My visit to Crystal Palace--28 years later!

[crisi]

Yeah, it isn't any louder now than any other restaurant with kids and characters, but it used to be quiet, underused. One of those hidden gems. Few of those around anymore.

 

[fakereadhed]

Tell the truth - is it really screaming crying kids????????????????? DH and I were thinking of eating there in September. Does anyone think it will screaming crying kids in September, too. We're empty nesters and could do without it.

Sorry, but kids scream and cry everywhere. Without notice. Believe me...I've spent the whole day with my crabby two year old.

 

[crisi]

At Disney, it can be nearly impossible to completely avoid children. Most kids are pretty well behaved and most parents are pretty good about dealing with the ones that aren't. But character meals will have a larger than average uncontrollable toddler contingent - and I'd imagine Pooh appeals more to the 18month - 3 year tantrum set than Mickey. I'd be especially careful to avoid the hour before and two hours after "nap time." Parents sometimes try and get an extra half an hour out of a tot at Disney, and occationally that works, but occationally that leads to an overtired child.

There are meals that will be less child intensive. Most signature places and later at night. But even then you will occationally get the family on California time.

 

[La2kw]

Yes, its been since 1978 since I visited The Crystal Palace, and I am so sad. This was a nice Cafeteria Style resteraunt back than, cheap and quiet and nice. Now, you need a Xanax if you want to even wait outside with the crying, screaming children, and hot frustarted Parents. Than you go inside, and eat with the same results. OK, been there, done that, won't do it again. BRING BACK THE OLD CRYSTAL PALACE!!!

I agree. We haven't been since it changed over to the character meal. We used to love the place before that. First CP, then Akershus, and now CRT have become all character all day. I wish they would keep these unique restaurants character-free.

 

[La2kw]

Though I hae seen some meltdown it isn't like the CP is filled with screaming/crying children and parents with not an ounce of patience left. Sorry your experience was so big a disappointment for you, but if your looking for quiet and out of the way CP isn't it--perhaps you would have been happier at LTT for lunch (no characters) or The Plaza. If you go to a character meal you should be prepared for what I would call "organized choas", as all things Disney it runs pretty smoothly, but be prepared for the excitment of characters and kids in a buffet situation.

You missed the point. CP used to be character-free and now it isn't. Some of us wish it was still character-free. Excited kids are one thing, screaming misbehaving kids are another. Unfortunately, I've experienced too many of the latter to ever want to do a character meal again and fortunately my kids have no desire to do another one either.

 

[Keokagal]

Eat lunch there every trip. Never a problem. Relaxing. Yummy food. Tasty desserts. Bright and cheery. And Pooh and friends!

 

[jennifer293]

Let me forewarn you all now...I will have a screaming 2 year old there on July 15th at 5:40 p.m.....if you hear anyone's child scream that day IT WILL BE MINE!!! She is LOUD!!!!

 

[Poohbear123]

You missed the point. CP used to be character-free and now it isn't. Some of us wish it was still character-free. Excited kids are one thing, screaming misbehaving kids are another. Unfortunately, I've experienced too many of the latter to ever want to do a character meal again and fortunately my kids have no desire to do another one either.

I agree, is there ANYWHERE adults can eat, and not have characters and screaming kids? Oh, yea, I know, MY house!

 

[kaysmommie]

Let me forewarn you all now...I will have a screaming 2 year old there on July 15th at 5:40 p.m.....if you hear anyone's child scream that day IT WILL BE MINE!!! She is LOUD!!!!

Me too! My kids are very behaved but this will be DS 2 first WDW trip and a meltdown is always possible when you just turned 2 YO. We are going in September over Labor Day. We have and ADR for CP on the 8th.

 

[Kath2003]

There's a big difference between loud, excited children and children who genuinely don't know how to behave at a character meal though...the first are very sweet and no one minds kids been excited at these things; the second are just irritating.

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

The CP is one my my family's favorite restaurants...and every time we have been, we have eaten there...except once. I never experienced how it was long ago, but I am huge fan. I love how the characters from Winnie the Pooh are here, and the food is really good...especially the dessert table, and I love the 'kid's corner' food area for children, how adorable!! I am sorry your experience was less than enjoyable...perhaps you caught it on a busy day.