Jess6001
Hey there, Mr. Grump Gills. You know what you gott
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2009
- Messages
- 774
Hey again, this is another review from our June 2009 trip (I know, I know, it's just a little late!! 
)
This time...Crystal Palace
We've been to Disney so many times, but we've never tried Crystal Palace. We are not into buffets in general, so I think we usually stayed away from it. (Actually, I almost never like buffets...something about them makes me always a little uneasy...food being out for long periods of time, other people possibly touching your food at the bar, etc). Since we were on the DDP this time and could try more places, we decided to go for it.
We arrived for our 3:35 ressie a few minutes early (the only way I can remember the time is because I still have the very detailed spreadsheet I made for the last trip...way too much free time to plan!
) Anyways, we only waited a few minutes and were then seated. We scheduled for 3:35 so that we had the first dinner seating b/c that's when all the food just came out (and is freshest in my opinion) and b/c then the meal works for a lunch/dinner.
The server came over and was friendly. She wasn't around so much but I think that's how it is at a buffet. We each ordered milk, I think, and my mom and I got some coffee. We then headed up to the buffet to see what was available. They had quite an array of salads (regular and noodle), two soups (I don't any of us got soup though), and quite a few selections for your main meal. To my surprise, I really liked the steak they had. I like mine more well down and so the carver offered to slice a piece off and grill it a little more for me. How nice!
We all got quite an array of food and made a few trips up to try more things. (check out the pics)
The dessert were okay. I think they had some sort of apple crisp and pie. I don't really remember having too much though, so I don't think I was that impressed.
Overall though, the food was good and I felt good about eating it (I mean, it didn't feel old or dirty like buffets sometimes feel to me). The food was fresh and tasty. However, although it was good for a buffet, the restaurant cannot compare with the TS sit-down restaurants. It just can't. It was the only buffet we ate at all week and it was my least favorite meal (same goes for my sis and mom). For the same amount of money (or credits), you could eat at Liberty Tree Tavern (I know it's kinda buffet, but not really since it's brought to your table) in MK or Le Cellier in Epcot. When you compare it like that, it seems like such a waste to eat at Crystal Palace!! I do realize that we're three adult women and that CP might be great for families with children during a long day in MK. The characters are there and we did get to meet them all as they came around to the tables. I guess it's really just depends on what you're looking for in a restaurant.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. If you like character buffets, you'll probably like Crystal Palace. But for my family, we won't be going back again.
)This time...Crystal Palace
We've been to Disney so many times, but we've never tried Crystal Palace. We are not into buffets in general, so I think we usually stayed away from it. (Actually, I almost never like buffets...something about them makes me always a little uneasy...food being out for long periods of time, other people possibly touching your food at the bar, etc). Since we were on the DDP this time and could try more places, we decided to go for it.
We arrived for our 3:35 ressie a few minutes early (the only way I can remember the time is because I still have the very detailed spreadsheet I made for the last trip...way too much free time to plan!
) Anyways, we only waited a few minutes and were then seated. We scheduled for 3:35 so that we had the first dinner seating b/c that's when all the food just came out (and is freshest in my opinion) and b/c then the meal works for a lunch/dinner.The server came over and was friendly. She wasn't around so much but I think that's how it is at a buffet. We each ordered milk, I think, and my mom and I got some coffee. We then headed up to the buffet to see what was available. They had quite an array of salads (regular and noodle), two soups (I don't any of us got soup though), and quite a few selections for your main meal. To my surprise, I really liked the steak they had. I like mine more well down and so the carver offered to slice a piece off and grill it a little more for me. How nice!
We all got quite an array of food and made a few trips up to try more things. (check out the pics)The dessert were okay. I think they had some sort of apple crisp and pie. I don't really remember having too much though, so I don't think I was that impressed.
Overall though, the food was good and I felt good about eating it (I mean, it didn't feel old or dirty like buffets sometimes feel to me). The food was fresh and tasty. However, although it was good for a buffet, the restaurant cannot compare with the TS sit-down restaurants. It just can't. It was the only buffet we ate at all week and it was my least favorite meal (same goes for my sis and mom). For the same amount of money (or credits), you could eat at Liberty Tree Tavern (I know it's kinda buffet, but not really since it's brought to your table) in MK or Le Cellier in Epcot. When you compare it like that, it seems like such a waste to eat at Crystal Palace!! I do realize that we're three adult women and that CP might be great for families with children during a long day in MK. The characters are there and we did get to meet them all as they came around to the tables. I guess it's really just depends on what you're looking for in a restaurant.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. If you like character buffets, you'll probably like Crystal Palace. But for my family, we won't be going back again.
