Tell me about Crystal Palace dinner

[MrsMud]

Okay, I have posted a thread about LTT dinner and gotten lots of replies. Most were good, but some were AWFUL! I am now looking for some info. about CP. I know it is a buffet while LTT is family style. We do tend to like buffets, and we have had dinner with the Mickey characters but not the Poohs. I have read tons of recommendations for CP breakfast, but not many for dinner. Who has been and would like to relay their experience? Also, we have not even seen this restaurant so any description of the setting/ atmosphere as well as the food would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jel0511]

Personally I wouldn't put the CP dinner in the same class as Chef Mickey's. The food isn't nearly as good, and the wait to get into the place is AWFUL!!! We went about a week and a half ago, and we had a 6:45 PS. We checked-in on time, along with the THRONGS of others still waiting. We didn't get seated until 7:15!!! They actually ran out of beepers, since SO MANY people were waiting to get in. For me, I'll stick to CP for breakfast, they have one of the best character breakfasts on property in my opinion. I won't do dinner at CP again.

 

[BAST]

We ate at CP dinner at the end of January. We had a PS for 5:00pm on a Spectromagic night. However, CP was not crowded at all.

The food was very good - we did several buffets this trip (BOMA, 1900 Park Faire, Cape May, Biergarten, Ohanas) and this was second best (no one will ever beat BOMA).

The character interaction was great - all characters (Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet) visited twice.

I think my main recommendation for buffets is to do them early. The two 'late' buffets that we did - Cape May and 1900 Park Faire - were not good (1900 Park Faire was awful). It seems that the later you do the meal, the more uneven the food quality and the worse the character interaction.

 

[Chip126]

I would love to give you my opinion on CP, BUT on my last trip, my older son and I were sick and unable to go to this PS.

However, my younger son (9) and my mother loved this character dinner!! They have both talked about it since and said it was the best one they went to.

That said, I will be trying it in December 2003!

Kim

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

We LOVE the CP!! We try to go everytime we are there. The food is great and the interaction is SUPER! We try to get the first seating for lunch.
This is what is so great about these boards, we all have different views! We did CRT and were VERY dissapointed. Not going there again...although the castle is just beautiful inside!
The way I look at it...your at DISNEY! ENJOY!

 

[BrianTime]

CP is on our must stop list at WDW.

The biggest reason is the character interaction. My DS favorite Disney movie is "Wee Wee Pooh"

You see all of the movie's stars and they do get arounf to each and every table very well.

Food quality is good, but nothing to rave about. Buffet style with a good selection and the ever popular soft serve bar.

I echo and earlier comment about going early. You WILL have a better experience.

 

[BrianTime]

CP is on our must stop list at WDW.

The biggest reason is the character interaction. My DS favorite Disney movie is "Wee Wee Pooh"

You see all of the movie's stars and they do get around to each and every table very well.

Food quality is good, but nothing to rave about. Buffet style with a good selection and the ever popular soft serve bar.

I echo and earlier comment about going early. You WILL have a better experience.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks for the replies
We are definitely doing dinner (won't be in the park for breakfast or lunch), and our only other option is LTT. Anyone else?

 

[CarrieAP]

I haven't eaten dinner there in 2 years, but have been fairly pleased previously. Love the atmosphere, it is bright and airy and has a wonderful feel about it. The service has always been top-notch for us. As posted, the character interaction is great. The food quality is pretty on par for what you would expect, decent, but obviously not high quality like you would get in better sit down restaurants. I am pushing for this to be included as one of our extended family meals in May.

 

[Badger Brent]

We have tried both lunch and dinner at CP. We love the atmosphere and characters. After discussing it with family, we will be doing the dinner over lunch this time. We thought the hot choices for the buffett were that much better and worth the cost. Tony's is another option. We did LTT and didn't enjoy as much as CP though. Have fun deciding!!

 

[christinou]

We all really like it, it generally is very crowded, and the wait can be long, but I have always enjoyed the food. I think that the food is much better than Chef Mickey.
Great bread pudding for desert, YUM...