Crystal Palace Breakfast

Amber’s Tiggerific Dining Blog

The Crystal Palace – Breakfast

Walt Disney World is my family’s favorite vacation destination. Besides being excited about exploring all the parks, we always eagerly anticipate new dining experiences! My husband and I are what you would truly call foodies! We love trying out new dining experiences back home and while on vacation. Our favorite place to dine – Walt Disney World! Before selecting which park to visit during our Disney stay, we always select our dining. We read reviews, look at the menus, check out photos of the menu items and our mouths begin to water. I hope to share my love of Disney food with you by reviewing some of our favorite Walt Disney World dining locations.

When trying to decide which dining location to review first, it was a very easy choice – Crystal Palace for Breakfast. This is a must-do for my family every year. The Crystal Palace is located in the Magic Kingdom in the hub by Cinderella’s Castle before you enter Adventureland. The Crystal Palace is a character dining experience where guests can meet Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. I highly recommend making Advance Dining Reservations as soon as possible before your trip (as soon as 180 days before your arrival) which your Tiggerific Travel Agent will be happy to help you make.

Our favorite time to dine at the Crystal Palace  is at 8:05 am on
days when the Magic Kingdom does not open until 9am. Guests with ADR’s (Advance Dining Reservations) are allowed to enter the park as early as 7:45am. This is a wonderful opportunity to stroll down Main Street first thing in the morning when the park is virtually empty. Take your time as you make your way to the Crystal Palace. Take in the atmosphere and read each store window (see if you can find Walt Disney’s office!). This is also a wonderful time for a family photo in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Another great photo spot is in front of the Partner’s statue (Where Mickey and Walt Disney look out onto the park).

Now it’s time to check in and wait to be seated for breakfast. The exterior of the restaurant brings you back to the Victorian Age of the late 1800’s with it’s design. The tropical palm trees perfectly frame the building, adding to it’s charm. Cast members will call out each family and welcome them to The Crystal Palace when it is time to be seated. This makes each family feel special. I love hearing our family name called. We were honored this past summer to be the very first family welcomed into The Crystal Palace. Once you enter the restaurant, you will see a beautiful floral display in the middle of the foyer with all the Winnie the Pooh characters.

The Crystal Palace is a buffet. So once you are seated, your waiter will take your drink order and off you go to fill your plate with breakfast! You will find a wide variety of breakfast selections such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, grits, Mickey waffles, biscuits & gravy, and corn beef hash. Honestly, I strongly believe the Crystal Palace makes the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had. And they are just as good with every visit. They also have an omelette station which I recommend getting in line for first, if you wish to have an omelette. This line can get very long.

Besides your average breakfast items, Crystal Palace offers a variety of unique selections. Breakfast Pizza and lasagna are very good along with the egg frittata and chocolate Mickey waffles. However, my favorite item on the buffet is Pooh’s Puffed French Toast which can be found in the kids station. These are like no other french toast you have ever had. Deep fried and lightly covered with sugar, these are simply delicious when dipped in syrup.

Crystal Palace is a character dining experience. While you are enjoying your meal, the characters will come around to each table for pictures and autographs. With four characters and a large dining space, it will take over an hour to meet all the characters.

Tiggerific Tip: Once you have ordered your drinks, ask the waiter for your check. By taking care of your check before you have finished allows you to immediately begin exploring the Magic Kingdom once you are done with breakfast. 

 

Here is one of my favorite moments that I was lucky to capture on a visit to The Crystal Palace. My little sister, 10, and niece 8, could not wait to meet Winnie the Pooh. The moment they realized they were next – they were off! The sprinted so fast and attacked Pooh with the biggest bear hug! And of course, Winnie the Pooh welcomed them both with open arms.

Creating lasting memories with family and friends while enjoying a wonderful meal plus characters is priceless. The Crystal Palace is definitely one of my favorites. Not an early riser? The Crystal Palace also serves lunch and dinner.

Hungry yet? Contact your Tiggerific Travels Agent today to start planning your trip!