How do we feel about Crystal Palace?

[JusticeDisney]

I got some very mixed reviews in my other thread about dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. Is Crystal Palace any better? Also, we have no really young kids in our group so seeing the characters won't matter to us.

Thanks in advance!

 

[sxeensweet]

No we would rather do Liberty Tree for dinner (even though we haven't tried dinner yet) if it's between those two. Now breakfast is great at Crystal Palace but I wouldn't do it for dinner over Liberty Tree. The only dinner buffet we would do is Boma and Cape May Cafe. We are not big fans of most buffets on property for dinner. Too many delicious non buffet places.
You could go next door to Cali Grill or 'Ohana maybe?

 

[belledream]

I think there's more quality food at other places around the Magic Kingdom, but the atmosphere is quite nice. Feel like quintessential Disney and an extension of Main Street if you don't want to leave the park.

So I'd go for the atmosphere if anything. Even if characters aren't of interest to you...it's worth it if you want to relax and help yourself to whatever you want to eat.

 

[Tk0021]

We ate at Crystal Palace in June and was really good but we were starving since it was our arrival day. We are going again this September and we have decided to skip Crystal Palace and go with Be Our Guest. We have limited days and one had to be left off the list and that was the one. Plus my kids aren't excited about Pooh and company.

 

[DisneyDelirious]

It is your average run of the mill Disney buffet as far as the food. Comparable to most chain buffets like a Ryan's, Golden Corral, Sirloin Stockade, Ponderosa, etc.. That being said it is a beautiful setting, a nice place to get off your feet, and it is conveniently located. The characters are highly interactive here and can be fun with or without kids.

 

[Disney Ron]

We like Crystal Palace for breakfast only. Great atmosphere and characters.

 

[Flyersgirl17]

i have to agree with what most people are saying. We love Crystal Palace for Breakfast but that's it. Dinner there was just not good at all. If i were you i'd try liberty tree instead.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I like Crystal Palace. I like the food and the awesome experience of meeting Pooh characters.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I got some very mixed reviews in my other thread about dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. Is Crystal Palace any better? Also, we have no really young kids in our group so seeing the characters won't matter to us.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Justice: This post reminded me of what my husband an I did last year at WDW. No kids with us either. We always eat at Liberty Tree Tavern, but it was closed for refurb, so we booked at the Crystal Palace for lunch. We don't care about the characters either, but it seemed like we paid a premium for them anyway. The buffet was mediocre at best and the cost was $80.00 plus for a mediocre lunch for 2 adults. Because of that, we won't do that again. Just our experience, but I can see the value if you have kids.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

We love both Crystal Palace and LTT. We love them for what they are which is not signature restaurants. We go for the good food, variety, and the atmosphere and service. We don't go for the absolute best meal of our lives because we're not paying for that. It's very good and we've never had bad experiences. We feel the prices match the value. Attitude is everything. Go and try either and if you hate it, never go back. Others will always have opinions, both positive and negative but only you can decide for yourself and family. Enjoy your trip.

 

[carriebeth]

Loved our breakfast there. Food was really wonderful. Had dinner there this year and it was an all around bad experience. Since you are mainly concerned about the food, I will tell you I felt the choices were a bit boring. The buffet was not being restocked quickly enough and things were empty. I tried quite a few items and did not end up eating them as they were just not very good...and I usually have pretty varied taste and eat nearly anything. One other thing to note is that we had to wait a pretty long time beyond our scheduled reservation time to be seated. It wasn't to the point that it was ridiculous but it was one of the longest waits we have experience at DIsney...ever.

WHile I would be willing to go back for breakfast, we won't be doing dinner there anytime soon

 

[DVC4bestvacations]

Crystal Palace is always a breakfast stop when ever we are at WDW.

We had dinner at LTT a few years back. It was so bad I don't see myself ever going back. EVER!

 

[drizgirl]

Hi Justice: This post reminded me of what my husband an I did last year at WDW. No kids with us either. We always eat at Liberty Tree Tavern, but it was closed for refurb, so we booked at the Crystal Palace for lunch. We don't care about the characters either, but it seemed like we paid a premium for them anyway. The buffet was mediocre at best and the cost was $80.00 plus for a mediocre lunch for 2 adults. Because of that, we won't do that again. Just our experience, but I can see the value if you have kids.

Of course you paid a premium for characters. It's not like you can choose the "non-character" experience there for a lower price.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Of course you paid a premium for characters. It's not like you can choose the "non-character" experience there for a lower price.

Yea, we always ate there with the dining package, but we just went with what we knew, never giving the character meal a though
We won't make that mistake again! Too much for lunch..even though tigger and pilet were cute

 

[Chipster]

We don't feel very good about it - thought it was one of the worst buffets we have eaten at Disney. Characters were okay but food was limited and awful.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

We don't feel very good about it - thought it was one of the worst buffets we have eaten at Disney. Characters were okay but food was limited and awful.

It's sad, really. considering how good their buffet used to be. It seems like it got "dumbed down" when dining packages started.

 

[rob0519]

It's sad, really. considering how good their buffet used to be. It seems like it got "dumbed down" when dining packages started.

Totally agree. We have eaten dinner at Crystal Palace probably 15 times over 20 years. Unfortunately, the last 4-5 trips, the quality and selection of the food got worse every trip. The serving area used to be spotless and the last few trips there were food drippings splattered about from almost every dish. We might consider doing it again for the atmosphere inside the MK, but only on the dining plan. I would never spend the current asking price for that experience again.

 

[bhg469]

If you want a buffet, or unlimited food go to whispering canyon instead. That park doesnt have a lot to offer for good food or reasonably priced buffet style dining. Youre paying for characters, not much else. IMO whispering canyon can be a much better meal and way more entertaining than any in park dining with a few exceptions.

 

[DisneyDelirious]

If you want a buffet, or unlimited food go to whispering canyon instead. That park doesnt have a lot to offer for good food or reasonably priced buffet style dining. Youre paying for characters, not much else. IMO whispering canyon can be a much better meal and way more entertaining than any in park dining with a few exceptions.

Whispering Canyon Cafe is a must have on our trips. Often make it for breakfast and a dinner.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I wasn't thrilled with my dinner at Crystal Palace. I had to wait an hour after the other characters before I saw Tigger, the one character I really wanted to see.