We have ADR at CP on our only day at MK and they're at 8:45 (I keep checking back for earlier times in the hopes that we'll move it up). My kids really wanted to eat there and meet Pooh and friends. I was just wondering how much time we should expect to spend there? I don't want breakfast to cut into our morning too much and if it's a long process maybe will cancel and just eat at the resort early and skip the character dining experience.
Thanks!
Is it a PPO reservation? If the park doesn't open til 9, then you should be able to get seated early. I'll preface this by saying, it's not guaranteed, I'm sure it doesn't always happen, it's not 100% etc., but in our 10 plus years of experience with multiple parties of extended family, it has never mattered what time our PPO ADR was scheduled for, what matters is how fast you check in at the restaurant. In the beginning we didn't know this and we would putt around taking pics etc., and show up at our ADR time and often had to wait...then we started sending 1 person from each party straight to the restaurant to check-in and it didn't matter if our ADR was for 8:05 or 8:45, we were always one of the first to be seated (all parties). It makes sense, as they have to account for ppl. running late etc., so they're not going to just sit there and not fill their tables. Generally speaking for PPO ADR's it's more of a first come first serve situation. Obviously, you have to have the ADR to get into the park early, but I don't even try to get earlier ADR's if the first that pops up is still for before park opening as it's never been an issue for us.
If I were you, keep looking if it makes you feel better, but if all you have is the 8:45 ADR, keep it, get to the park by 7:30am at the latest to give yourself time to scan in/enter etc. and as soon as they let you in, go directly to the check-in podium At that point you should be seated relatively quickly. Ask for the check as soon as your seated and hope for good luck with the characters. You can def. eat within the hour, however occasionally the characters don't cooperate and you may have to wait or miss out on a character or 2 if you're not wanting to wait.
I will also say, that with the new opening procedures, I'd probably skip the PPO at CP ADR, because everyone else is going to be let in with or right after you, so they'll be lined up long in advance of you, so even if you get done and out before the park officially opens, you're still going to be behind a good amount of ppl.