Characters or convince?

[amycishere]

Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace for first character dinning experience?

Currently I'm debating between the two.

I have to admit I'm more excited about the Fab 5 characters. I love Pluto, Goofy, Mickey and Donald. I do love Eeyore but the rest I'm not that thrilled about.

Crystal Palace would be much more convinent though. Will be attending the PPP and could have an early dinner at 4:30 PM than enjoy our hours. Right now, the only time I can get for Chef Mickey's is 5:30 PM. Trying to get reservations on the morning we leave with no luck.

Thank you,
Amy

 

[EverythingDisney]

I am thinking the same thing.
I have 2 girls 5 & 11. Neither is really interested in Pooh & friends.
Have you considered Liberty Tree Tavern?
It's in MK and the food is good.
We were there in 2006- had dinner and the characters were fun. They were old fashioned clothing.


Liberty Tree Tavern - This Liberty Square restaurant features a family-style dinner with several characters (Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and friends). Dinner includes ham, turkey, flank steak, vegetables, salads and more. Children also receive a serving of macaroni and cheese. Reservations are recommended. While the Tavern also serves Lunch, you will not find characters at that time.

 

[IckyMickey]

I'm in the same boat you are about trying to decide (I haven't made my ADR's yet.)

We're heading to MMVMCP our first night in Disney. I've decided to try and make 5:00 ADR's for CM's to get the autographs out of the way. I would rather go to CP and get an earlier ADR than 5:00 to make the most of the night, but I think our trip will be much more enjoyable not worrying about those 6 autographs.

If I can't get a 5:00 CM's (like you) then I'd take the 4:30 CP. I believe you can get into MK at 4:00 with your P&P tickets so I'd make the most of the P&P party.

Does anyone know if you can leave the park after getting in with your P&P tickets and reenter later? Then perhaps I'd stick with the CM's 5:30 ADR.

Ugh! I guess I'm not much help! Who would think this would be such a hard decision?

 

[Terk-1]

My vote is for the Crystal Palace. Much, much better food there. I would grab the early dinner ADR. This way you can relax, eat, then hit the party.

Had dinner once at CM's and won't go back. Breakfast is ok, but dinner was awful.

 

[jenb1023]

I think the food is better at Crystal Palace and it is more convenient but the place is huge and it took forever for all of the characters to make it around. Also, I don't know if we went on a bad night but at the end of January it took us forever to get seated, have dinner and wait for the characters at CP. We had an ADR for 5:10 and showed up 15 minutes early as requested and we did not even get called to be seated until after 5:30. Then until we were seated and ate and waited for the characters we barely made it to watch Spectromagic at 7pm.

Maybe LTT would be better like someone else suggested so you can maximize PP&P and still see most of the fab five.

Another option would be a late lunch somewhere and then grab a snack that night. Or maybe do a late breakfast character meal and then do counter service before the party so you don't waste party time.

Good luck!

 

[amycishere]

Ok, here is thing:

Chip and Dale are not exactly my favorite characters so LTT only leaves me with two characters I really like unless Mickey is there too. I've been told that LTT features Chip & Dale, Minnie, Goofy Pluto. Not really a huge Minnie fan either.

I really wish Chef Mickey's would move there extended hours to other dates too! That would help alot!