Like any good strategy planning session, we evaluated our audience. 2 girls, ages 4 and 6. We can't get them to watch the Cars movie, but we've seen Frozen at least 15 times. The meet and greet it was going to be.
The second strategy was to determine how we minimize time away from the ride time (tea cups, Dumbo, carousel, big thunder railroad, you get the idea). This meant we had to get there early by investing wait time before the park opened..
This is what worked for us:
The park opened at 9am that day. There was not a Magic Morning for anyone. This is important. If you are up against people who get to the park an hour before you, by the time you get to the Anna and Elsa line, the wait will be over 4 hours.
Steve took a cab from the hotel to the park at 7am. He was one of the first in line at the park entrance.
When he was let into the park, he quickly went to the next line. This is the rope line at the end of main street. He was one of the first in line there too.
Around 8:45am, my mom and I arrived at the park with the kids. We were about 30 feet behind where my husband was standing. Let me tell you, that 30 feet makes a big difference.
When the park officially opened at 9am, Steve very quickly went to the Anna and Elsa line. He was 10 people back from the front of the line, which translated to a 20 minute wait for the meet and greet.
By the time my mom and I met up with him, about 5 minutes after 9am, the Anna and Elsa line wait time was over 4 hours. Yes, in the matter of 5 minutes the wait went from 0 to 4 hours.
Steve wins dad of the year. The girls were absolutely thrilled to meet Anna and Elsa. Did those two play their charters perfectly. Anna was spunky and quirky and Elsa was classy and proper.
A couple hours later we had lunch at Ariel's Grotto and they met even more princesses. Abby told me is was the best day ever.
Here are a few pictures from our meet and greet:
Emily showing Elsa the braid in her hair. We did a special Elsa braid that morning for her.
Abby talking to Anna, she was so happy.
The official picture from the meet and greet. Look at those smiles.
