Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace, or....?

[Dicentras]

Hey all!

We will be taking a day trip with extended family who have never been to Disney. I know a single day isn’t optimal at all, but it’s what they can do and I want it to be great for them. I’m trying to decide on a restaurant (we definitely want one sit down to give everyone a chance to reset, it’s more important to have a good time versus seeing everything) - finding a spot is a bit tricky because there are 12 of us (kids ages 2-12). Originally I wanted to do the Festival of Fantasy dining package to get them prime seating for the parade, and the menu worked for us. Unfortunately there isn’t a table that big available... drats. The other two options I’ve thought of are Crystal Palace (sadly, not many Pooh fans in the group), or walking/mono to Chef Mickey. But I was worried that CM could cut too much into the day... what do you all think? Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[jpakstis]

I really enjoyed CP when we went there for a PPO reservation. We did Chef Mickey's once and it was just OK. CP was faster in our experience because with Chef Mickey, you first wait to take a photo outside then you go in and then the characters come out one at a time. Its also pretty small and a little congested. We really only went because we were staying at the Contemporary. In contrast, CP is very large and manageable, especially with younger kids (ours were 2 and 4 when we went). Our kids weren't big Winnie the Pooh fans either (my wife is a huge Eeyore fan so she was excited) but they had a lot of fun. And since we weren't necessarily there to see the characters (I actually didn't even know that the Pooh characters were supposed to be there when we showed up) it made it easier to just skedaddle after everyone was ready to go.

 

[kiramay]

I’d do crystal palace. We like the building and food, plus it doesn’t take as much time out of your day.

 

[FSU Girl]

I would do Crystal Palace or cut your party size down to two groups to see if more options become available. BOG lunch could be an option for that since you seat yourselves you could split the party into little groups around the same time and then sit together once inside. Not sure they have tables that large, but you could probably push a few four tops together. I wouldn't do Chef Mickey. The food there is awful and it's really, really slow. I think if you only have one day you shouldn't leave the park to eat.

 

[JZCubed]

Hey all!

We will be taking a day trip with extended family who have never been to Disney. I know a single day isn’t optimal at all, but it’s what they can do and I want it to be great for them. I’m trying to decide on a restaurant (we definitely want one sit down to give everyone a chance to reset, it’s more important to have a good time versus seeing everything) - finding a spot is a bit tricky because there are 12 of us (kids ages 2-12). Originally I wanted to do the Festival of Fantasy dining package to get them prime seating for the parade, and the menu worked for us. Unfortunately there isn’t a table that big available... drats. The other two options I’ve thought of are Crystal Palace (sadly, not many Pooh fans in the group), or walking/mono to Chef Mickey. But I was worried that CM could cut too much into the day... what do you all think? Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

With regard to dining package - did you attempt to split your party into groups of 6 (with the same/similar) arrival times? Because a party of your size may not be guaranteed to opportunity to sit as one group anyway.

Crystal palace is large and can accommodate large groups.

Another suggestion - dinner at Be Our Guest. They have one dinging room that they typically use to seat large groups. Also, dinner is the only time/place to meet The Beast.

 

[tink2]

With being there for one day~ I would not leave the park to eat~ that will take up too much time. Crystal Palace is one of our favorites~ it has a large menu which allows most to find something they really like. The characters are a lot of fun!
If you don't want to do characters~ Liberty Tree Tavern was a wonderful lunch meal on our last trip~ and the least expensive sit down restaurant we ate at (I've read where others don't think dinner is as good~ so if you do that~ do lunch) BOG is always wonderful if you can get in~ we've only done dinner~ but I'd try lunch there too.

 

[DWillowBay]

As far as FOF Dining Pkg goes....did you try two tables of 6 or 3 tables of 4? It may not be optimal, but would get you the view of the parade that you want. Otherwise, I agree with PP that CP would take less of a time bite out of your day, especially if the characters aren't as important. Did you look at Jungle Navigation Co? I love it there, but I know that it's not everyone's cup of tea. Great food and great service though.

 

[Dicentras]

Thanks everyone! I think we will go with Crystal Palace. Appreciate all the input!