Hey there, hi there, Allen! You're as welcome as can be here at planDisney, and I'm so glad you've stopped by with such a great question!
One of the most important aspects of a Disney vacation (or any vacation, for that matter) is the food, and
character dining at Walt Disney World Resort is one of my favorite things and just one thing that makes a Disney vacation so magical. And you've mentioned two of my favorites!
The Crystal Palace is one of my very favorite breakfast experiences in all of Walt Disney World Resort. The glass restaurant (with great views of Cinderella Castle) is beautiful, the characters are oh-so-fun and adorable, and the food is fantastic. Three words: Mickey. Churro. Waffles. Mmmm. Okay, okay, enough daydreaming and drooling ... let's get to your question!
Since Walt Disney World character dining and other dining experiences that charge per person include delicious food and a magical experience, all Guests in attendance over the age of three will be charged the per-person price. Therefore, if one Guest opts out of dining, they will not be able to sit with you without being charged. But Hakuna Matata! It means "no worries." There is so much to choose from, and take it from a mom with a picky eater - there is something for everyone!
Foodie pro tip: If you make a breakfast reservation at The Crystal Palace around 10:30 a.m., you can enjoy breakfast
and lunch items. At 11:00 a.m., they will open the lunch buffet and will still have breakfast items available for you (usually, one side of the buffet will remain breakfast and the other will become lunch). I usually start with a delicious breakfast and once lunch is ready, I enjoy their lunch as well. Not only is this allowed, but it's also encouraged! Enjoy, Allen!
I hope this helps, Allen, and I hope you have the most magical and memorable vacation, full of food and fun! Please feel free to stop by any time with any questions you may have along the way.
You've got a friend in me,
Mandy