Chef Mickey or Crystal Palace..??

[disneyobessed]

We are trying to figure out which one of these to 2 for dinner.. we are happy with both sets of characters so it's more so for the food choices.. any suggestions? I looked at menus and they seem the same but I like to hear others opinions.. Thanks!

 

[sammysmom]

I vote for Crystal Palace. The last couple times we have eaten at Chef Mickey's it has been awful. But if you are not doing any other character meals that will have Mickey and gang at them, might be worth it just for that.

 

[NandK]

I haven't eaten Crystal Palace but Chef Mickey's was one of our favorites the last time we went (Feb. 2010). Don't think you can go wrong with either. I would base my decision partly on if I want to eat in the park or have to leave the park to take the monorail over to the CR.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Chef Mickey's hands down.

We eat at CMs EVERY trip... tried CP once for dinner and was significantly underwhelmed! Food was okay, service was AWFUL, and character interaction was meh.

 

[OrangeCat04]

Crystal Palace!

 

[dzorn]

Crystal Palace. CM had yucky food both times we have been.

Denise in MI

 

[3boys4me]

i agree with dzorn. Crystal Palace for sure. We would not go back to chef mickey.

 

[OhThePain]

For dinner, I wouldn't choose either. CP has been very disappointing our last few dinner visits (less offerings, hot dishes being cold, horrible character interaction, lousy service). We just don't like the dinner food at CM, but have no other complaints.

In general, we much prefer character breakfasts. We tend to like to food better and the other factors never seem to be as bad at breakfast than at dinner. One thing that has worked well for us is to have a very light bite like a pastry or something at our resort, head to MK for RD, have one of the last breakfast/ brunch ADR's before they change over to lunch (CM, CP) or close until dinner (1900 PF), then head back to MK (or EC) for the day. We are usually just fine on a CS dinner later in the night.

 

[disneydiva1313]

Crystal Palace...love it!!!

 

[jcarwash]

I think you will be happy with either for dinner. I have found it harder to get an ADR for CM vs. CP so if you are able to get a CM ADR, it may be worth keeping.

Otherwise I find the food and atmosphere at both places to be equally good. I will give a slight edge in service to CP, in particular my last visit to CP our server was outstanding -- I ordered coffee and he brought me an entire carafe.

 

[Macduffy]

I liked Chef Mickey's and so did the kids.
They are both really loud and the food is pretty similar. I like the "classic" characters that Chef Mickey's provided and the kids got to use the monorail which they wouldn't have used if we didn't go there.

 

[gizfish]

Ate at both earlier this month. The quality and variety of food at CM was truly sub par. It we had paid oop and not with DDP, we would have complained. ONLY reason to eat dinner at CM is to see the characters.

Found CP to have nice variety and much better quality and tasting food.

 

[Akliebert]

We have never eaten at CP for dinner. We did eat CM for dinner and it was the worst dinner we have ever had at Disney. Would never do CM again.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We have never eaten at CP for dinner. We did eat CM for dinner and it was the worst dinner we have ever had at Disney. Would never do CM again.

Interesting because we felt the same way about CP...and love CM!

 

[tluvstink]

I like them both! If you don't care about the characters and will be in MK I would pick CP

 

[kari B.]

None of the character dining buffets have "great" food. The food at Chef Mickey's is pretty much inedible. The Crystal Palace is better CM's is the only Disney restaurant that I would discourage people from trying... And there are many more restaurants out there that are borderline. If you must have CM's try for breakfast... It's a tad better.

 

[diznykidz]

Like with anything at Disney you will have some good experiences and some not so good. We have done both places and enjoyed both at times. If you want to save $ however, it may be worth just finding the characters in the parks and eating at a nicer restaurant for your meal. I agree with posts above, both have mediocre food. Best suggest get an earlier dinner time and the food should at least be fresh and warm. Overall we had more character time and better interaction at CM's. CP was at least 2 hour wait for all characters to get to your table. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your time.

 

[sunshineNJ]

I have never eaten at Chef Mickey's because 90% of the reveiws are really bad. We have been going to CP for years and love it!!

 

[asdfghjkl13]

Crystal Palace has the better food for me, although both options are good.

 

[FunFamily]

You will enjoy either, but I break it down this way:

CP: Better food, better atmosphere, better service
CM: Better characters, better waiting for a table system

Enjoy!