Tell me about Crystal palace

[java]

In all the years of going to Disney this is the ONE place we have never tried.
We always walk by see the crowd and think- no way no how. But I am tempted this year.
I want to do one character meal. We've hit all the other ones. And I'm thinking it might be fun to try.

We are not Chef mickeys fans. So is this like that? What can you tell me about breakfast at CP?
And we would not be getting there before park opening- we are going in July and MK opens around 7 I think ? on the EMH days. So I wouldn't be doing it to get in early.
Food wise how does it rate?

 

[Pakey]

In all the years of going to Disney this is the ONE place we have never tried.
We always walk by see the crowd and think- no way no how. But I am tempted this year.
I want to do one character meal. We've hit all the other ones. And I'm thinking it might be fun to try.

We are not Chef mickeys fans. So is this like that? What can you tell me about breakfast at CP?
And we would not be getting there before park opening- we are going in July and MK opens around 7 I think ? on the EMH days. So I wouldn't be doing it to get in early.
Food wise how does it rate?

We thought it was fine, food was decent, but if it were not a character meal, we would pass. We liked the Tusker House breakfast much better, that's food we would eat with or without characters.

 

[PattnFmly]

Well, we've done both breakfast and dinner at Crystal Palace and my family requests breakfast each and every trip! It definitely helps that we love Pooh and especially Piglet so we love the character stuff. But aside from that, this is food that we love love love. From the potato's to the omelet's to the breakfast pizza, this meal is definitely a go for our family. Everyone eats well here and it is so worth the $ from both the character and food standpoint for our family. Just waiting to make my ADR's .. couple months to wait ... Mmmmmm!

 

[robandkelly13]

We think Crystal Palace had the best food out of any of the character meals. DH insists that we start at CP every trip. Our DD really isn't in to Pooh (it's all princess for her), so we go to CP strictly for the food.

 

[Tbelle1976]

I agree that we found the best food of any character meal at CP. We had lunch there last month and were surprised at the very nice selection on the buffet. DH had nothing but great things to say, which is good because he's not too big on buffet/character meals like that. We both agreed that CP will be a must do for future character meals w/the kids!

 

[dato63]

Not to hijack a thread - but those who have been to CP and Chef Mickeys, which one is crazier/more crowded? Which has the better food options?

We've not been to either - and were considering one for pre MK breakfast. Since we'll see the characters at other meals we are not concerned there.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I've seen Crystal Palace from both sides- as a guest and as an Entertainment CM.

The food is wonderful. I think they have the best buffet hands down. The adobe pork is great, they also have this ancho lime salmon that is to die for. There is always so much to like there's no way to eat it all in one sitting- though I try!

It's fun having the Pooh characters there. I hope you don't mind if I make a friendly request for anybody going to character dinings: Please keep your kids in their seat when the characters come to the tables. The restaurants are crowded and when the kids are all up and running around it can be hard for the characters to navigate. It's very easy to interact with them when they are seated. And please, if you can, stop your husband from saying, "Piglet, I'm eating pork."

The celebration at CP is very cute, the characters carry little signs and lead the kids on a parade around the restaurant (similar to Ohana). The decor is also beautiful. I think CP has the total package, but then, Eeyore is one of my favorite characters so I might be a little biased.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Not to hijack a thread - but those who have been to CP and Chef Mickeys, which one is crazier/more crowded? Which has the better food options?

We've not been to either - and were considering one for pre MK breakfast. Since we'll see the characters at other meals we are not concerned there.

Chef Mickeys has more rooms so it spreads the guests out. From an entertainment perspective it is much easier to navigate Chef Mickeys, and I think it is for guests too. I don't much care for the food at Chef Mickeys. I think CP has the better food by far, but it is harder to navigate because you just have two sections and it can get a little crowded.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I've done both CM and CP - I found that CM had quicker character interaction. It took FOREVER to see the characters at CP and in fact, after being there over an hour, we still hadn't seen either Piglet or Eeyore. At least we got to see Eeyore on our way out, but I was really surprised how long it took. With CM we saw all of the characters within 45 minutes.

 

[jinia]

We have done CP twice and it is on my do not miss list! The best breakfast, I think the best interior, and just all around nice! So much better than CM food and interior wise! Give it try!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Mmmmm. Can't wait!

 

[texasmomoftwins]

We found the characters to be relatively quick to get to us at both Chef Mickeys as well as Crystal Palace. The breakfast at CP was by far, the best character meal we had. Food was great, characters were great. I highly recommend!!

 

[stepdisney]

We always end our trip with dinner at Crystal Palace. I love the proximity to the Castle both day and evening. We love the food and we love the characters. My DH says to keep this one one the list year after year.

 

[nappingbeauty]

They are two different experiences in my book. Chef Mickey's is more of a party atmosphere where Crystal Palace is a little more subdued. Both places have great character interaction.

 

[GatorLady]

And we would not be getting there before park opening- we are going in July and MK opens around 7 I think ? on the EMH days. So I wouldn't be doing it to get in early.

Just a side note. Don't know how they will have the schedule this year, but in July 2008, MK opened at 9 a.m. every day, so for a.m. EMH it would open at 8.

 

[nycsky]

I think CM is great for dinner, great atmosphere, fun...but CP has a GREAT breakfast buffet..don't let the crowds outside fool you, once you get in it is not that bad. Plus, it's nice to be able to walk off the breakfast in the beautiful MK! Have fun!

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

We really like the food selection at CP and do lunch each time we go. We prefer breakfast at CM over their dinner.