Crystal Palace or Kona Cafe?

[soexcited]

I am going crazy because I have had to change my ADR's several times. We are there 10/10-10/14 for our 1st trip We have tried to plan around seeing Fantasmic and seeing fireworks/parade at MK. Of course at first we did not know MK closed for MNSSHP 10/11 and 10/12. Anyway on 10/13 we are doing MK all day. Should we do Crystal Palace at 3:30 or Kona Cafe at 5:45? The dining person recommended CP so not to have to travel back to see the fireworks and said food was good. Our kids, 7 and 9 are not into Winnie the Pooh. I booked CP based on their recommendations. Which one would you recommend. Thanks for advice

 

[firsttimemom]

Wow, that's a toughie bcs I love them both. But if you're staying at the MK all day, and plan to stay through the fireworks, it might be a nice change of pace to take a couple hours off and monorail it to the Poly. Particularly if your kids aren't into the Pooh characters.

Hope this helps!

 

[simonkodousek]

I agree with the above poster. While CP is a nice restaurant, I find Kona to be more relaxed and calm, which would be great in the middle of a MK day.

 

[soexcited]

Thanks! The DDP person said to allow an hour travel time each way if we did Kona. She said we would waste 2 hrs in travel time. Does this sound right?

 

[tkldisney]

We did the same thing in July. Went to MK then to Kona, then back to MK. The meal & service was excellent! It did not take two hours travel time. Once your at the MK monorail station I'd say 30 min. or less to get to Poly for your ADR. It depends on how long you have to wait for monorail. Once your on it's just a stop at Contemporary. We got there early and just checked out the gift shop for a few minutes.
I would definitely choose Kona over CP the food is so much better than buffet.

 

[PoohsHubby]

Have you thought about the Liberty Tree Tavern? It has a really good dinner and the characters are great. Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale.

I've been to both LTT & CP, and to be honest, I didn't care for CP that much. But the restaurant itself is quite beautiful and make sure you take a picture of you and your loved ones in front of the Winnie & Friends Floral garden in the foyer of the restaurant if you go to CP. Have Fun!

 

[Destination Disney]

Kona hands down!
CP is more for charcater interaction. In my opinion I just do not like Disney buffets.
The only one I will return to and do return to is BOMA!

As for having to leave the park...a nice loop on the monorail is nothing!

 

[Praying Colonel]

Ate at both during our last trip--I'd pick Kona, hands down. Only possible exception is if your kids really, really want the character interaction. CP isn't bad for a buffet, but I really like Kona.

IMHO no way it will take an hour to go from MK to the Poly, especially at that time of day. 30-40 minutes tops, IMHO.