My favorite way to start the first full day of each trip is to arrive at MK pre-RD just about as early as they will let me in. Main Street is empty and quiet and the early morning sunlight on the castle is just plain magical. (My first trip, I was a little overly-enthusiastic and got there so early that there was no one around to take my parking fee and the ticket booths were not even open yet! )
In the past, Iāve always eaten a quick breakfast before heading to the park, but this is purely out of a sense of duty because Iām never actually hungry at 6 am. Do you have a favorite āmagicalā snack, drink, or light breakfast item that you can purchase pre-RD on Main Street and munch on while waiting for the opening show? I have a 10:50 ADR for brunch at GF Cafe so I donāt need or want a full breakfast, but I like the idea of starting my trip off with something special to nibble while I wait for RD.
If I was staying at the Poly, I might get one if I could. Otherwise, Iād be needing coffee! Maybe one of the Disney chocolate lollies?
But one thing, you do know thereās a new opening procedure? So you wonāt get that empty Main Street any more. And the gates open at 8am for a 9am park opening.
Main Street is no longer quiet pre-rd since they moved the welcome show to the hub. They let everyone down Main Street at 0800 for an 0900 day and 0745 for an 0800 day. The only thing I think thatās open besides TS at that time is the Bakery. Nothing especially magical there except magical awakening elixir
Buy a special cupcake or cookie the night before and save it for the morning! You could buy one at the airport or at your hotel in the AM if you are staying on-site. Dessert for breakfast is totally acceptable at Disney!
Maybe I got super lucky, because Main Street was basically empty pre-RD on my first trip last January, when the welcome show was at the hub. Must have been a really low CL day, maybe? Like I said, I got there super earlyā¦I think I was pretty much the first person through the tapstiles right at 8am and there was hardly anyone else around.
I do like the idea of grabbing either a dole whip at the Poly or a snack the night before and saving it for the next morning! Too bad thereās nothing particularly magical at the bakery on Main Street.
Yes very lucky. January was very cold this year so it might have kept folks in warmer places until it warmed up a bit. We arrived at 0740 for an 0900 last weekend (a sunday) and it was definitely NOT quiet on Main! We waited about 20 minutes for photos, to give you perspective.
Also I donāt think Pineapple Lanai is open early on for preRD dole whip.
I feel like such a Debbie Downer. Iām really NOT trying to poo on all of your ideas/plans. Just trying to help you plan. Sorry I sound so negative! Iām really not!!!
I donāt do PPO, rope drop, EMH or any of that other craziness.
My treat comes at the end of the day, when I stop off at Starbucks for a Frapuccino. Absolutely love them ā such a delicious treat to end the day and accompany me on the slow walk to the park exit.
No, Iām glad youāre telling me these things now! It would have been a bummer to make a special stop at the Poly for a dole whip and discover thatās itās not open yet.
Speaking of the Poly, last time my sister got a Mickey-shaped, coconut-flavored muffin with her breakfast at Kona. It was amazing. Do you know if they sell those at Kona Island?
Itās also good that Iām not expecting to have Main Street all to myselfā¦ thatās so weird that it was so empty last timeā¦
(Though in reality, itās very possible that it was a lot busier than I am remembering. I may have been so enamored with that first glimpse of the castle that I didnāt notice anything else! My sisters tease me for having ātunnel vision.ā When we arrived at Kingās Cross in London on our trip last summer, I walked right past Kate Middleton - close enough for a fist bump, Iām told - and had no idea. I was so focused on trying to spot a sign marked ātoiletā that I didnāt notice the police dogs, the body guards, or my sisters whispering in my ear.)
That does sound like a lovely way to end the day . . . except that I could never drink a Frappucino at that hour. I would be awake all night long, even if I ordered decaf!
I do make it point to get a Frappucino from the AK Starbucks (Creature Comforts) and sip it while wandering through the trails at the base of the Tree of Life and searching for new animal carvings that escaped my notice on prior visits. It has become one of my favorite little traditions.
I agree (and I love your avatar, btw!). I will say that Joffreyās is really, really good. And if you ever get the chance, definitely do get to Kona Island in Poly for a press pot of authentic Kona coffee (not a blend, authentic).
I enjoyed the Joffreyās latte, but it wasnāt Starbucks. Iām seriously addicted, like every morning. I work to support my Starbucks habit. They know me by name at my local location. As for Kona, we eat breakfast there at least once during our trips for the macadamia nut pineapple pancakes. However, DW was stationed in Hawaii when she was in the Army so she wonāt order the press pot because āitās not the same.ā
Thank you for avatar complimentā¦ I found it in Google images.
So order it for yourself They will make it to go I enjoyed one cup while eating breakfast and a second on the way to Epcot. On another morning I got it from Kona Island to go - one cup while getting ready to roll, the other while rolling
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Sorry I sound so negative! Iām really not!!!
I enjoyed one cup while eating breakfast and a second on the way to Epcot. On another morning I got it from Kona Island to go - one cup while getting ready to roll, the other while rolling