Timing Question: How long to plan for Character Meals?

[Shana Banana]

Firming up some touring plans before I make my FP+ selections next month. WDW trip October 10-17, 2015.
Here's where I'm stuck:
1. On our second MK day, we have a breakfast ADR at Crystal Palace at 8:05 am. How long should I plan to be dining?
2. On our Epcot day, we currently have a 9:20 breakfast ADR at Akurshus (I am still hoping to switch to an earlier one) but with park opening at 9 am, I am hoping to get one ride in before checking in to the restaurant but want a ballpark of how long we will be dining with the Princesses to plan out the rest of the day and the FP+ selections.

TIA for your input

 

[ErinsMommy]

Once seated, I would give yourselves at least an hour. Both times we've been to Akershus, we were seated about 15-20 minutes past our reservation time. Crystal Palace, we were seated pretty quick but the characters took some time.

 

[Alesia]

I always plan for 90 minutes.

 

[srauseo]

YMMV - but our pre-rope drop character breakfasts took 45 minutes. We were always first in line at the gate, we were always one of the first tables to get seated, and we were done in 45 minutes with no rush. Saw all the characters. Hit the buffets multiple times. Even had time for restroom breaks. It was interesting - because it was the same amount of time at different restaurants. But maybe we are just efficient? Or lucky?

 

[tndisney5]

Ditto on the 90 min.

 

[quakechicago]

90 minutes and know sometimes it can go even longer if a character is slow or ill or shorter sometimes if you get lucky. Akershus often runs late. There's no harm in going early and you MIGHT be seated early.

 

[JJZMgailey]

I totally agree with planning for 90-minutes too. Especially because you never know how your kiddos are going to react with each Character and you won't want to stop magic in progress if you are in a hurry. Even with my teenagers now, we still plan that long because they take 'selfies' and have to get just the right angle!

 

[Ryanpat]

After being seated at both Crystal Palace and 1900 Park Fare...we were there for over an hour at least before each character came by and we had eaten enough food (of course).

 

[3Gsandme]

If you are willing to rush the meal, 45 to 60 minutes should be enough. It also mean, you have to be really proactive in asking for your check before you're done eating and encouraging slow eaters to hurry up. Ninety minutes would be a fairly relaxed, but not drug out pace.

 

[lizard1]

90 minutes sounds about right, especially if you aren't at the first seating.

 

[allsaintsatx]

Our CP breakfast took 45 minutes, once we were seated. We went through the buffet twice and saw the characters twice. But, I would add on some to the total time to compensate for the pre-meal waiting. The check in process probably added another 10-15 minutes with the small line at the check in window, to waiting for our name to be called to enter.

 

[Shana Banana]

I totally agree with planning for 90-minutes too. Especially because you never know how your kiddos are going to react with each Character and you won't want to stop magic in progress if you are in a hurry. Even with my teenagers now, we still plan that long because they take 'selfies' and have to get just the right angle!

Absolutely don't want to stop any magic-in-progress and also don't want to rush the kids (age 6 & 8) or my mom (age 68) who is a notoriously slow eater and LOVES characters. I can see my DH being the "rusher" so I'll plan at least 90 min so he's not cracking the whip

 

[Shana Banana]

THANKS ALL! Love the DIS. I'm going to plan for 90 min just to avoid any rushing or anxiety! 99 days to go!