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The Crystal Palace
Located in the Magic Kingdom
All-You-Care-To-Eat Character Dinner Buffet
I
try to avoid the temptation of eating dinner in one of the theme park
restaurants, especially one as popular as The Crystal Palace. I guess I have
always felt I could get a better meal and feel less rushed at one of the Disney
Resort restaurants.
So why did I, without so much as a second thought, set a priority seating for
our family at this landmark Magic Kingdom restaurant? Simple, it was to be my
youngest son’s fourth birthday. Dinner tonight would not be based on
friendliness ratings, service ratings, stars or who gave it a thumb up or thumb
down. No, tonight I was to going to see it through the eyes of my four-year-old
son, who wearing his mousekeeter ears as he headed down Main Street, was going to
have dinner with Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tiger, in the most magical
place on earth.
As we turned left at Casey’s Corner the fast food hot dog stand that sits on
Main Street and approached the restaurant I could tell we were not the only
family that had decided to dine with Pooh that night. A light rain had started
to fall causing quite a crowd to assemble on the verandah of this turn of the
century glass pavilion. After giving our name to the young hostess who was
seated in a tiny room that opened onto the porch we found ourselves facing a
twenty to thirty minute wait. Even this wait could not take the shine off this
special moment. In a little under a half an hour we were rescued by a cast
member calling out our name as she worked her way through the crowd.
Feeling a little like we had just won the lottery we followed her through the
large wooden doors with their beautifully etched glass that separate the chosen
from the as yet less fortunate. We followed her to the left of the large open
dining room that is divided in two by the centerpiece, which is the buffet
itself. Our table was sitting up against the large decorated windows that
afforded us a perfect view of the Castle that was being illuminated in changing
colors from the floodlights that surround it.
The table had been covered in multi-colored confetti in the shape of Mickey
ears. I didn’t ask but I believe this served two purposes, first as a colorful
decoration and secondly as a signal to the servers and characters that this was
a birthday table. After reassuring the birthday boy that he would not miss Pooh
he made his way to the kids special buffet area. There he found such kid
favorites as Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, Hot Dogs and Cheese Pizza. The
birthday boy’s dad, mom and older brother turned their attention to the rather
extensive offerings presented in casserole dishes set on special heated counter
tops instead of the more commonly seen and less appealing steam tables. Here we
found everything from carved meats, fresh salmon, peeI-and-eat shrimp, chicken,
Pasta, a salad bar and a rather pleasant dessert bar.
I have eaten dinner here once before and very much enjoyed the character
encounter, but harbored memories of so-so food. Now maybe, it was because of how
my son’s face lighted up as all the characters made a fuss over him and signed
his birthday card, but the food this night was delicious and the whole evening
was as special as the birthday boy we had shared it with.
The Crystal Palace is located in The Magic
Kingdom.
Theme park admission is required.
Characters include Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tiger.
All-you-can-eat dinner buffet.
Cost is Adults - $28.99, Children 3-9 $13.99. Tax, gratuity and beverages extra.
Crystal Palace
Magic Kingdom
Character Dinner Buffet
Menu Items Change Often
Dinner Hours 4:00pm - Depends on Park Closing Time
Peel & Eat Shrimp
Assorted Cheeses
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
Tuna Salad
Chicken Salad
Cole Slaw
Fruit Salad
Caesar Salad
Tossed Salad Fixings
Pasta Salad
Mixed Rolls -Rye, Wheat, White
BBQ Chicken
Seafood Caesar Pasta
Arroz Con Pallo (Chicken w/Rice and Tomatoes)
Chef Carved Ham
Chef Carved Prime Rib
Roasted Red Potatoes
Grilled Vegetables
Rice Medley
Kid's Buffet with Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, and Cheese Pizza
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Brownies
Lemon Bars
Chocolate Chip, Sugar and Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Torte
Strawberry and Coconut Cake
Cherry Cobbler
The staff is happy to cater to your special dietary needs. Let the hostess know
at the Podium or you can also talk to the Chef's at the Buffet. |
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