My pre-park opening BOG experience

[anonymess]

I'm a FL resident AP who goes a few times per year with family who are DVC members. Since our April 1-3 trip was booked only a month in advance, we were unable to get SDMT FPs & my cousin's 2 year old LOVES the ride so I proposed the PPO BOG breakfast as a way to hopefully get us on it at least once. We were able to book breakfast reservations the same week as our trip via the MDE app. We did have to split into two separate reservations but since BOG is open seating, we all sat together. MK opened at 9 am on Saturday 4/2 & our reservations were for 8:00 am & 8:10 am. 

We were staying at Wilderness Lodge Villas & since the boats do not start running until one hour prior to park opening, we chose to take the bus since they start running earlier. We planned to get to the bus stop at 7:30 am but did not get there until 7:45 & the bus didn't arrive until about 7:55. The trip to the MK was quick & we made our way to the far left entry lanes to give our names. They had two ladies with iPads checking names against reservations. As we walked through, I was amazed at how many people were already there an hour early for rope drop! With our group, we've never made rope drop although we do arrive shortly afterward to enjoy the lower temps and lighter crowds in the mornings. 

There were plenty of PhotoPass photogs out taking photos in front of the castle. We did not have time to stop since were were running late. Luckily we had pre-ordered our breakfasts, so that saves a bit of time. My husband was unable to come on the trip at the last minute (I was able to easily cancel his pre-order via the app the evening before our reservation.), so I was the only person on my reservation and I ordered the scrambled eggs kids meal with no problem. It was plenty of food for me & I have a healthy appetite!  I was at the table with my family & they got the pastry baskets with their orders. They aren't top notch baked goods, but some of them were pretty tasty. And the allergy-friendly pastries they brought out for my young cousin were actually very good. 

We were walking out of BOG at 8:50 & SDMT was already running. We got in line & were on within 5 minutes. As we waited, the Rope Drop crowd arrived so we were only able to get in one ride. If we had been quicker about breakfast, we surely could have gotten another Mine Train ride in.

[huskymom]

Nice! What was the wait when you got off? I'm assuming it wasn't one of those Early Magic days?

[ribollita]

Thanks for sharing!

[anonymess]

Apr 13, 2016 17:41:58 GMT -5 huskymom said:

Nice! What was the wait when you got off? I'm assuming it wasn't one of those Early Magic days?

They already had the sign set for 30 minutes wait when we got on (and it wasn't yet), so I couldn't say for sure. It still said 30 when we got off.