Would you choose Liberty Tree Tavern or Crystal Palace for dinner at the MK?

[FairyDust2008]

Which one and why? What characters are at each exactly? We are currently booked for Liberty Tree Tavern but are thinking of doing Crystal Palace instead. Which is the better of the two? Are CHIP & DALE at Liberty Tree Tavern? I thought I read somewhere that they possibly were. Correct me if I'm wrong So far our ADR's are:

Arrival night: Chef Mickey's ( I thought this still will be the best thing for us to experience on our arrival night to really get into the DISNEY SPIRIT ) I was kind of concerned at 1st about it being too noisy, etc but we really want to soak in the Disney magic on our arrival and I really believe Chef Mickey's will do the trick for us. We are staying at AKL and I thought of doing BOMA's but it won't have that same "Magic" for our arrival and we can schedule it later on our visit because it is definitely a MUST for our vacation as well.
MORNING/EVENING AT MK: We have the CRT breakfast booked on the 1st day we visit the MK ( I was going back and forth between this one and the princess storybook breakfast in EPCOT with Jasmine and Belle), but we are sticking with the CRT because there is no better MAGIC than eating in the CASTLE on our first day in the MK. You just can't beat it
For Dinner, we currently have Liberty Tree Tavern but was wondering about Crystal Palace instead. The food at Liberty Tree Tavern seems TOO FILLING, you know the Thanksgiving fare style food. I'm thinking the Crystal Palace would be better perhaps so we are still deciding on that. THANKS

 

[FairyDust2008]

I think I might have gotten Liberty Tree Tavern mixed up with GARDEN GRILL where I believe CHIP AND DALE are at. May have to look into that one for our night in EPCOT but................we really want to do the CLAMBAKE at Cape May too and were thinking of doing it on that day but we could also schedule the CLAMBAKE on the day we visit Hollywood Studios too. Decisions, Decisions, LOL

 

[Tricia1972]

That's a tough call...

LTT had Chip and Dale when we were there in October 2007. They were part of the "and Friends" of Minnie and Friends. Overall character interaction was WONDERFUL. They visited so many times that we actually were almost ready to wave them by, but our DS (2) is in love with Minnie, so we didn't deny him any time with his 'girlfriend'. The food was very good, and I appreciated the 'all you can eat' atmosphere, without having to get up and get my own food. Especially nice when you're trying to time character visits.

We also went to Crystal Palace in October. The setting is beautiful and there is more food to choose from for the picky eaters. However the character interaction was very much lacking from what we experienced at LTT earlier in the trip. The characters stopped by, posed for a photograph, quickly signed our book and were gone. Our 'magical' server even told us that we needed to have our books out and ready - open to the right page with the pen ready for the characters because the characters are very busy. We always do that, but this is the first time it's been demanded of us. At Crystal Palace our server was invisible. Plates set for most of the meal, refills were never brought, he never checked on us, and my food allergies were never brought up. When it came time to pay, though we'd mentioned the DDP upon sitting and it was noted on our reservation, he scolded me for not telling him before he brought the bill. I managed to bite back my reply that perhaps if I'd seen him I could have mentioned it.

(I think that it's servers like this guy at Crystal Palace that get me into trouble on the tipping threads )

 

[vanyel]

Personally, I love LTT though I've never been to Crystal Palace. To me, LTT has always had great character interaction and it's a lot of fun. I don't know your situation (how many, ages. when you're going etc) but I wondered if you were planning on doing both CRT & LTT on the same day as that may be a lot of food and time. If you're going to MK more than one day, that might work better, imho.

CHip & Dale, Minnie, Goofy, & Pluto were there when I went last time. They all interacted with the guests and seemed to take their time for pictures. LTT is a must for me every time I go, with or without kids. I haven't been to the Garden Grill since they remodeled but I remember Chip & Dale being there also and it was a lot of fun.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We dont like the food options for dinner at the LTT. I would go for the CP and the food there is awesome

 

[beattyfamily]

CP

 

[kimsuenew]

The food, choices, and character interaction are MUCH better at CP.

LTT is served family style. The food wasn't bad, but was not thrilling. The characters do come to the table at LTT (as they do at CP).

The only restroom at LTT is upstairs, so for someone with severe mobility issues (cane for limited walking, ECV for parks, WC for DTD) that was a challenge.

CP has oodles of choices and the food was scrumptious, but it is a true buffet and that turns some off.

We loved CP, we have scheduled it twice on our list for our 2008 trip, we did not schedule LTT even once!

 

[PatsMom]

We've done both and we would choose the Crystal Palace over Liberty Tree Tavern. We like the food better. The characters are great at both places.

 

[Luv4Disney]

For dinner? LTT

Do CP for breakfast.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

Personally, I love LTT though I've never been to Crystal Palace. To me, LTT has always had great character interaction and it's a lot of fun. I don't know your situation (how many, ages. when you're going etc) but I wondered if you were planning on doing both CRT & LTT on the same day as that may be a lot of food and time. If you're going to MK more than one day, that might work better, imho.

CHip & Dale, Minnie, Goofy, & Pluto were there when I went last time. They all interacted with the guests and seemed to take their time for pictures. LTT is a must for me every time I go, with or without kids. I haven't been to the Garden Grill since they remodeled but I remember Chip & Dale being there also and it was a lot of fun.

ITA! I've done dinner at LTT the past 3 trips and it's become a must do. I haven't been to the Crystal Palace yet, but I love the food and character interaction at LTT. LTT has the best character interaction I've experienced so far. Each time the characters have come to my table at least twice. Sometimes they stop by as many as 3 times. By the second and third time I usually just wave at them since I've already gotten the picture and the main interaction that I wanted. I love LTT turkey and mac & cheese; it definitely reminds me of Thanksgiving. I'd give it a try.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I agree ... for us LTT has consistently had the best character interaction. And of course it helps that DS is a Goofy fan! We go every year. The food is ok for us ... not great but not bad.

We go to CP for breakfast every trip. I enjoy the food but do feel that the characters seem more rushed there. We didn't enjoy our one dinner there very much. The food was Ok but the characters were not very fun.

 

[stellablue]

We did LTT and overall loved it! We also did CP breakfast on our trip and thought the characters were great in both places, but more entertaining at LTT-especially Chip & Dale!! Food was great at LTT & CP (although I can only account for CP breakfast)

Only suggestion is be careful with the ADR times with LTT. We made the mistake of not checking parade and fireworks times & we ended up missing Wishes & Spectromagic that night....although we did get a glimpse of Spectro, as it passes right by LTT on it's route!!

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

LTT for sure!! The character interaction is great! Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale are the one who were there last time we went. It is family style and the service is always fast and good.

The CP experience I had for dinner was terrible. Little to no interaction with the characters other than a brief pause and wave, and maybe a quick picture if you have your camera all set and ready. The food was ok.. but nothing to write home about. And God forbid you were up at the buffet when the characters came because you missed them. Tigger passed our table by completely and they told us we would have to sit there and wait an hour if we wanted to see him.

Ive heard breakfast is good at CP, but after my experience I will never know.


The garden Grill in Epcot is an excellent Character meal as well. It has Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale every time we go. The food is good, served family style and the characters are a lot of fun.. especially chip and dale.

 

[Joanna71985]

I enjoy both, but I have to go with LTT for dinner. I just love it!!

 

[TarzansKat]

I am a die hard Crystal Palace fan. I didn't do it on my last trip and can't wait to go back! I love the Winnie the Pooh characters, and have always had great interactions there. My DS has a great time, and there's such a wide variety of food, we're all happy. Plus, who doesn't love being able to pick 6 or 7 different mini desserts! Yum, yum!

 

[brandi~momof3]

we loved LTT, the character interaction was great (Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale), the food was good, and our service was wonderful. I do not like buffets, so this family style was perfect for our family (me, dh, 3 kids, and my parents). Also they will bring you more of anything you want

 

[tluvstink]

Another vote for LTT. I am not a buffet fan and I think the family style service is relaxing. I like the food and the characters are great!

Terri