Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace...Breakfast?

[justbishop]

We are taking our only child to WDW for the first time! DH and I have been as childless adults many times, but we understand that going with a 2.5 y/o will be a bit different, to say the least!

We have ADRs for breakfast at CM's one day, and CP for lunch another, but I'm now starting to worry that asking DD to take a break from MK to sit and eat at CP midday is a potential fight that we won't want to deal with, and am thinking about switching that to a breakfast ressie as well.

So my question is...if we did breakfast at both CM's and CP in the same trip, would we feel (as far as the food is concerned) like we ate the same meal twice? Are the selections at each place unique at all, or will both have the normal eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, etc.? We've done breakfast @ CM's before (yes, as childless adults...don't laugh), so mainly just wondering if the food at CP is too similar.

 

[telephoneman66]

Do supper at Crystal Palace at the end of the day, it's near the exit and a natural transition to headed back to the hotel or stay and see the fireworks at the castle, then head out of the park.

When we did this with our kids, there was Characters coming around and it was fun and a good break after all day at the park.

Grab lunch on the go, or go back to the hotel for a nap and a swim in the pool and come back later for more park time and supper and fireworks, depending on your child's stamina.

 

[justbishop]

Do supper at Crystal Palace at the end of the day, it's near the exit and a natural transition to headed back to the hotel or stay and see the fireworks at the castle, then head out of the park.

When we did this with our kids, there was Characters coming around and it was fun and a good break after all day at the park.

Grab lunch on the go, or go back to the hotel for a nap and a swim in the pool and come back later for more park time and supper and fireworks, depending on your child's stamina.

Hm, that's definitely an idea. We are still holding out hope that the Wishes dessert party will be going on that late in the year, so hopefully, the end of our MK day will be fireworks time, which is much later than when we normally like to eat dinner (6pm at home, more like 5pm if we go out somewhere).

I really like the idea of getting the "have to be somewhere at a certain time" thing out of the way first thing in the day, with no real obligations afterward, just in case we decide that DD needs to go back to the hotel for a nap or something NOW, I just don't want to feel all deja vu-like if we do both places for breakfast. I'm torn now!

 

[2Tiggies]

Hm, that's definitely an idea. We are still holding out hope that the Wishes dessert party will be going on that late in the year, so hopefully, the end of our MK day will be fireworks time, which is much later than when we normally like to eat dinner (6pm at home, more like 5pm if we go out somewhere).

I really like the idea of getting the "have to be somewhere at a certain time" thing out of the way first thing in the day, with no real obligations afterward, just in case we decide that DD needs to go back to the hotel for a nap or something NOW, I just don't want to feel all deja vu-like if we do both places for breakfast. I'm torn now!

I agree with the advice posted by the previous poster if you are NOT going to do the dessert party. However if it is on and you would like to do it, I would then have lunch at CP and either break from the park or take her over to Tom Sawyer Island for some free play for an hour or so, get a light, healthy snack to tide you over and then do the dessert party. You won't manage the dessert party and a full meal at CP - unless you do a really late lunch by way of "dinner". I think the last lunch seating at CP is posted as 2.45 pm, if the Disney website is accurate at the moment.

 

[justbishop]

So the consensus is NOT to do breakfast at both CM's and CP in the same trip, then?

 

[2Tiggies]

So the consensus is NOT to do breakfast at both CM's and CP in the same trip, then?

Oh not at all. If you can fit them in, I would say go for it. Character meals are great time savers (and mood preservers ) with young children and you can get photos and autographs while you eat instead of having to stand out in the sun lining up for one character at a time. The characters are so different at both so you will get a good assortment too.

I was more focused on not cramming too many reservations into one day - at least not without spacing them well. You don't seem to plan on doing the two on the same day however so my points raised were related to the Dessert party and a full lunch - just leave a good gap between them. Your DD may not want to be torn from the park, but she will be tired and you can lure her with the presence of Pooh and Friends.

 

[Cherinva]

The food is similar at both places for breakfast....I would do what another poster said....go to CP for a late lunch or dinner....your child will love the Characters as they come around to the table...and as for taking a break in the day to go to lunch, you can get her exctited about it by telling her that you are going to meet Pooh Bear...and Tigger

 

[goofyintoronto]

I would skip CM.....its the worst breakfast i've had in all of Disney. Everything about the experience was awful.

I did CP lunch/dinner thou and it was great!!!! I absolutely love their food. Characters are wonderful too!

I agree about the midday break...i would def do CP for lunch or dinner. Everyone needs that down time!

 

[justbishop]

I know it seems like I asked advice and am refusing to take it, but I called DH at work to ask his opinion, and he said that we're not doing CM's or CP for the food anyway, so doing them both for breakfast is his choice. He has always been REALLY opposed to doing 2 TS meals in one day, so no worries there, lol.

I think this will be a good way to start our MK day, and morning is when there is the least risk of DD being unruly, This also frees up our day (until Wishes, at least) to go back to the resort for a good solid nap if DD needs it to be able to make it to the fireworks.

 

[2Tiggies]

I know it seems like I asked advice and am refusing to take it, but I called DH at work to ask his opinion, and he said that we're not doing CM's or CP for the food anyway, so doing them both for breakfast is his choice. He has always been REALLY opposed to doing 2 TS meals in one day, so no worries there, lol.

I think this will be a good way to start our MK day, and morning is when there is the least risk of DD being unruly, This also frees up our day (until Wishes, at least) to go back to the resort for a good solid nap if DD needs it to be able to make it to the fireworks.

You know best what will work for you so it's not a case of refusing to take advice. Everyone offers various personal opinions based on what works for each of us, which gives you a platform to work from when considering your options, but ultimately it is you and your DHS who will make the best decision based on the needs and preferences of your family. Glad you have a plan of attack now. Enjoy it. And take LOTS of pictures!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Crystal Palace is a better breakfast than Chef Mickey's IMHO, if you have to decide between the two. The nice thing about doing the breakfast buffet at CP is the photo op alone with the castle (if your ADR is early enough) and the pieces of whole fruit you can take with you for later in the day. The breakfast lasagna at CP is delish, too.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Both are great places for Bk & Dinner.