Disappointed in CP!

[lblume91]

OP - your experience sounds very familiar! When we went in '06 for the 1st time, we absolutely loved it. The food was good & the character interaction was wonderful. When we returned last summer, we were so disappointed. We also went to Chef Mickey's & 1900 Park Fare and felt the same way about them as well. As a family of 5 (4 adults & 1 child in WDW), our bills were pretty high too. We just learned our lesson & have decided not to do any of the character meals/buffets for our upcoming trip. Hopefully you'll find a new last night tradition that you'll love!

 

[Luvscrappin]

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.

I actually saw the price listed on the internet as $ 5-6.00 pp less than it actually ended up being. I saw the actual price when I checked in for our reservation. I actually even considered saying "forget it" but knew my family would be disappointed and decided to just "suck it up"

As for the gratutity being split among other workers I do realize that happens but I don't know about others but at a buffet I NEVER tip 18%. I only tip that much at a full service restaurant where the server actually takes my order and serves my food.

We will definitely return to WDW because we are a Disney loving family and some of our best vacation memories have happened there, but our dining traditions may have to change in the future.

 

[molfrog]

I have always tried to get reservations at Crystal Palace, but never succeeded unless it was late at night. With kids, you can not eat past 7PM, or they make the rest of the night miserable. I hope once we finally get reservations there, our experience is good. I have always noticed any character dining buffet, the service is not very good.

 

[Kellpooh]

I agree with you. I used to LOVE CP for all meals. But the last 2 times I went several years ago, I got treated badly by staff and the food was rather bad. I have not returned since then and don't plan on it. I know people LOVE this place, but I have found Chef Mickey's to be a better choice