Chefs de France or Crystal Palace?

[ktlm]

If you could only pick one of these for lunch, which would you pick? I have been to CP and like it. I have never been to Chefs, but I would like to try it. It would be fun to see Remy too, since he is there for a limited time. I'd love some opinions on Chefs. We are spending 2 days each at Epcot and MK. Due to only being able to get CRT one day our entire week, our plans for our 2nd days at Epcot and MK have been a little messed up. We are now going to CRT on what was supposed to be an Epcot day. MK is supposed to be crazy crowded that day, so I am debating possibly going to Epcot and just hopping to CRT and back that day. The next day, I went ahead and made reservations at Chefs. If we don't go to MK CRT day, we will go there the next day. So, is Chefs good enough that I should keep it and possibly hop to Epcot and back for lunch, or should I just see if I can book CP instead?

 

[ryansall]

It really depends on your family. All WDW restaurants are kid friendly, but some moreso than others. This is a good example of that.

My kids would not be comfortable in Chefs de France, but they love Crystal Palace. I'd rather eat at Chefs, but keeping them happy makes for a better experience for us all day long.

If you're just talking quality of food, Chefs is better, but not by such a margin that I'd do the crazy park hopping that you're talking about.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would go with Chefs!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I'd go with Chefs, too, just because I'm all about trying at least a couple of different places when we're at WDW.

I'm thinking about your park hopping logistics, though ... a monorail from the MK to the TTC, then a change to the Epcot monorail, and then a hike across the park to Chefs. Whew. But, we've done stuff like that ourselves.

If you do lunch at Chefs, their "French menu" special is one of the best bangs for your Disney buck around.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We ate at both CP and Chefs this past Feb. with our 3 daughters ages 9, 7 and 5. Both are kid friendly. What are you looking for? If you're you're looking for better food and amotsphere, I'd say go with Chefs. But if you're more interested in a buffet meal with characters and a parade then go to CP. I thought the food was better at Chefs and really liked the look of this restaurant. However, if you asked my kids which they prefer, they'd say CP!

 

[comicguy]

Go with Chef's de France

 

[DoleWhipMom]

Unless you really want to see Pooh and have really young kids and haven't done a character meal yet, I'd say Chef's. We have always had great service and great food there. The wait staff at Chef's and at Le Cellier IMHO, have been the nicest. I do love Crystal Palace too but do it about every other trip were as I do Chef's every trip.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[EastonCat]

Why not try something new and go with Chefs de France? We really liked it there and our young children were comfortable, welcome and enjoyed their experience. The food is good and it is a good experience.

If you're hopping in, don't forget that there's quite a walk from where the monorail drops you all the way in and up to France. And then back again. That could be a bit of an investment in time and energy.

 

[septbaby]

You haven't mentioned who "we" are. Also you say Remy is there for a limited time? What do you mean by that. Finally, when is your trip and are you on the DP?

 

[disneystacy]

Our family loves Chefs. I personally think CP is not very good.

 

[ktlm]

I've read that Remy is only scheduled to be there until September. I'm sure that could change though. We is DH, myself, our 3 year old DD, and his parents. DD has been going to restaurants since she was born and is fine even in fancy restaurants. People laugh because most kids say McDonalds when you ask them where they want to eat- mine usually says Abuelo's, Chinese, Marie Callendars, Charleston's, or Applebees. She also likes watching Top Chef and Ratatoulille, so maybe I will have a chef on my hands. She likes Pooh, but she also likes Remy. She had her 1st trip in December and we went to CP then. This time we are already doing CRT, CM and 1900. I don't want to say when the trip is because I don't want to violate the rules about not disclosing UG or TGM info, but I will say that UG now has us at mostly 8s for our trip, which was a big change.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

The difference in the two is pretty big. I would pick Chef's de France for the food. but I agree, it is not worth park hopping for when your kids will enjoy CP.

 

[B-Ride]

We love Chefs de France but I'll be honest with you. I don't think it is worth park hopping just for lunch. If it was me I would switch parks and live with the crowds. Yes Epcot can handle bigger crowds but who wants to walk around World Showcase all day?

 

[colinsdad]

I have never been to Chefs, but I would like to try it.

That's good enough for me. Part of the fun of WDW is all the new experiences. Try something new!

 

[septbaby]

When I asked when, just meant time of year of dates of your trip; not at all iterested in what date you'll be at which park.

I say you really want to go to Chefs so go, you don't need reassurance from us to go. Not sure of your ride/show plans, but if the 3yo is the star of the show I don't think it makes that much difference. We did Fantasyland and Toontown in a morning at MK then took the monorail to Epcot for lunch. Great plan for us. I'd planned a couple of activities at Epcot, but it rained and we had a party to attend that night so we went back for naps to rest up for that and did those Epcot things another day. She's 3, if you miss something chances are she'll be back and can do it next time. Remy is for a limited time, you know she loves it. To me the TS dining at WDW is about more than food and worth the time and travel. The one trip that was not so fun was from MK to DHS, no direct route (monorail to TTC then a bus to DHS).

I made plans for each park, knew what attractions we wanted to hit, but also was open to the "oooh can we see this" that the little ones drag us to (he was 5/6) on our trip. I couldn't tell you what a Fastpass kiosk looks like, never used one or looked for one, though I did see and actual FP.