Crystal Palace
Let me preface this review by sharing that this was our last table service meal of the week. We were tired. We also had scheduled this kind of last minute (the week prior to our trip) because we had to do some shuffling to attend
MNSSHP. Originally this particular meal would have been at Whispering Canyon Cafe.
Our ADR was at 7:25 and we arrived about 7:20. The front porch area was packed. That may have been an understatement. I was confused as to where the actual check in was, so I asked a CM holding the front door, and she directed me over to the side of the front door. And I proceeded to walk right past it, as it was completely hidden by waiting people. I waited behind 3-4 other families to get checked in; meanwhile Anna and Justin found some rare real estate along a rail to stand next to.
The lady in the little check in booth could barely hear me; I guess it was my Kentucky English

Actually I think it was because it was just so noisy outside. We finally got checked in and was given a pager, and we waited. We waited probably 15-20 minutes to be called. We did end up with a nice view of the castle from our vantage point.
Now maybe it should have been a sign, when, Anna could see inside and she was saying stuff like "Mommy, What is that Pig's name again?" "Mommy, there is a donkey in there. What is his name?". Yep - she obviously isn't well versed in all things Winnie the Pooh!
Our pager went off a first time and we walked to the front door, only for it to quit and the CM to tell me they had no called anyone. About five minutes later it went off for an official time! We were led inside, and to the left of the building. It is really pretty inside. But we were quickly disappointed when they sat the THREE of us at a two top table. Not only that, but it's a two top with a booth on one side and a chair on the other. Poor Justin was left standing in the aisle while they went in hunt of a third chair. Which was placed like where the person in the booth would normally walk through to exit the table.
We wanted Anna in the aisle to make character meet and greets easier, so we just stayed with this seating arrangement. Justin was uncomfortable throughout the whole meal, and since I was in the booth seat, I basically felt like I was crawling through our neighbors dinner everytime I went to the buffet.
We ordered drinks. Anna and I had our usual, and Justin tried the Pomegranate Lemonade. He didn't like it though and after drinking a half glass, he requested a Diet coke for the rest of his meal. Our waiter was wonderful given all our awkward situations. He kept the table cleared well, considering the plates, camera, autograph book, etc.
I went to the buffet to get Anna's plate first, and as promised, I returned to the table to be told "Mommy I need to potty". Thankfully it was closer to us this time! While I had her in the potty, Justin went ahead and made his plate, and then I went up for my own plate. Justin had both meats from the carving station; that night it was turkey and roast beef. I had the baked chicken which I thought was amazing, and had a second piece later on. I also loved the rolls here, and had a few more than I should have

I also had some white rice. But honestly, how can you mess up chicken, rice, and rolls

So I personally don't have much to report here food wise. Justin and Anna both ate without complaints.
Our first character was Tigger. Now with me holding the camera, this had him between Anna and Justin, and honestly we didn't want Justin in all the character photos. So after Tigger I handed off photo taking to Justin. So now he's in the awkward seat and having to deal with pictures and an autograph book. He was thrilled - Ha Ha!
Tigger was fun though; he bounced with Anna and she still talks about that.
Up next was Piglet. Piglet was a fun meet and greet for Anna; I'm thinking it's because Piglet is the closest to her size. So while we are waiting for Piglet to finish up at the table before us, the handler with Piglet was standing next to the pole beside our table (yes, did I mention that we had to dodge a pole on the opposite side of Justin?. So I'm in the booth and he is in my opening to the left and the pole to my right). Anyways, Anna really got smitten with the handler. She is telling him all about the castle, which is now changing colors. She just loved him. He was very attentive, and I tried a couple of times to get her to sit in her seat and leave him alone, but he said he didn't mind and he talked as much as she did. Later on, after we had our visit with Piglet, the handler returned with a sticker for Anna. She was so happy!
After Piglet, Pooh was close by, and when he got to the table before us, his handler told us he would be going to dance, but would start with us next time. But before the dance started, Pooh came to our table to visit, so it was nice to see him then! The music started, and Pooh grabbed Anna's hand, so for a minute I thought we were in for second magical moment. But alas, she ended up in the line with the other kids, which is fine too. The only thing I didn't like is that when the song ends, it felt like the kids were just left up front. From where I was sitting, I couldn't really see that area, so for a minute I felt a little unsure, but Justin quickly went up and found her and brought her back to her seat. However, she obviously enjoyed the dance, as you cannot deny these smiles!
Lastly we were waiting for Eeyore. He wasn't too far away, so we just patiently waited and got our picture and autograph. While we tallied up the bill, I excused myself to the restroom, and when I returned, Justin told me Tigger had come by again, and he was able to get a picture of Anna with Tigger, just the two of them.
So we go to exit CP, to find it's a complete DOWNPOUR outside. Our first rain of the week! We put on our ponchos and told Anna we were going to play in the rain - and she was so excited. It's all about perspective
So while the CP food was fine, I just don't think we would return, at least not for dinner. The main factor for us is that Anna just doesn't know those characters very well.