Dining: In the park early?

[phxbbw6ft1]

Someone on here said that they get a 8am resv for The Crystal Palace and then after eating they're in the park early- What other restaurants/parks can you do this with? Thanks

 

[coachwnh]

Someone on here said that they get a 8am resv for The Crystal Palace and then after eating they're in the park early- What other restaurants/parks can you do this with? Thanks

Cinderella's Royal Table in MK
Norway in Epcot (and im assuming Garden Grill once breakfast begins later this fall)
Tusker House in AK

 

[Tuvalu]

Be Our Guest in MK

 

[JoeRohdesEarring]

Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios, also!

 

[DaisyDoesDisney]

How far in advance of the reservation time do they allow you inside the park?

 

[TheMouseFan]

How far in advance of the reservation time do they allow you inside the park?

Every time we have had an ADR at 8:00am, they have started letting people in about 7:45, except Epcot. They waited until right at 8:00 to let anyone in. It was quite the race to get back to Norway for our 8:05 ADR. But, I have heard of Epcot starting about 7:45am also, so I don't know if it was just an off day when we went! I have no idea how early they let you in for other times. I would imagine you could probably get in at least 1/2 hour early.

 

[DaisyDoesDisney]

THANKS @TheMouseFan

 

[TheMouseFan]

THANKS @TheMouseFan

You're welcome! We really love having pre-park opening ADRs and getting pictures without a lot of people in them. I always like to have them as close to 8:00am as possible, so we are finishing up right about the time the park is opening.

 

[DaisyDoesDisney]

You're welcome! We really love having pre-park opening ADRs and getting pictures without a lot of people in them. I always like to have them as close to 8:00am as possible, so we are finishing up right about the time the park is opening.

Good advice on the timing

 

[dreamfinder]

Keep in mind that even though you may be in the park before opening, you are usually contained to the area of the park of the restaurant, or the furthest point they are letting guests into until the official park opening. Some people have reported being able to ride 7DMT after BoG breakfast pre park open, but other people have been made to wait until the rope drop guests were all in line, and then the BoG guests could join.

 

[Tom 55]

I also like the feeling of being the only one in the park early in the morning. These are photo's from 2008 when I had an early ADR at Crystal Palace.

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

Keep in mind that even though you may be in the park before opening, you are usually contained to the area of the park of the restaurant, or the furthest point they are letting guests into until the official park opening. Some people have reported being able to ride 7DMT after BoG breakfast pre park open, but other people have been made to wait until the rope drop guests were all in line, and then the BoG guests could join.

Good to know. Just booked an 8AM BoG breakfast, and I'm debating whether or not to forego a 7DMT FP+ since I'll be in the park so early as it is.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We've done pre park opening meals in every park.

MK- they usually start letting guests in around 7:40-7:45am...and from our experiences, they will let you in at that time even if you have a later pre-park opening ADR.

DHS- we were only let in about 5-10 min early since it's such a quick walk to H&V.

DAK-the woman at the gate says their norm is 15 min prior to your ADR time since it's a bit of a walk to Tusker.

Epcot- we were let in 7:45am on the dot for an 8:05a at Akershus. We were entering via the international gateway, but strangely enough, a coworker had the same ADR time, entered through the main entrance, and was let in at the same time. I haven't seen if Garden Grill breakfast is also doing pre-park opening slots, but I'm guessing the same would apply if they are.

I think so much of this also depends on the CMs manning the gates, but these are our personal experiences.

Also, while people have noted the various pre-park opening meal options, there are also tours and special experiences (like BBB) that also have pre-park opening slots. Case in point, we've done the 8am at BBB in the past.