Strategy for sort-of-early ADR/appointment at MK?

[Mikie]

My SIL is a Disney newbie and I'm the assigned "expert" although I've never done RD at MK.

She has appointments at the barbershop on Main St at 9:00 am & supposed to be there at 8:45. She's thinking "cool! I get to get in the park before opening" but I know that time is going to be right in the thick of the RD activity. Even if you haven't done the barbershop I assume a Crystal Palace ADR at 8:30-8:45 would be similar. . .

Any advice on how to get there through the RD crowd? Time? Can we get in even before 8:45 to take pics before our appointment? Particular turnstile to go to? She'll be coming from POP on a Disney bus so if you have a recommended departure time from there, that's awesome to. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

My SIL is a Disney newbie and I'm the assigned "expert" although I've never done RD at MK.

She has appointments at the barbershop on Main St at 9:00 am & supposed to be there at 8:45. She's thinking "cool! I get to get in the park before opening" but I know that time is going to be right in the thick of the RD activity. Even if you haven't done the barbershop I assume a Crystal Palace ADR at 8:30-8:45 would be similar. . .



1. Any advice on how to get there through the RD crowd? Time?

2. Can we get in even before 8:45 to take pics before our appointment? Particular turnstile to go to?

3. She'll be coming from POP on a Disney bus so if you have a recommended departure time from there, that's awesome to. Thanks!

1. Arrive at MK gates by 8:15AM

2. Go to the far right-hand gate and tell them you have an early appointment.
The worst that can happen is that they say, "no."
Otherwise, entry may be allowed then, or within the next 15 minutes, or so.

3.Be at the Pop bus stop by 7:40AM.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

An 8:30 ADR at Crystal Palace will have you still dining till well after the RD crowd has moved past. Yes there is a special turnstile a CM will direct you to. From my understanding some days there will be MM photogs available prior to park opening.

 

[Imagineer5]

1. Arrive at MK gates by 8:15AM

2. Go to the far right-hand gate and tell them you have an early appointment.
The worst that can happen is that they say, "no."
Otherwise, entry my be allowed then, or within the next 15 minutes, or so.

3.Be at the Pop bus stop by 7:40AM.

Odd, I've always gone to the far-left for early entry (generally for CP, do that every trip and was just there 3 weeks ago).

 

[Mikie]

1. Arrive at MK gates by 8:15AM

2. Go to the far right-hand gate and tell them you have an early appointment.
The worst that can happen is that they say, "no."
Otherwise, entry my be allowed then, or within the next 15 minutes, or so.

3.Be at the Pop bus stop by 7:40AM.

Very specific and very helpful, thanks!!

An 8:30 ADR at Crystal Palace will have you still dining till well after the RD crowd has moved past. Yes there is a special turnstile a CM will direct you to. From my understanding some days there will be MM photogs available prior to park opening.

Didn't know about the possibility of getting a MM photog too, that would be awesome! Was mostly just thinking about getting our own relatively uncrowded snapshots.

I wonder if there are any MM photogs at the barbershop? Both niece and nephew are getting their first haircuts there.

 

[Mikie]

Odd, I've always gone to the far-left for early entry (generally for CP, do that every trip and was just there 3 weeks ago).

Well, sounds like we should go far left OR far right, but definitely not down the middle I know a CM will direct us as needed, but best to walk in the somewhat right direction vs wandering like lost sheep!

 

[Robo]

Odd, I've always gone to the far-left for early entry (generally for CP, do that every trip and was just there 3 weeks ago).

They sometimes change the location of the early-entry gate.
(Yes, it will be either of the far-edge gates.)

Nearly every time I say it's on the left, someone reports that it's on the right.
So, I switch what I say and then, before long, I get another report that the opposite is true again.

In any event...
Just look for the "Character Breakfast" banner over a far-end gate.
That's it!