Update on Pre-RD ADR/A&E Strategy

WriterGina

Mouseketeer
Joined
Mar 16, 2015
Messages
110
Hi folks! Checking in from Wyndham Bonnet Creek mid-trip to report on our experiences with a pre-RD breakfast at MK and doing A&E standby.

First, I can confirm that if you're staying off property, valet parking at the Contemporary and walking to MK is no longer an option. When we tried, we were told that they had recently become VERY strict about that and were no longer allowing it if you were not a guest there or did not have a meal reservation.

So we went ahead and parked at the TTC, arriving a bit after 7:30 for an 8:05 reservation at Crystal Palace. We were near the front of the parking lot (Aladdin 37), and really didn't need the tram to get to the monorail. Monorail arrived quickly and we had plenty of time to take "almost empty" park pictures along Main Street and still arrive at CP before 8 am to check in. We weren't the first party there, but we were seated very quickly. Kids met all four characters, we were not rushed through our breakfast but were still done by about 8:35. Our server was very cooperative and understanding when we asked for the check the minute we sat down!

So by 8:45 we were out of Crystal Palace and heading through Cinderella's Castle back into Fantasyland. The ropes were there, but nobody was really being "held" in place that I could see...a few people were back there meandering around, but it was pretty laid back. As we got to the Carousel, I asked one CM where people should wait if they wanted to do the Frozen M&G. She pointed to another CM standing on the other side of the Carousel--behind it and to your right as you come out from the Castle, near the tables for the Friar's Nook--and said to ask him. We did, and he said, "You're the front of the line now."

And that is how we managed to be the very first people to meet Elsa and Anna that morning! I had really expected that some people from CRT or BOG would have made it there first--especially BOG--but no one had. I expected that we'd be in line for at least 20 minutes, but instead we were through A&E *and* Cinderella and Rapunzel by 9:05 am (they opened the M&Gs about 5 minutes early). My husband said it was an achievement akin to finding a unicorn in the wild...and we couldn't have done any of it without Disboards! Hope this experience helps.
 
Hi folks! Checking in from Wyndham Bonnet Creek mid-trip to report on our experiences with a pre-RD breakfast at MK and doing A&E standby.

First, I can confirm that if you're staying off property, valet parking at the Contemporary and walking to MK is no longer an option. When we tried, we were told that they had recently become VERY strict about that and were no longer allowing it if you were not a guest there or did not have a meal reservation.

So we went ahead and parked at the TTC, arriving a bit after 7:30 for an 8:05 reservation at Crystal Palace. We were near the front of the parking lot (Aladdin 37), and really didn't need the tram to get to the monorail. Monorail arrived quickly and we had plenty of time to take "almost empty" park pictures along Main Street and still arrive at CP before 8 am to check in. We weren't the first party there, but we were seated very quickly. Kids met all four characters, we were not rushed through our breakfast but were still done by about 8:35. Our server was very cooperative and understanding when we asked for the check the minute we sat down!

So by 8:45 we were out of Crystal Palace and heading through Cinderella's Castle back into Fantasyland. The ropes were there, but nobody was really being "held" in place that I could see...a few people were back there meandering around, but it was pretty laid back. As we got to the Carousel, I asked one CM where people should wait if they wanted to do the Frozen M&G. She pointed to another CM standing on the other side of the Carousel--behind it and to your right as you come out from the Castle, near the tables for the Friar's Nook--and said to ask him. We did, and he said, "You're the front of the line now."

And that is how we managed to be the very first people to meet Elsa and Anna that morning! I had really expected that some people from CRT or BOG would have made it there first--especially BOG--but no one had. I expected that we'd be in line for at least 20 minutes, but instead we were through A&E *and* Cinderella and Rapunzel by 9:05 am (they opened the M&Gs about 5 minutes early). My husband said it was an achievement akin to finding a unicorn in the wild...and we couldn't have done any of it without Disboards! Hope this experience helps.

That is absolutely great news. I will be there in August with my Frozen-obsessed five-year old princess-in-training. We have an 8:05 CP ADR on our first day. I wasn't sure how far up you could go after breakfast and knowing you can go all the way through the castle and be steps away from A&E before the hordes even get through the gates is phenomenal. Thank you for this info.
 
How fun for you!!! What a perfect morning for the Frozen crowd :). Love hearing such real time reports! Thanks so much!
 


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