would you do a character meal for lunch?

[dkbnyc]

I wonder if a character meal for lunch would just take too much time out of my park visit? i know we need to take a break and would like to do a TS lunch and possibly go back to our rooms. However, MK will close at 7pm- am i taking too much time out of my day for lunch?

thanks

 

[Vicksterp33]

We are doing Crystal Palace at MK for lunch during our trip. It's for 11:50am, so we will have a few hours in the morning to do things and then as it gets really hot, we are inside in the air conditioning, enjoying a buffet lunch with Pooh, Tigger, and others. I think it will be a welcome restful experience. Then back out to the parks.

Just my 2 cents.

Have a good day!

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

AB-SO-LUTE-LY

My favorite character meal is a late lunch at Crystal Palace. It's a nice break from the Park, and recharges your batteries for the rest of the day. Even a 7:00 pm closing.

Highly recommended.

 

[dkbnyc]

i was going to do CP the night before for dinner. But perhaps it makes more sense to do CM for dinner and then CP for early lunch the next day since its in the park- therefore minimal travel time.
thanks

 

[NorweJenNY]

i was going to do CP the night before for dinner. But perhaps it makes more sense to do CM for dinner and then CP for early lunch the next day since its in the park- therefore minimal travel time.
thanks

Sounds good!

I agree about seeing lunch as a break from the heat & the crowds... (though I guess heat depends on the time of year you're there).

Still, a mid-day break to relax at a restaurant is nice no matter when you're there!

 

[Kae]

Not only do we love CP just everything about it the food is good, characters are great & it is beautuful place. We really enjoy the little break from the park.

Kae

 

[djp0630]

We're doing both CRT & Akershus for lunch. I figure it will be a nice break from the heat and touring. So yes, I think it's a good time.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Not sure when you're visiting and what the weather may be like, so I don't know if you'll need a break from the heat. But I like a break from the crowds and walking no matter what the weather.

You're not really giving us a lot to work with here. Are you arriving at rope drop? Is it an EMH day and are you going to be there for EMH? Will there be children in your party? What ages? Do you have hoppers?

I usually have hoppers. I typically arrive for rope drop. I like to experience the popular attractions in the morning so I don't have to wait in line. Then I have lunch, maybe go to the Philharmagic or Country Bears, then go to the resort for a break. I like my breaks any time of year.

After the break I like to go to Epcot or DHS - they're usually open later than the MK during the "slow season". Then I visit the MK again another day (or two) during the trip.

Since the MK usually closes earlier than other parks during the off seasons I get hoppers specifically so I can go to MK early then another park that closes later.

How long the meal at CP takes you will kind of depend on if you have kids in the party and how long they (or you) want to spend with the characters. I can get in and out of a Disney buffet, including one character visit to our table, in about an hour.

 

[acwsmom]

We had lunch at the Crystal Palace last summer and it worked out perfectly! We were starting to drag a little bit from all the walking and the heat and it was the perfect way to take a break, rest a little bit and get our energy back to enjoy the rest of the day. Plus, the kids LOVED getting to parade around the restaurant with Pooh and Tigger!

 

[2littlez'sandme]

Absolutely.

We ate lunch @ CP one year when the boys were 4 and 2. No way would they get up early for a breakfast ressie or rope drop!! It was one of the best things we did that trip.

 

[dkbnyc]

Not sure when you're visiting and what the weather may be like, so I don't know if you'll need a break from the heat. But I like a break from the crowds and walking no matter what the weather.

You're not really giving us a lot to work with here. Are you arriving at rope drop? Is it an EMH day and are you going to be there for EMH? Will there be children in your party? What ages? Do you have hoppers? we will be there 12/3-12/5. 12-3 is MVMCP, 12-4 is MK, 12-5 is DHS. dont know park schedules yet. Not sure we can make rope drop. Kids are 5 and 2. Base tickets

I usually have hoppers. I typically arrive for rope drop. I like to experience the popular attractions in the morning so I don't have to wait in line. Then I have lunch, maybe go to the Philharmagic or Country Bears, then go to the resort for a break. I like my breaks any time of year.

After the break I like to go to Epcot or DHS - they're usually open later than the MK during the "slow season". Then I visit the MK again another day (or two) during the trip.

Since the MK usually closes earlier than other parks during the off seasons I get hoppers specifically so I can go to MK early then another park that closes later.

How long the meal at CP takes you will kind of depend on if you have kids in the party and how long they (or you) want to spend with the characters. I
can get in and out of a Disney buffet, including one character visit to our table, in about an hour.

thanks

 

[septbaby]

I wonder if a character meal for lunch would just take too much time out of my park visit? i know we need to take a break and would like to do a TS lunch and possibly go back to our rooms. However, MK will close at 7pm- am i taking too much time out of my day for lunch?

thanks

Do one or the other on that day. For us the TS lunch is enough of a break that going back to the room isn't necessary. If you aren't planning on another park in the evening. 7-8pm is early enough to still enjoy your resort pool. You can still do some other activity in the evening (free movie under the stars, downtown disney shopping and entertainment, mini golf, etc.)

 

[robinb]

We really like to grab brunch at the Crystal Palace after hitting the MK at rope drop. I grab the last breakfast seating and the stay for some lunch-y foods when the buffet turns over. I make sure that I have FPs to use when we're done and there are plenty of rides/shows that don't ever get too backed up.

 

[Mkrop]

Plus you are not cutting into park time by standing in line to meet characters. This is the beauty of character meals. Sure there are other places to meet them sometimes, but you got to eat. So to me they are win/win.

Also I think you should try rope drop, we did it when my kids were small. We were never there for park opening but always a minute or two (or 5 or 10) and it made a HUGE difference. You can get osme much done if you are there early. Now you know your family so every day might not work, but I would try a few.

Have fun

 

[robinb]

Plus you are not cutting into park time by standing in line to meet characters. This is the beauty of character meals. Sure there are other places to meet them sometimes, but you got to eat. So to me they are win/win.

Also I think you should try rope drop, we did it when my kids were small. We were never there for park opening but always a minute or two (or 5 or 10) and it made a HUGE difference. You can get osme much done if you are there early. Now you know your family so every day might not work, but I would try a few.

Have fun

Both very good points. Rope drop is essential to getting things done in Fanstasyland.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

we will be there 12/3-12/5. 12-3 is MVMCP, 12-4 is MK, 12-5 is DHS. dont know park schedules yet. Not sure we can make rope drop. Kids are 5 and 2. Base tickets

thanks

Ah I see now. With MVMCP the evening before, your group will be out kind of late so it may be difficult to make rope drop.

Here's an idea - if you can swing an early wake up, maybe try CP for an early breakfast? Then you can have a CS lunch and take your break. Or have lunch at your resort during your break.

Early December is my favorite time to visit WDW. Low crowds, cool weather, beautiful decorations everywhere. Oh I'm so envious!

Even with the lower crowds, lines at many fantasyland attractions will likely be aroune 45mins. by 11am or so. The earlier you can get to the parks the less time you will spend in lines.

 

[Binnie]

I prefer character meals for breakfast or dinner.

We generally don't do a heavy lunch anyway, and DD needs to chill out in the middle of the day, and the character dining doesn't do that for her.

 

[Mrsdisneyb2b]

cp has a great lunch with characters- They start i beleive at 11 so make ur ressie right before- like 1050 and you'll be there for the first show and food will be fresh! And that leaves u plenty of time in the park!