Welcome to planDisney, Olivia, and thanks for dropping by with your question.
I love to start the day with a breakfast reservation and there are some great options at
EPCOT such as the
Garden Grill Restaurant and
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.
Olivia, if EPCOT opens for all guests at 9:00 AM, you will be able to enter a few minutes early to make it to your reservation, but you won't be able to experience any attractions unless the park opening time changes. For example, on January 5, 2024, the
posted park opening time is 9:00 AM with
Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort Hotel Guests from 8:30-9:00 AM. Since your reservation is at 8:55, I would encourage you to arrive at the gate 30 minutes in advance and inquire with a Cast Member if there is a separate line for guests with
advance dining reservations (sometimes there will be a separate line and sometimes you will enter with onsite guests and be held by a Cast Member until closer to your reservation time).
Just this fall my husband and I took advantage of Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort Hotel Guests at EPCOT and there was a Cast Member verifying resort stays and advance dining reservations for offsite guests near the turnstiles.
Olivia, I hope this helps as you're thinking ahead and planning for an early morning at EPCOT. Please come on back to planDisney with any other questions you might have.
Lauren