Character meals are for the adults, well at least for adults who are in love with Walt Disney World. But for those who have children, watching their child hug a Disney character is not just wonderful for the kids visiting the parks, but also a gift for parents and grandparents as well. Maybe more than anything, that is why Character meals are so popular.
Buffets are a wonderful value at Walt Disney World including the Crystal Palace Restaurant where you dine with the residents of 100 Acre Wood in the Magic Kingdom.
This traditional American buffet features Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore, the only meal with these characters. The building itself is arguably the most beautiful at Walt Disney World. It is located left of the Castle off Main Street and just short of Adventureland. Admission to the park is required no matter what time you arrive. Operating hours do vary, so ask when you are making reservations for any of the three meals available.
Were you aware that the Crystal Palace Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom is inspired by the actual Crystal Palace? That was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851.
At Disney the Victorian design remains, with windows and glass throughout, which does bring in plenty of light. It is a wonderful facility that is recommended for a visit if only to see the elegant surroundings and take pictures. During the late fall/early winter of 2009/10, the Crystal Palace was undergoing renovations, but they are complete.
You should expect to wait a little bit for a table, even with Advanced Dining Reservations. Once you enter, you will see character topiaries of Pooh and his friends Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger. During the holidays, trees and lights abound, which makes it an even more glorious space.
After being seated, you will soon see Winnie and friends begin to make the rounds of the room. There is seating areas in the center and along the windows, but don't worry about meeting the characters, they will stop, greet and hug everyone. There is plenty of opportunity for pictures. What is really nice about a character meal, is that you don't have to wait in line, the entertainment comes right to you.
The breakfast buffet is for adults and for children (prices subject to change). This large selection includes traditional favorites such as omelets, which by itself make the breakfast a wonderful meal; plus cereals and freshly baked pastries, as well as more unique offerings such as breakfast lasagna and cheddar cheese potatoes.
Many enjoy the puffed-up sugar and cinnamon French Toast, breakfast meats and potatoes. And then, you can also get a Mickey Waffle. But the most filling of entrees is the Pooh's Breakfast Lasagna. For lunch you will find many different salads, sandwich meat, vegetables, chicken, pork BBQ and Salmon. Lunch is for adults and for children. The shrimp, prime rib, salmon, pork and roasted garlic mashed potatoes seem to be well appreciated.
There is also a "Pooh Corner", the Crystal Palace's buffet just for kids! Here are the chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and pizza. It is also a big buffet with a many choices to make a meal for anyone. But if you are on a special diet, be sure to call in advance. Disney will do anything they can to accommodate your dietary needs.
For dinner, the buffet abounds with American favorites. There are plenty of salads and dressings, peel-your-own shrimp, soups, potatoes, and several vegetable dishes. The main dishes include prime rib, chicken, pork, pasta and a special salmon (see photo below), along with dishes with spice such as curry, cinnamon, mango and papaya.
And remember, take a little, enjoy that, and go back for seconds and thirds or whatever in order to get your money's worth. Dinner is .00 for adults and .00 for children. And tax/gratuity is extra for all meals.
Desserts change over time, but here are some of the past listed items: cheesecakes, apple cobbler, puddings and gelatins, peanut butter and carrot cakes, various pies, double chocolate brownie, cookies, and coconut flan. And of course, there is the sundae bar. Hungry yet?
THINGS TO REMEMBER
First, make reservations early. You can do that 180 days in advance. Make your reservations the earliest you can. The phone number is (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463.
Bring your camera and video cam. These are shots you don't want to miss, not just the characters but the building. And bring your autograph book and Sharpies that work very well and have different colors.
If this structure were anywhere else, it might be more formal dining, but in the Magic Kingdom its shorts and casual wear. And remember also that meal selections can change from time to time.
Move around, you'll see duplicate offerings on different buffet tables; you don't have to follow a single line. This makes it easier to secure your food quickly. Eat a little, return for more. As with any buffet, getting it all at once is just not best way to sample all the dishes.
Each of the four characters made it around the full room during what appeared to be one full seating. Interesting how that happens. And during your visit Pooh and friends parade all the children around the room twirling napkins, chanting and having fun.
A lot of people never make the sit-down restaurants due to the cost, but you need to do at least one Character Meal each visit. It's a rule I think. If you're on the Disney Dining Plan, that's usually not a problem, but if not and are with kids you really do need to do this, if not this Character Meal, one that has your favorite characters.
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