Crystal Palace: before park opening or an hour after park opening?

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We are considering the Crystal Palace for breakfast (for which ever non-morning EMH day we are able to get the reservation for). It is not a must do character meal for us so if we don't get the ADR it is not a big deal, but I was trying to decide what time would be better if we were able to get this meal: a reservation before park opening (around 8am) or a reservation around 10am or later? If we did the later reservation we could still do rope drop and spend the first hour getting Fantasy Land out of the way or we could do the 8am which would place us in the park before it opens. I know a lot of people prefer the 8am to get pictures, etc. but that is not important to us at this point. Thanks

 

[DaniB]

Personally I prefer an 8am breakfast at CP when MK opens at 9am.

Too bad we're not going the same day. If you had an 8am breakfast, I'd trade my 10:10 am breakfast with you!

 

[tina.tina]

I would choose the later breakfast.

We went for our first family visit in April. I think the main thing I learned was how important it is to hit the parks first thing. So we could get some important early park time, we had a snack in the room around 7 and had a late breakfast at 10:15 at Crystal Palace. We were there a little over an hour and basically were one of only about 3 or 4 families in our part of the restaurant by the time we left. They still had breakfast on one side of the buffet and they were putting out lunch when we left. Our server encouraged us to stay as long as we wanted. We were there about an hour. The characters probably came around 3 times and the kids took part in the parade. DH & Kids were at buffet & I was sitting by myself when Eeyore & Piglet came around an additional time and both hugged me. I was talking to my sister on the phone & Eeyore is her favorite. He got my phone like he was talking on it. It was so cute & it's a shame the area was so desterted that nobody else saw it! That was the only place that the characters went out of the way to interact with me or DH. DH got his picture taken with Tigger.

 

[Jktrush]

When we eat there we always do an 8am reservation. To be able to walk through main street with no people is great! And for pictures without a lot of people around is a lot easier. Usually we are done around 9 so still have time to hit rides with very little wait.

 

[PrincessTaylorsMom]

CP is no longer a "must do" for us either, but nothing beats getting an early 8 a.m. ADR there when the park opens at 9:00. Being one of the first to walk down Main Street when there is no one else there and get all of those great pictures of the castle...that can't be beat. And you're done right before park opening at 9. it's great.

 

[coltsfanatic]

This is my opinion. Eat a filling, but easy, packaged lunch in your resort/whatever in the morning, then go to rope drop, ride attractions in Fantasyland, etc. then do an early lunch 11:30 or 12 at CP. Their lunch is delicious and if you make an early reservation, it will not be packed. The food will be fresh and this way you're not doing the attractions when they are most full.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Right now the times that are available are primarily early dinners (around 3:15pm or later). Again, it is not a must do character meal for us. There are plenty of opportunities to meet Winnie the Pooh in the parks and being on Main Street before the crowds arrive isn't a priority for us either.