We have some tiggerific news that’s going to have you bouncing for joy! Winnie the Pooh and Pals are coming BACK to Crystal Palace for breakfast!
Earlier this year we discovered that the Hundred Acre Wood gang would return on September 20, 2022 for lunch and dinner only and wondered what that meant for the character breakfast. It seems that Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and the gang just needed a little bit more time to wake up than usual. They’ll return a month later on October 25, 2022! Reservations for breakfast open September 22, 2022 at 6:00am EST (trust me, you’ll want to be up bright and early to make this dining reservation as soon as it becomes available because it will fill up quickly).
Winnie the Pooh and Friends have been missing from their iconic Crystal Palace location since the Parks reopened in 2020 after the Covid closure. The restaurant was, at first, reopened as a family style rather than a buffet and no characters were present. Once the buffet came back, we knew it was only a matter of time until our beloved “silly old bear” came back too and we are so excited that very soon he will.
The Crystal Palace gets our vote for some of the best eats at Walt Disney World and certainly one of our favorites at Magic Kingdom. This Victorian greenhouse inspired restaurant serves American fare buffet style and they do it very well. However, not only is it a buffet, it’s also a party! You’ll celebrate friendship day with some of the best Pals we know: Pooh, Piglet Tigger and Eeyore!
Characters are coming back to Walt Disney World, and we’re so excited. After announcing the return of a few meet and greets returning this July and more to come “in the coming months,” Disney has now announced the return of three character dining meals!
From a Disney Cast Member;
Do you love interacting with characters? Have you been waiting patiently for that special hug as you feast on delicious eats? Well, you’re in luck because the time has come for even more character dining experiences to make their grand return!
Across Walt Disney World, some of our guest-favorite restaurants are gearing up to welcome popular pals back, including Stitch for breakfast at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Minnie and her friends for breakfast at Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Winnie the Pooh and friends at The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom Park for both lunch and dinner.
Get ready for some hugs, laughs, and lasting memories because here are the places getting character dining back soon!
Let’s start with a trip to Magic Kingdom Park, where there are some special characters coming back for a friendship celebration nestled within Main Street, U.S.A. On September 20, some friends from the Hundred Acre Wood will be rejoining the celebratory feasting for lunch and dinner at The Crystal Palace: A Buffet with Characters featuring Winnie the Pooh and Friends. This greenhouse-inspired beauty is the perfect place to spend your day with some hugs and a feast, with options like Carved Prime Rib, Seasonal Ravioli, and Peel & Eat Shrimp.
At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, get ready for some relaxing vibes as you treat yourself to some breakfast classics at the ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch, coming back on September 27! Nothing beats getting some love from everyone’s favorite mischievous friend, Stitch, to start off your day. Get your hugs in as you enjoy tasty treats like the Pineapple Coconut Breakfast Bread and Mickey Waffles and sip on the iconic Lilikoi Juice and the yummy Moana Smoothie.
Over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll find Cape May Café,a New-England inspired spot serving up some tasty eats in an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet! On October 4, the Cape May Café Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast will be making its exciting return. Have some fun with Disney friends as you enjoy your morning favorites at this feast, including the mouthwatering Salted Caramel “Beach Buns.” And what breakfast is complete without the famous Mickey and Minnie Waffles? Fuel up for your day the right way with these unforgettable characters and dishes.
I hope you’re excited for these exciting updates that will let you indulge in an all-you-care-to-enjoy fare and meet some of your favorite characters once again! These character dining locations join other newly returned experiences, like the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
As we head into fall more and more restaurants are reopening at Walt Disney World. We’re also seeing the return of buffet meals being offered at the resort.
From a Disney Cast Member;
This Walt Disney World Resort edition of Foodie News is jam-packed with exciting news – from the reopening of three of our most popular all-you-care-to-enjoy buffets to the addition of seven more global marketplaces at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE®.
Boma – Flavors of Africa
Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens today with all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner. Once again, the cooking stations will be brimming with your favorites for breakfast – creamy pap, turkey bobotie, pancakes, waffles, deviled eggs with salmon, and delicious freshly baked items from the Boma bakery.
At dinner, the rotisserie area will offer pork ribs, salmon, African-spiced strip loin, Durban rotisserie chicken, and lamb bobotie. The kid’s station will have pasta and meatballs, mac n’ cheese, and chicken bites. The rotating selection of soups, stews, and chowders are back, as well as tasty salads like berbere chickpea salad and North African cauliflower salad. And yes, Zebra Domes are back!
Biergarten Restaurant
Beginning Aug. 29, Biergarten Restaurant in the German pavilion at EPCOT will offer a buffet experience for lunch and dinner. Enjoy your favorite German dishes – pretzel rolls, bratwurst, spätzle, schnitzel, and a variety of desserts, including apple strudel and black forest rolls. Prost!
The Crystal Palace
Inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800s, The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom Park is such an enchanting spot to dine. I am happy to announce starting Sept. 12, their buffet will open for lunch and dinner where you can feast on Parker House rolls, create-your-own fresh garden salad, seared pork tenderloin, fire-roasted prime rib, braised beef short ribs, and more.
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Enjoy Cantonese, Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan, and Kiangche-style specialties at Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China pavilion at EPCOT. Now open for dinner (Tuesday-Saturday), start with Sichuan Chicken Dumplings, Crispy Duck Bao Buns, or the House Hot & Sour Soup. For entrées, select from many delicious dishes such as Kung Pao Duo, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Spicy Honey Crispy Chicken, and Kowloon Spare Ribs.
Breakfast at Cinderella Royal Table
Start your day in the most enchanting way – breakfast is back at Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park starting Aug. 27! Reservations are available beginning Aug. 24.
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park reopens Aug. 29 and they have delicious new entrées to try while traveling through the park. Did you know “kusafiri” means “to journey” in Swahili?
Spiced Potato Hand Pies – Vegetables and potatoes wrapped in pastry served with harissa aïoli and coriander chutney
Marinated Chicken Flatbread Sandwich – Marinated chicken topped with cucumber–tomato salad, tahini sauce, and greens served with house-made chips
Red Chili Hot Dog – Spicy hot dog topped with cucumber–tomato salad and harissa aïoli served with house-made chips
Dockside Diner
Drop anchor and check out the new offerings at Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Opening Aug. 22, this adorable walk-up location has plenty of outdoor seating along Echo Lake.
Shrimp Salad Roll – Shrimp, arugula, tomatoes, pickled shaved fennel, and sliced radish tossed with rémoulade sauce on a brioche butter bun served with seasoned house-made chips
Chipotle Chicken Salad Roll – Roasted pulled chicken salad with red onions, celery, tomatoes, and watercress tossed with chipotle aïoli and topped with fried onions on a brioche butter bun served with seasoned house-made chips
Smoked Fish Dip served with seasoned house-made chips, celery, carrots, jalapeños, and pickles
Seaside Brownie – Chocolate brownie topped with white chocolate ganache and seaside garnish
Blue Sea Margarita – Tequila, blue Curaçao, and sweet-and-sour
The Crystal Palace and Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant have officially reopened at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! Disney Cast Members took to Facebook to share their excitement over the reopening’s with a few photos. And yes, while characters are currently not visiting guests at The Crystal Palace, the food is still superb!
As shared via the Walt Disney World Cast & Community Facebook page:
“What’s better than one of our favorite restaurants opening at Magic Kingdom Park? TWO! Cast Members are welcoming Guests back to The Crystal Palace and Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant once again. Not only do they have stunning views of Cinderella Castle, you’ll also catch some of these friendly faces as they serve up both new and tried-and-true menu items to delight your rumbly tumbly.”
We’re seeing progress is being made as more and more restaurants and experiences reopen at Walt Disney World. One of the most recent restaurants scheduled to reopen in the near future is the beloved Crystal Palace restaurant located at Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, the dining experience will not include characters upon reopening.
As shared by DisneyParksBlog: “On Dec. 13, The Crystal Palace will reopen its doors, and while our friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood will be taking a break from greeting guests, the restaurant will now be offering a family-style dining experience. There will be new individually plated entrées including crispy fried chicken with honey pot drizzle, fire-roasted prime rib of beef, fried cauliflower and more. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting rumbly in my tumbly just thinking about it! For more information, and to book a reservation beginning Dec. 1, visit DisneyWorld.com.”
