Character meals

[prestonsmomma]

We have lunch scheduled for Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends but I'm wondering if dinner wouldn't be the better meal. We have a 3 1/2 year old and we want to take time out for lunch (and a little rest too) and I wonder if a character lunch wouldn't be too exciting for him.

 

[missymagic]

My DDs love any character meal. We usually have at least 2 during our trip. That is something very special that they cherish. Doesn't matter the age.

 

[adisneymama]

Hey Michelle! I have had the lunch at CP and it isn't much different from the dinner other than the price. Go with what you feel is best for you guys. We don't usually go back to the room for naps so either would work out for us. Glad you made your way over here!

 

[Colinsmom]

We were there in late September - a slow time for WDW, but it was a ZOO at Crystal Palace! The characters only stopped once at your table, and will just pass you by the second time (contrary to our experience at every other character meal). The food is good for lunch though, with a huge selection.

It definitely wasn't too exciting for our DS who is 3yo. Much more relaxing than many of the rides/shows around the park!

 

[IAdisney]

Last year, we actually did a very late breakfast, I think we got the last seating time. Anyway, it filled us up for the rest of the day, and we did counter service for dinner. Our son actually took his nap in the stroller.

 

[rchristiansen]

OK - This isn't a Character Meal, but my DD (3) got the biggest kick out of the Whispering Canyon Cafe. We had so much fun there - more fun than any of the character meals we did. In fact the Wilderness Lodge was just on the Travel Channel and my DD said "Look, it's the Silly Restaurant!"

Lunch was a bit trickey for my DD as we weren't that hungry mid-day and she was starting to tire out. Dinner or a breakfast might be better for you.

 

[nuzmom]

I agree that Crystal Palace is pretty loud/crazy. We like the food, but the character interaction isn't as good as Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner) and I think the open layout makes the place loud. But we still like it, just not our absolute favorite.

IMHO, if you're looking for a quiet lunch, go to CP for breakfast or dinner (LTT is nice for lunch, no characters at lunch, but GREAT food and pretty quiet, other counter service restaurants are good, too). If you really want peace and quiet, hop the monorail to a resort. (Maybe the Kona Cafe at Poly) Resorts are quiet at lunchtime and after a full belly, the monorail ride (or boat)puts most kids to sleep.

Also, I made late breakfast reservations for CP in early December and the CM mentioned that the characters change to Minnie and Friends for lunch and dinner. Now, I KNOW we've had dinner there before with the pooh crew, so I don't know if that comment is correct or if it is for selected days, but you may want to double check on that if you want to see Pooh and friends.

 

[LaraK]

We loved the CP breakfast...booked it an hour before the park opens and then will be in the park when the rope drops.

 

[alwayspooh]

One of my best memories was at the CP. We went last year, DD was 4 at the time and she was having a bad early evening, very hungry and tired. We had just flown in and decided to go to MK. We decided we would try to get in at CP thinking that there would be no way. They had a cancellation, boy were we lucky. The CM noticed that my DD was in a really bad mood. She tried to cheer her up but was not successful. We were seated, the next thing we knew a couple of CM's and a manager came up to us and informed us that my DD had been picked for Chef of the Day. They told us they pick one child a day for this privelage. This experience included a special chef hat that she had to decorate at the table, a private photo shoot (lasted about 15 min) with all the characters (they made all the other children wait) and the decorating of her own brownie dessert which all the characters helped her to decorate.

I will always look back and feel so special. We had a lot of pixie dust springled on us that evening.

 

[annie1995]

Hello, I thought I would give my two cents worth on CP. We ate two breakfasts and one dinner. The first Breakfast was right at CP opening, wasn't too busy at that time all the characters were around in about the first 15-20 minutes, and the food was great! The second breakfast was one of the last ones of the day, again, the same for this day! We ate a late dinner one night also, around 7:40 or so. The food was wonderful. Busier, but the place was still great. The only character that wasn't coming around was Pooh, he stood in the center and kids came up to him. We skipped him that night because we had seen him two times before, and didn't want to hog up space for little ones who have not seen him yet! Definately one of my favorite character meals in the park!