Chef Mickeys or Crystal Palace?

[MrsDisney25]

Were are goin to disney in may and cant decide which one to go...chef mickeys or cystal palace...we have been to chef mickeys before, and we really enjoy it. We are just lookin for something different. Since we have a 3 yrs old and a 1 yr old, we want to make sure that they can see the characters, an wasnt sure if the characters were as good at crystal palace. Thanks!

 

[KatMark]

Were are goin to disney in may and cant decide which one to go...chef mickeys or cystal palace...we have been to chef mickeys before, and we really enjoy it. We are just lookin for something different. Since we have a 3 yrs old and a 1 yr old, we want to make sure that they can see the characters, an wasnt sure if the characters were as good at crystal palace. Thanks!

We are two adults over the age of 50 and we won't miss Crystal Palace. When our kids traveled with us (they are now both in college), they definitely preferred Crystal Palace over Chef Mickey's. We love breakfast and we have always had great character interaction (with the kids and without). Try to get an 8:05 adr so that you can get into the park before it opens and get great pics of the castle without thousands of people in front of you.

My vote -- Crystal Palace!

 

[bethzfl]

we like CP better as a whole. The characters are great - lots of interaction - it's Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore.

We go to CM to see Mickey and friends.. that's about the only reason we go.

 

[karen l]

We prefer CP. The last two visits to CM weren't very good. The food was awful. CP has beautiful decor, good food & Pooh & the gang.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I vote Crystal Palace!

We have done both and enjoyed both, but we absolutely do not miss Crystal Palace. Our daughter has been at the age your young ones are and she loved it. Plus, if you get the ADR for before the park opens you can get great pics as KatMark mentioned.

Character interaction has always been fantastic and the food has been great as well. I am lactose intolerant and they have been very accommodating. The characters will have a parade around the restaurant that the kids can join (and adults can walk with them).

If you're worried about seeing either group of characters from CP or CM, they can be found other places in the same large grouping. Pooh characters are all together at Animal Kingdom at a meet and greet near Flame Tree BBQ and Mickey and the gang can be found all together at a meet and greet near Innoventions at Epcot

Have a great time!

 

[sambuster]

I have to vote for Chef Mickeys, we've been going there since it was at Downtown Disney.

 

[EeyoreEma]

We love CP! It's a must do for us!! I think that when the day comes that our kids aren't going with us, we'll still be doing CP. We did CM for dinner, and the food was so bad that we've said we're not going back for dinner, and the potential for breakfast there is even slim.

 

[MartinaC]

My favorite charater is Mickey. And, yet I have to say Crystal Palace. We have done both and the food at Crystal Palace is way above CM.

 

[2Tiggies]

For me: Crystal Palace without a doubt.

BUT

You have to consider what YOU are looking for -
If it is purely for the food: CP gets my vote
If it is purely for the characters, you have go go with what your party/kids really want (and 8 year old boy may be less enchanted with the 100 acre wood than Mickey and the gang for example)

I prefer the food at CP, but that may be due to my taste and could differ from person to person. I have also found that we receive consistently good service there. Still like CM, but if I had to choose, this one is a no brainer - CP for me please!

 

[DizGirl20]

I find the food to be good enough at both locations. For us, it's all about the characters. My youngest daughter LOVES Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet!

So it's Crystal Palace for us. We went for lunch and I believe got to visit with the characters twice as they made their rounds. We have plans to go again in May!

 

[Grumpy Doc]

Chef Mickeys!!

 

[DisAmyK]

Crystal Palace!!

 

[bigmama67]

We did both on our trip in November '07...CM for breakfast and CP for lunch. The character interaction was super at both...but CP had MUCH better food and just generally felt more welcoming and less rushed! I am definitely going to try for a CP breakfast this year, either in August or December (or both, LOL!) I could skip CM happily but when DD1 is older she may not agree. DS7 was almost 5 when we took him and we did CP to celebrate his birthday, and it was FABULOUS! They also brought me plain salmon specially cooked when I couldn't handle the ancho rub (spices do not agree with me!)

Rachel in NJ

 

[wahoostampingirl]

Another vote for Crystal Palace! We've eaten at both restaurants for both breakfast and dinner and I prefer CP. The food is better, the restaurant is pretty, and you're right in the middle of MK. Plus for the age of your kids, I think CP is a little less chaotic than Chef Mickey's.

With that said, my kids (both age 8) do really love Chef Mickey's too, which is why we alternate between the 2.

 

[jenjersnap]

If you care about food, CP is much superior.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

We have been to both for dinner and breakfast. For breakfast CP won hands down for food; at dinner CM slightly won for us, food wise. However once you add characters and location in then CP wins for us every time . . . a beautiful location, our fave characters, and they seem to have more time for playing around in CP! Love it!!

 

[dawnedwards]

I think the character interaction is great.

Just see this pic

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've been to Chef Mickey's four times, once for breakfast and three times for dinner.

I've been to Crystal Palace once. Our server at Crystal Palace didn't refill drinks or take plates. It was the one time I regretted having to be forced to pay a gratuity (due to the number in our party).

Maybe I'd like CP if we had better service, but I prefer Chef Mickey's.

Then again, if you have done Chef Mickey's before, and your kids like the Pooh characters, you should try CP. But be aware it will be closed for refurb 01/03/2010 - 02/13/2010.

 

[pooh2001]

We voted for CP.

Chef Mickeys - Been there many times, done that many times, not going back on our next trip to WDW. When we stayed in the CR, we ate there 3 times. Loud, crazy napkin dance every 20 minutes (only for characters, guests remain in their seats), food is OK - but convient for people who stay at CR.

CP breakfast is wonderful, fresh, lots of sunshine from the windows (unless it is raining), characters involve little ones in their dance parade (yes parents join the very little ones), cupcakes for birthdays, confetti on the table for celebrations - a nice porch to sit on while you wait, and it can get somewhat loudm but not too loud, the room is very large with good acustics.

Please try CP for your family - they will enjoy it so much better than CM.

 

[dawnbu40]

In September we had breakfast at both and Crystal Palace won hands down! The CP buffet was much nicer! I think CM is overated!