For the last ten years, my friends and I have had breakfast at Crystal Palace on the first Saturday in June. It has been so long, that I can no longer remember if it was already a character breakfast when we started going, but as I have always been a Tigger fan, that was just an added benefit. When we first started going, its food was OK - an average breakfast buffet, nothing special. We would often reserve for near their transition between breakfast and lunch and so often got to taste food from both meals. While breakfast was average, lunch was like many of Disney's buffets: bland and uninteresting.
Two years ago, we noticed a big change. We started later than we usually do, and so ended up trying more of their lunch items. Much to our surprise, many items were unusual and very flavorful, with one or two being genuinely spicy! We asked to get some extra Thai chili paste for their green curry chicken (to take it from medium to Thai hot as I prefer it). One thing led to another and we ended up meeting Douglas, their new Executive Chef.
He explained that he felt food could be flavorful and still appeal to a good cross section of Disney's guests. His menus reflected his ideas and were a very welcome change. Crystal Palace became a place that I recommended not just for it location, nor its inclusion of Tigger (both points in its favor), but because of its food.
Yesterday, eight of us showed up for breakfast at 10:30. Among the items included were a corned beef hash with green peppers and onions, chicken apple sausage (very flavorful), an egg and corned beef fritta, some kind of potato dish with bacon (I do not eat pork, so I did not try it but my friends said it was excellent), Tigger shaped pancakes, breakfast pizza (at the kids buffet) and waffles.
Everything was excellent. When they began their lunch transition, we also got to sample a Pad Thai nodule dish, a vegetable curry and an ancho chile glazed salmon which was outstanding.
We also met Edwin, their new Chef, and found that Douglas had been promoted.
As for character interaction, things were great. Two in particular stood out. First, as we were seated near the end of breakfast, the characters get a longer break right then, and so Clancy (the character lead) went around to each table to ensure that they had seen and been able to take pictures with all the characters. When she found that we had not gotten to see Piglet (and two in our party had wanted to take pictures with him), she offered to either make sure that he started with us when he returned from his break, or if we did not want to wait, she would bring us to Piglet for a picture. This was really nice and given how much these meals cost, it was great that they were trying to make sure that everyone saw all the characters.
Second, it seems that they have changed from having one character in the center as the others make rounds, to having all characters make rounds. I personally think this is a better approach. It makes it easier to ensure that everyone can interact with all characters.
Overall, we had a great experience and I would highly recommend it.
After wandering around Magic Kingdom for several hours, we headed over to EPCOT for a light meal at the Rose and Crown. Out of the original eight, only two of us managed to make it all the way there.
We were seated quickly, at a table inside, in air conditioned comfort. We started with their cheese plate (Camembert, Stilton in a puff pastry, five counties cheese, with apples, lingonberries and grapes. Good flavors, even their candied walnuts were good (I do not usually like them).
For dinner, my friend and I both had their fish and chips, which was good as usual. I forgot to request that they substitute green beans for peas, so no vegetable for me. Mike was happy as it was.
For those that are looking for a more adult beverage, we both had Welsh Dragons, which were quite refreshing.
All in all, a great day that has us looking forward to next year.
/carmi
Two years ago, we noticed a big change. We started later than we usually do, and so ended up trying more of their lunch items. Much to our surprise, many items were unusual and very flavorful, with one or two being genuinely spicy! We asked to get some extra Thai chili paste for their green curry chicken (to take it from medium to Thai hot as I prefer it). One thing led to another and we ended up meeting Douglas, their new Executive Chef.
He explained that he felt food could be flavorful and still appeal to a good cross section of Disney's guests. His menus reflected his ideas and were a very welcome change. Crystal Palace became a place that I recommended not just for it location, nor its inclusion of Tigger (both points in its favor), but because of its food.
Yesterday, eight of us showed up for breakfast at 10:30. Among the items included were a corned beef hash with green peppers and onions, chicken apple sausage (very flavorful), an egg and corned beef fritta, some kind of potato dish with bacon (I do not eat pork, so I did not try it but my friends said it was excellent), Tigger shaped pancakes, breakfast pizza (at the kids buffet) and waffles.
Everything was excellent. When they began their lunch transition, we also got to sample a Pad Thai nodule dish, a vegetable curry and an ancho chile glazed salmon which was outstanding.
We also met Edwin, their new Chef, and found that Douglas had been promoted.
As for character interaction, things were great. Two in particular stood out. First, as we were seated near the end of breakfast, the characters get a longer break right then, and so Clancy (the character lead) went around to each table to ensure that they had seen and been able to take pictures with all the characters. When she found that we had not gotten to see Piglet (and two in our party had wanted to take pictures with him), she offered to either make sure that he started with us when he returned from his break, or if we did not want to wait, she would bring us to Piglet for a picture. This was really nice and given how much these meals cost, it was great that they were trying to make sure that everyone saw all the characters.
Second, it seems that they have changed from having one character in the center as the others make rounds, to having all characters make rounds. I personally think this is a better approach. It makes it easier to ensure that everyone can interact with all characters.
Overall, we had a great experience and I would highly recommend it.
After wandering around Magic Kingdom for several hours, we headed over to EPCOT for a light meal at the Rose and Crown. Out of the original eight, only two of us managed to make it all the way there.
We were seated quickly, at a table inside, in air conditioned comfort. We started with their cheese plate (Camembert, Stilton in a puff pastry, five counties cheese, with apples, lingonberries and grapes. Good flavors, even their candied walnuts were good (I do not usually like them).
For dinner, my friend and I both had their fish and chips, which was good as usual. I forgot to request that they substitute green beans for peas, so no vegetable for me. Mike was happy as it was.
For those that are looking for a more adult beverage, we both had Welsh Dragons, which were quite refreshing.
All in all, a great day that has us looking forward to next year.
/carmi
Thanks for the review, we are planning to eat supper there our first night. The menu looked good and I love buffets, The kids will love the characters as well asthebuffet choices that will please all. What are your thoughts on Liberty Tree, Garden GRill, Donalds Breakfastauras? 
