Watching Parade from Crystal Palace?

[kimbeejohnson]

We have ADRs for the Crystal Palace during the parade. ADRs are at 2:30 pm, and Celebrate a Dream Come True parade is at 3pm.

I have two questions:
1. On another thread someone cautioned NOT having an ADR at CP during a parade because the characters do not come out during that time (to prevent seeing the same character in 2 different locations at the same time). Is this true? If so, does it significantly affect the character dining experience?

2. Can you enjoy the parade while dining at the Crystal Palace? It seems like this might be possible if you had an outdoor table. If we could enjoy the parade while eating it might make up for the fact that the characters are not available during this time.

Any advice is appreciated!

[scoobydooby]

I haven't been to WDW since the Crystal Palace refurbishment but there were no outside table there when we did eat there and you couldn't possibly see the parade from inside. I can't imagine the characters don't come out though given you have paid for a character meal?

[littlej]

I don't remember ever seeing any outdoor tables.... though, I wouldn't swear to it. I think even having a table by the window, you wouldn't be close enough to the parade route to see over the heads of people standing next to the street. I've never heard anything about Pooh and his friends not coming out while the parade is going on.

[Drince88]

I think the outdoor areas are set up for people waiting. It would be too difficult from a food-safety standpoint to have a duplicate buffet outdoors, and a major hassle for a 5 year old to open the door to go back to their table with a full plate (or a Mom with 2 plates, etc).

Even if they did stop the characters when the Pooh crew went by in the parade, they wouldn't have to do it for the WHOLE parade, from start of the first float to end of the last float - just while Pooh and his buddies were in the hub (basically).

[kimbeejohnson]

Thanks everyone for the insight! I guess my question reveals the fact that we frequent Disneyland and I'm picturing the Crystal Palace to be the same layout and location as the Plaza Inn.

As long as character interaction is not affected we'll be OK!