to see the afternoon parade and the fireworks, so there are fewer people in line at those times.

Keep trying for FP+ reservations, they may still pop up.

 

[WriterGina]

We definitely don't need to stay to see every character at Crystal Palace. If we get 2-3 that's probably fine. I was thinking we could try to be walking out by 8:50, regardless of which character(s) are left to meet.

 

[Candleshoe]

We definitely don't need to stay to see every character at Crystal Palace. If we get 2-3 that's probably fine. I was thinking we could try to be walking out by 8:50, regardless of which character(s) are left to meet.

Also, try to get there a little earlier than you originally planned. You'll want to be the first to check in at the podium.

 

[WriterGina]

Also, try to get there a little earlier than you originally planned. You'll want to be the first to check in at the podium.

So maybe 7:15 instead of 7:30?

 

[Candleshoe]

So maybe 7:15 instead of 7:30?

That's what I'd do in your shoes.

 

[asbyrneva]

Another way to go is try and get BOG for breakfast if the real reason you are doing CP is to try and get to A&E as early as possible. You arent dependent on characters or servers its less than the CP breakfast and since you will already be at Fantasyland the early reports is that the rope from there might get you to A&E faster than the rope holding folks back from CP.

Havent done it myself but sounds like an option if you can get a reservation.

 

[MermaidMommy]

They've been opening MK up 10-15 minutes early on most mornings (other than EMH mornings). So, if you're finishing up at 8:50, you might not be ahead of the rope drop crowds. The rope at the castle will likely drop before 9:00, not after.

 

[mort1331]

Keep an eye on the opening times right up to the week before you leave. We had this plan, and then they changed the opening times to 8am, so CP got canceled since there was no advantage now.
The thing we were planning on doing is having one person in our party leave breakfast early, say 820 and go wait in line at the rope, that way we would be right near the start.

 

[WEDWDW]

The most recent reports are there is not a Rope at the Castle-BOG,CP,CRT Guests can "roam" the "Carousel area" and there are CMs stationed to keep Guests in that area until the end of Magic Kingdom Welcome at the front of the Park.

At that point,BOG,CP,CRT Guests are allowed to access SDMT and A&E before the Main Gate line arrives.

 

[oceanmarina]

When you get seated and meet your server, ask him/her to bring your check right away. That's what we always do at CP so we can "check out" while we're still eating

Yes to that, I find that the service can be slow at crystal palace, so yes get there early, ask for the check after ordering your meal. Also, keep checking fast pass + to see if anything else pops up for Anna & Elsa (I lucked out last summer by looking for 2 passes instead of 4, I was only able to get a mid day pass, so my hubby & son happily stayed at the hotel pool while I took my daughter to see them). Good luck!

 

[WriterGina]

The most recent reports are there is not a Rope at the Castle-BOG,CP,CRT Guests can "roam" the "Carousel area" and there are CMs stationed to keep Guests in that area until the end of Magic Kingdom Welcome at the front of the Park.

At that point,BOG,CP,CRT Guests are allowed to access SDMT and A&E before the Main Gate line arrives.

Oh, that's encouraging! Thanks!

 

[Puffy2]

Do all three of your children really want to see A&E? if not, have one parent hang back and enjoy finishing their breakfast with the child who isn't really into it. might be easier not having to rush out with the whole family.

 

[WriterGina]

My daughters definitely both do, but not sure if my son will care or not, especially since there's no Olaf, Kristoff or Sven. Depending on how things go, that may be an option!