We're going to WDW this Fall. We will have 2 adults and 2 children, under age 7. For those of you who have visited BOTH restaurants, would you recommend Chef Mickey's or the Crystal Palace? And why?
2007-08-14 03:05:36 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Orlando
My children love both sets of characters. I wondered myself, which one has the better food? And which one can better handle a possible bouncing-off-the-walls child? (haha) Thanks!
2007-08-14 07:57:15 · update #1
This is a very good question. I've done Chef Mickey's for dinner once and Crystal Palace for breakfast twice. And my personal preference is Chef Mickey's.
I can't really offer anything bad about it. The characters are primarily the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald). When you go, they'll take a family photo (no characters) and offer to sell you the photo package for around $30 during your meal. If you decide to purchase the photo package, the 8x10 will have a code on it that you can use to add it to your PhotoPass if you're planning on getting the PhotoCD. The food selection is decent and so's the food. Dessert for dinner even includes ice cream with a sizeable toppings bar. At various points during the meal, they do a napkin wave song/parade which is so popular, guests staying at the resort have been known to come out of their rooms to participate along the balconies. For birthdays, they often provide a placemat signed by all the characters. Another good thing about it, if you're heading to the Magic Kingdom after and aren't pressed for time, it's a good opportunity to ask to ride in the front of the monorail. Just ask the cast members at the monorail station.
On the other hand, I've had a good experience at Crystal Palace and not such a good one. In both cases, I had breakfast for 8:05 AM (the first seating) which lets you get into the park an hour before most people can on non-EMH mornings (Cinderella's Royal Table also does this). The really good about Crystal Palace: Unless you're attending a party such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas, this is most likely the only place you'll see Piglet at Walt Disney World - the only Pooh character more rare than that is Rabbit; the food selection is huge and good - omelettes are made to order and the breakfast lasagna is very popular (although my favorite is the vegetable fritata). The really bad: Crystal Palace is such a big location and characters are so controlled (so you won't see two of them together) that if you miss a character, you're warned it may be up to 90 minutes before you see them again. So be careful not to miss them while you're up getting food. My first time at CP, I was there for almost an hour and only saw Pooh. If you have an 8:05 ADR, go directly to the restaurant. Don't fall into the trap of an empty Main Street. I made the mistake the first time and it was so busy by the time I showed up, I saw only Pooh in 45 minutes. The second time, I went straight to CP and was the 2nd to check-in and managed to see everyone well within 20 minutes - I was out of the restaurant at 8:45 and was able to take great photos in front of the castle with noone else around and then get right to rope drop by the castle. Periodically, they'll do a 'my special day' march that anyone can join in with, walking around the restaurant. For birthdays, they typically give a card signed by all the characters.
Hope that wasn't more than you bargained for :)
2007-08-14 07:16:24 · answer #1 · answered by stitchkingdom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crystal Palace Walt Disney World
2016-12-26 21:17:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on what characters your kids like. Chef Mickey's has Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald all dressed as chefs and they come out and sing and dance and get the whole place involved. The Crystal Palace, on the other hand, has Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger. It is more of a relaxed atmosphere. They both are buffet style and are very good. However, if I have to choose between the two I would say Chef Mickey's only because it is so lively and fun for kids of all ages.
2007-08-14 04:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by Andrea S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In regards to food there is no comparison, the Crystal Palace Hands Down. Same for ease of arrival, it is right there in the Magic Kingdom.
We do both each time we go, with the dinning plan we do lots of character meals, even though we are beyond the age for normal interest. Call ahead for priority seating or you will have no chance at either. 1 407 WDisney.
Chef Mickey's is great, but the food is just good, not great. The characters stay less time at the table and tend to miss tables and you have to call them over.
2007-08-14 08:16:29 · answer #4 · answered by itchianna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chef Mickey's has better food and a more private location, since it is located in the Contemporary Resort (which you can walk to from the Magic Kingdom).
I found the atmosphere far less rushed at Chef Mickey's and the characters spent more time with the kids. But like other people have already said, if your kids prefer Pooh, then the choice is already made.
2007-08-14 07:21:08 · answer #5 · answered by John D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like others have said, a lot of it depends on what characters your children like. I myself like Chef Mickey's more, as its at the Contemporary and you can take the monorail over and take a bit of a break from the park. I think Chef Mickey's is set up better, and it just seems more open-ended and generally nicer than the Crystal Palace. Both are very nice though, and I admit the monorail ride over (to Contemporary) can sometimes take a while as you have to do a full loop. Ask your children what they'd like, since it seems like the choice would be best off left to them :P
2007-08-14 05:43:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you want for an experience. I prefer CHef Mickey's for breakfast, since it is right onthe monorail line and in the course of your breakfast you will see at least 5-7 characters.
Crystal Palace's food is more uneven, even though you are already in the MK...
2007-08-14 06:13:22 · answer #7 · answered by SCOTT & ELLIE W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try The Garden Grill at Epcot center, The Land Pavillion. Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale. It's fun. And the Breakfast character dining at 1900 Park Fare(Grand Floridian Resort) was great. Features Mary Poppins, Alice in wonderland, mad hatter, pooh & piglet. The food is also great at both. Have fun..
2016-04-01 11:09:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the crystal palace has winnie the pooh character's and chef mickey's have mickey of course and minnie and donald and goofy so it's a matter of who your kids are more into they both have really good food are favorite charcter breakfast is cinderalla's royal table because my seven year old girl loves the princesses well i hope this helps
2007-08-14 04:29:57 · answer #9 · answered by roxyjinks38 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm doing both in November, I have done breakfast at CP and loved it and I'm not a ig pooh fan. We will do dinner at CM's. As far as the Disney Character dining goes I have done many of them and they have all been great, the buffets feed you plenty and they are good buffets. You will have to decied based on character preference as many have stated but since you seem to be having trouble choosing why not just do both.
2007-08-14 05:36:53 · answer #10 · answered by steven v 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋