Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace and Fireworks HELP

[eedisney]

Help!!! June hours have been updated this is great but it makes me question what is best for 1st night. We actually have PS for Chef Mickeys at 8:30 and Crystal Palace at 6:50. We had originally planned to come back to MK on Wednesday night, but now that hours have changed and there will be Spectromagic and Fireworks on Monday night (June 16) I was wondering what would be best. This is our 1st trip to Disney (2 girls also 4 & 8) and they want to see everything!!! Can you see Fireworks from the Contemporary?? I do not think we will have time for this Character Dinner and get back to the Park for the parade and Fireworks, help with those who have been before, what should we do. If we choose Crystal Palace we can just stay in the Park and catch parade and fireworks, but I was wondering which Character Dinner will be better. Or, should be stick with Chef Mickeys for Monday night and come back on Wednesday night for the parade and fireworks???? and possibly change PS for Crystal palace to Wednesday night also??? Just a note we also have PS for Princess Breakfast and Epcot on Tuesday. My 4 year old is the QUEEN of PRINCESSES!!!! As you can tell we, Mom included, is getting very excited!!!! Do we have too many PS's. We will only be in the Parks for 4 days M-Thursday?????? Thanks for the HELP!!!

 

[ducklite]

The food and atmosphere are much better at Crystal Palace. I do not care for Chef Mickey's at all.

You can't see fireworks from Chef Mickeys, there are two observation decks at the CR, one is limited to use only bu guests of the California Grill.

Personally I say don't miss Spectromagic...it's my favorite Disney parade of all time

Anne

 

[Maddle]

I always try to plan my most important things such as fireworks at the beginning, so if there is rain, I have a back-up day. I haven't been to Crystal Palace myself, but I would vote for that itinerary - it would be an easier and delightful plan.

I like Chef Mickey's but since you are already in the park, why waste travel time? (and the timing would be a stressor for me.)

 

[Miscrapper]

We have eaten at both Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace. I preferred Chef Mickey's a little more however I would not want to miss Spectromagic. I think as a previous poster said I would plan to see Spectro and FITS on Monday using Wednesday as back up rain day. Did you call to see if you can get earlier PS at Chef M on Monday or Wed? If not my suggestion is to stick with Crystal Palace and stay in park. Our last trip we went in parks 4 days plus Typhoon Lagoon and we ate at: Chef Mickey's, Garden Grill character lunch, Crystal Palace, Biergarten, Cinderella's Castle breakfast, H&V for Fantasmic dinner package plus food court and counters. So no, I don't think you have too many PS's!

 

[bigsis1970]

eedisney -- we also are planning on being in the MK on 6/16 !!
We have only eaten dinner at Chef Mickey's ( Breakfast at CP YUMMY ) but if it were me ( we are just grabbing counter service ) I would choose Crystal Palace so you won't have to leave the park and maybe miss out on something .. best of luck with your choice..

We will be at the swan from 6-16 to 6-21 and have a Dis meet planned for 6/20 ..

Michelle

 

[jel0511]

eedisney - first off, I wouldn't miss Spectromagic at all!! If you really want to see it that first, night go to CP and reschedule Chef MIckey's for later in the week. I'd also try to move up your CP PS. There usually is a wait of approx 30 - 45 minutes with PS's at CP especially for dinner. With a 6:50 PS, you might not get seated until 7:30, which means you'd get out around 8:30, which would be too late to grab a prime slot. You usually need to be sitting down around 8:00 to get a good spot. I'd schedule CP for an earlier time, that way you can ensure a good spot for both Spectromagic and the fireworks.

 

[Terk-1]

I love the Crystal Palace and have never been disappointed in the food or service. I would bump up your PS time to give you enough time to be seated, eat and enjoy the restaurant. People start lining the streets for the parade like 1+ hours prior to the parade.

I would strongly recommend the Crystal Palace, the 1900 Park Fare & the Garden Grill for character meals.

Wish I could say the same about Chef Mickey's. Dined here on my last trip for dinner and never again. Food was awful! Worst meal I've ever had at WDW and a complete waste of money. Breakfast is good here, but not dinner.

I would do the Crystal Palace for dinner, then grab a seat for Spectro & Fantasy. These are not to be missed!!!

 

[KDawnLily]

Originally posted by ducklite
You can't see fireworks from Chef Mickeys

Funny,
We were at Chef Mickeys in Feb 03 and we saw fireworks over Cindy's Castle from our table.

Maybe it depends where you are seated for dinner. I will agree that Crystal Palace is probably the better dinner to have on Spectromagic night but try Chef Mickey's too. My DS (5 when we went) loved it and I found it to be a lot of fun. Food was good..and not as bad as what is being posted here... but everyone's tastes are different.
We went to the Crystal Palace twice on our last trip of 7 days and Chef Mickey's once.(plus Donald's Breakfastosaurus, plus Fantasmic Dinner at Mama Melrose). We are planning all again for our upcoming trip in Nov. (adding after post) Well all except Mama Melrose-did not like that at all. But again, everyone's tastes are different.
Whatever you choose it will be great for your 2 girls.. and I wish my little one loved princesses as much as I do... he would rather eat at Pizza Planet than at CRT or at the Princess Breakfast in Epcot