Crystal Palace vs Chef Mickeys?

[nov02mom]

I'm not a big fan of character dining, but we're doing a 2 family trip this year and the mom of the 3 year old wants to do one meal for him. The 2 older boys are 7 & 8 and they don't care where we eat as long as there are chicken nuggets/pizza/mac & cheese...LOL.

Which one of them would you pick and why?

(Now if WDW would just PLEASE put out the October park schedule so I can work on my ADR's!!!)

Thanks y'all!!!

 

[Swimalie]

We just did both last week and out of the 2 we would go back to Crystal Palace. Chef Mickey's had better character interaction and more "main" characters but the food wasn't as good and we were put in an area that was darker and louder (and super cold!). Crystal Palace breakfast was delicious and the decor was bright and warm. The people there were great. The characters didn't spend as much time but they were still good.

 

[KatMark]

We've never done dinner at the Crystal Palace (although we do breakfast every trip); the last time we did dinner at Chef Mickey's it was fair at best. We've definitely had better character interaction at the Crystal Palace for breakfast over Chef Mickey's for breakfast and/or dinner. I would go with the one that your kids would rather see the characters.

 

[DLo]

Though we have only had b'fast at CM, we have had both lunch and dinner at CP. For my ds12, CP is a must do each trip. He is a chicken finger "expert" and loves the ones at CP. I didn't try the pizza but think they would like the mac'n'cheese. It seems that CM dinner doesn't get very good reviews so we have been afraid to try it. We did enjoy b'fast there though.

With you on the park hours, I have tenative plans just waiting to firm up when the hours come out.

 

[avamadison]

CM all the way! We were not happy with our meal at CP and I have heard this from others.

But if you only care about characters then it might not make a difference.

CM always has better reviews!

 

[mccathy]

Skip Chef Mickey's - if you want to see Mickey go to the Garden Grill in EPCOT - better food, and in my opinion, better character interaction. We've been to Chef Mickey's only twice - but both times weren't crazy about it.

We've been to Crystal Palace and would go back. It's beautiful. And the food was pretty good.

 

[Anna114]

I like the CP much better. I like the food, the atmosphere, being able to go into the MK before it's opened and I truly hate the swinging of napkins at CM. It's just kind of disgusting to me. I do like the characters at CM's more.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We like Crystal Palace MUCH better. We eat there for breakfast a minimum of once each trip, and we usually have dinner there at least once, too. We have been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast and dinner in the past and we just kind of felt "eh" about it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with Chef Mickey's because my family and I have been there for dinner a few times and found nothing wrong with their food. Plus it's always a great atmopshere and you can see the fab 5 Disney characters.

 

[ttfn3]

I would pick Crystal Palace over Chef Mickeys. The food is much better for the adults. The kids selections are pretty much the same at either restaurant - tho. the kids can eat from the "adult" buffet.

 

[eeyorelvr09]

I may be biased because I love Eeyore so much, but I would chose Crystal Palace. We have eaten at both and I agree that the food is the same for breakfast at either place, but the atmosphere at Crystal Palace is a lot more relaxed.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Love the food and atmosphere at Crystal Palace - it is a must do for us every trip. We did Chef Mickey's once - no need to rush back for the food, and it was loud and chaotic. Crystal Palace is bright and relaxing.

 

[hannaconda]

Crystal Palace by far. Much better that CM.

 

[MyVirtueAidan]

I could never pick just one... We love Chef Mickeys for Breakfast. Normally have Lunch at Crystal Palace but this trip we'll be trying Dinner there... Im mean seriously the fab 5!!! My 6 year old enjoys them and my 3 yeard old is drawn to pooh but they both enjoy it! We love both and always visit each every trip... If you able to try both I would soo recommend it!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Crystal Palace wins for us over Chef Mickeys hands down!

 

[Coconuts]

The last 3 trips we always hit CM because the kids loved it, but on the last trip we had lunch there and everyone was a bit disappointed, even my kids. The food was so-so and the characters flew by our table.

We tried CP with the kids for the first time on our last trip and they loved it. Everyone enjoyed the food and characters, but I thought the best part was walking up an empty Main Street. On the next trip I think we will do both an early breakfast and either a lunch or dinner.

 

[harpinjean]

Crystal Palace. The food is always good and the characters are cute!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

No ? Chef Mickeys is by far the best in my opinion

 

[Leota]

If you are going for the food, Crystal Palace. If you are going for the characters for the 3 year old, I would let them choose which characters they want to see.

I have to warn you tho, there are better places to see The Fab Five. Chef Mickey's food is pretty inedible, the character interaction has gone way downhill - they hardly spend anytime at your table anymore & it's so loud & chaotic.

I agree with the PP, the kids choices are pretty satndard where ever you go.

 

[Planogirl]

I vote for CP over CM. The Crystal Palace has better food, a nicer atmosphere and location and Tigger!