Please help me pick which place for dinner!!!

[northwenald]

I am trying to pick a place for dinner before MVMCP. There are 4 adults going. One of the adults have never been to Disney. I can get a 5:00 at The Plaza, 6:00 at Crystal Palace and a 5:15 at Kona Cafe. I would like to hurry up and book something before there is nothing left. I have only been to Crystal Palace for breakfast and we love it. My DH and I have also been to Plaza and Kona a few years ago and thought they were good. Does anyone have any recent reviews on any of them? Also, which one has the better food? Thanks for all your help!!!!!

 

[Quin]

Kona has good food and a more 'adult' atmosphere, although it is still pretty high-energy as it is wide open to the lobby/wait area for 'Ohana. If you want a sit-down meal I'd take this one.

OTOH, CP is pretty classic Disney theming and that way you would already be in the MK; no last-minute disaster like a monorail break-down to ruin your evening. If a buffet is OK with your group then this is an equally good choice.

Unless you are paying oop and specifically looking for a lighter meal, I'd skip the Plaza this time.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Have you thought about Ohana? If not Ohana then I would actually choose Crystal Palace. It is a buffet and its definitely a taste of Disney! Plus... its in the MK so that makes it a bit more special!

 

[Quin]

'Ohana is great but you want to be able to take your time; 2 hours is definitely not too long for dinner there. Also, by the time I leave there I am so stuffed I don't think I could enjoy the party afterwards.

Definitely see if your group could go to Ohana one night - but not your MVMCP night.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I am trying to pick a place for dinner before MVMCP. There are 4 adults going. One of the adults have never been to Disney. I can get a 5:00 at The Plaza, 6:00 at Crystal Palace and a 5:15 at Kona Cafe. I would like to hurry up and book something before there is nothing left. I have only been to Crystal Palace for breakfast and we love it. My DH and I have also been to Plaza and Kona a few years ago and thought they were good. Does anyone have any recent reviews on any of them? Also, which one has the better food? Thanks for all your help!!!!!

See thats a tough one, cause we dont know what type of food you prefer cause they are all very different. If you want a variety, go to crystal palace. I love it there. If you want a TS non-buffet in MK, go to Plaza. They serve wonderful sandwiches/burgers and great icecream sundaes! But on the other hand, Kona is wonderful too....but its not within the park. Its next door. (very close thou). No matter which you chose, it will be great. Theyre all terrific choices!

 

[KTJAY]

With 4 adults-I would pick Kona Make sure you the bread and butter.

 

[Disnut4925]

I would pick Kona too, love their food. And afterwards, if you want you can take the boat over to MK, it's such a nice ride..though of course the monorail would work too.

 

[northwenald]

WOW !!! Thanks everyone
I called Disney dining and the CM told me that I could have either a 4:30 at Crystal Palace or a 5:15 at Kona Cafe. I took Crystal Palace b/c my niece that is coming loves Winnie the Pooh. Her new husband is the one that has never been to Disney. Now I am second guessing myself and wondering if I should switch to Kona Cafe. Maybe I will have them look at both menus and decide. I love the idea about taking the ferri to the MK. Is the food at Cystal Palace any good being a buffet? I like the fact that we will be in the MK for the party but part of me feels that the food quality will be better at Kona.
Thanks everyone !!!

 

[Collette]

After many trips, Crystal Palace is still on my to do list so I can't comment on the food. But I have been to three MNSSHPs and two MVMCPs. It's a night I love to dine in the park! I like being in the park, dining early and being "all settled in" when the party starts.

I only have breakfast experience at Kona, but looking forward to lunch or dinner next trip. I think it is a great choice,too. What I'm worrying about though for the night of the party is that if your dinner gets delayed for any reason, you will be heading back to MK in a rush of people getting to the party. May be a longer wait for monorail, boat, etc. And if Disney continues with park closing at the same time that the party starts, you will be trying to enter the park as hoards of people leave.

If your niece loves Winnie the Pooh - that just makes it all the more fun!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Remember for MVMCP you can enter the park around 4:30ish if you dont want to use up a day on a regular ticket. I would pick Kona too. With that time you are close to evening opening so the service will be faster.

Dh and I just did Crystal Palace for dinner last month. I only went for the food. Honestly I didnt enjoy it at all. Too many kids etc. Also at that time of year (dec) I am concerned with all the germs going around, so if you do choose that bring some hand sanitizer.

With The Plaza its casual and you would be in the park. I love their potato
soup.

We were staying at the Polynesian last December and honestly I could not imagine taking the boat back to the park at night, I cant even remember if it was in use then. It was so freezing cold everyone was doing all they could to stay warm etc.

Also you could consider doing a monorail tour before dinner and check out the resort christmas decoration and get some photo ops at GF with the gingerbread house and lobby tree etc.

Best of luck deciding.

 

[ajschell]

I can't comment on the Kona or The Plaza. However, I can say that I will definitely NOT be returning to Crystal Palace for dinner anytime soon!! Service was terrible, food even worse. We had a party of 8 and not one person enjoyed it. Just my opinion, for whatever its worth

 

[northwenald]

I can't comment on the Kona or The Plaza. However, I can say that I will definitely NOT be returning to Crystal Palace for dinner anytime soon!! Service was terrible, food even worse. We had a party of 8 and not one person enjoyed it. Just my opinion, for whatever its worth

Crystal Palace does get mixed reviews. My DH and myself are not big fans of buffets (other than Boma breakfast) but thought my niece would enjoy seeing Pooh. She is 28 years old so maybe she will be ok if we go somewhere else. I do remember the breakfast at CP being crazy in there and very loud. Should I stick with Kona Cafe or try to get The Plaza?
Thanks !!!!!

 

[ZoZo]

I really like Kona.

 

[TheTurners]

Kona is one of our favorite restaurants at WDW. We'll be trying their breakfast for the first time this year. I am going ravage the tonga toast.

 

[Collette]

Are you using a park ticket earlier in the day? Or are you just using your MVMCP tickets that day?

If you are just using your MVMCP tickets, I would enter at 4:00 and stay. If you are using other park tickets that day and you aren't planning to go to the party until closer to 7:00, I think you are really wanting to go to Kona - and you should. It's a great choice and a nice quiet dining experience - and then you can either ride the ferry, the monorail or the cute little boat from the Poly dock (if it is running at that time) to the party. While I love being in the park already when the party begins, it is also very fun to enter at its start.

You just can't lose. Whatever you choose will be great!!

 

[nkereina]

I would go with the earliest one to maximize your party time. If you aren't concerned about that I'd probably pick Plaza because it's the most convenient. CP is not relaxing, especially for adults, and you'll have a busy night at the party. And Kona is the furthest so it will take the longest to get back.

 

[northwenald]

We will be using park tickets that day plus the cm that I spoke to when I made the reservation told me that this year is different. They are Not allowing guests to enter the park early with the MVMCP ticket. They told me that I should get my bracelet before dinner which is at 4:35pm. I would love to hear any reviews on Crystal Palace or the Plaza. My DH is not thrilled about CP. He said that he would rather go to Kona or the Plaza. I hate having to make these decisions for people. I would love to hear more thoughts on this one.
Thanks everyone !!!!!