|
 |
Hello everyone,
The Crystal Palace is a restaurant at Tokyo Disneyland that for some reason is technically listed as being in Adventureland. However, the only way to access the restaurant is from the front entrance on Central Plaza, just the same way the Crystal Palace is located in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida.
First thing in the morning the restaurant offers character dining with the 100 Acre Wood friends. There are no reservations for the Crystal Palace, and it is only offered on a stand and wait basis. Although it doesn't get immediately full, if you wish to dine here them you should definitely get here right after park open to ensure you actually get in. When we were here this past trip we were in line right after park open at 8am, and it still took us 20 minutes to get seated, and by the time we were eventually at a table, the line I think was closed and guests were being turned away. The restaurant only offers the characters for 90 minutes, and only on days that the park opens before 10am. No character dining is available if the park opens at 10am, as this would conflict with their preparations for lunch (which does not feature characters).
Their setup is interesting, and is not a system which I've seem anywhere else before.
Once you enter the restaurant you will have to pay right away. Once you have paid you enter a line to collect your food - you cannot get a table as this has to be assigned by a cast member.
When you get to the serving area you are personally attended to by a cast member for your group. The odd thing is that there are no options. Everything is a set menu item, and while it's prepared in front of you, everybody gets the same things.
Pancakes, fruit, eggs, sausage, potatoes, orange juice, salad and a hot drink.
We are vegetarian and asked our cast member to tell the person preparing the plates to leave the sausage off, which they did with no problem.
Once the cast member has your tray in hand (yes, they carry it all for you), then they show you to a table. From here you are left to dine in peace (as much as one can have peace at a character meal!). If you want water there are taps with cups in the corners of the dining rooms where you can help yourself.
The seating arrangement is odd though, and I can't seem to fathom why this system is in place. You don't chose your own food, it's a set menu, so why have your entire party stand in a long line with all their bags while the characters bypass empty tables? Surely it'd be easier to seat you, then while they are getting the food for you, you could at least be settling in (taking jackets off etc), and possibly saving time by meeting a character who may be passing by.
Anyway, odd setups aside, the food is pretty good, though the eggs were a little runny (which seems to be the case in Japan in general, to be honest), and the overall service was friendly and efficient. The cast had no problem in accommodating our "no sausage" request, and there was plenty else on the plate so we weren't completely wasting our time or money.
Characters in attendance are always the same. Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger and Rabbit will make their way around to you with the usual Tokyo speed and efficiently. It should be noted though that they seem to rotate through entire dining rooms all at once, and it you just miss the rotation then all five will move to the other room, and you'll have to wait for all of them to finish on that side before they all come back to your side (by which time you'll probably be sitting with an empty plate, but the cast know you're there for characters, so don't panic - it just feels odd!).
The meal costs 1850 Yen per adult, which is about US$19 (making it one of the cheapest character meals we've ever had anywhere!), and this is the only time you will need money as tips are not accepted in Japan. As I mentioned above, you pay upon entering the restaurant and should not leave a tip at your table as this is not Japanese custom - you wouldn't want to offend them.
Overall we had a pleasant experience at the Crystal Palace, and because there are no reservations it is one of the easier character dining experiences to get into at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Dan.
 |
|
|
 |
Yesterday various Disney travel agency websites started reporting that from today (Wednesday 26th March) Disney would be accepting bookings for Star Wars themed character dining opportunities at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. This morning guests have started calling the reservation line, and indeed Disney are now accepting reservations for these meals! Some people are reporting having to wait for an hour on hold, so if you want to stand a chance of experiencing them, then it's best to call as soon as possible!
Of course, in order to help you make your decision though, I have details of both meals, right here!
Both meals are being offered from 4th May through to 15th June inclusive, including weekdays, according to those who have already booked this morning. The meals are of course to coincide with the immensely popular Star Wars Weekends at the park, held Friday to Sunday from 16th May through 15th June inclusive this year.
Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at the Sci-Fi Dine-In.
Held from 8am to 12 noon inclusive, you will get the opportunity to have breakfast with Stormtroopers, a Jawa, Greedo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader! Darth Vader will reportedly be at a set location when you enter. Included in the price is a digital download photo of your party meeting Darth Vader.
The restaurant's big screen will be playing Star Wars clips and trailers, and Star Wars music will fill the air.
Prices are $47.99 for adults, and $29.99 for children aged 3-9. Prices are not inclusive of taxes or tips.
Jedi Mickey's Star Wars Dine at Hollywood & Vine
Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Ewoks Chip and Dale, Stormtrooper Donald and Darth Goofy will be serving up dinner from 4.15pm until park closing (times vary depending on the day) every night at a special meal at the Hollywood & Dine Restaurant!
Chip and Dale will be at a photo-location at the start of the meal, and the photo will be available as a digital download for free (included in the price of the meal).
There is a Fantasmic! Package, which includes Fantasmic! priority seating: Prices are $59.99 for adults, and $36.99 for children aged 3-9. Prices are not inclusive of taxes or tips.
Regular package (no priority seating): Prices are $55.99 for adults, and $33.99 for children aged 3-9. Prices are not inclusive of taxes or tips.
As far as we are aware, the regular Play & Dine meals with the Disney Junior characters will still feature during breakfast and lunch at this restaurant.
Although these meals are a little expensive, they do have their benefits. The best thing about them is that you get to bypass the ridiculously long lines in the hot, Florida sun. The lines to meet Jedi Mickey, Ewok Chip and Dale, and Darth Vader can easily reach several hours (we've been there and done it!). Having them come to you, at your table, at an indoor, air conditioned location is definitely the best thing about these meals. $60 to meet 5 or 6 characters, have all your food and PhotoPass picture included without waiting for 3 hours in the sun is a huge selling point, and I can see that many people will want to do this.
Please be aware that all prices, availability and what is on offer at each meal can be changed or cancelled by Disney without prior notice, and is outside of our control.
Dan.
|
|
|
 |
Hello everyone,
Today's dining review is of the 'Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends' at the PCH Grill in Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, at the Disneyland Resort in California.
We most recently dined here in September 2013, having not been here for a while. In the past we had always been put off because the price had been higher, the restaurant really lacked something, and it was too far out of the way to warrant paying over the odds for.
We had dined here twice previously, and despite those negative factors, we decided it was about time we returned to see if things had improved.
The overall feel of the restaurant is much like the rest of the Paradise Pier Hotel; dated with a tired 1990's feel to it.
Having said that, the price had now been lowered to come more in line with the other character dining experiences around the resort, which makes it more worth while. One of the biggest problems is the fact it's so far out of the way from anywhere else at the resort. I guess it's through sheer laziness, which on a hectic Disney trip I think we're allowed to feel that way (I don't want to walk miles for breakfast before we've even started the day!), but the Paradise Pier always seems like an epic journey to get to. It's not really that much further than the Disneyland hotel is from the parks, but it is further nonetheless.
The food is actually pretty good. They have a really good, wide variety of options, from hot breakfast items, fruit, waffles and much more.
I recall that on a previous trip here a couple of years ago, I had been suffering from stomach issues, and asked for gluten free waffles and pancakes. I was personally attended to by the chef, and was served excellent gluten free items, made to order. I didn't ask this time, but I presume the same service is still available - why wouldn't it be?
So with that, I do highly recommend the location for the service and food.
Of course, it's a character dining experience, and some of our favourite Disney friends are in regular attendance.
There are six characters which rotate regularly, but of course the only one that is pretty much guaranteed is Mickey.
Joining Mickey, wearing cute beach wear you will find, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Daisy. Stitch is there quite often too, and in the past Lilo made appearances, but I haven't seen anything to suggest that she still does appear in quite a long time.
During the course of your meal the characters will all get up and teach the kids some surf moves at an interactive dance party at the front part of the restaurant. It's cute and makes for some nice photo opportunities for your children.
Having dined here again, and refreshed my experience of it, I would definitely recommend the breakfast. The food and service are good, the price is no more than the other character dining experiences, and the characters wear some fun outfits. The biggest problem really is the dated feel of the restaurant, but then that's something that is a problem with the entire hotel, not just the PCH Grill.
Prices start from $27.99 per person for adults, and $14.99 for children aged 3 through 9 inclusive. All prices are plus tax, and plus gratuity.
Annual Passholders receive a maximum of 15% discount no matter what pass they hold.
Reservations are recommended, and can be made at any guest service location at the two theme parks, any Disney Hotel concierge, on the official Disneyland Resort website, or by calling the Disney Dining line up to 60 days in advance on (714) 781-3463.
You can leave your comments by clicking here, where you will be magically transported to our forum.
Dan. |
|