CRT- No more required picture package?

[emma'smom]

I just bought a 2007 Dining Guide for WDW and in the review of CRT is says that the "picture package" is optional and quotes two different prices (with and without the package). Has there been a change? When we went to CRT last March, we paid for the picture package because it was required- the picture was hørrible. We are not going again because of this requirement- if this has changed, it would be worth trying for ressies. What's the story?

 

[Twinprincesses]

When I made our reservations I was told the photo pack was included still and was only quoted 1 price.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Is this something that Disney gave you, or something unofficial? If it is unofficial, I would assume that it is old information. What are the prices it is quoting?

 

[DebbieB]

I had breakfast there with my niece in June. Our picture turned out good, I liked the folder they put it in, plus you got extras. I was at my brothers on Christmas and I noticed they had the folder and picture on their living room mantel. I agree though that it should be optional, kind of like they do at Planet Hollywood.

 

[Lewisc]

I had breakfast there with my niece in June. Our picture turned out good, I liked the folder they put it in, plus you got extras. I was at my brothers on Christmas and I noticed they had the folder and picture on their living room mantel. I agree though that it should be optional, kind of like they do at Planet Hollywood.

The photo package used to be optional. Disney decided to raise the price of CRT and to make it a two credit meal under the DDP Including the photo package was a way to justify the price increase. The cost to Disney is a fraction of the "value" that they attribute to the photo package.

Does anyone think the cost will go down if the photo package is optional? Did the cost of MVMCP go down when the included photo was deleted?

 

[Lostgirlz]

I have Adr for CRT for our honeymoon in Feb, and was NOT told anything about it being optional. When she explained it she said the picture package was included, so sounds to me like maybe the book info might be outdated cause it was one price for each of the breakfast, lunch, dinner seatings. Breakfast being the leat expensive of them.

 

[tinkerbell81284]

Last I knew when I called last week it was still automatically included... one set price.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I agree that the FOLDER the photos come in is beautiful, but the pictures were poor quality. I don't like the fact that you are required to "purchase" the photos. If given the choice I would have passed on the photos.

 

[Joe'sgirl]

Interesting, I just booked CRT on the DDP and was told the pictures are optional and NOT included!!!

 

[patsal]

The photo package used to be optional. Disney decided to raise the price of CRT and to make it a two credit meal under the DDP Including the photo package was a way to justify the price increase. The cost to Disney is a fraction of the "value" that they attribute to the photo package.

Does anyone think the cost will go down if the photo package is optional? Did the cost of MVMCP go down when the included photo was deleted?

The price for the party tickets didn't go down as a result of no photo included. They did offer 50% off of photopass purchases--all our photos were crappy so I didn't buy any. As far as CRT it wouldn't surprise me that they drop the photo and keep it 2 credits and see how that does. Chip, chip, chip away at anything to make the $$. Until it is beyond the $$ that will keep the place full there is no reason to "give" anything. I don't mean to sound bitter, but a lot of the stuff that made things magical have really become out of reach for so very many.

 

[LoriNSC]

I just made our CRT ADR 4 days ago. The photos are still included. OUrs turned out really good last year.

 

[emma'smom]

I took the Birnbaum's 2007 Dining Guide back to Barnes and Noble and got my money back.
The DIS is a much more accurate source!

 

[eeyore45]

Interesting - I know last year we did CRT (for me ) and Askerhaus for DD (Princess Aurora!!) and the Storybook Breakfast the pics were optional, but were all printed and brought to your table - for your choice to purchase (or not) and yes we did discuss that CRT is no choice, and a lot of people dont factor that into the cost of the CRT meal..

I prefer the choice...

 

[Care]

Interesting - I know last year we did CRT (for me ) and Askerhaus for DD (Princess Aurora!!) and the Storybook Breakfast the pics were optional, but were all printed and brought to your table - for your choice to purchase (or not) and yes we did discuss that CRT is no choice, and a lot of people dont factor that into the cost of the CRT meal..

I prefer the choice...

Pardon the newbie question, but how will they know that you'll be at the restaurant long enough for them to print the photos and bring them to you at the table? Are these photos taken when you enter the restaurant, or photos taken while the characters make their rounds? In either case, I guess that I should be prepared for photos, then... I've got ADRs for both CRT and Akershus, among others, for my upcoming trip. Thanks!

 

[Irishhockey]

This is a DIRECT quote from www.wdwig.com... I always find them to be extremely reliable and trustworthy. This is for the CRT dinner experience.

As of February 1, 2006, Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner
is a fixed-price, set meal, hosted by the Fairy Godmother,
who will lead the observance of special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

When you arrive at Cinderella Castle for your reservation,
a photographer will be on hand to take pictures of your group in the lobby,
before you are seated in the dining room.
A package with four 4x6 prints and one 6x8 print of your photo,
as well as one 6x8 print of Cinderella Castle,
in a Cinderella photo holder (valued at $29.95 plus tax)
will be delivered to you during your meal,
which will be from a fixed-price, set menu.
(One photo package per party of 1-4;
two photo packages for parties of 5-8, etc.)

It continues to add a few other package comments...
My ADR CM told me photos were INCLUDED at no extra price.

 

[TSM1993]

Pardon the newbie question, but how will they know that you'll be at the restaurant long enough for them to print the photos and bring them to you at the table? Are these photos taken when you enter the restaurant, or photos taken while the characters make their rounds? In either case, I guess that I should be prepared for photos, then... I've got ADRs for both CRT and Akershus, among others, for my upcoming trip. Thanks!

When we were there in OCT 2006(breakfast). They lead us into the castle and immediately into a line to take pictures w/Cinderella and then we waited a few minutes to be seated. When seated the food comes out in stages first it was the pastries then the actual meal and then they kept asking if we wanted more. So you are definetly there for awhile. They do retakes atleast for me they did. My son had his eyes closed and they actually said it looks like a retake on this one when they handed it to me. They put us inline ahead of everybody else for the retakes and we just came back later to pick them up.

 

[Care]

Thanks for the quick reply, TSM1993. I feel much better prepared for CRT.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

After reading the posts here I was a little unsure about whether or not it was worth it to book CRT last June. Our pictures turned out great and we loved the folder/extras! I guess you have just as good of a chance of getting a good pic as a bad one, but it's nice to know now that they'll let you do a retake for blinking!