Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace Review

[Jalva22]

Just returned! Our only "sit-down" meals on property were Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace. We had a 5 and 9 yr old along, so the character meals were big for us. We did Chef for dinner. The service was outstanding and the character interaction was great. The food was not very good though. I tried the turkey and roasted chicken, seasoned potatoes and steamed green beans with bacon, and mashed potatoes. Not very good fare at all. But, we were really paying for the characters and I didn't come away disappointed. It was definitely worth doing.

Crystal Palace was for breakfast and the food was much better. I'm sure that breakfast buffets are generally better than lunch and dinner, but there was a great selection and it was all good. I had scrambled eggs, fresh grapes, a pancake with blueberry syrup, strawberries and whip cream and OJ. It was all good. Again, the service was outstanding and the Pooh characters were lots of fun. Plus, we were finished and out the door in time to be the first in line at the rope drop for Splash.

I'd definitely recommend breakfast buffets over the later meals, but only if you can get it done and still be in line for rides at opening (in the summer at least). It's just too hot to waste those early cool hours sitting in a restaurant! It worked out great for us at Crystal with an 8:10 PS. I'd definitely do both character meals again.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Thanks for the reviews. We are doing both also on our upcoming trip. Will have to see for myself if you were just unlucky at CM or if this is a trend.....

 

[bellarella]

The trend I have been seeing at CM's that you need to get there early for dinner if you want good food. I know we were there at around 6:30-7:00pm and the food was pretty bad (this was in May). It seemed like they were having management issues -- not turning things over as they should be, so you want to be there when they put the food out fresh. What they served was fine (not my favorites, but decent buffet), but after sitting out for a couple hours (or so it seemed), it lost a lot of it's appeal. Other reviews seem to be saying the same thing. Hopefully it was an early season staffing issue that they are resolving.

Now at CP we had early lunch PS, so I don't know how they were about turning food over, though while we were there I was seeing things being constantly refreshed. That and 1900 Park Faire were the two best buffets I've been to. Great offerings at each (and our 1900 Park Faire was not a first seating).

 

[Jalva22]

Our PS was for 5:10, 10 minutes after they opened the buffet. The food was fresh, we just didn't care for the way it was prepared. Just our tastes, I guess, but we didn't care for it. We weren't exactly choking it down, we just won't be looking for the recipes!

Again, though, we were paying for the character interaction and it was wonderful. The service was awesome too.

 

[magichappens13]

chef mickey is one of our favorites at disney and have never had bad food but we always eat early or really late so we probably miss the rush. Of course my family can eat really late being 13 myself and dbro 17 so hope you have beter luck next time with the food! The characters are great!!!!

 

[LITTLEKID58]

Thanks for the review I have family coming into town and have not eaten at either of two restaurants for awhile...

Liz

 

[ryley26]

we ate at crystal palace for lunch and was a good meal and also had chacters there. We always have had a good meal at chef mickeys but have only done breakfast.

 

[loribell]

Hey Jalva you left out the very best part. You know that big pain in the rear family that was keeping Mickey all to themselves! Sorry again and I still can't believe we ended up sitting right next to you.

Lori

 

[pamouselover]

We will be doing CM for breakfast and crystal palce for dinner. DS loves the all you can eat shrimp!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

jalva22-You went to Crystal Palace for breakfast and didn't get the Breakfast Lasagna!?!?! That is the highlight of any breakfast trip to the CP, IMO!!

 

[Minniespal]

Really enjoyed reading your review ~ Thanx for posting.

 

[danny1649]

For the great reviews

 

[loadsapixiedust]

Thankyou for your excellent reviews as we will be eating at both on our trip next week.

 

[melissa5583]

Thanks for the review. We're going to Crystal Palace for breakfast in Sept. We just made an 8:05 AR for it. I'm excited!!!