As Disney World takes steps to reopen more restaurants around the parks, they’ve also started reopening buffets.
Welcome back to buffets at Crystal Palace!
Although dining already returned to Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace in December of 2020, the buffet had yet to reopen. After several other buffets have reopened in Disney World, such as Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Biergarten in EPCOT, it’s now Crystal Palace’s turn!
Atmosphere
As before, Mobile Check-In is encouraged — just scan the QR code with your phone to check-in. You can also do this via the My Disney Experience app. You’ll receive a text message when your table is ready. When you get that text, return to the porch.
The porch
The inside of the restaurant is very Victorian, with lots of windows and soaring ceilings. There is plenty of light here. You’ll also see some decor that made a little more sense when this was a character dining spot with Pooh and friends (and note that character dining has still not returned here).
We miss Pooh and his friends!
The restaurant is also spacious with plenty of seating with tables and chairs.
Tables and chairs
But we’ve been here many times before, and what we’re most interested in is how the food has changed.
Menu
Although Crystal Palace reopened last year with family-style dining, as of today, the restaurant is a self-service buffet again. The meal cost is $39 for adults and $23 for children.
It’s a buffet again!
Also note that while you are up at the buffet stations getting your food, you must remain masked — masks are required at all indoor locations at Disney World unless you are actively eating or drinking.
You must wear a mask when up and about at the buffet
Crystal Palace’s buffet menu includes Soups, such as Walt’s Favorite Beef Chili, as well as salads, including Seasonal Fruit Salad, Waldorf Salad, and everything you need to Create-Your-Own Salad with greens, various toppings, and dressings.
Create Your Own Salad
There are also a variety of Bread to choose from, including Parker House Rolls, Pretzel Rolls, Lavosh, and Cheddar-Bacon Cornbread.
Cheddar Bacon Cornbread
Entrees include Wood-Grilled Mahi Mahi with Romesco Sauce, Seared Pork Tenderloin, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Country Fried Chicken, Shrimp, and a Crab Claw Cocktail Plate.
Wood-grilled Mahi Mahi
There’s a carving station for Fire-roasted Prime Rib.
Prime Rib? Yes, please.
Looking for some good sides? There are plenty to choose from. We saw Peas, Winter Squash Ravioli, Olive-Caper Relish, Basmati Rice with Crispy Shallots, Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Cheesy Broccoli, Herb-Buttered Corn, Walt’s Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans with Bacon and Onions.
Mashed potatoes and green beans
The Kids Buffet features some kid-pleasing treats like Crispy Chicken Breast Strips, Macaroni and Cheese, Miniature Beef Quesadillas, and Miniature Pizzas.
From the Kids Buffet
Finally, there are a TON of delicious desserts to choose from, including Apple Cobbler, Fresh-baked cookies, French silk cupcake, Butterscotch Pudding, S’mores Tart, Strawberry Shortcake, and Soft-Serve Ice Cream.
Some of the desserts
So that was our first look at Crystal Palace’s buffet! Stay tuned for a full review of this buffet and keep reading DFB for all your Disney World restaurant news!
Here’s how getting candy apples and cupcakes just got easier in Disney Parks!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Do you have plans to eat at the Crystal Palace buffet? Tell us in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I have been waiting for this buffet to return, but I am so sad not to see corn spoon bread or pierogies on the buffet, or the glazed salmon. These are the classics, like the noodles at ‘Ohana. CP won’t be the same without corn spoon bread. I’ll try it, but I will be sad.
Same here. We’ve been looking forward to the buffet returning, but without the spoon bread and the salmon, I will be sad as well. We might even hold off for yet another trip and see if the menu changes by next August.
I am concerned about self serve buffets at this time. At the buffets offered is there cat member involvement to serve the food to the guest? Or, we each touch the same serving spoon/tongs ?
I know ai sound paranoid, but still…Covid and no buffets are offered in my state, yet.
Hi Candace,
Thanks so much for reaching out! Cast members do not serve the food at the buffets. There are hand sanitizer stations for guests to use, however, located right beside the buffets.
Any word on when the breakfast buffet will return?
I was at Magic Kingdom last week and ate at the Crystal Palace. The selection of Walt’s favorites that I personally loved most were his chili, mashed potatoes, green beans, country fried chicken, apple cobbler, and butterscotch pudding.
I also enjoyed the s’mores tart, pretzel roll, peel and eat shrimp, whole roasted mushrooms, and of course, the prime rib.
This menu selection is a lot better than it was about twelve years ago, IMO.