character meals when short on time

[Cakesy]

I am taking my ALMOST 3 yr old to WDW next year. We are short on time and will probably be spending only one day at Magic Kingdom. Should we plan a character meal or skip it?
I was thinking of Crystal Palace buffet, not sure for what meal. I just wonder if it's going to take up a lot of time.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

For our son, a Disney trip means character dinning. Try to get the first seating at CP and you should be finished with your meal as the park is just openning...

 

[maxiesmom]

It will take a bit of time. Don't do it if you think you will be rushing thru the whole thing to get back to the rides. It won't be very magical that way.

 

[Cakesy]

Oh, we're not staying on property. Can we still get into the restaurant before the park opens?

 

[maxiesmom]

Oh, we're not staying on property. Can we still get into the restaurant before the park opens?

You sure can! As long as you have an ADR they will let you in.

 

[mastermind307]

We had an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace, we were done eating and waiting at the rope at Fantastyland when the park opened. It was me, DH, and DD4. My husband and I are fast eaters, and our daughter only ate donuts and fuit loops (very picky eater) so it might take other people longer. We were done eating before all the characters came by our table. So once we saw all the characters, we were ready to go.

 

[EastonCat]

If your almost 3 year old has not experienced character dining, he or she will not know what is being missed. Adding this to the beginning of your day while you are also off property means that you will get up, give the little one a snack to keep them from flipping out before you get to breakfast, make your way to the TTC and then MK, walk to the Crystal Palace, and sit down for breakfast.

All by 8:05. This means you left your room at around 7:15 at the latest. Probably earlier.

That can be the beginning of a godawful day if you are not early risers in your non-vacation lives. You would need a break midday most likely which then means you have to go to the TTC, pack up, leave and lather rinse repeat to get back in.

A full day of touring with children three or less can be a challenge. Place your bets on whatever gets you there in the best condition to have a long day. This will likely be your longest touring day regardless of your dining choice.

 

[Cakesy]

If your almost 3 year old has not experienced character dining, he or she will not know what is being missed

See, this is kind of what I was thinking. It's the same for the fact that we'll only be at MK one day. She doesn't know the diifference yet. As long as we do fun stuff that she enjoys, she doesn't know that there was stuff "missing."

 

[hdmichael]

We always liked a late lunch at CP when our son was this age. He loved the characters, and all of us needed the sit down and relax break by this time of the day, then we were ready to go for the rest of the day.

 

[kdfogliano]

is she an early riser?
my son was up every day by 6am at WDW!!! so for us getting to breakfast for the 805 reservation was no big deal!

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We also have early risers. We had no problem making the 8:05 CP ADR. By 9:00 we had great pics in front of the castle, breakfast, 4 character meet and greets down, and were standing at the FL rope drop. We were second on the Dumbo ride and had all of FL "done" by 9:45. AWESOME use of our time.

BUT, I agree with pp, if you are not an early rising family it could turn into a miserable experience.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

I am taking my ALMOST 3 yr old to WDW next year. We are short on time and will probably be spending only one day at Magic Kingdom. Should we plan a character meal or skip it?
I was thinking of Crystal Palace buffet, not sure for what meal. I just wonder if it's going to take up a lot of time.

Since you are staying off site and plan on spending the whole day a lunch at the CP might be just the thing you need to get off your feet inside and recharge your batteries. Does your child still nap? Another option might be to take the boat over to one of the resorts and use that as a rest time.

And I wouldn't worry about it taking too long. Disney is quite good at getting people in and out and turning over tables. I doubt it will take too long and it could be a welcome break. We love to get to the MK early, tour a while and take a late lunch (1:30 or so) break to refuel. It makes a nice interuption in touring that you all might need.

Hope you all have a wonderful time.