Crystal Palace - A Dining Gem

This installment of our food blog is focused on one of our favorite and most cherished restaurants, The Crystal Palace. Located in Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace is at the end of Main Street U.S.A. across from the castle. With an ornate exterior comprised mainly of windows and skylights, the building lives up to the name, looking like a luxurious palace of glass. The extravagance continues to the interior with a set of topiaries of Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the center, hanging lights and plants, and ornate chairs and benches.

While dining, guests can be visited by some

of their favorite characters from the Hundred-Acre Wood, including Pooh Bear, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger. While there is no set schedule for the characters to meet guests, dining there for about an hour to an hour and a half, it is almost certain that you will meet them all at least once or twice. Additionally, every once in a while, there will be a call over the speakers for guests of all ages to join the Hundred-Acre Crew in their parade through the restaurant.

When it comes to food there is no shortage of it at this “all you can eat” buffet. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a variety of options are offered during each timeframe. Each meal includes options that appeal to children typically including Corn Dog nuggets, Chicken Nuggets, Mac n Cheese, and Green Beans. Additionally, the buffet has separate sections for rolls and bread, salads, main courses, and desserts with two of each section to ensure plenty of room for everyone to select their food. With a buffet-style menu, it is impossible to pinpoint what exactly will be available when you attend, but a staple of the restaurant is the prime rib which is carved upon request at the board. For dessert, in the center of the buffet, there are two soft-serve ice cream machines and a variety of baked desserts to round out your meal. One of our favorite seasonal desserts is the coconut pannacotta with a passion fruit topping.

The rotating menu and unique atmosphere mean that you can visit multiple times and experience something new every time. We have eaten here many times over the past 20 years and still love to visit for a fun meal. Its location at the center of the Magic Kingdom makes it perfect for planning your day around your reservation. Additionally, if you get lucky it can be a perfect spot to watch fireworks.