Bad Experience at Crystal Palace

[IwannaseeMickey]

I hadn't really said much about this either, but pretty much the same thing happened to us on Oct. We were there for breakfast, like a 10 AR, we got seated fairly quickly and it wasn't packed, most of the breakfast crowd was heading out. The food was great, our server very nice, but we waited a solid hour before we even saw a character on our side of the restaraunt. I did take my kids to see Piglet out in the food area, but not one character came for an hour and then we had to wait a while for them to make their way to our table. Right before they got to us (we were waiting "patiently") they went off on a parade and while that was cute, we were ready to get on w/ our last few hours in the park! A grandmother also tried to hijake Pooh right before us (understandably so) but our server very firmly went and brought Pooh to us and away from her.

I did nicely speak to the manager and said that was really unacceptable wit the low crowd level at the time. He offered me a meal (I think), but we were on our way home, that was our farewell meal and finally gave me a family fast pass to use on any ride in the park. I tried not to take it b/c we really were heading out but he insisted.

I say I'd eat there again, but I didn't make the AR for it on our next trip...I"m just not so sure about waiting that long! The food was delicious though!

 

[musicmama]

Other than a disastrous NYE 2004 dinner, we've eaten at CP every trip. As a matter of fact, DD made me switch ressies and do one extra day at MK this year just so we could eat there. It has always been our favorite breakfast (well, we never tried 1900 Park Fare before and it just got rated higher for us) and DD-12 still loves her Eeyore. We've eaten on both sides of the restaurant and always had good character interaction (except for NYE 2004).

Sorry to hear about others' poor experiences. Now, if we were talking about Chef Mickey's... I'd be right there.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

Food was great, place was PACKED!!! The characters all came by and made a very quick stop. DH and I have been going there since '96 and have always loved the food, however I honestly can't remember a more rushed character experience. Also, I don't remember the tables being so packing in together as badly as this past trip!!!! We may skip it next time unless DH picks as his choice.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We had a similar experience, we had Tigger and Piglet come over to our table, but Pooh and Eeyore were no shows Food was ok too. But I'm one to give rest. two tries, and will plan on booking an adr for our next trip. if after the next visit we still didn't like it, we won't be back.

 

[Wendy1953]

We were there in January for dinner and had no problem with character visits. The food was excellent, and the children's buffet (even though they can eat from the adult section and vice versa) consisted of chicken fingers, pizza and mac's w/cheese.

I will say something in the character's favor...they come on set and are brought around by their "greeter"- handler, when it's time for them to go off set, they go and are supposed to start up around where they left off....so I don't get the no visits from other posters other than "new" set of characters with a new set of greeters?

Sorry you all had such bad experiences....but I'd much rather have the good food and less character, then the other way around.

 

[curlz2tite]

Dh & I were at the CP for breakfast on 2/05/2006 & we only had 2 characters come down our section. Piglet got 4 tables away & his handler said piglet will be right back. (don't believe it)
Pooh came by our table ,but there was a young boy maybe 5, at a table close to ours who was very excited, so I told Pooh not to waste his time on us & go see the young man. Pooh took hold of my hand & then blew me a kiss & was on his way.

 

[Tigger2252]

I'm so sorry about those of you that have had bad experiences! We have gone to CP for 3 years in a row and have always had a wonderful time. Excellent food and good interaction. Actually, I think most of the characters have made it to our table twice during our meal. I don't know if it is because it is generally my daughter's birthday (CP is her favorite). It is truly a shame to have a less than favorable experience, considering the cost of the meal. I would certainly complain about it.

 

[lntsmom]

far they went to make us happy. First, I wish the characters would have left us alone, lol! Every time I turned around, there they were...and my then 3 1/2 year old ds would cling to me and cry.

Mind you, we'd already met Buzz and Woody and had breakfast with Mickey and friends. When I finally asked him why he was freaking out he told me, "MOM! All the rest of them are just characters. Pooh is REAL!!!!" LOL...kids!

Then there was the buffet. He's super finicky...as in eats chicken nuggets and peanutbutter, that's it as far as protein goes. I booked dinner there because the guide said they had nuggets. All they had was mini corndogs and cheese pizza. He started crying...so I told him he could just eat bread and dessert and I'd get him nuggets afterwords.

A chef must have heard me because she came out and asked what was wrong. When I explained, she made him a special order of nuggets and fries!!! I couldn't believe she was so nice! It really made my trip.

 

[Peepster]

We always eat at the CP. Two adults and the characters have been great. (We also happen to like the food!) However, this last trip we were having lunch there and we both commented that it seemed like there were more tables than normal. And there was a handler there by the name of "Frank" who was VERY surly! Don't know if it was just that day or if he's always that way, but it did put a damper on our farewell luncheon. Ah, well, we have reservations there again in March. Gotta love that Tigger!

 

[paigevz]

Wow, so sorry you didn't have a good time. What a bummer.

We've been there four times and only once had to ask for a character who didn't come (Piglet) and they brought him right over after he finished that side of the restaurant he was in..........he had kids trying to get him on the way, but he walked to our table first, then started going around.

We've always loved the character interaction there, they are always very cuddly with us.

We've got some great memories from there.

We've sat on both sides of the restaurant, but always towards the windows.....never more interior. We always eat lunch right at 11:30 or as close as we can get.

 

[robinb]

I'm sorry you had a bad time. I've been to the CP for breakfast and lunch and I have had very good food and character interaction each time. FWIW, I had a terrible time at 1900 Park Faire and won't be back.

 

[winniedapooh]

I have been there numerous times over the years and have never experienced this until last week. Took a friend for a special birthday trip and for her birthday dinner went to CP. I was shocked by how little interaction there was and we never did see Tigger or Pooh. It was not crowded and again I noticed the characters going to the same tables and spending a lot of time with them!

 

[diznygirl]

I just want to jump in here and add another horror story. We've been twice and the character interaction was terrible. And DH worked as a handler at MK and knew the guy who was working on one of the nights. My theory is that the place is just too big and there are too many tables.

 

[Dawgdad]

We've done CP many times in the past 5-6 years and we have always been very happy - actually, we have never had a bad character meal. I guess we're lucky, but many times I feel guilty because the characters always seems to hang at our table, even feeding our kids on occasion. I'm rambling, but in Sept of 2000, we were at Epcot and Cinderella sat with our oldest son for almost 30 minutes, just talking to him. Many people were waiting and she just politely kept telling people that she would be with them soon, that she was talking with her special friend. I really felt bad for the other people, but she just kept engaging Coleman, and was so sincere. Honestly, no one waiting was upset, I suppose they figured our son had a hidden medical condition or something (which he does not). Sorry to ramble...

 

[luvmy2sams]

Wow! Sorry that you had such a terrible experience. There's no excuse for not seeing a single character during that time period.

We've dined at Crystal Palace for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's a must-do on all our trips, and we've never had a problem with character interaction. We had horrible service during our 2004 dinner experience, but the food and atmosphere were fantastic.

 

[scjo68]

I'm really sorry to hear this. We were just there for breakfast last week, And everything was great. The server was very careful to explain the path the characters would take. They would work their way around the outside, and as they approached our table, they would turn away from us and work their way around the inside, approaching us from the opposite direction. I was glad she did this, because it did seem like they were skipping over us. It also enabled us to more easily know when to go to the buffet. Now, obviously, that's not what happened to you because you waited way too long. Also, they don't always follow their regular paths, because, as our server was explaing this to us, Eyeore was kind of wandering aimlessly, and she said, "Um, I'm not sure what Eyeore is doing today". If they don't follow a routine, I can see how they would have no idea who they've seen. It did take Eyeore a while to get to us, but it was a reasonable amount of time.
I think at most character meals we've been to (including this one), handlers come around and ask if we've seen all the characters. If we haven't (last week at PSB, we still hadn't seen Jasmine, when we were asked, but we hadn't waited too long) they make sure to send them over.
As for rudeness, there is no excuse. In four trips to WDW, I've never encountered a rude CM. That is one reason we drive 12 hours to get there, when Kings Dominion is 30 min. away from our house.

Suz

 

[Sylvester McBean]

we've never had a problem at CP, food or characters. sorry you did.

 

[AngieBelle]

Crystal Palace is one of the most difficult dining locations for the characters to work because of how large it is and how confusing the rotation is. Also, they have the 4 characters with the worst vision there. Accidentally skipping tables happens easily if the performer is inexperienced. If you have 4 character performers who don't know what they are doing, it can be chaos.

And yes, when they say they will be right back, they will be right back...at least they are supposed to.

Incidentally, I've eaten there twice with no problems being seen by all.

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience...I don't understand how 75 minutes passed without a character stopping by. Are you sure you didn't miss them while at the buffet? If you ever decide to try it again, you'll get the most interaction at the last lunch seating right before they start setting up for dinner.

Also, you can always try asking about what route the characters are supposed to take so you know when to expect them to come to you next.

 

[Ziva]

I hear ya! We had bad luck there as well. We never even saw Pooh Bear, we saw him go to the tables around our section but he skipped ours and 3 others by us. We mentioned it to our server and then the character guide, both seemed bothered by our request, we finally gave up and left.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

So the food was good, but the characters ignored you? Sounds like my kind of place! We've stayed away since they converted it into a character meal. Maybe it's time to give it another try.

Hmmm, I'd say the food was "okay" good... not like "great" good, in my personal opinion. Fact of the matter is that this is a character meal and most go there for the characters- so it's not fine dining by any stretch of the imagination. And to not get the characters- well that's a total ripoff!

It seems to me that perhaps they are just not giving a rip if they give poor service (according to all the reports of missing characters at their tables, surly and/or rude handler, cms, etc.) because the place is packed the entire time they are open for each meal.

All I know is that we won't be clamoring to eat there again anytime soon. These two times we went were the first and 2nd time we'd ever eaten there... first time was okay, 2nd was not worth the money.

We never saw a handler with the characters for either meal (one breakfast, one lunch on different days). Maybe there is one- but they sure didn't walk around with them which would be necessary to "help" them make sure they didn't miss someone. Some handler off in the distance obviously isn't cutting it.