Character Breakfasts and early ps's

[pigby]

Have always booked late ps's for character breakfasts especially on EMH mornings at MK. This allows us to enjoy the rides early and leave the park right after breakfast when it's busy.

How does booking an early ps compare on a non EMH day? Do you still get a decent head start on the crowds?

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I'm bumping this up in hopes that we can get some opinions for you.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Yes, we thought so, on our late August trip. On two different non-EMH days we did an 8:05 Princess Breakfast (on a Monday) and an 8:10 Crystal Palace (on a Saturday). We were able to hit FantasyLand by 9 on the one day and Tomorrowland by 9 on the other day (park opening was at 9). Breezed through all attractions in those lands and moved on to others quite easily. In fact we didn't notice the crowds to be building until close to noon. Perhaps it was just a perk of traveling in late August, but I thought that the walk down an uncluttered Main Street to get to our breakfast was just an awesome way to start the day!

 

[mochabean]

Since Chef Mickey's has breakfast seatings very late in the morning, you could even book your character breakfast there and head over on the monorail.

 

[CamColt]

We have 2 different experiences on this.
We booked Donalds for the earliest we could get, 8:10 hoping to get a jump on the 9:00 crowds. Either they were running late that day or they were very unorganized. Even though we arrived well before 8:00, we werent taken to the restaurant and seated until probably around 8:20/8:30. Then after we were told we could go to the buffet and started up there, we were yelled at to sit down to see the characters, so we had to sit and wait for them all to arrive before getting our food. Basically we felt totally rushed after that and stressed out as our waiter was constantly yelling at us. In the end, no we had no jump on the crowds.
At CRT we had an 8:15 PS(maybe 8:20). We arrived nice and early, started walking down Main St and were offered a ride by a fire truck. Drove to the Castle, checked in,and were seated in no time. After a leisurely breakfast, and a bathroom break it was still only about 8:55. So yes, we did get a jump on the crowds during that experience. It was wonderful!
Good luck! I hope you have something like our CRT experience and not Donalds.

 

[dmslush]

We have 2 different experiences on this.
We booked Donalds for the earliest we could get, 8:10 hoping to get a jump on the 9:00 crowds. Either they were running late that day or they were very unorganized. Even though we arrived well before 8:00, we werent taken to the restaurant and seated until probably around 8:20/8:30. Then after we were told we could go to the buffet and started up there, we were yelled at to sit down to see the characters, so we had to sit and wait for them all to arrive before getting our food. Basically we felt totally rushed after that and stressed out as our waiter was constantly yelling at us. In the end, no we had no jump on the crowds.
At CRT we had an 8:15 PS(maybe 8:20). We arrived nice and early, started walking down Main St and were offered a ride by a fire truck. Drove to the Castle, checked in,and were seated in no time. After a leisurely breakfast, and a bathroom break it was still only about 8:55. So yes, we did get a jump on the crowds during that experience. It was wonderful!
Good luck! I hope you have something like our CRT experience and not Donalds.

Thankfully, I've never had a waiter yell at me anywhere, much less disney world. But I guess if they had, I'd ask for a manager, explain my situation, and then walk out and get a counter service or something. I just don't know how they expect anyone to enjoy a meal, character interaction, or anything if someone is yelling at them!!