Tusker House in AK before Rope Drop

[scottmel]

To avoid the heat of waiting in line at rope drop, I like to do a sit down breakfast in the park prior to the park opening. I have never done this concept for AK and booked Tusker House at 8 with a RD at 9 at AK. I can't visualize where Tusker House is but being in AK and coming out of Tusker House at 8:50, I am already way inside the park right? MEaning I won't be queing up behind masses of people waiting for Rope Drop. I am IN there and can just head over to Everest, correct?

 

[believer]

I am wondering the same thing. We have an 805 ressie. I hear that the opening parade at AK is awesome. Where will we bea fter Bfast?

 

[Tam1067]

Tusker House is very close to the safari in Africa so when you're done with breakfast you'll just have a short walk to ride. If your ADR is at 8:05 or so, you should finish up right about 9:00 and then you'll be ahead of the crowds. You will, however, miss the short opening ceremony which is held near the park entrance.

 

[scottmel]

I can live without the ceremony. Saw it last June. Cute but definately not worth it standing there sweating!!!!! I prefer to at least not be pouring sweat before 9!! hence my 8 ADR..Thanks for the input. Will keep my ADR...

 

[irishdadx4]

Tusker House is basically on the opposite end of the park from Everest. If your intention is to be out of Tusker House at nine and over at everest before the crowds, you wont make it. We had a 8:05 ADR for tusker house and got out into the park at 9:00 I believe and we really pushed through breakfast to get done that fast. We even skipped the "obilgatory" picture with Donald before they sit you at your table, that really threw the CM's for a loop, but I wasn't wasting 15 minutes standing in line for a pic we didn't need. I'm not sure if Disney lets you move about the park if you finish up your breakfast before 9, before the rope drop ceremony is done, or if they keep you back in the African/Harambi village until after the ceremony is done. Maybe other's will have a more informed answer. We just used the opportunity to get on one of the first safari trips, since we had out Tusker House Breakfast on our second Animal Kingdom day and had done EE fastpasses on first day first thing. Although I think I walked over to get EE fastpasses while my family went on the safari. So that might be an option. We really have never ridden EE without a fast pass. It's the only way to do it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Others will beat you to Everest.
2) If done with breakfast, you cannot wonder the park.
3) You are on the opposite side of the park from Everest.
4) So, by the time you get going, you are following the mob.

 

[Motomom06]

We had a 8am ADR at Tusker house in Dec. After you are finished with breakfast if you are before 9am they have the areas outside of Tusker house roped off. The walk way to get to Everest and the walk way to get to the Safari have a rope and cast member. You are already deep inside the park. Once those cast members drop the ropes, walk directly to Everest. The crowds will be coming in droves behind you! Watch for King Louie and DeVine on they way. They will distract most people from their main mission!!

 

[mom2rtk]

If you're doing Tusker House, I suggest going with the strength of the situation, and grab a FP for the safari, then DO the safari, then head for EE right AFTER the initial crowd clears. By then you will probably be able to grab a FP for a return trip to EE for later.

 

[marlaine]

We had 8:05 reservations at Tusker House last Sept. and we'll definately do it again this year! We felt so special being allowed in the park before opening! I also appreciated that they had photopass people for pictures as you walk in.

 

[believer]

LAst time we did not have a AM reservation and we raced to the safari, and made it before the long lines. This time we have an 805 reservation ast TUsker House, and I am so releived to hear that we can hit the Safari first thing. Fortunately for us, my DD and DS are not EE thrill seekers, and my husband will be able to ride that one later with a FP. SOunds PERFECT. It's all coming together nicely.

 

[captainj]

To make sure you are out of the restaurant before the crowds are let in, tell your server to bring your check as soon as they greet you. Pay the second it comes so that when you are finished eating you can leave without waiting around for the bill.

 

[jenjersnap]

If you're doing Tusker House, I suggest going with the strength of the situation, and grab a FP for the safari, then DO the safari, then head for EE right AFTER the initial crowd clears. By then you will probably be able to grab a FP for a return trip to EE for later.

This, for sure. Personally, I do not think doing Tusker House JUST to get to Everest makes sense. Still, I highly recommend Tusker House - it's our favorite character meal.

When we were there last, they didn't drop the rope letting TH guests through to the Safari until the main crowd of guests was almost caught up, so I also agree with the PP who said to ask for your check first thing because you want to be at the rope by 8:55 or so.

 

[mkleinbe]

I'm going to jump in with a question. (OP, please forgive me for the hijack. ) We have an 8:00 at TH with a 9:00 RD. My question is, when are they going to let me in to get to the restaurant? It seemed like last year when we went it was close to 8:00 if not 8:00 before they started letting people in the gates to get back to TH. As you all know, it's a hike from the gates. I can see us not getting there until 8:15 or so if they don't let us in until 8:00. Can someone share prior experiences in regards to this situation with me? Thanks so much! (And thanks OP for sharing your thread, I'm hoping the information will be useful to you as well...)

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm going to jump in with a question. (OP, please forgive me for the hijack. ) We have an 8:00 at TH with a 9:00 RD. My question is, when are they going to let me in to get to the restaurant? It seemed like last year when we went it was close to 8:00 if not 8:00 before they started letting people in the gates to get back to TH. As you all know, it's a hike from the gates. I can see us not getting there until 8:15 or so if they don't let us in until 8:00. Can someone share prior experiences in regards to this situation with me? Thanks so much! (And thanks OP for sharing your thread, I'm hoping the information will be useful to you as well...)

I'll be curious to hear the answer to this too. I want to do this at AK on our next trip. I have found that at MK with 8:05 ADR's, it varies quite a bit. Sometimes they let you in at 7:50, sometimes it's right up at 8:00.....

 

[ICan'tWait]

I'm going to jump in with a question. (OP, please forgive me for the hijack. ) We have an 8:00 at TH with a 9:00 RD. My question is, when are they going to let me in to get to the restaurant? It seemed like last year when we went it was close to 8:00 if not 8:00 before they started letting people in the gates to get back to TH. As you all know, it's a hike from the gates. I can see us not getting there until 8:15 or so if they don't let us in until 8:00. Can someone share prior experiences in regards to this situation with me? Thanks so much! (And thanks OP for sharing your thread, I'm hoping the information will be useful to you as well...)

That's a great question. That is a little bit of a walk and we'll be traveling with MIL (legally blind and takes her a while).

 

[mkleinbe]

Anyone with experience with TH 8:00 ADR? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[MickeyEars]

I just made an 8:00 ADR for Donald's today. I couldn't believe it was still available at 133 days out. I love online ADR's!!!

Carla

 

[mkleinbe]

Yay Carla!!! I'm excited. We've not eaten there before. I just hope we can manage to get there somewhere near our ADR of 8:00.