EE or Rope Drop with an ADR at the Castle?

[leebee]

We're trying to decide which breakfast at the Castle to "keep." Poor communication (DD made a reservation, not knowing that I was making the reservation...) so we now have 2 breakfast reservations, one at 8 and one at 9, and need to cancel one. Which would you keep? Early entry is scheduled for 8:30 with rope drop at 9. The Little Guy (7yo) has never been to Disney before. Do we keep the 8am and hope they are done and in the park by 8:45 to get some of EE and then rope drop, or do we keep the 9am and use the benefits of EE to get on some of the more challenging, longer wait-time rides (Peter Pan, Pooh... don't think we'll get Mine Train for EE- or should we do that for EE)? I haven't taken a kid to Disney in decades and am feeling a little rusty about all this!

Also, if EE is at 8:30, what time do they start letting us in to the park?

 

[Dave006]

Poor communication (DD made a reservation, not knowing that I was making the reservation...) so we now have 2 breakfast reservations, one at 8 and one at 9, and need to cancel one. Which would you keep? Early entry is scheduled for 8:30 with rope drop at 9. The Little Guy (7yo) has never been to Disney before.

I will be blunt here: Why do you think a 7 year old boy or girl would want to spend 1+ hour at the CRT breakfast vs their first chance to ride Fantasy land rides with lower crowds?

Will you be visiting MK on multiple days where you might take advantage of EE and have the full 30 minutes advanced lead lead to hit attractions with little or no wait?

I would suggest cancelling both CRT reservations and maybe consider a Crystal Palace lunch with Pooh and friends.

Dav

 

[DWillowBay]

I have to agree with the PP. There is no way that you'll be done and out of CRT by 8:45...and why would you want to be if you're paying such a high price. Even a 9am breakfast will cut much time out of your day. Your little one can meet Princesses right there in Fantasyland (Cinderella, Rapunzel, etc are all at Fairytale Hall) , but missing EE leaves all of you at a disadvantage for rides in that lines will be long by the time you get out of CRT. I'd skip it altogether and schedule a mid-day break.

 

[leebee]

Definitely not skipping CRT. Little Guy has no interest in Pooh characters at all, but adores the princesses and is excited over having the chance to have breakfast in the castle with them. He and DD (who is his stepmom) are busily planning what they are going to wear; this has been an incredible bonding experience for them. TBH, we are not early entry people and I haven't done a rope drop in over 20 years, which is why I was asking which would be more advantageous, EE or rope drop, as it's been a long while since I've been in a park before 10 or 11am.

 

[Dug720]

I'd probably lean toward keeping the earlier one. No, they won't be able to take advantage of EE, but how amenable would he truly be to stopping riding to go to breakfast - even if he does want to eat with the princesses? Most kids I know would NOT want to stop riding things once they started.

 

[Narcoossee11]

If CRT is that important, I agree, forget about early hours.
Go to the 8:00 reservation. CRT is too expensive and important for the group.

 

[AngieInOH]

8:00. Getting in the park with no one else around is Magical. Get there plenty early and take pics!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Keep the 8 am. I would try to arrive by 7:15-7:30 and hope to be let in as close to 7:30 am as possible.

You should be done by 9 am. I feel like they try to get you in and out fairly quickly. Still plenty of time to enjoy MK, especially if you have LLMP.

 

[leebee]

Keep the 8 am. I would try to arrive by 7:15-7:30 and hope to be let in as close to 7:30 am as possible.

You should be done by 9 am. I feel like they try to get you in and out fairly quickly. Still plenty of time to enjoy MK, especially if you have LLMP.

If the reservation is only for the 2 of them, will the other 3 adults (in our family) be let into the park at 7:30 also? We might do EE while DD/7yo go to the Castle.

 

[Dave006]

If the reservation is only for the 2 of them, will the other 3 adults (in our family) be let into the park at 7:30 also? We might do EE while DD/7yo go to the Castle.

Officially no not all the way thru to the Castle and entrance to CRT but every on-site guest and early ADR guests are let in first. The are some stages in the EE, and Early ADR entry process. Do you have the latest MK hours for the day of your visit?

First you will see groups queuing early at the main gate Tap points and then the Tap points open and guests wander down Main Street, the next hold point is at the Hub. From Hub guests with early ADR for CRT and Be Our Guest are allowed through. Look for Signage or check with a CM so you are waiting in the right area for the Early ADR.

When the CMs holding the guests at the Hub get the all clear. All Guests that qualify for EE are allowed through. So your group of 3 will be able to get into MK before EE starts.

Dave

 

[JMommyof3]

Keep in mind that although your 8am is PPO now, opening hours often change closer to the date in question and rope drop may be 8am, not 9. It's fairly common.

 

[leebee]

Keep in mind that although your 8am is PPO now, opening hours often change closer to the date in question and rope drop may be 8am, not 9. It's fairly common.

Yes, I've been watching park hours carefully. They've just posted for our May dates in the past week or so. Right now TouringPlans gives MK a crowd rating of 3 or 4 (can't remember which) on the day we'll be there. I'm hoping the low crowd rating means Disney won't have to extend or change park hours. It's so annoying that we have to plan 60 days in advance, but DIsney doesn't.

 

[Dave006]

It's so annoying that we have to plan 60 days in advance, but DIsney doesn't.

I actually think that is a good thing that Disney will dynamically add additional park hours, and add CM staffing based on guest demand. I still remember my earliest visits that were often only at peak crowds levels and MK still at the original posted time, "early" in my personal view.

Dave

 

[brockash]

We're trying to decide which breakfast at the Castle to "keep." Poor communication (DD made a reservation, not knowing that I was making the reservation...) so we now have 2 breakfast reservations, one at 8 and one at 9, and need to cancel one. Which would you keep? Early entry is scheduled for 8:30 with rope drop at 9. The Little Guy (7yo) has never been to Disney before. Do we keep the 8am and hope they are done and in the park by 8:45 to get some of EE and then rope drop, or do we keep the 9am and use the benefits of EE to get on some of the more challenging, longer wait-time rides (Peter Pan, Pooh... don't think we'll get Mine Train for EE- or should we do that for EE)? I haven't taken a kid to Disney in decades and am feeling a little rusty about all this!

Also, if EE is at 8:30, what time do they start letting us in to the park?

Yikes, unfortunately neither sound great. They definitely won't be done and out by 845. I guess if I had to pick one I'd do 1 quick. ride for EEHs abd the 9am castle breakfast, but I'd much rather do a later breakfast or even lunch to take advantage of the lower crowds if you're going to be up and out early regardless.