Some insight, please...Crystal Palace

[DWillowBay]

So, on a night that Happily Ever After begins at 9:00, would a 5:15 or 6:20 reservation at Crystal Palace be better in terms of timing to get a decent spot for viewing? I'd love to eat at 6:20, but does that put us at a disadvantage for HEA? Does CP typically run behind in seating at the reservation time? Many thanks!

 

[KTwiegs]

Would love to know this answer too! Planning to do the very same thing on our trip.

 

[gmboy95]

oh absolutely.....both times will afford you plenty of time to find a nice viewing spot....in fact i would take the later time, as the earlier one may give you too much down time

 

[disneyvoice]

We decided to do a 5:15 dinner reservation and then we got the Fireworks Dessert Party with the Plaza Garden viewing. Wasting time to camp out for a good fireworks spot has never been my favorite thing to do (although I do enjoy people watching when we have done it). We aren't big dessert eaters but we figured it was worth it to shell out some money so we would have a good view without having to camp out for hours. I doubt we actually eat much and we won't get there right at 7:45.

I would probably suggest the earlier time just in case they are running behind at CP.

 

[Beer Me]

I have never staked out a spot for more than 45 minutes or so. I realize that a clear castle view is optimal for HEA but I can't believe it would be much more difficult than Wishes. This board makes finding a spot sound like something out of Lord of the Flies.

 

[DWillowBay]

Thanks everyone. I just thought that if CP is typically 20 mins behind at that point in the day, perhaps the earlier reservation would be better. I'm getting the impression that CP runs close to "on time" though.

 

[oufpat]

Keep in mind that you don't usually get seated at your exact reservation time. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table last year for a 5:30 dinner reservation at CP.

 

[Candris79]

We waited about a half hour after our reservation time to be seated at CP.

 

[DWillowBay]

uggg! That's my planning dilemma. Blah! 5:15 it is then!

 

[jdisnut]

uggg! That's my planning dilemma. Blah! 5:15 it is then!

Sounds like you already made up your mind, but I'd have gone with 6:20. Even if you had to wait a while for a table, you'd still be finished with your meal with plenty of time to secure a good spot for the fireworks. Buffets tend to go quick.

 

[jpeterson]

Sounds like you already made up your mind, but I'd have gone with 6:20. Even if you had to wait a while for a table, you'd still be finished with your meal with plenty of time to secure a good spot for the fireworks. Buffets tend to go quick.

While the actual eating goes quick the characters can cause delays if you intend to see them all. Crystal Palace is huge, on a busy night it could take them a while to get to you. An extra time buffer might be helpful in that scenario.

 

[DWillowBay]

Sounds like you already made up your mind, but I'd have gone with 6:20. Even if you had to wait a while for a table, you'd still be finished with your meal with plenty of time to secure a good spot for the fireworks. Buffets tend to go quick.

While the actual eating goes quick the characters can cause delays if you intend to see them all. Crystal Palace is huge, on a busy night it could take them a while to get to you. An extra time buffer might be helpful in that scenario.

I repeat..."uggg! That's my planning dilemma. Blah!" I agree with both of you. I especially agree that the characters take time...and my adult son is autistic and just loves Pooh and the Gang. I can't miss even one of them....I'm just thankful that the rest of the Pooh entourage are not there. Perhaps something will open up in the middle? 5:45??? This is a horrible game of "Beat the Crowd". My son is the reason I would like to have a good viewing spot for HEA. But...so would everyone else, I get it. Thank you for the perspectives, though. I really appreciate the input.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

I'd pick 5:15. I find Crystal Palace very slow at dinner. We have waited a long time (45 minutes) to be seated and waited 30 minutes after finishing our dinner for characters to come around. It took 2 hours (from the time we checked in until the time we walked out the door) when we were there at spring break. This is why my family prefers breakfast there. For some reason, we never wait long when checking in for a breakfast reservation. Since you're looking at dinner, I'd go with 5:15. If you're done early, you can always walk around and people watch a bit until it's time to stake out a spot for fireworks.