Disappointed in CP!

[Luvscrappin]

First of all let me say we make it out tradition to dine here on our last night every visit. we have always loved Crystal Palace, but this time I have decided we most likely will not return. For one, I feel Disney is making it almost impossible for families to eat at some of their restaurants. We had a party of 6 (all 4 kids are counted as adults in pricing...so 6 adults) Our bill was almost $300 for one meal! (we were not on the dinning plan as we stayed off property)Adding a 18% gratutity for a buffet is just rediculous. All she did was refill our drinks and take away dirty dishes and received a $45 tip. We had to track her down everytime we wanted a refill and the dirty dishes piled up. I really think the automatic gratutity makes some feel they are getting a good tip anyway and they do not give their best effort. I realize this is disney and we are paying for the atmosphere,, etc but really that food isn't that great. I have always thought disney was pricey, but feel it is getting to the point especially in our economy that its just unrealistic to think families can afford this. I love Disney, but at some point I have to say enough is enough. I did notice they weren't nearly as busy as they were in the past.

 

[catne]

Sorry you had such a disappointing experience. That sticker shock is one of the reasons we stay on-site & use the dining plan -it's still expensive, but we do save some with the plans.

I know your pain, though. When our kids were little (we had four, too) we rarely ate any meals in Disney...usually the once-a-day Mickey bar was about it in the parks. Just too expensive with that many kids, lol. Course, our favorite "dining out" experience back then was another sort of Mickey...Mickey-D that is, lol. That was about the only way we could afford to have a restaurant meal back in the day (if you can call McDonald's Happy Meals a restaurant meal)

It's kind of ironic that now we can afford Disney, the kids are all grown...course, as hubby points out, that's why we have extra money: the "expenses" moved out.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

sorry for your experience, they should make a rule that the 18% gratuity does not apply to buffets.

 

[catne]

Just an FYI, there's a Tipping sticky at the top of the restaurant forum which lists the rules/policy on the Disboards regarding the subject of tipping in Disney restaurants. Basically, there is No discussion/debate on tipping policies allowed (too many heated/nasty threads in the past, so the moderators just made one thread with the info on it regarding tipping, and allow questions about how/when to tip. But no debate/discussion on whether or not you should tip, who deserves tips, etc.) They will lock this thread if you continue to discuss tipping on it.

It's OK to discuss general costs, just not the tipping policies.

 

[diamondpixienc]

So sorry you had a bad experience too. Sending you some pixie dust magic.

 

[bluejasmine]

We ate at CP last yr, we always use the DDP b/c we benefit finacially from it and we have even paid for DDP and other times got FD which ever saves us the most money.

Now that being said we were so dissapointed with the food here, we kept reading outstanding reviews but the food was bland, cold and not being replenished and it was barely even 7pm! Our server was attentive but very busy. Character interaction was great my teens had a ball but we will not be back b/c of the food..

 

[Dizneydaz]

We ate at CP last year on Dd's 10th birthday (for breakfast) for the one, and most likely, only time. It's not that it was so bad, it just wasn't so good. There wasn't anything that I ate that left a good impression on me. The characters are geared more for younger kids, IMHO, than my 10 y/o. DD was more interested in talking to one of the servers for a few minutes than to the characters.

One of the reasons I booked CP last year was so we could get early entry into MK. That was pretty cool!

If I had to pay $300 for 6 to eat I would be disappointed as well. This year will be on the QSDP so no TS for us. I'm actually looking forward to it-not having to make ADR and no tipping at CS.

 

[Luvscrappin]

thanks for the understanding replies. I am really hoping we can take advantage of free dining sometime...that would help tremendously! We are huge disney fans and that sit down dinner at the end of the day was always such a treat and I hate to see that tradition end.

 

[jmpellet]

Just one point on the tip -- my guess is they must split it with a number of people...like table clearers, etc.

 

[scanne]

I agree with the OP about everything pointed out at CP. We dined there in July and found the food to be salty and cold, service was below par and character interaction rushed. CP has been a long time favorite but after this year, it has become a must-not do.

 

[princessallegra]

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience!

 

[Joshua_me]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

But, surely you knew the price of the buffet before you sat down, correct ?

I agree with you that an 18 percent gratuity for a buffet is ridiculous, especially if the service was poor.

We still love the place, but like most restaurants in the wake of the DDP, the quality is slowly going downhill.

Hopefully things will turn around.

 

[tallen429]

I agree with the OP about everything pointed out at CP. We dined there in July and found the food to be salty and cold, service was below par and character interaction rushed. CP has been a long time favorite but after this year, it has become a must-not do.

That described our June experience to a T.
We have always liked CP, but I'm in no rush to go back. Quality, service and character interaction seemed to have gone waaaay down.

That said, all in all our whole dining experience last trip was far below the previous trip. We had very few good meals and we had awful service in most places (there were exceptions!)

 

[mb_uh]

We used the dining plan because we wanted character meals and the costs adds up quickly.

Basically were really enjoyed all of our meals because we only did buffets for breakfast- you can get early park entry and it is hard to mess up eggs and bacon. Then we ate dinners at regular restaurants where if the food is bad you can send it back- we never needed to but it was always an option.

I personally recommend avoiding dinner buffets- few people are every really happy- especially at Disney prices.

 

[mickey2000]

 

[catne]

Mickey2000, when is that brochure from?

 

[Joshua_me]

Ahh... the good ol' days.

Good food at reasonable prices.

*sigh*

 

[newdeal]

People say great things about crystal palace but the only reason to go there is if your kids love pooh. Everything else about it sucks especially the food. It is the only place I have found I will never return to unless my daughter forces me to when she is older

 

[scanne]

Ahh... the good ol' days.

Good food at reasonable prices.

*sigh*

Wow. That brochure has got to be at least 12 years old! My DH and I had the breakfast at the sound stage in the Studios (then MGM) in 1997. I distinctly remember Pocahontas, Genie, Aladdin and Meeko being there. I have pics somewhere....

But yeah, the prices were SO reasonable then...

 

[Laurin612]

Ha! Wow, that brochure sure is a blast from the past!