So overwhelmed! Which breakfast to try for if we can't get CRT?

[MateasMom]

I'm making myself CRAZY!!!!! I've read post after post after post here. This place is good, no, it sucks. That place is the best...next post says they hated it. I've been reading/searching forever. Uggg!!!!

Our story....DH, 5YODD, 4YODD, and myself for Dec 4-10. Looking for someplace to spend our one breakfast voucher. I'm trying to get CRT, but willing to consider someplace else. So far....it seems like Crystal Palace is our runner up? No?

Someone save me!

 

[Terk-1]

This is our favorite place to dine at the Magic Kingdom. The food and service have always been great.

If it's princesses you want, you can also try the Princess breakfast at EPCOT. Now that they have extended the time frame for this meal, you may have a good shot at hetting a PS.

Good luck!!

 

[Harambe]

I don't know if you can use your voucher at 'Ohana, but we did the character breakfast there (DD has got to see Mickey!) and it was fun. Not too crowded, so character interaction was very good. Food is okay - breakfast staples like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, etc., but they do serve that delicious pineapple bread.


TERK-1: I sent you a PM the other day to see if you can send me that Red Sox banner. I love it!

 

[sleepydog25]

How about an enthusiastic "thumbs up" for the PSB at Epcot? My DW and I took our DD4 there in August, and we really enjoyed the experience. We had fresh fruit and cinnamon rolls waiting on the table when we were seated (8:30), and our server came up to us almost immediately. She was prompt, checked back often, and we had our hot skillet breakfast within about 15 minutes. We thought the food was fairly decent--scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cheesy potatoes (they were the best!), and biscuits (they were dry). It's all you care-to-eat, though one skillet was all we could manage. The princesses didn't appear rushed and each greeted our DD warmly, took photos with her, and signed her autograph book. That day we had Snow White, Aurora, Mulan, and Jasmine (we DHs tend to really like Jasmine ).
Overall, it was a superb experience and one we would do again without hesitation.

As for opposing views, that's true no matter where you go, dine, or what you do. If the restaurant or ride or show has an off day, then you won't be impressed. For example, most people rave about Whispering Canyon. We went and enjoyed the shenanigans, but were unimpressed by the food, so it isn't a must see experience for us. More specifically, though there are those who haven't enjoyed PSB, the majority of posters on here and other sites have. Naturally, only you can make the final decision. Whatever you choose, relax and just enjoy the moment.

 

[F1Julie]

Since you're looking for December, you probably won't be able to get CRT or PSB unless you luck out and get a cancellation. I'd go to 1900 Park Fare at the GF. The characters at breakfast are Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, Pooh, and usually another Pooh character (we had Eeyore). The food is good and the character interaction has been great each time we have gone. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[domestic goddess]

We have done breakfast at Chef Mickey's(good food and great interaction), 1900 PF(great food and interaction), PSB(food adn service not great and very cramped), CP(good food and great interaction). We are doing CRT and Cape May Cafe for breakfast next month and can't wait!

Where ever you end up, have a great time! I agree with a previous poster that it all depends on the individual experience. Sometimes people and places can have "off" days. I just try to take that into consideration and enjoy it the best that we can. Sometimes all it takes is some understanding from a guest to make the day better for a CM.

Have fun, Disney is great in December!

 

[Kaycee]

First of all, stop worrying about the negative reviews you read. Every restaurant at WDW gets negative reviews here sooner or later, with the possible exception of Victoria and Albert's, and I'll bet there's someone out there that would even give that restaurant a negative review! I have found that some of our very favorite WDW restaurants regularly get negative reviews here (Sci Fi Dine In and Donald's Breakfastosaurus are two that come to mind immediately) while some of the most popular choices here did not appeal to us (i.e. 'Ohana dinner). There are no guarantees that you will either love or hate any restaurant you choose. The best thing to do, in my opinon, is to read the reviews for a description of what the restaurant is like overall more than whether that particular person had a good experience on that particular visit. Then choose the one (or ones) that sound like something your family would enjoy and don't worry about what someone else thought of it. And relax! After all, you're going WDW!!

 

[Russell]

On our last trip we did Cindy's, the Princess at Norway, and the Cape May breakfast. Certainly go for Cindy's if you can. It's just magical. My 10 yo DS loves it too. We were impressed with Norway though. We love the service there, everyone so friendly. The food at the Cape May was wonderful! But it did lack magic.

 

[DissyLove]

Last year my family visited both CRT and the Crystal Palace for charecter meals, and we all loved the ambiance of the Crystal Palace. It is still in the Magic Kindgom, so if that is a big draw, enjoy this as a great second choice.

It is buffet instead of "family style" food like at Cindy's, but my kids enjoyed the food choices much more (so did adults) and yet the charecters were all the warm and fuzzy ones from the Hundred Acre Woods-Either way, pick one, and make the most out of it and enjoy-the vacation is what you make of it, so take it easy and get into the magic! Good luck to you

 

[3MouseMom]

If you want to eat in the MK (it is great to get in early) and can't get a CRT cancellation, I would def. go for Crystal Palace. My girls (8&4) really liked it, they thought it was beautiful and they liked the characters. You can also try the Castle for lunch--2 years ago Cindy and the FG were waiting in the lobby, nobody else around, we spent 5 minutes with them before other families came in.

If you really want a princess experience, I'd try for the PSB. We have done it twice and liked it. The last time the food was only so-so, but the people are really nice. I have since read here on DIS that we could have asked for pancakes or cereal...next time I'll try that if the eggs are dry!!

I agree with the other posters...you can't always tell from the reviews, give places a try and your family will find their own favorites.

 

[Sarahsal]

The characters at the Crystal Palace are great, and it's much quieter than Chef Mickeys (although almost anything would be quieter than breakfast at Chef Mickeys!) Of course if you can get CRT, go for it-it is a wonderful experience even if you don't like the food. Many of the criticisms of the food at CRT seem to be what is served, not the quality-a lot of posters write things like "the breakfast meat was greasy" or "the eggs were fatty"- well yeah, sausage is greasy and eggs have fat. I personally thought the yogurt and granola was very good.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

On our summer trip we had breakfast at CRT, Crystal Palace, and Cape May (Goofy's Beach Bash). The ambiance and Princesses were obviously a highlight at the Castle, though the food was just OK. In general we "rushed through" the experience -- no issue for us since we were anxious to hit the park upon the official opening, but it was nice to have an early PS there. We all thought the Fairy Godmother downstairs was quite a charmer!

I agree with a previous poster who gave thumbs up to the ambiance of the Crystal Palace. What a pretty place! Had an excellent server, fantastic character interaction, and great food.

We also loved breakfast at Cape May. Lots of character interaction (repeat visits) and we also enjoyed the food. This was a more low-keyed experience than the other two breakfasts. We actually felt like we had enough time to enjoy the characters as well as the meal -- even the kids! Perhaps it was because we weren't "in" a park!

 

[jacksmom]

We have a ds, but we prefer Ohanas or Donald's! Cape May might also be a good alternative!

 

[MateasMom]

Thanks everyone! I called today and booked Cyrstal Palace....I told my girls, and they seem excited about seeing Pooh and the gang. Thank you all!

 

[minnielaners]

We've done CRT twice and will not be doing it again. The princess interaction is great but the food is not, in my and DH's, humble opinion, worth the money. We can at least say that our DD (now 6) and DS (almost 5) have been there twice. I must say that when DS was 2 1/2, the princesses covered his forehead with red kisses; that was very cute. We ate at Donald's buffet at the AK this past August and enjoyed it immensely. That will be a repeat!

 

[lmhall2000]

Our girls were your daughters' ages last trip...we did Norway Princess breakfast and LOVED it...even my son liked it! We always make a point of eating lunch at the castle....I would definitely do this...to me the biggest charm of the castle is sitting in the waiting room taking pictures of the kids next to the suit of armour and the King's throne chair....and each time we've had lunch we've caught sight of Cinderella and her entourage heading through...she waved like a princess does and that was such a neat treat...but the PSB is just wonderful and your girls will love it! Also my daughters LOVED Alice in Wonderland's tea party at the Grand Floridian...such a neat treat, too!

Tara

 

[Texowl2]

skip CRT, done em all. best breakfast is crystal palace or the princesses at Norway