Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace

[Minnie0107]

Which one has the better quality food and atmosphere?

 

[PoohsFan1]

My family like CM over CP. CP has good food but the atmosphere is nothing like CM. The food at CM was very good and the character interaction was awesome. We got to see every character twice, they really made it feel like we were the only ones in the restaurant. FYI--CM atmosphere is loud because they go around singing and dancing and you have to wave your napkins while they do that....if you are more into the relaxed atmosphere with characters, then I would suggest going to CP. Both buffets were really good, and I would do them both again hands down.

 

[simonkodousek]

I've never been to CM, but I've been to CP twice and I don't think we'll be going back. We went there for dinner. Our waitress was exceptional, coming for drink refills every 10 minutes. She even explained the different stations at the buffet and told us approximately when each character would be by our table. Let me just say that she got a HUGE tip that night.

The food was good, better then I remember it last time, but I don't think there was enough choice. The dessert bar was excellent. So was the salad bar.

The main thing that got me upset about this restaurant were the characters. We only got to see Tigger while the rest of the characters passed by our table waving at the kids. $30.00 per person at a character meal is not acceptable for this kind of character interaction. We are going to try Chef Mickey's next time.

 

[JulieAnn]

We went to both on our trip in February and we preferred Chef Mickey's. CP was very noisy and hectic; not very relaxing and crowded. The characters seemed to go really fast and didn't really interact with my kids. At Chef Mickey's the food was great, the characters spent lots of time with both of my kids and the restaurant is larger and more spacious.

The only CM negative (which isn't really horrible) was that the bathrooms are on a lower level a ways from the restaurant. At CP they were close, but small and crowded.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Since you did not say I will assume you mean dinner?

Dinner at CM stunk, I will never go back there. We have eaten at CP 3xs for dinner and each time the food is awesome.

Both places are very loud and crowded

 

[ShesAPirate]

I love them both, but I think CM has the edge on food quality and atmosphere. Still, I can't miss CP when we go -- because a trip without a picture of me hugging Eeyore just isn't complete

 

[Stacy_C]

We have been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast and dinner and LOVED both! We had dinner at Crystal Palace and no one in our party of 8 liked the food at all. I hear pretty good reviews about CP for the breakfast, though.

So, for us, Chef Mickey's wins HANDS DOWN!

 

[michelle1]

Since you did not say I will assume you mean dinner?

Dinner at CM stunk, I will never go back there. We have eaten at CP 3xs for dinner and each time the food is awesome.

Both places are very loud and crowded

I have to agree, we hated the dinner at CM although the breakfast was much better. We have always had good food at CP. We have also always had good character interaction at both. We really don't choose a character meal for the food because buffets generally aren't the best so we choose by which characters we would like to see.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Both food and atmosphere are better at the Crystal Palace. The Crystal Palace is lovely and the breakfasts there are the best on WDW property, IMO.

But, if you want a big party atmosphere, Chef Mickey's is the place for you. And Mickey is there, too, of course.

Character interaction used to be better at CP, but now it is a toss up either way.

Another poster mentioned characters walking by and waving...I see more and more of this in all the character meals. Lazy employees or new policy? I dunno. If you say, "Hi, Charactername!" then they'll stop.

 

[MissionMouse]

We have only eaten breakfast and lunch at the CP and found both to be good food and atmosphere. I would note the characters get distracted and pulled in many directions during lunch. One of the better places to eat inside the MK or to enter the park early for breakfast.

At CM we have eaten breakfast and dinner and prefer breakfast, since it is calmer and the food seems to be better prepared. At dinner CM gets really hoping, sometimes its really crazy with overly excited kids running around. Its very noisy, but the characters do a good job in making their rounds to all the tables. We found the food at dinner to be OK, but we noted 1900 Park Fare rated higher for food their food selection and quality.

 

[Minnie0107]

Great info! Thanks!

 

[eeyoremum]

We love CP, have been there once for breakfast and once for dinner. I love CP but am a big Pooh and friends fan. We have also eaten breakfast at CM which we enjoyed too. We have ADRs for both this time around (CP dinner/CM breakfast)

 

[bishop1989]

We definitely prefer CP. It is our traditional first meal in WDW.
We did CM in July and the food was so-so, the atmosphere was fair, but my biggest complaint was that there were birds flying around the food.
I love the atmosphere at CP and being on Main Street USA!

 

[disgram]

These are two of our Must Dos on each trip! We do CM for dinner the first nite and the next morning is always CP. Maybe because it is our first meal on Property, we have always liked our dinner at CM. The roast beef is really very good! The Character interaction is very good and we get into the Disney mode.
The CP is our favorite breakfast at WDW! There is alot of good food, the Characters constantly are coming by and they spend time with everyone. Granted, the breakfast foods are what you expect for breakfast. No tonga toast. The atmosphere, IMHO, is wonerful. Esp. for breakfast. It is bright and sunny and the plants are remarkable there.
All in all, we love both places!

We will be doing both in 7 days!!!!!

 

[Dianewes]

Well, I like Chef Mickey's if we are only talking food...... but CP was something I am glad I did (will not need to do again) because I love Pooh and friends and I got great photos and loved seeing eyeore!! The food however was not great

 

[Topo Bella]

Chef Mickey's is one of my favorites. I have a very fussy family and each found something they liked.... Next trip, we are actually doing both buffets and I'm looking forward to them.

 

[truedisneyfan]

We had breakfast in Feb.'07 and the food was really good. DS loved the characters. We are going to go for dinner in a few weeks. We have not been to CP.

 

[EeyoreFan5]

Chef Mickey's!!!!!!