Latest time for character breakfast (Crystal Palace) to make rope drop?

[slford00]

Hi all,

I've been lurking on this site the last couple weeks in preparation of our family's trip the middle of this month. Lots of good info here.

We currently have reservations for my wife, myself, and our two kids at Crystal Palace at 8:15 am on a Friday. If we're fast-eaters and get there a little before 8:15, is it realistic that we'd be out of there before the massive RD crowd is unleashed on the park?

The main reason I made the reservation was to get into the park early and that was the only time available. Neither kids are huge WtP fans.

Thanks!

 

[Ametista]

I think that should be fine as long as you don't care about meeting characters. Sometimes it takes over an hour to meet all of them.

 

[MomofKatie]

You can definitely get in and out in 45 minutes IF- and this is a big if- your kids don't get caught up in wanting to get all of the characters' autographs and pictures. Depending on how busy the restaurant is, it can take way more than an hour for all of the characters to make the rounds of all the tables. If you are just there to eat and get out, you shouldn't have a problem- just let your server know when you are seated that you want to have the check before 9am. Arrive 15 minutes prior to your reservation time to insure you won't have to wait too long for your table, too.

 

[happymomof1]

...and sometimes the characters will stop by your table one-after-the-other in a row! So, you may not have to wait long at all. If you have ever done any character dining you will understand that you never know what the schecule will be for them. So, enjoy the bright, airy Crystal Palace and all of its' delicious food and be open to anything when it comes to the characters! YOu may be in a napkin waving parade before you even get to take a bite of your bacon!
Yum! Lots of fun! And being in the park early is a huge perk! Enjoy!

 

[slford00]

Thanks all for the advice, exactly what I needed to know.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

We have done this many times. My advice is to ask for the check when they take your drink order and pay it the next time they come back to the table. Take it from my experience, there is nothing worse than sitting inside watching waves of folks entering the park and you can't find your waitress to pay your ticket! That only happen to us once! I'll mention too that we have rarely see all the characters. The most we see is 3 and it always seems that we miss Pooh.