Early Morning Dining at Crystal Palace

[CB2@disney]

I've looked for another thread that might answer this question but I can't seem to find one. We have a reservation for 8:10am at Crystal Palace on a day when the park doesn't open until 9am. How does this work? Do they have someone escort you to the resturant. How early can you go? I'd like to take some pictures of the castle and things while the street is basicly empty...is that possible. If we eat quickly...would we be able to see the opening ceremony as well?

 

[KJ1081]

We had a reservation at the same time as you did. They had dedicated turnstiles (one each for CP and CRT) open off to the far side- nearer the Monorail. It wasn't an EMH morning, and we arrived around 7:45. There was quite a long line for CRT but the line was VERY short for CP. They checked reservation numbers at the turnstiles and then sent you on in. Main St was pretty empty, but there was a decent crowd near the castle in line for photopass. We had quite a long wait at CP though, not that we minded. We really enjoyed wandering an empty Main St.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

The process for my family last week was as noted, except the CM didn't ask for our reservation #, we just let them know we had ADRs at CP. I'd be prepared, just in case, but it's a pretty easy process, just be sure you go to the turnstile all the way to the left.

 

[splashmtnfan]

All we had to do was say we had ADR and we were pointed in the direction we needed to head to get in. Main Street was pretty empty but all of the photo pass people were out. It was nice to head down an empty main street and we sure did take advantage of the photopass photographers. We headed to CRT and had photos taken at all the way down main street. We were done with breakfast and out into Fantasy Land just as the park opened. It was nice. No long lines for Peter Pan!!

 

[CB2@disney]

All we had to do was say we had ADR and we were pointed in the direction we needed to head to get in. Main Street was pretty empty but all of the photo pass people were out. It was nice to head down an empty main street and we sure did take advantage of the photopass photographers. We headed to CRT and had photos taken at all the way down main street. We were done with breakfast and out into Fantasy Land just as the park opened. It was nice. No long lines for Peter Pan!!

Thank you so much for letting me know about the photo pass people being out... I didn't even think about them. I have already pre-purchased the photopass CD...might as well take advantage :sohappy:

 

[CB2@disney]

The process for my family last week was as noted, except the CM didn't ask for our reservation #, we just let them know we had ADRs at CP. I'd be prepared, just in case, but it's a pretty easy process, just be sure you go to the turnstile all the way to the left.

Thanks for answering and letting me know where the entrance we need is.

 

[CB2@disney]

We had a reservation at the same time as you did. They had dedicated turnstiles (one each for CP and CRT) open off to the far side- nearer the Monorail. It wasn't an EMH morning, and we arrived around 7:45. There was quite a long line for CRT but the line was VERY short for CP. They checked reservation numbers at the turnstiles and then sent you on in. Main St was pretty empty, but there was a decent crowd near the castle in line for photopass. We had quite a long wait at CP though, not that we minded. We really enjoyed wandering an empty Main St.

That is good to know...it looks like you arrived about 25mins prior and that would give us time to take pictures. Thanks for answering.