Akershus Royal Banquet Hall before the park opens

[mattdenine]

Hey guys I have a 8:00 AM reservation an hour before the park opens. Which entrance should I go too? or will they let me in either entrance?

 

[PrincessMia]

Last time we did this, we drove to the main EPCOT parking and walked to the entrance all the way to the left. I don't know about the back entrance by the World Showcase. I assume there is someone there to let you in too, but I don't know. I love love love having these reservations before the park opens. It's so peaceful walking through with practically no one else around. And the food is great!

 

[Wngo905]

We stayed at BC last November. Yes, if you have an early morning reservation, you can use the International Gateway and walk through EPCOT before the park opens. The CMs will have a list with your name on it at the gate. CMs in England, Canada and Mexico were greeting us on our journey. A VERY peaceful, pleasurable walk!!!

 

[tlev]

If you use the main entrance there will be a gate devoted to guests with dining reservations.

 

[gostone23]

We used the main entrance to Epcot last August. We were running late because of the bus service from Saratoga Springs but they didn't mind.

Walking through Epcot while it wasn't open was awesome. A definite highlight for me ... that's my favorite park.

-Robert

 

[mattdenine]

Thanks guys, with a 8:00 reservation what time do you think they will let us in?

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We had the 8:05 a couple of years ago. We entered via the International Gateway. I want to say it was about 7:45a when they let us in. I see a pp noted that CMs were there along the way...we had the exact opposite experience. It was a total ghost town! I'm guessing the entry time was similar for the main entrance as the first guests coming from that direction were visible (i.e. coming towards us) as we started to make the turn towards Mexico.

 

[dakotafrost]

I stayed with my family at the Boardwalk Inn once and had an early breakfast at Akershus. We went in the back entrance between Boardwalk and Beach Club. I just had to give my name reservation details. They scanned our tickets, let us in, and asked that we walk counter clock wise to Norway (past France, USA, Germany, etc.). Cast members greeted us during our walk, but it felt like they were there to ensure we did not go off course.

 

[sbkline]

I asked this question once before, but it's been a long time ago, and I can't remember what the answer was. But my question is, since WS doesn't open until 11 AM, for those who do this princess breakfast, do you have to leave the WS as soon as you are done eating, and go back to FW? Or can you do a little browsing in the shops, and possibly ride Maelstrom? I had pondered the idea of doing this breakfast on our next trip, just to get us into the park early and get the jump on all the others who are waiting at the gate. At the very least, it would get us poised to pounce on Test Track or Soarin' as soon as the park opens, while everyone else is waiting at the turnstyles. Of course, it seems like every time that happens, I get to Test Track only to find that it has "technical difficulties, and I still can't ride it.

 

[tlev]

At park opeing everything is closed in World Showcase in Norway except for Akershus, the store that sells the princess dresses and the Princess Meet and Greet. Maelstrom and the entire Mexican pavillion were closed when we finished breakfast and our Elsa and Anna meet and greet at 9:15. Not sure about the other countries as we did not walk that way but I would assume they are the same as Mexico. We headed over to Soarin and had a 30 minute wait time and then used our fastpass for Test Track later in the day. Then we road Soarin again at park closing with a minimal wait time.

 

[FitzherbertFreak]

As everyone else said, go to the main Epcot entrance and talk to a cast member. They'll let you walk back to Norway. - Same applies for MK breakfast

 

[OG Runner]

Always make reservations for an early Breakfast. Going into the parks early is fun. Crystal Palace is my favorite for early Breakfast at the Magic Kingdom.