Akershus - Pre-Park Opening Strategy

[HouCuseChickie]

So, I was able to upgrade to an 8:05a slot. I like this a lot better since I firmly believe pre-park opening breakfasts are much better for maximizing your park time. It also means we can snack our way around the WS later on in the day and not be ready to burst from a late breakfast. But...I do have a couple of questions.

1. I've read mixed things on getting into Epcot through the International Gateway at this hour. Some have said no- you need to get over to the main entrance if you need to get in pre-park opening, while others have said there are CMs at the IG with a list of people. The IG would be the easiest thing for us since we're staying at YC, but I don't want to show up there and find out I can't get in that way. Any experience with this?

2. From our experiences, princess meals always seem to take longer than other character meals. This is the week of Thanksgiving so I'm expecting big crowds- i.e. FastPasses will be important. Would there be an issue if DH left us at Akershus to make the run for FastPasses for Soarin'? Also, if it's a 9am park opening...with the whole lack of rope drop these days...would that be 8:45a or 9a?

Thanks!

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

So, I was able to upgrade to an 8:05a slot. I like this a lot better since I firmly believe pre-park opening breakfasts are much better for maximizing your park time. It also means we can snack our way around the WS later on in the day and not be ready to burst from a late breakfast. But...I do have a couple of questions.

1. I've read mixed things on getting into Epcot through the International Gateway at this hour. Some have said no- you need to get over to the main entrance if you need to get in pre-park opening, while others have said there are CMs at the IG with a list of people. The IG would be the easiest thing for us since we're staying at YC, but I don't want to show up there and find out I can't get in that way. Any experience with this?

2. From our experiences, princess meals always seem to take longer than other character meals. This is the week of Thanksgiving so I'm expecting big crowds- i.e. FastPasses will be important. Would there be an issue if DH left us at Akershus to make the run for FastPasses for Soarin'? Also, if it's a 9am park opening...with the whole lack of rope drop these days...would that be 8:45a or 9a?

Thanks!

I advise DH to make a fastpass run. The only possible issue would be not being there for the photos (both yours and Disney's). I don't know about the IG, sorry!

We used to (when daughters were young) love the pre-opening breakfast ressies!!Now M & M throw shoes (or what ever is handy) if we try to wake them early in the morning!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I advise DH to make a fastpass run. The only possible issue would be not being there for the photos (both yours and Disney's). I don't know about the IG, sorry!

We used to (when daughters were young) love the pre-opening breakfast ressies!!Now M & M throw shoes (or what ever is handy) if we try to wake them early in the morning!

Thankfully, we've done other meals at Akershus on past trips, so I don't think he'll feel like he's missing anything should he have to leave early. I think he'll be good as long as he can scarf down some bacon and eggs.

I know that day will come where we have to drag the girls out of bed, but right now- sleeping in is 6:45a. So, it's great that they'll get up on weekdays when we really need to get out of the house, but boy did I want to sleep in a bit this weekend.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Thankfully, we've done other meals at Akershus on past trips, so I don't think he'll feel like he's missing anything should he have to leave early. I think he'll be good as long as he can scarf down some bacon and eggs.

I know that day will come where we have to drag the girls out of bed, but right now- sleeping in is 6:45a. So, it's great that they'll get up on weekdays when we really need to get out of the house, but boy did I want to sleep in a bit this weekend.

Ah, I remember those days! They go by too fast...don't blink your eyes

 

[journ116]

So, I was able to upgrade to an 8:05a slot. I like this a lot better since I firmly believe pre-park opening breakfasts are much better for maximizing your park time. It also means we can snack our way around the WS later on in the day and not be ready to burst from a late breakfast. But...I do have a couple of questions.

1. I've read mixed things on getting into Epcot through the International Gateway at this hour. Some have said no- you need to get over to the main entrance if you need to get in pre-park opening, while others have said there are CMs at the IG with a list of people. The IG would be the easiest thing for us since we're staying at YC, but I don't want to show up there and find out I can't get in that way. Any experience with this?

2. From our experiences, princess meals always seem to take longer than other character meals. This is the week of Thanksgiving so I'm expecting big crowds- i.e. FastPasses will be important. Would there be an issue if DH left us at Akershus to make the run for FastPasses for Soarin'? Also, if it's a 9am park opening...with the whole lack of rope drop these days...would that be 8:45a or 9a?

Thanks!

Answers:
1. You can enter thru Int'l Gateway: there will be CM's there to direct you to where you need to go. Might even make for some quick/great photo ops! Remember: WS does not open "for business" until 11 a.m., so your delicious snackapade won't begin until 3 hrs. after your seated ADR.

2. FP's: Even if your DH leaves the meal and princesses early, he won't be able to get into FW until 9 a.m. when the ropes drop. There are ropes separating WS diners and FW guests right next to the massive fountain in FW. A CM will stop him and he'll have to wait a bit, but will no doubt be able to secure Soarin' FP's shortly after park opening. You'll probably be looking at a 10 or 11 a.m. return time. With 8:05 am ADR's, your husband should have no problem eating a leisurely breakfast. By the time he decides to leave for "the ropes," you'll probably be wrapping up your meal. Non-meal guests entering FW will get to enter at 8:45 a.m., and will be hovering "their ropes" shortly after. The crowds to Soarin' first thing in the AM is literally like a cattle call!

Enjoy your trip and FP adventure!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Answers:
1. You can enter thru Int'l Gateway: there will be CM's there to direct you to where you need to go. Might even make for some quick/great photo ops! Remember: WS does not open "for business" until 11 a.m., so your delicious snackapade won't begin until 3 hrs. after your seated ADR.

2. FP's: Even if your DH leaves the meal and princesses early, he won't be able to get into FW until 9 a.m. when the ropes drop. There are ropes separating WS diners and FW guests right next to the massive fountain in FW. A CM will stop him and he'll have to wait a bit, but will no doubt be able to secure Soarin' FP's shortly after park opening. You'll probably be looking at a 10 or 11 a.m. return time. With 8:05 am ADR's, your husband should have no problem eating a leisurely breakfast. By the time he decides to leave for "the ropes," you'll probably be wrapping up your meal. Non-meal guests entering FW will get to enter at 8:45 a.m., and will be hovering "their ropes" shortly after. The crowds to Soarin' first thing in the AM is literally like a cattle call!

Enjoy your trip and FP adventure!

Very cool - thank you!!! We figured he'd have to wait w/the rest of the masses waiting to get in, at least it's good if he leaves. We'd done something similar last trip at H&V for TSMM FPs... so was just hoping the strategy would work here. Plus it's nice not to have the kids in the crush of people trying to get to Soarin'. Thanks again!

 

[disneygirl76]

So, I was able to upgrade to an 8:05a slot. I like this a lot better since I firmly believe pre-park opening breakfasts are much better for maximizing your park time. It also means we can snack our way around the WS later on in the day and not be ready to burst from a late breakfast. But...I do have a couple of questions.

1. I've read mixed things on getting into Epcot through the International Gateway at this hour. Some have said no- you need to get over to the main entrance if you need to get in pre-park opening, while others have said there are CMs at the IG with a list of people. The IG would be the easiest thing for us since we're staying at YC, but I don't want to show up there and find out I can't get in that way. Any experience with this?

2. From our experiences, princess meals always seem to take longer than other character meals. This is the week of Thanksgiving so I'm expecting big crowds- i.e. FastPasses will be important. Would there be an issue if DH left us at Akershus to make the run for FastPasses for Soarin'? Also, if it's a 9am park opening...with the whole lack of rope drop these days...would that be 8:45a or 9a?

Thanks!

I'm a trying to remember - we were there for Thanksgiving, stayed at YC, and had a pre park Akerhaus. I am 99% sure that we went through the IG. I cant be 100 though, but I think they let us through b.c we were on a list.