Cape May Cafe or Crystal Palace?

[SwanVT2]

We really enjoyed Cape May Cafe. However, this past trip we had park days and non park days. For our next Disney trip we will go to the parks every day. We will be staying at BWV. I'm trying to decide if we want to do Cape May Cafe for breakfast then go to MK or go to MK and then have brunch at Crystal Palace. DH is not a morning person, so I don't see us rushing to MK on both MK days so this would be for the slower-going day of the trip.
Any comparisons between the two (cost, quality, value) and maybe logistics as a describe our two options would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[Aunt Dani]

I don't know about the Crystal Palace, but we just got back from a stay at the BWV and did a breakfast at Cape May one morning. Our reservation was at 8:20, and it was an easy walk over instead of having to catch a bus first thing. Restaurant was active but not packed...we saw all the characters several times. Food was good, and all they trays were kept fresh/full. Server came around frequently with water/juice/coffee. After breakfast we caught the bus to MK from Beach Club and were at the park by 10.

 

[Oosums]

I'd do Cape May Cafe. Especially if hubs isn't a morning person... it's about as relaxed/quiet of a character experience as you'll find. I always vote for non-park character dining if you're in no hurry to get to the park that day.

The walk from BWV to Beach Club is lovely in the morning, too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Are you on the dining plan? If not, another option, if one of your MK days falls on a weekend, is to saunter over to the Swan and eat at Garden Grove in the morning (much closer than BC). They have a character breakfast on weekends. The food is better than Cape May IMHO and if you have a AAA card, you get 20% off.

Otherwise, yes, I agree. If you don't care about rope drop, I would walk over to BC in the morning, have breakfast and then take the MK bus from there. CP gets pretty darn loud and chaotic at lunch time IMHO.

 

[chicagodisfan]

We love both Cape May breakfast and Crystal Palace, so I'm not going to be much help! They are two of our favorite character meals! One suggestion might be to do Crystal Palce for dinner on one of your MK days if you are up for fitting them both in. We go for dinner just about every trip and love it! Crystal Palace has characters for all meals while Cape May is just for breakfast.

 

[B-Ride]

DH not a morning person? The most important tip at WDW is to arrive early so I say it is time for a new hubby.

 

[olliesmom]

We've eaten at both Cape May Cafe for their character buffet and at Crystal Palace. Cape May is definitely the more laid-back experience, it was definitely one of the quietest character meals we've done and very relaxing. While the food was good, it was not particularly memorable- buffet breakfast staples, but they do a nice job.

We've done both breakfast and lunch at Crystal Palace and very much prefer breakfast because of Pooh's puffed french toast and the breakfast lasagna. It feels very "Disney" but has a little bit of character meal mayhem. I would give Crystal Palace the edge if you are looking at just food, but if you prioritize the more relaxed experience over the food and super Disney feel, then I might choose Cape May. If you're also looking for a slower morning for your husband then I would also lean more toward Cape May.

Hope that helps! I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either of them!

 

[SabresFan]

You might also consider the breakfast at 1900 Park Faire - the character assortment is a little different than most, with Mad Hatter, Alice and Mary Poppins joining Pooh and Tigger. I've generally found the food to be pretty similar across Disney breakfast buffets - scrambled eggs is scrambled eggs, Mickey Waffles is Mickey Waffles, so I would generally rely more on the differences in experience than differences in food.

 

[RRZJ]

IMO most definitely Crystal Palace. The selection and quality of the food at Crystal Palace far exceeds Cape May. We always stay at Beach Club but after doing the Cape May breakfast last year, would not go back. Food is not bad, it's just very limited in selection and just mediocre.

 

[jenjersnap]

IMO most definitely Crystal Palace. The selection and quality of the food at Crystal Palace far exceeds Cape May. We always stay at Beach Club but after doing the Cape May breakfast last year, would not go back. Food is not bad, it's just very limited in selection and just mediocre.

I agree. I have eaten at Cape May breakfast several times the last few years because we stay at BC or YC and have dxddp, but it mystifies me why anyone would go out of their way for its meager offerings. OTOH, I have never been disappointed in Crystal Palace breakfast - we have eaten there every trip for 12 years now.

 

[honeybunches]

My husband, who is a morning person but hates to have too many places to "be," would say that he'd rather go to MK and mill around, then have Crystal Palace (for breakfast or lunch...wouldn't matter). But he also loves Crystal Palace.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I don't know about the Crystal Palace, but we just got back from a stay at the BWV and did a breakfast at Cape May one morning. Our reservation was at 8:20, and it was an easy walk over instead of having to catch a bus first thing. Restaurant was active but not packed...we saw all the characters several times. Food was good, and all they trays were kept fresh/full. Server came around frequently with water/juice/coffee. After breakfast we caught the bus to MK from Beach Club and were at the park by 10.

I haven't been to Cape May for breakfast since I was a kid. We are finally going back for breakfast in September and we're so excited. We'll be staying at BC, so I am really looking forward to just walking right there, and not have to worry about transportation to get to an ADR for once! Great to see you enjoyed it!

 

[aboveH20]

OP, what did you end up doing? I'm going through the same dilemma. I have Cape May reservations (never been before) but am wondering about changing to Crystal Palace, which I have eaten at before.

DH not a morning person? The most important tip at WDW is to arrive early so I say it is time for a new hubby.

I think that's why I love going to WDW solo. I do what I want when I want!

 

[SwanVT2]

I am surprised to hear Crystal has better selection than Cape May. We went to Cape May last year and I was so impressed with the large, fresh selection! We decided to do Cape May again because we get a discount with the Disney visa. Thanks for the advice though. I'll aim for crystal palace next time!

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

I like Cape May a little better than Crystal Palace. We took the boat over to Epcot after! We had a pre park breakfast reservation.

 

[SwanVT2]

You might also consider the breakfast at 1900 Park Faire - the character assortment is a little different than most, with Mad Hatter, Alice and Mary Poppins joining Pooh and Tigger. I've generally found the food to be pretty similar across Disney breakfast buffets - scrambled eggs is scrambled eggs, Mickey Waffles is Mickey Waffles, so I would generally rely more on the differences in experience than differences in food.

I thought of this but Alice is not listed anymore! She is one of my DD'S favorites.

 

[ArielSRL]

I enjoy them both but we usually do CP more often as it's easier to get to for us. If I was at BW or BC, I'd probably go with Cape May. But you can't lose with either choice, in my opinion.

 

[shannonstar]

I could eat Pooh Ears at Crystal Palace all day, so it gets my vote.

 

[aboveH20]

I could eat Pooh Ears at Crystal Palace all day, so it gets my vote.

I've made the puffy French toast a couple times. I can't remember if it's the Pooh ears or if that's something else.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Been to both many times and while I like the beach club theme...the breakfast food is a little substandard and the breakfast at crystal palace is actually very good. One of the few buffets worth going to...