We went to Epcot on Tuesday for the grand opening of Frozen Ever After. I was the 20th person to the park but I was about the 200th in line. Today we decided to try a different strategy. We were able to score a last minute breakfast reservation at Akershus for 8:10 AM and my older 2 kids were in the very first boat on Frozen Ever After. Here is how we did it:
- Book a reservation at Akershus between 8:00 – 8:20 AM.
- Arrive to Epcot by 7:20 AM (we were there at 7:05 AM but the line didn’t start getting long until 7:25 AM).
- You will be let into the park at 7:45 AM.
- Walk briskly to Norway.
- Have everyone in your party together and check-in at Akershus.
- Meet Belle and head to your table.
- Send your family to the buffet.
- Ask the waiter for the check so that you are ready to leave as soon as you finish eating.
- Wait patiently to see if Ariel, Cinderella, Aurora and Snow White make it to your table, but be prepared to leave by 8:50 AM regardless (we were able to meet everyone but Snow White).
- Leave the restaurant and get in line for Frozen Ever After ahead of the crowds.
And that is how my 2 oldest got on the first boat today! I stayed outside with the baby and filmed the crowd.
We took your advice and we were actually the first to arrive at Epcot for the day. We would have been the third group in line for frozen ever after but unfortunately the ride wasn’t working and was a delayed start. We waited 2 hours in line and had to give up. It finally opened an hour later and had had a 90 min wait ever since….. It was an expensive start to the day but we did meet the princesses and met Anna and Elsa before it got too crazy there.
What time did the ride open? How long did your family wait? Thanks!
I like that you don’t advocate just skipping the reservation and paying the “no show” fee, because that hurts the servers’ tips, causes the kitchen to waste food and isn’t fair to anyone who might’ve wanted to eat there and got turned away.
Your idea is great, but I predict enough people will do the latter and we will soon see a “pay in advance” policy implemented
I thought so too but there were only about 10 people out there when we left at 8:50 AM. I did notice that Garden Grill people are not going to be able to get over to Norway so don’t plan an early morning reservation there or you won’t make it!