Chef Mickey or Crystal Palace Breakfast?

[TinkrBeth]

I am trying to decide between these 2 character breakfasts. I have always wanted to try CM- but it would be easier to do CP for breakfast as we will be in the park anyway (Staying at Pop or CSR). WWYD? (It will be just me and DH if that makes any difference) TIA for any opinions!

 

[jmay127]

My DS, 5, and I did CP and it was wonderful - especially for a buffet. All the food was so good that DS actually ate too. The characters did a little parade around the restaurant with the kids and he loved it - not sure if they still do it this was Nov 2004. He wanted to see Pooh & Co plus it put us right in the park like you mentioned.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

IMHO, Crystal Palace is by far the better experience, unless you are completely gung-ho to see the Big Cheese himself.

Crystal Palace is design to look like THE Crystal Palace, and it is a lovely restaurant with stained glass and plants everywhere. Chef Mickey's is sort of just crammed in to the lobby of the Contemporary. Nothing to see, really.

I prefer the food at Crystal Palace, but that's just a matter of taste and selection. Chef Mickey's food is OK.

The characters are nicer at the CP, while the ones at CMs are totally take-my-picture-so-I-can-leave.

 

[chuchubipretu]

CM is very busy and noisy. CP will get you better character interaction. (Eeyore needs all the hugs he can get....poor fella!) The food seems a tad better at CP, also.

 

[momto2girls]

I prefer the Crystal Palace over Chef Mickey's!

 

[Hanover]

Crystal Palace

 

[sarakuru.1361]

hi is there anyone that work in waltdisney

 

[tracyerin]

We just returned from a great weekend at Disney. We live in Florida so we go about about every 6-8 weeks. We always go to a few character meals which are the highlight of our visits for our 3 year old twins. I think we have been to all of the character meals over the last year. Our girls love Tigger and Pooh so I figured that we should eat at the Crystal Palace on this trip (along with 1900 Park Fare--Cinderella, and Liberty Tree Tavern). The Crystal palace was by far the worst character meal we have been to. The food was actually quite good although the kids buffet only had mac'n'cheese and chicken fingers. I clearly remembered mini hot dogs from a prior visit but not this time.
We were seated without too much of a wait. We ate our entire meal including two trips to the dessert bar without a visit from any of the 4 characters. In fact ,75 minutes passed without a character coming anywhere near our section of the restaurant. After an hour, I asked our waiter if something was wrong. He went to ask the character handlers what was wrong---he really didn't get an answer. We noticed that Tigger ad Piglet kept visiting the same 4-5 tables and actually spent about 15 minutes at one particular table. Then just as we were hoping that they would head in the direction of our section....they went on break!!!! Other people in our forgotten about section began to complain to the hostesses who seemed to be very frustrated as well. I then got up and went over to one of the handlers who replied "You must have had at least one of the characters by now....I just got back from my lunch" .
I then asked to speak to the manager. She assured me that this was not a typical experience and she offered us a breakfast the next day. When i explained that we were leaving after lunch she finally took my girls over to each of the four characters for a picture. The handlers seemed quite bothered by this.
We will never go back. We will stick with Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill, and 1900 Park Fare. Another parent at another table told me he had the same experience last time he was there (and sat at our exact table).
I am now thinking of reporting this meal experience to guest services so that perhaps someone else doesn't have to go through the same thing!! Especially for that kind of money!!!!