WWYD? Tony's Town Square or Crystal Palace?

[lizabu]

This is our first family trip. We will be in MK on Jan 10 and I made and ADR for Tony's thinking the food sounds good but now I'm wondering if I should switch it to Crystal Palace? I personally think the characters are cute but my kids are 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17 and they kind of rolled their eyes at me when I suggested having dinner with Pooh Bear. Is it as dorky as it sounds? Does the food make it worth it to switch? I kind of think they'd enjoy it. What do you think? Will teens/tweens like it?

 

[lolakat]

Just my opinion but I think charecter meals are part of the Disney experience and I think it would be great to work one in to your first trip even if your kids are "too cool" for them. The pictures are fun and make good souviners. Breakfast at CP is a "must do" for our family every trip even when there are no kids along. I've never been there for dinner. Food at Tony's is OK but nothing spectacular. CP is a buffett and the breakfast is good.

Enjoy whatever you deceide.

 

[DisneyCher]

I would pick Tony's, mostly because I really hate buffets (the noise, the chaos, the unsanitary-ness). Also, I would not have cared for a character meal in my teens.

 

[Sgt Tibbs]

IMHO the food at Crystal Palace is better than Tony's which is basic Italian. CP is a buffet and has a much more varied selection including lots of desserts.

Your kids may be little old for Winnie the Pooh and friends but you never know they might enjoy the interaction.

If you are still in doubt, some other good dining options in the Magic Kingdom area I would recommend are Grand Floridian Cafe, The Wave, Kona Cafe or Whispering Canyon cafe in the WL, the kids might enjoy some rowdy behavior with their dinner.

 

[kate_wdw]

I would definitely stick with Tony's. If I were a teenager, I would have been mortified to go to a character meal (particularly if there were no young children in my party to divert attention). It would have been very hard for me to enjoy the food if I was anticipating my next uncomfortable interaction with a stranger in a furry suit.

I'd also press them more on how they feel about it, their opinion is what matters here, not ours.

 

[angierae]

My DD16 loves character meals (we're doing Tusker House, Garden Grill, 1900 PF AND Akershus next trip) but said no to Crystal Palace because she thought Pooh and friends was too babyish.

People also hate on Tony's, but it was DD16's favorite restaurant last trip and the only one she absolutely HAD to have for the next trip.

 

[lizabu]

Thanks everyone. I think I may just leave my ADRs alone..lol

 

[Tinkerbellah]

I just want to add I'm not a fan of WDW Italian. I don't think it's very good but it might have changed since the last time I was @ Tony's. [years ago] I grew up going to the character meals & the buffets are very well maintained. They are very clean & they have high quality foods on them. I am not a fan of the CP but it's mostly b/c too many buffets make me feel fat. LOL!!!! I DO OVER EAT @ them. So I try not to schedule too many. My Dad who is picky [& not an over eater] thinks CP is the best meal in all of WDW. So look @ the menu.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I personally would go with Liberty Tree Tavern. Their food is better than the other options, served family style and nice little place for the ages in your family!

 

[goofyintoronto]

If you want food thats worse than chef boyardee's, then by all means stick with Tony's.

They have the worst food i've ever tried in my whole life. I tried my son's meatball and couldnt swallow it. It was bad. My chicken parm was nasty. I'd stay away from anything with tomato sauce in it to be honest, if you must go.

Crystal Palace has MUCH better food!!! the environment is so much nicer too. i find tony's very cold....not literally, just the atmosphere is cold and bland. Besides the statue of lady/tramp, there's nothing unique or nice about their atmosphere.

I think your kids would have fun at crystal palace. Characters are awesome, and the food is pretty good. They have a carving station, great meat selections, their mashed potato is so good, they have a kids section with typical fare such as mac/cheese, chicken breast nuggets (not the processed kind), great salad bar, and the desserts are incredible. Wonderful selection of tarts, fruits, even icecream!

If anything, as the OP said, i would go to liberty tree tavern. GREAT lunch menu!! And they have family style, all you can eat, at dinner time. Both are great! You cant go wrong with this place either.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I would definitely stick with Tony's. If I were a teenager, I would have been mortified to go to a character meal (particularly if there were no young children in my party to divert attention). It would have been very hard for me to enjoy the food if I was anticipating my next uncomfortable interaction with a stranger in a furry suit.

I'd also press them more on how they feel about it, their opinion is what matters here, not ours.

Wow, to be mortified of the characters even at Disney? So im guessing the characters are avoided at all cost throughout the parks? Lol. I've seen many adults, parties of ppl in their late teens, early 20's, even honeymooners dine at crystal palace for breakfast lunch and dinner. Its a fun place and beautiful environment. Whats so embarrasing about a big furry yellow bear? or a bashful donkey?

 

[coltsfanatic]

I would also stick with Tony's if your DD is uncomfortable. Tony's actually has good food, I really like their spaghetti with marinara! And not to mention, the wait staff is attractive!

I also want to add our family loved Crystal Palace, my dad who basically eats burgers and fries daily loved the food and everyone said it was the favorite restaurant of the trip! I was also like your daughter, we went years ago when I was a young teen and I was mortified of character meals, but the characters at this buffet (IMO) are the least intrusive.

 

[kate_wdw]

Wow, to be mortified of the characters even at Disney? So im guessing the characters are avoided at all cost throughout the parks? Lol. I've seen many adults, parties of ppl in their late teens, early 20's, even honeymooners dine at crystal palace for breakfast lunch and dinner. Its a fun place and beautiful environment. Whats so embarrasing about a big furry yellow bear? or a bashful donkey?

As a teenager, there were things that I enjoyed about Disney, but the characters weren't one of them. Actually, that's still the case, I guess. The difference is that I would no longer be mortified by going to a character meal. However, I wouldn't particularly enjoy it, unless I had young children with me. I don't dislike the characters, but getting my picture taken with an actor in a suit just isn't my thing. To each her own

 

[mcd2745]

I agree with a PP - go to Liberty Tree Tavern. Their dinner is fantastic and 'all you care to eat'. If you're determined to do either CP or Tony's, based on the food, I'd go with CP. The food is very good for a buffet and there is great variety. If your kids don't want to intereact with the characters, that's fine. It's not like you are forced to take a picture with them. I was not impressed with Tony's dinner at all. I don't think it was as bad as a lot of the reviews I've seen, but nothing special at all. I actually loved when they did breakfast at Tony's "back in the day" though.

 

[lizabu]

Thanks everyone. I thought about Liberty Tree but my DD and DH don't eat pork and I understand there could be pork at a buffet but it seems a little different when they put it on the table in front of you. The bad food comments were enough to persuade me for sure. I switched it ADR to CP. I figure at a buffet everyone will find something they like. I just told the girls when they came home for lunch. They were pretty happy about it. The boys (13, 16 & 17) can deal with it

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thanks everyone. I thought about Liberty Tree but my DD and DH don't eat pork and I understand there could be pork at a buffet but it seems a little different when they put it on the table in front of you. The bad food comments were enough to persuade me for sure. I switched it ADR to CP. I figure at a buffet everyone will find something they like. I just told the girls when they came home for lunch. They were pretty happy about it. The boys (13, 16 & 17) can deal with it

Just so you know, at liberty tree for LUNCH they dont serve family-style. You order from the menu. So if you dont order pork, they wont bring it to you. At dinner they serve the family style all you can eat.
Anywho, great choice!!!! You will like the food at Crystal Palace. There's something for everyone. And its a very nice place. Best of all, the location is perfect! Have a great time!

 

[lizabu]

Thanks goofyintoronto. That's good to know. It will be dinner. I think CP sounds like we can't miss and I'm sure that if my teenage boys don't want to meet the characters there will be plenty or people who do.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thanks goofyintoronto. That's good to know. It will be dinner. I think CP sounds like we can't miss and I'm sure that if my teenage boys don't want to meet the characters there will be plenty or people who do.

Ah yes, dinner at Liberty tree definitely does serve pork. Your better off at CP thou anyway. I love the variety. And dont worry, if your boys want to avoid the characters they can hide at the buffet. Although im sure one interaction with pooh and gang will turn those boys into character-loving kids. Before you know it, they'll be flagging down every character for pics and autographs.

 

[TravelAgentJen]

Personally I think the crystal palace is kind of iconic as far as restaurants/character meets. I went when I was a teenager and have fond memories of the interior, it's so beautiful. The food is average/basic buffet but it's about the experience. All kids should do this once but your kids are older??? That said, having been there with my kids once I will definitely be going to Tony's next time I'm in MK. But if all your kids say they do not want to go to Crystal Palace after looking at pics+menu online and they want Tony's go with Tony's the food is going to be better and lady+tramp sounds like a charming nostalgic setting too.http://www.disboards.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

 

[TinkerwithDis]

IMO Tony's is pretty gross. I will never eat there again. They have terrible food. They call that italian? HAH! Thats a laugh.

I've tried Crystal Palace recently and was very surprised. I wasnt expecting much, but the food turned out to be very good!!! Very pretty inside too. And the characters are amazing. Its a must do for our next trip!