Crystal Palace - what time?

[Picabo]

A huge part of me hates to waste morning time in the parks to eat but DH is a bkfst person so we are thinking of the CP breakfast. But I have a few questions....

If you take the earliest reservation time (8am?) will that give you enough time to eat and still be ready for the park to open at 9am?

OR

I notice bkfst runs till 1130 but lunch starts at 1130. If you have an 11am or 1130a ADR, what food do you get? Is it just a combo of what is leftover for bkfst and what they start putting out for lunch?

Do you think it's better to have a late morning ADR (11 or so) and get stuff done in the parks before eating or better to have an EARLY bkfst and then hit the rides?

THANKS!

 

[Disneychix]

When it's just DH and me I like to skip bf and go to the parks to get a head start. We usually pack some type of breakfast bars to get us through the first few hours before hunger takes over.

But with DS I would rather eat early and then go, go, go!

 

[distherapy]

We had the 8:05 reservation and were seated just after that (be advised - I think the reservation time was more of a guideline - it seemed a bit more first come/first served at the check-in window, but I could be wrong). We had plenty of time to eat and see all the characters except one. We're not huge breakfast eaters, though. (We went back two days later to see the last character).

We absolutely loved being out in the park before opening and were able to be one of the few people at rope drop for Fantasyland (and on the first ride of Dumbo), so breakfast at CP is a must do for us! (I think we made sure to leave CP by 8:45 - rope drop for Fantasyland is IN the castle, so that was neat, too - as long as you don't mind the fumes pouring out of BBB)

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I always go to CP at 8:05 am and we are out of the restaurant and in line at the rope drop to Adventureland by 8:50am...and that is us taking our time and not rushing through breakfast

 

[Bethann23]

Last time we went, we made a combination of Breakfast ADR's and Lunch ADR's. Next year, I think I will make more Lunch ADR's. We grabbed a quick breakfast in our room ( granola bars, cereal bars and such ) and then we will go to the parks, work up a big appetite, and have a nice sit down Lunch. I think it is nice to sit down and enjoy lunch while so many poeple are getting to the park. Then afterwards, we will go back to the room and take a nap to get ready for late night EMH's. Enjoy your planning.

 

[ilovepooh]

We had an 8:05 and was able to be at rope drop without rushing to eat our breakfast or take pictures with the characters.

 

[The Marsons]

We had a 8.00am reservation and made it out with plenty of time to spare and that included pictures with Pooh and friends!

 

[freesone]

We try for as close to 8am as possible, and are usually done by 9 for the park opening.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

8:00 am bk then hit the rides. Been there done that

 

[Picabo]

WOW, I was thinking that an 8a bkfst wouldn't give us enough time....sounds like some fast eating. We have 2 toddlers (will be 2 1/2 and 4 at the time). It seems many of you mentioned "me and DH" and not any kids. Think it's possible to eat and make it to rope drop with toddlers? I doubt they'll be too interested in food though. LOL

 

[LuvTikiRoom]

Can you get the same luck/results if dining at Donald's Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House at Animal Kingdom? We've dined early at the CP and been on rides by 9:00. We are hoping to do the same thing but at a different park on the next trip.

 

[gardengirlco]

I notice bkfst runs till 1130 but lunch starts at 1130. If you have an 11am or 1130a ADR, what food do you get? Is it just a combo of what is leftover for bkfst and what they start putting out for lunch?

I was just coming to post this exact question. Has anyone done a breakfast reservation at approximately 11:15? How does the food situation work when you'll obviously be there into the lunch time? We aren't huge breakfast people so I don't think an early morning breakfast would be worth it cost-wise for us. I'd rather do a late breakfast/early lunch and possibly get to sample both menus. I just want to try the puffed French toast I keep reading about in posts, otherwise the lunch menu appeals to me more. TIA for any info!

 

[pat fan]

We always try and get an ADR for around 10:30-11:00 and have the breakfast food for a brunch. We just grab some fruit or cereal bars before we head out and that tides us over until our CP time.

If you're interested, you can do this on an EE day and really maximize your time. The little ones will be getting worn out around that time and you can end your morning with Pooh & Friends, then scoot them back to your hotel (if on site) and take a break. That is my recommendation and has worked for us in the past. Good luck

 

[Picabo]

We always try and get an ADR for around 10:30-11:00 and have the breakfast food for a brunch. We just grab some fruit or cereal bars before we head out and that tides us over until our CP time.

If you're interested, you can do this on an EE day and really maximize your time. The little ones will be getting worn out around that time and you can end your morning with Pooh & Friends, then scoot them back to your hotel (if on site) and take a break. That is my recommendation and has worked for us in the past. Good luck

Ohhh so what you're suggesting is to make the ressie on a MK early morning day, go on the rides first and hit a late brkft/early lunch on the way OUT of the park? Hmm, that is actually quite appealing. Maybe if I make a 11a ressie, DH can still get some bkfst foods and we won't feel so RUSHED to get out of there. THANKS!

 

[tmonferdini]

We were there in June and had an 8:20 adr. We arrived early & they seated us right away. We were out for rd & went straight for Tomorrowland. Got to the front of the rope & the CM's gave us all "pixie dust" to open Tomorrowland with. It was me, DH, DD13, DD9 & DS9 and we saw all the characters & were plenty full.

 

[pat fan]

Ohhh so what you're suggesting is to make the ressie on a MK early morning day, go on the rides first and hit a late brkft/early lunch on the way OUT of the park? Hmm, that is actually quite appealing. Maybe if I make a 11a ressie, DH can still get some bkfst foods and we won't feel so RUSHED to get out of there. THANKS!

Yup,works great!

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

We did the 11 am seating and although we loved the atmosphere they were switching out the foods and we didn't get to enjoy all the breakfast items. We missed out on the special Pooh shaped waffles and the famous Breakfast lasagna. I did have a magical moment there with my DS of 7 months and a young boy from England who was quite fond of my son. But all in all I would say if your kids are up early in the am and you can get them motivated go early and then get in the park for rope drop.