Crystal Palace Lunch

[Picabo]

I keep hearing about CP at bkfst and dinner - but I wonder how the LUNCH is? I know there is no prime rib at lunch. And I beleive no shrimp either. But aside from that - is there a huge difference in offerings? The cost is $10 less per person so it seems like there should be something MORE to dinner than lunch than just prime rib and shrimp, right??

Any thoughts? Any pix of your lunch there?

 

[ktlm]

I can't compare lunch to dinner because I have not been for dinner, but I can tell you we went for lunch in December and we thought it was great! There were definitely plenty of food choices.

 

[LovinPooh]

I have done lunch and dinner. And we thought the dinner was much better. I dont have any pics... sorry!
But, Pooh is Pooh! Its all good

 

[PictureJumpr]

It is a requirement of mine to have our first meal at WDW at Crystal Palace. So we have done many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners there over the years.

I actually prefer when it works out to have a late lunch there - we book around 2-2:30pm - and we do not miss the prime rib or the other extra dinner things (there are a couple more involved dessert options, and a couple of additions to the main dishes for dinner). We find the character interaction to be best in these mid-afternoon lunches too, and the restaurant to be less crowded than peak times.

Dinner is also enjoyable, but seems to be more crowded in general and comes a distant third in my own assessment because it is dark outside - the Crystal Palace is built to be enjoyed with sunlight streaming through all of the glass.

 

[Picabo]

It is a requirement of mine to have our first meal at WDW at Crystal Palace. So we have done many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners there over the years.

I actually prefer when it works out to have a late lunch there - we book around 2-2:30pm - and we do not miss the prime rib or the other extra dinner things (there are a couple more involved dessert options, and a couple of additions to the main dishes for dinner). We find the character interaction to be best in these mid-afternoon lunches too, and the restaurant to be less crowded than peak times.

Dinner is also enjoyable, but seems to be more crowded in general and comes a distant third in my own assessment because it is dark outside - the Crystal Palace is built to be enjoyed with sunlight streaming through all of the glass.

Oh my gosh was a GORGEOUS photo! Did you take that yourself or is it a postcard? It's gorgeous! And you know - you have a VERY good point. It SHOULD be see in it's glory with the sun shining! I think I'll try your idea of a late lunch! I don't really want to waste morning time eating bkfst and don't want to be rushed to get through bkfst and get to the rides so I think we'll enjoy it more leisurly at lunch like you suggested! THANKS!

 

[kadesha]

I have done lunch and dinner. I prefer dinner. The food seems better and there are more choices.

 

[fairestoneofall]

We normally do lunch every time we go there.

On our last trip, we did an early dinner, just because the MVMCP was that night. I don't eat prime rib, so I didn't notice that much difference.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I keep hearing about CP at bkfst and dinner - but I wonder how the LUNCH is? I know there is no prime rib at lunch. And I beleive no shrimp either. But aside from that - is there a huge difference in offerings? The cost is $10 less per person so it seems like there should be something MORE to dinner than lunch than just prime rib and shrimp, right??

Any thoughts? Any pix of your lunch there?

You mention the $10 difference...does this mean you are not on DDP? Our first year we went for lunch & had to pay OOP. Because of this, we felt like we had to completely STUFF ourselves to get our money's worth! It made for a pretty miserable afternoon. I've never eaten there for dinner, but that would certainly be my choice if I were you. Although, if you can restrain yourself & eat a sensible lunch, then go for it! We just tend to be so excited about WDW food that we eat WAAAAY to much!

 

[PictureJumpr]

Oh my gosh was a GORGEOUS photo! Did you take that yourself or is it a postcard? It's gorgeous! And you know - you have a VERY good point. It SHOULD be see in it's glory with the sun shining! I think I'll try your idea of a late lunch! I don't really want to waste morning time eating bkfst and don't want to be rushed to get through bkfst and get to the rides so I think we'll enjoy it more leisurly at lunch like you suggested! THANKS!

It's mine - actually have taken that shot in some variation many many times - it's easy, just lean over the plantings in the center of the atrium and hold your camera steady, facing up. I have many, some blurred, some hazy, some with weird angles, but only one with that particular position and coloring lol

And it really does make a difference to me to have that glass palace full of sunlight. In the background of this shot you can see how the light filters through the place and adds to the atmosphere.

Sometimes it's as much about how you feel in a place as it is about which version of chicken-with-pasta they have on the buffet line.

Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Picabo]

You mention the $10 difference...does this mean you are not on DDP? Our first year we went for lunch & had to pay OOP. Because of this, we felt like we had to completely STUFF ourselves to get our money's worth! It made for a pretty miserable afternoon. I've never eaten there for dinner, but that would certainly be my choice if I were you. Although, if you can restrain yourself & eat a sensible lunch, then go for it! We just tend to be so excited about WDW food that we eat WAAAAY to much!

Nope we're not on the dining plan. We have a special convention type of rate and we're not allowed to add on a package of any type. Otherwise, I'd do dinner! haha BUT now that someone's mentioned how beautiful the place is with the sun filtering through -it's made me mroe excieted about a daytime meal there!

It's mine - actually have taken that shot in some variation many many times - it's easy, just lean over the plantings in the center of the atrium and hold your camera steady, facing up. I have many, some blurred, some hazy, some with weird angles, but only one with that particular position and coloring lol

And it really does make a difference to me to have that glass palace full of sunlight. In the background of this shot you can see how the light filters through the place and adds to the atmosphere.

Sometimes it's as much about how you feel in a place as it is about which version of chicken-with-pasta they have on the buffet line.

Hope you enjoy it!

Good point of view in regards to enjoying where you are and the whole atmosphere! That pix of piglet is awsome and you're right - the light and windows in the background make it a more perfect looking picture! NOW here's hoping for a sunny day and no rain or clouds! lol

 

[incruzcontrol2]

Great pictures of the glass... We're going to eat lunch there too, so now I'm even more excited..

Anyone have any pictures of the food??

 

[weHEARTmickey]

You lunch-goers will have a fabulous time! (Just wear stretchy shorts!)

 

[arielmomma]

We have eaten there both for lunch and dinner. I do not eat prime rib, so dinner is nothing special to me. My husband loves prime rib, but doesn't seem to miss it during lunch. We primarily eat there for lunch and absolutely love it. It is a must do at least once every trip. There is plenty to choose from and the desserts are wonderful. I am confident that your family would enjoy lunch at the Crystal Palace.

 

[TheresaKropp]

We ate there for lunch and dinner when we were there in January. I didn't notice any difference in the food choices. They were both good. We had a late lunch (around 2:00 PM) if that makes any difference.