Hi Melissa,
Your Walt Disney World vacation is fast approaching, and I'm happy to help you with details about what to expect during character dining at Crystal Palace.
For many years, dinner at
Crystal Palace has been part of our tradition whenever my sister and her family visit us from out of state. We usually plan our meal for late afternoon, and we leave full, rested and ready to enjoy the rest of our evening in
Magic Kingdom, right through the fireworks at night's end.
Crystal Palace is a beautiful restaurant. Food is served on a buffet that features a nice variety of soups and salads, vegetables and a half dozen proteins, including a carving station, peel and eat shrimp, a fish dish and a chicken option. Children and picky eaters can choose chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and spaghetti from a separate kids section. For dessert, there's an array of bite-sized treats and soft-serve ice cream. The buffet is all you care to eat, so you can make as many trips as you want.
I always find the food here to be tasty and interesting and the atmosphere relaxing. I've never felt rushed to finish my meal or stressed that I'm going to miss a character while I refill my plate.
Throughout the meal, Winnie the Pooh and his friends Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore rotate through the tables, stopping at each for pictures and autographs, and once every hour or so, they invite young guests to join them on a parade through the restaurant. I've got a soft spot for the Pooh characters and love that we have pictures of our children with them through the years, from their stroller days into their college days.
One note, Melissa: The friends from the Hundred Acre Wood are the only characters who appear at Crystal Palace. You will not see Mickey and his pals.
Thanks for your question. I hope this helps. Please let us know if we can help in any other way as you make your final plans.
Enjoy!
Wilma