With an 8:15 ADR at Crystal Palace

[monkeybug]

Do you think we will be done in time for rope drop?
Will they let us in 30 minutes before? It would be great to get some pictures with out crowds!

 

[2Tiggies]

Yes. I don't know what day you are going and what time the park opens (for example if it is 8 am with/without EMH), but you are advised to report to the podium 15 minutes before your reservation so they will let you in at the very least, 15-20 minutes before your reservation. We have had ADRs in MK for before park opening and have never had a problem getting in about half an hour before our ADR. Hope you get some great pictures. It really makes a difference to those shots of the castle and Main Street.

 

[monkeybug]

Thanks!
I forgot to mention that the park opens at 9:00 that day. I'm thinking 45 minutes might be pushing it to get out in time for rope drop, but I guess we can save rides like Dumbo and Winnie the Pooh for our other MK day. I'm excited I got an ADR for before park opening!
We just decided to do this trip, so I just started making ADR's last night, so far I've gotten everything except 'Ohana. Still hoping that one will pop up!
Can't believe we got LeCellier, but I guess lunch isn't as popular.

 

[JDUCKY]

Most of the crowd at Rope Drop will head for Space Mountain, a large portion to Splash/BTMRR.

Just head around Cinderella's castle from the path just to the left (pretty much straight out from CP) and you'll be in Fantasyland in just a few min.

If want to catch the rope drop at the back of Cinderella's castle, just ask for the bill from your server when they bring the drinks and pay for it before you're finished with your meal. You might have to give up a meet and greet w/a character or two but maybe show up early for the ADR and hope to be seated more quickly.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Do you think we will be done in time for rope drop?
Will they let us in 30 minutes before? It would be great to get some pictures with out crowds!

I am so excited that you posted this question. It made me change my Kona reservations to Crystal Palace so now I can get into the Magic Kingdom and take some pictures before the crowds.

 

[monkeybug]

I am so excited that you posted this question. It made me change my Kona reservations to Crystal Palace so now I can get into the Magic Kingdom and take some pictures before the crowds.

Oh Yay!! Glad I could help.
I got the idea from helpful disers last year, and booked BBB for my daughter before the park opened.
Those pictures of her in front of the castle all dressed up, with bubbles floating around, sun shining, and not a fanny pack in sight, are my favorite of the whole trip!!!
I look forward to getting some of my little guy and the rest of the family this year. I love the Dis!!!

 

[shawnh199]

We had an 815am ADR at CP on our trip in December. We got to MK around 720am hoping to get in and have lots of time in front of the castle. Nope! We waited in line at the breakfast ADR line(s). You can get through security, but you have to wait at the entrance gates (far right hand side) until they let you into the park at 745am.

Be sure to check in right away when you get to CP. We did and we were seated right when the restaurant opened. We were like the 4th family seated!! It was great. We had no wait in the buffet line, were able to get our food and pretty much finish eatting before the characters came around.

If you want to finish before rope drop, make sure you take care of your bill early on in your meal, especially if you are on a dining plan. It took us at least 10-15 minutes to finish up the bill before we were able to leave, which made us late for rope drop. (We still hit Dumbo first with only a 5-10 minute wait!) If you get this taken care of early, it's very possible that you can make or beat rope drop!

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[newtodis]

Take your pictures on the way to your ADR - that's what we usually do. We've not had good luck with CP. They've been very slow to get all the characters to our table and I've read others having this same problem. If you're looking for pictures without the crowds, I'd just get there about half an hour before your ADR to make sure you get your pictures in case you're not done in time. If you're needing fast passes for a certain ride, designate someone from your group to go get them when the park opens if you're not finished yet and met somewhere.

 

[Coconuts]

We had an 8:15 ADR also at CP and didn't make it in time for rope drop. Now let me say, we certainly didn't rush breakfast. We like to take our time and enjoy our character meal, and it took a while to have all the characters come to our table. In fact, I think one of the characters never came to the table, which is why we were there for so long--we were waiting for them, but gave up when it was getting too late.

Like a pp said, we took tons of pictures, and had photopasses taken on our way up Main Street to CP. It was AWESOME to look up an empty Main Street and get such a great view of the castle! I will definetly do it again.

 

[BigTex71]

If you go in the park at 7:45 and try to get seated early, you can easily make rope drop... depending on how leisurely you eat. Like others said, be sure to take care of your bill when the drinks come out so you are not stuck waiting for the bill at rope drop.