Surfs Up! Logistics Questions

[theworldneedscolor]

We have a reservation for the Surfs Up! breakfast March 26th, a little after eight. I have a few questions:

1) We will be staying offsite and driving to the parks. I was thinking of parking at Mickey and Friends, taking the tram to DTD, then walking to PPH. Afterwards, we could wake to DTD and take the monorail or walk to the main gates (which is quicker for entering the parks with this new photo thing?). Is this the quickest way? My mom was thinking of parking at the hotel and then reparking the car for the park, but that seems like it would take a lot of time to me.

2) We are ordering Photopass+. Our breakfast is on our first park day, so we won't be able to redeem our voucher beforehand. How can we still get the picture?

3) We are really hoping to see Stitch. Has anyone been there and had him NOT be there?

4) Finally, we are group of teens and adults. I am worried that we will be ignored by the characters. Has anyone had a poor experience going with an older group? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sherilaine]

About the photopass - I would call Disney to find out - as I have read that if you pay for the dining pictures, keep the receipt from the character dining and you can add it on later. That some dining experiences do not even let you get the photos without doing this.

We saw Stitch when we were there but he did not come in around 9:30 so people who were there earlier would not have seen him.

I would say park where you want your car to be at the END of the day and not the beginning but I have only ever walked to Disneyland.

Have fun!

 

[thespores]

We have a reservation for the Surfs Up! breakfast March 26th, a little after eight. I have a few questions:

1) We will be staying offsite and driving to the parks. I was thinking of parking at Mickey and Friends, taking the tram to DTD, then walking to PPH. Afterwards, we could wake to DTD and take the monorail or walk to the main gates (which is quicker for entering the parks with this new photo thing?). Is this the quickest way? My mom was thinking of parking at the hotel and then reparking the car for the park, but that seems like it would take a lot of time to me.

2) We are ordering Photopass+. Our breakfast is on our first park day, so we won't be able to redeem our voucher beforehand. How can we still get the picture?

3) We are really hoping to see Stitch. Has anyone been there and had him NOT be there?

4) Finally, we are group of teens and adults. I am worried that we will be ignored by the characters. Has anyone had a poor experience going with an older group? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

1. We went on 2/26, parked at the PPH garage (free) and went to breakfast and then got back in the car and drove to the Mickey and Friends garage. Worked well for us. But we have little ones!

2. We also went to the breakfast before we went to the park, I had heard I would pay and then be reimbursed - instead they just told me to tell them when I redeemed my photopass+ to add the photo to our account. I did and it worked! BUT we did not get a cute little folder and the pictures printed- I think I was suppose to ask for it at photopass place but they seemed a little flustered. Regardless I have the images!

3. Plan on being there for 90 minutes. They introduce the characters as they come out. When we got there Stitch and Pluto were out, then Minnie and Daisy came out. Then I think they all left and came out one by one again. Stitch became my youngest son's absolute favorite!

4. I really enjoyed watching the character interaction with all the tables around us at Mickey's and Goofy's. I really think the characters interact with you based on your interaction with them. Get excited to see them and they'll be excited to see you. There was a young couple next to us at Goofy's and they had lots of interactions!

But I read so many different things about the character meals I'm not sure you'll even be able to know what to expect! We had a great time though!

 

[gatorfreud]

We stayed at PPH and our friends drove over to meet us for breakfast. They said they just parked in the lot. No ticket, no nothing. So I'm not sure you couldn;t just stay there all day. Not sure that is technically allowed, and it could be different on a different day, but just letting you know what happened to us.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you park in M&F lot I wouldn't take the tram to DTD, I'd just walk down the street to PPH. If you take the tram you have to back track out of DTD (or through the GCH) to get to PPH.

 

[Girimama33]

We have a reservation for the Surfs Up! breakfast March 26th, a little after eight. I have a few questions:

1) We will be staying offsite and driving to the parks. I was thinking of parking at Mickey and Friends, taking the tram to DTD, then walking to PPH. Afterwards, we could wake to DTD and take the monorail or walk to the main gates (which is quicker for entering the parks with this new photo thing?). Is this the quickest way? My mom was thinking of parking at the hotel and then reparking the car for the park, but that seems like it would take a lot of time to me.
As long as no one has any issues with walking, I recommend parking at M&F and walk to PPH. Do not take tram...you will have to back track through DTD like 3minnies mentioned.
2) We are ordering Photopass+. Our breakfast is on our first park day, so we won't be able to redeem our voucher beforehand. How can we still get the picture?
If you want to ensure you get the pictures, you should purchase the package at the breakfast and take the receipt with you when you pick up the PP+ card/lanyard. They will refund you for the photo package at that time.
3) We are really hoping to see Stitch. Has anyone been there and had him NOT be there?
He has always been there when we have gone.

4) Finally, we are group of teens and adults. I am worried that we will be ignored by the characters. Has anyone had a poor experience going with an older group? Any suggestions?
You guys should be fine. This character meal has great interaction for all ages. They do a lot of singing, dancing and games too.
Thanks in advance!

Hope that helps.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

Thanks for all the responses! I am even more excited now

So I'm thinking we will park at M&F and walk to PPH. About how long of a walk is it?

And then, how long of a walk is it to the esplanade? We wanted to take the monorail, but I just realized we will only have the print out of our tickets, so we have to go to the booth. Is there a booth by the monorail station?

We saw Stitch when we were there but he did not come in around 9:30 so people who were there earlier would not have seen him.

Uh oh, this makes me a little worried. I really hope he decides to come in early on our day

 

[theworldneedscolor]

Leaving in 2 and 1/2 days!!!

Any answers RE: walking time from M&F to PPH? PPH to esplanade?

 

[tbgmom]

Great info here. I have another question regarding Surf's Up. We're staying at FFI and have an 8am reservation. How much time should I give us to walk to the PPH? My youngest is 7 and we walk at a decent speed usually. Also is it faster to go through DTD, or down West Katella? Although, since it's our first morning, I have a feeling DTD is the way we'll go even if it takes longer, just to get us in the mood, and because we'll be excited to be there!

 

[ValpoCory]

Just adding in that walking from Surf's Up to the Esplanade is easy. It's fastest to walk through the Grand Californian lobby out to Downtown Disney and then to the Esplanade.

We loved Surf's Up! They offer a 10% to Disney Visa cardholders, Disney Rewards Redemption Card holders, and DVC Members. And the PP+ is a nice benefit to eating there, too.