Crystal Palace breakfast

[DisBuckMan]

We're doing a CP at 8am for the first time. How does it work if you finish eating before rope drop? Are you allowed further into the park to get in lines?

The last time we went, they had cast members posted at all "spokes" of the hub around the castle. They were stopping everyone coming up Main Street headed toward SDMT, and made them wait on the rope drop crowd. We always slip out toward Frontierland and get 2 or 3 rides each on BTM/Splash before the heavy crowds hit.

 

[Chasesmom1]

We love this place for breakfast and always do it each trip!

 

[hookedonears]

What has been your recent experiences with Crystal Palace for breakfast? I'm looking for a breakfast ADR in MK that isn't Cinderella. I will admit, half of my desire to do this is the idea of getting some naked Main Street pics on our way to breakfast.

Thoughts?

Can't give you recent, but I can say that we've eaten at Crystal Palace at least 9 times and it's always been very good. Not recent as well, but we ate at CRT for breakfast once and only once. It was by far the most over priced meal we've ever had at WDW over the last 18 years. IHOP serves a better breakfast. Not only that, we were treated like cattle. They basically push you in and push you out.

 

[Kricketnp]

So can you eat the lunch food or is that side closed off until 11:30am?

I believe they kept it closed and tried to usher the breakfast crowd out, but we did see people go up and take some lunch food any way.

 

[Eastern]

I believe they kept it closed and tried to usher the breakfast crowd out, but we did see people go up and take some lunch food any way.

Thanks. I'm just wondering how it will be with reservations at 10:45am. If "lunch/dinner" starts at 11:30am it seems awkward if we are still there from breakfast. It's fine if they leave out breakfast until we leave, but I don't want them to rush us out. We don't rush at mealtimes.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Thanks. I'm just wondering how it will be with reservations at 10:45am. If "lunch/dinner" starts at 11:30am it seems awkward if we are still there from breakfast. It's fine if they leave out breakfast until we leave, but I don't want them to rush us out. We don't rush at mealtimes.

Going at a very late "breakfast" time of 10:45 kinda puts the restaurant in a weird spot. I'm sure there will be plenty to eat when you get there, but from past experience at Tusker House, they will probably begin transitioning the buffet from breakfast to lunch before "lunch" begins.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks. I'm just wondering how it will be with reservations at 10:45am. If "lunch/dinner" starts at 11:30am it seems awkward if we are still there from breakfast. It's fine if they leave out breakfast until we leave, but I don't want them to rush us out. We don't rush at mealtimes.

If I didn't like to feel rushed, I would not opt to get an ADR at the last possible slot for that meal. I would select something earlier - or a different ADR or day where I would not have the potential to feel rushed.

 

[Linda T.]

We eat breakfast here every trip. Love it!

 

[NuttyDisneyDad]

What has been your recent experiences with Crystal Palace for breakfast? I'm looking for a breakfast ADR in MK that isn't Cinderella. I will admit, half of my desire to do this is the idea of getting some naked Main Street pics on our way to breakfast.

Thoughts?

I just brought my 6 year old there for breakfast... She likes Winnie the pooh but not a huge fan. That being said the character interaction was excellent except Pooh kept missing our table so they gave us a 4th fasspass!!! Food was good and all things considered just a good time

 

[Kristina685]

We're considering doing an early ADR here in October. What's the earliest you can make a reservation and/or what time do you veterans recommend to eat and get out into the parks before rope drop?

 

[Eastern]

Going at a very late "breakfast" time of 10:45 kinda puts the restaurant in a weird spot. I'm sure there will be plenty to eat when you get there, but from past experience at Tusker House, they will probably begin transitioning the buffet from breakfast to lunch before "lunch" begins.

If I didn't like to feel rushed, I would not opt to get an ADR at the last possible slot for that meal. I would select something earlier - or a different ADR or day where I would not have the potential to feel rushed.

Interesting, they are the ones taking the 10:45 reservation, and they are charging the same amount as people with earlier reservations, and you both feel it is MY fault if I'm not done at 11:30am? And it puts the restaurant 'in a weird spot'?

Now that's weird!

No reason for me to feel rushed if either A-they leave breakfast food out or B-they allow us to eat from the dinner buffet. Since no one knows I guess we will find out.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Interesting, they are the ones taking the 10:45 reservation, and they are charging the same amount, and you both feel it is MY fault if I'm not done at 11:30am? And it puts the restaurant 'in a weird spot'?

Now that's weird!

No reason for me to feel rushed if either A-they leave breakfast food out or B-they allow us to eat from the dinner buffet. Since no one knows I guess we will find out.

I didn't say anything about it being "your fault" if you're not finished by 11:30....you did that yourself when you said, and I quote, "We don't rush at mealtimes".

I offered an answer to your question based on what my personal experience was at Tusker House in the same circumstance....ie, they don't keep the breakfast buffet out for a handful of late "straggler" tables, nor would I personally expect them to.

They MAY let you eat off the lunch buffet if they transition completely while you're there, and they MAY NOT. Like you said, you will find out.

That said, their "breakfast" hours are clearly stated as ending at 10:45, and lunch is clearly stated as beginning at 11:30. It's up to you to decide how long you choose to stay.

CP's hours are clearly stated as breakfast ending at 10:45, and lunch beginning at 11:30. Take that however you wish. I would begin there if you want to assign blame as to whose "fault" it is.

 

[Dug720]

I didn't say anything about it being "your fault" if you're not finished by 11:30....you did that yourself when you said, and I quote, "We don't rush at mealtimes".

I offered an answer to your question based on what my personal experience was at Tusker House in the same circumstance....ie, they don't keep the breakfast buffet out for a handful of late "straggler" tables, nor would I personally expect them to.

They MAY let you eat off the lunch buffet if they transition completely while you're there, and they MAY NOT. Like you said, you will find out.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Eastern]

I didn't say anything about it being "your fault" if you're not finished by 11:30....you did that yourself when you said, and I quote, "We don't rush at mealtimes".

I offered an answer to your question based on what my personal experience was at Tusker House in the same circumstance....ie, they don't keep the breakfast buffet out for a handful of late "straggler" tables, nor would I personally expect them to.

I don't consider a 10:45am legitimate booking to be "a handful of late 'straggler' tables", as you call it. And again, I do not think I am putting the restaurant in a 'weird spot', as you described it. That is just bizarre. If they don't want 'stragglers', maybe they should not take bookings past 10:15?

Do I expect to be kicked out at 11:30am? No, I do not. I was mostly interested in how they handled the food changeover, not whether or not they will throw us out at 11:30, which I don't think they will do.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I don't consider a 10:45am legitimate booking to be "a handful of late 'straggler' tables", as you call it. And again, I do not think I am putting the restaurant in a 'weird spot', as you described it. That is just bizarre. If they don't want 'stragglers', maybe they should not take bookings past 10:15?

Do I expect to be kicked out at 11:30am? No, I do not. I was mostly interested in how they handled the food changeover, not whether or not they will throw us out at 11:30, which I don't think they will do.

And I answered your specific question based on an experience at another Disney buffet, but you chose to focus on the "weird spot" comment rather than the actual answer to your question.

Good luck to you in getting whatever it is you're expecting with your CP reservation.

 

[yesvirginia]

We love Crystal Palace! It is a great way to start your day and the food is yummy!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

We went in December and LOVED it! I wanted an entire plate of cheddar bacon scones

Characters were great and we were out in 40ish minutes. Took castle pics before our reservation time and then they sat us early. (Our ADR was for 8:20) After the meal we headed to an empty Adventureland.

Overall it was my favorite character meal of our trip.

 

[danceteachermom]

We have done it 8 times. Exceptional service. Good food. Great character interaction. The meal will fill you up until dinner.

The staff is really efficient and the characters all come to each table in a very orderly way. Yet I have never felt rushed. We have had some just amazing waitstaff at CP. Quick, helpful, chatty, kind. Always fun to interact with cast members.

I take 30-50 teenagers for a school trip every other year and CP is always their favorite meal. My kids have gone with us each time so they have grown up with the tradition and really look forward to it. We get the first seating and when we get out into the park it is virtually empty.