Crystal Palace Early

[LYNSUE]

On Friday 11-5-04, I was planning an early breakfast at Crystal Palace at 8:00am. Magic Kingdom does not open until 9:00 that day. We are not going for the characters. I want to experience entering the park early and walking up Main Street with few other visitors around.

The bus service will not be available until 8:00 that day. Would you recommend driving our rental car or is the expense of a taxi worth it? I'm not sure I want to deal with the rental car later in the day.

Also has anyone experienced the near empty main street for an early breakfast.... and was it worth the transporation issue?

 

[jarestel]

Where are you staying? Actually, bus service is available from Disney Resorts to the MK for early breakfast reservations. We were at the BC a couple of weeks ago and used the bus from BC to MK at 7:15 AM.

 

[webray]

It will be near empty, but, you will be escorted to the restaurant.

You will be met at the front of the park, outside the turnstiles and everyone who has ps's will be escorted in together in groups.

 

[LYNSUE]

We will be staying at the All Star Sports. Any chance there will be an early bus from that resort?

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by LYNSUE
We will be staying at the All Star Sports. Any chance there will be an early bus from that resort?

I believe they begin running to the MK at 6:30 AM from the resorts, according to Chip N Dale Express. ( an ex Disney bus driver who posts here often ) You don't want to get to the MK too early though, because the CM's don't open the turnstiles until 8:00 AM for the breakfast crowd.

 

[slp87]

There is a breakfast bus that leave early for those with early PSs as others have mentioned. Unfortunately it seems that the CMs making PSs don't ever have this information. It's true that they will not open the gates until right about 8:00, so don't arrive too early. You will see the PS entrance off to the left when facing MS. Both times that we've had an early PS at Crystal Palace, we've been allowed to walk up MS unescorted. In fact, we've had our picture made by a CM in front of the castle both times as well (Really nice since you don't have a lot of people's "backsides" in the picture) and taken some picutes of MS & the castle with not another soul in site.

 

[LYNSUE]

Thank you for this great info. Perhaps I'll try for an 8:10 or 8:15 seating just to be safe. I will certainly check out the bus situation.

Thanks again.

 

[lisareniff]

This was the most magical moment for our family. We got to walk up an almost empty main street for a 8:30 PS at CP. This was Thanksgiving time and unescorted. The Crystal Palace meal was the event that will always stick in my mind. My DD who was 2 absolutely loved Piglet and all the Pooh characters. I was just such a happy morning!!

As far as getting there... I have heard that they run an early bus for the early PS's at the restaurants. Since we had gotten in at midnight the night before we chose to drive. Incase you are considering driving, it was a breeze!! The parking lot was empty (MK not open yet!) so we got a front row parking spot. NO TRAM needed. The monorail was empty (only the resort mono running). It was really nice entering via the classic monorail for our first visit to WDW.

I hope you have a great time.

 

[bigbabyblues]

There was a great post about early busses from Tyler (Chip N Dale Express) a few weeks ago, I think it was called Character Breakfast Transportation Information, if you do a search, or just scroll through the board until you find it, the info's all there!

 

[Fire14]

Yes you can get a bus from All stars to MK for a 8:00a PS at CP. I've done it many times. WE got in at appox 7:55a and had free rein to walk up Main Street and take pictures.

 

[LisaZoe]

Does the transportation situation hold true for the Princess' Story Book breakfast in Epcot? My DD, almost 3, and I have that as our only PS so far (but I have a list of about 5-6 others to be made after I'm pretty sure I won't be changing them often between now and then). I was considering getting a cab since I've read that's fairly reasonable - about $10. However, if the Disney buses are an easy option, we'll go with that.

We'll be staying at WL and the idea of walking through an almost empty park - any park - is very appealing and not something I considered when I made the PS for 8:40. In fact, I'm thinking now that I'll be making an early PS for Crystal Palace as well - if it's still available for the week of our stay.

 

[Fire14]

i was able to get to epcot for psb for 8:30a ps no problem from pop century. my understanding is that busses run appox. 1 hr before easrliest ps in park or 2 hrs before park opening.