By The Crystal Palace
Buffet, Character Dining located at Magic Kingdom
Disney Meal Pricing: $$$ – $$$$
Best For: Winnie the Pooh & his Hundred Acre Wood Friends
Location
Tucked away in a peaceful corner on the outskirts of Main Street U.S.A lies The Crystal Palace – a restaurant whose beautiful name only slightly captures the majesty of its gorgeous building. Inspired by the real-life Victorian greenhouse that was situated in Hyde Park, London, this unique location carries all the splendour of a regal garden, while also being paired with the charming whimsy brought by some familiar friends.
Many may not know this, but The Crystal Palace dates all the way back to the opening date of Magic Kingdom itself in 1971. Throughout its fifty-plus years of service, the restaurant has had various alterations in terms of its offerings, with its most recent iteration being a friendly, all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet open from breakfast through dinner service.
However, it’s not just the bright, airy dining room full of lush greenery and views of Cinderella Castle that entice guests to visit this spot. No – The Crystal Palace offers even more magic to its dining experience! While enjoying their meal, diners will be visited by friends from The Winnie the Pooh movies, including Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and Pooh Bear himself. These Hundred Acre Wood pals welcome all to celebrate food, fun, and friendship, and will happily sign autographs and snap photos with guests along the way.
If The Crystal Palace sounds like the perfect spot for a special vacation meal, keep reading to learn more about the menu, as well as some hints and tips to make your visit even more magical.
Menu
The Crystal Palace offers a buffet service through breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with standard American fare included during each meal. Entry into the restaurant costs one set price for adults and another for children, which includes the all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet, and a selection of drinks.
For breakfast, guests can choose from hearty morning choices to suit all tastes, ranging from hearty cooked bacon and eggs, or tempting fresh fruit and yogurt. Mickey Waffles can always be found here, as well as an enticing array of assorted pastries. The dish to watch out for, however, is that infamous Breakfast Lasagna: a unique fruity casserole sure to bring some sunshine to your morning.
From 11am onwards, The Crystal Palace buffet switches to its lunch and dinner service, with plenty more cooked options available for guests to enjoy. While offerings may be switched seasonally, the staples to expect include a Carved Prime Rib, pasta dishes, fried chicken, Shrimp Creole, and seasonal veggies and salads. A buffet bar full of assorted desserts can also be found, so you’ll never leave this restaurant with a ‘rumbly in your tumbly’!
To Drink
Throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner, guests will be able to choose from a selection of fountain beverages, Joffrey’s Coffee, Twinings Tea, and milk included as part of their fixed dining rate.
For an additional fee, a large range of alcoholic beverages are also on offer, including wines, beers, ciders, and even specialty cocktails. Fancy treating yourself to a morning Mimosa to start your day in the Magic Kingdom? Here at Crystal Palace, you can do just that!
Kid-Friendly Options
The Crystal Palace remains a firm favorite dining location among families with children, not least because the Winnie the Pooh-themed dining element offers a much more relaxed way of meeting characters on your trip.
In terms of food, the restaurant’s offerings are familiar favorites sure to appeal to even the fussiest kiddos, with plenty of options for healthy portions there as well. Especially if your family are Pooh Bear fans, we think Crystal Palace is a great option to consider.
Special Dietary Requirements
Walt Disney World always aims to cater for any special dietary requirements guests may have, and this dedication encompasses dining locations which offer buffet service, too. At The Crystal Palace, guests with particular intolerances should request an allergen guide from a Cast Member upon arrival, and ensure their table’s server is aware of their needs.
At the buffet, dishes will usually be marked with vegan or vegetarian check marks, with other allergens also flagged on their cards. If you’re ever unsure however, it’s always best to check with a Cast Member for confirmation before tucking in.
Tips and Need-To-Know Information
- The Crystal Palace is consistently a popular location for guests, meaning that we’d always recommend securing a dining reservation in plenty of time before your visit. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining an advance reservation, it’s not unheard of for last-minute slots to open up – just ask a friendly Cast Member at the restaurant’s podium for their updated availability.
- Often, early morning breakfast reservations may be booked to dine at The Crystal Palace before the Magic Kingdom actually opens. If this applies to your reservation, be sure to mention it to any Cast Member upon arriving at the park that morning. Usually, a Cast Member wearing the restaurant costume will be stood near the park entrance with a board, ready to guide you.
- Of course, an early morning reservation will guarantee you extra-early access into the Magic Kingdom before other guests, offering a sneaky chance of quiet photos on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Whenever your reservation time may be, the official Disney recommendation is to plan 90 minutes for your stay at Crystal Palace, in order to give you enough time to meet and engage with each individual character as they rotate throughout the restaurant.
- Can’t choose whether to visit for breakfast or lunch? Well, the breakfast buffet is typically served at The Crystal Palace until 10.45am, with the changeover to lunch offerings taking place at 11am. While not an “official” tip, some guests have reported being able to experience both buffets by snagging a reservation nearer to the end of the breakfast period, meaning that lunch offerings were made available before they had finished their meal!
Feature Image: Disney