Main Street Magic - A Walt Disney World Podcast

862: Character Dining at Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace Live Lunch Review

·1 hr 1 min·5 clips
Jeremy and Rhonda wait outside Crystal Palace for their first lunch, eager to see Pooh and Friends after a years-long gap.
Jeremy and Rhonda start the episode outside Crystal Palace, waiting for their lunch reservation and noting it's their first time dining there for lunch. They check in via My Disney Experience and are seated inside, commenting on the beautiful, classic Magic Kingdom atmosphere. The hosts describe the loud environment typical of character dining and mention the characters Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore are present. They review the beverage options, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty drinks. Jeremy and Rhonda then head to the buffet, sampling items like shrimp and grits, mashed potatoes, country fried chicken, beef stew, and a vegetarian chana masala dish. They critique the food, praising the mashed potatoes and shrimp and grits while finding the country fried chicken lacking seasoning. The hosts discuss how buffet flavors blend and the challenges of mass production. They explore the kids' menu with chicken tenders and mac and cheese, and the salad bar with fresh items like blue cheese and couscous. A server surprises them with churro Mickey waffles, which they rave about. Jeremy and Rhonda talk about their upcoming Disney Destiny cruise, mentioning excitement for the new island, villains and heroes events, and food. They return for more food, trying carving station items like pork loin and beef. The hosts review desserts including mint chocolate pie, honey fawn cake, and banana pudding. They discuss the pricing: $64 per adult, $44 per child, with a 10% annual pass discount bringing the total to $152.69 including tip. The episode ends with plans to ride Buzz Lightyear and a reminder to subscribe for future cruise episodes.

As heard by us

A candid Crystal Palace lunch review where buffet expectations meet personal character opinions.

Jeremy Stein and Rhonda turn Crystal Palace into a lived-in Magic Kingdom lunch report, judging the buffet through food, atmosphere, character timing, and the question of whether the classic spot still earns its reputation.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get a live Crystal Palace lunch check, with buffet hype, character opinions, and a little Pooh-table personality on the side.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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