CRT...The other side of the coin.

[schimj]

Hi DisUnplugged Team, and other readers:

I just figured I would weigh in on our opinion of dinner at CRT. It was our first day of our Free Dining trip, in Sept. 2007, it was also our engagement trip to WDW, the day I proposed to her, as a matter of fact. That might have put a different spin on our meal, but we really enjoyed it. We both loved the Corn & Crab Soup, I had the Salmon and for dessert I had the Raspberry Sorbet. DF had the Chicken and enjoyed it, but had the same edibility issues with the Poached Pear. All in all, we really enjoyed the meal, and knew going in that the only character interaction would be the photo-op on the way in. It says everywhere that there will be NO CHARACTER INTERACTION (sorry for shouting, but it is clearly stated), and we still did enjoy the little floor show. We did not feel rushed at all by our server, and look forward to going back on our upcoming Disneymoon for both a dinner and trying the breakfast (different days). I do hope that the quality hasn't dropped that much in the year since our trip, and I hope if you go back, you have a better server, food, and overall experience.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I appreciate the feedback.

Would you have enjoyed it as much if you had to pay $103.00 out of pocket, months in advance?

 

[WaltD4Me]

It says everywhere that there will be NO CHARACTER INTERACTION (sorry for shouting, but it is clearly stated),

Curious...did they tell you this at the time you made your ADR?

If character interaction is what you are looking forward to/hoping for, it is a little late to find out when you get there that there isn't any, clearly stated or not. I can't think of any other character meal where there is no character interaction, so I can see where it'd be a surprise not to have any at CRT unless they let you know this when you book it.

 

[schimj]

I appreciate the feedback.

Would you have enjoyed it as much if you had to pay $103.00 out of pocket, months in advance?

Yes, I would pay that much out of pocket for the meal again, but prior to the first time, I might have some hesitation. Additionally, I have needed to pay full price in advance for our upcoming CRT ADRs since a 2009 DDP/DxDP has yet to be released. If the quality has in fact dropped since our trip last September, we might not be rushing back, but are looking forward to both the dinner our first night and a breakfast later on in the trip in January.

Curious...did they tell you this at the time you made your ADR?

Yes, the CM booking the ADR, while giving the "Admission to MK is required, it like all other WDW restaurants is a non-smoking facility..." stated clearly that there would be no character interaction where they would typically mention that characters at the meal are subject to change w/out notice. I also feel I remember reading it somewhere, possibly on allears[dot]net or the menu section of wdwinfo, but I just looked at the latter and didn't see it stated there.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Yes, the CM booking the ADR, while giving the "Admission to MK is required, it like all other WDW restaurants is a non-smoking facility..." stated clearly that there would be no character interaction where they would typically mention that characters at the meal are subject to change w/out notice. I also feel I remember reading it somewhere, possibly on allears[dot]net or the menu section of wdwinfo, but I just looked at the latter and didn't see it stated there.

I asked because I made an ADR for CRT and honestly don't remember the CM telling me about the character interaction, she may have and I didn't register it thinking I was just getting the typical spiel they always say when you book a character meal, but I really don't remember her saying that part. I also checked out Disney's website and it is not stated there in the description of CRT.

 

[cdotla]

I have gone to CRT 3 times now.

Once for Supper in May 2007.

Once for Breakfast in September 2008.

And again for Supper in May 2008.

*On both dinner occasions (plus 2 other reservations I made but later cancelled) I was told about the no character interaction in advance.

**I LOVED CRT all 3 times we attended. However, if you don't have a 4-5 year old princess with you, I could see how it may not be your thing.

I still haven't heard Kevin's review. Can't wait for it! I hope to listen to it tonite. I know it will be a hoot! Yes, CRT is over the top. And so easy to poke fun at! I know I will be laughing tonite!

 

[DisneyKevin]

We had a 10 and 7 year old princess with us who didnt care for it either.

They liked 1900 Park Fare better.

 

[doconeill]

Now that I think of it, I don't think characters have been involved in CRT dinners for quite a while, if ever - at least not a full complement of them. For some reason I want to say that it was only a few years ago that they added characters to lunchtime.

I'm pretty sure when we make ADRs for character meals, they do in fact tell is that they _are_ character meals. I can't say whether the opposite is done, but perhaps for things like CRT where there are _some_ character meals, they might make more of a point to let you know.

Especially with character meals apparently being reduced at other locations, if you _want_ a character meal I'd explicitly ask them.

Enough said - we are already considering 1900 Park Faire for next April thanks to the review...

 

[simonkodousek]

We had a 10 and 7 year old princess with us who didnt care for it either.

They liked 1900 Park Fare better.

Kevin, I completely understand where you are coming from. When my brother was 7 on our first trip to the World, he LOVED WCC... so much that we "had" to eat there 4 times on our 8 day trip. He thought everything was wonderful, especially the antics with the ketchup, but since he wasn't a big eater (and still isn't) the food was barely touched. My parents thought the food was a God-awful mess, but still ate there because it was the only restaurant where my brother would not make a huge scene that "these are not McDonald's chicken nuggets! I want to go to McDonald's! I want French fries!"

Well, anyway, the only thing that WCC and CRT have going for them are the location, and possibly the show.... that's my opinion.

 

[robind]

Is the no character interaction new or is that only at dinner? Its been about a year and a half since I was there for lunch. All the princesses and the fairly godmother came over and we took pictures and got autographs. The lunch was crap but we did get a lot of great pictures and the boys had a great time with the swords.

 

[Jennygt]

Kevin you and John are too funny! It is a shame that they did this to such a great location, all little girls want to go here so the parents are stuck.

 

[hannah's dad]

Is the no character interaction new or is that only at dinner? Its been about a year and a half since I was there for lunch. All the princesses and the fairly godmother came over and we took pictures and got autographs. The lunch was crap but we did get a lot of great pictures and the boys had a great time with the swords.

My family went to CRT for breakfast in March, and at that meal the characters (assorted princesses, though not Cinderella, who you meet at the entrance to the castle, like at dinner) visited each table for autographs, photos, etc.

I honestly can't remember the specific items on the breakfast menu, but I thought the food was good to very good. It was a nice experience to do once (and less expensive than dinner), but I don't see the need to do it again.

 

[doconeill]

My family went to CRT for breakfast in March, and at that meal the characters (assorted princesses, though not Cinderella, who you meet at the entrance to the castle, like at dinner) visited each table for autographs, photos, etc.

I honestly can't remember the specific items on the breakfast menu, but I thought the food was good to very good. It was a nice experience to do once (and less expensive than dinner), but I don't see the need to do it again.

Breakfast has been a character meal for a long time, although they have changed it around a bit. Back in 2003, Cinderella was in the dining room and the Fairy Godmother was the greeter downstairs. Now Cinderella is the greeter (and a photopass stop, where you get the pictures later while dining). The characters vary a bit, but usually Snow White, Belle, Aurora and Jasmine are there. I've heard Aladdin is there occasionally, as is Mary Poppins.

The food is all-you-can-eat, but not buffet style where you go and get what you want. They would bring you a plate with all the selections, and if you want more of anything you ask the server for it. Selections may vary slightly, but last time we went I believe it was scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast, potatoes (not fried like typical breakfast potatoes - I think it was something more like a potato salad but not quite), fruit, and I think there were some muffins available as well.

We've done CRT breakfast twice. It was good both times, and the interaction with the characters was good as well, but as I said I think we'll aim more at 1900 Park Fare or Akershus for Princess meals from now on.

Is the no character interaction new or is that only at dinner? Its been about a year and a half since I was there for lunch. All the princesses and the fairly godmother came over and we took pictures and got autographs. The lunch was crap but we did get a lot of great pictures and the boys had a great time with the swords.

I said earlier, but as long as I can remember (admittedly not as long a memory as some) CRT breakfast has been a character meal (I think since it became CRT from its previous incarnation), lunch was more recent, and I can't recall dinner ever being a character meal.

 

[Cruz Family]

We had a 10 and 7 year old princess with us who didnt care for it either.

They liked 1900 Park Fare better.

Kevin thanks for the review, after hearing it I canceled our ressies for our November trip. I gotta say though....I didn't like 1900 PF very much and if I had a little girl and was choosing one of the two. I would rather pay the extra $10 or so and dine in the castle. We on the other hand are going to have three boys with us on our trip we will be doing other things like 50's PTC, Crystal Palace, Beaches & Cream, and Biergarten. Over the years we have exposed my boys to lots of different foods so the ones they are looking forward to most are Jiko, Cali Grill, Chef de France and Brown Derby.
Only 3 months and 2 weeks to go!!1

 

[SamIAm21]

I have never once mentioned to my daugther about dining in the castle, so how do all these little girls learn about it to begin with? Are they reading the Unofficial Guide??

I'm sure my DD would want to go if she knew about it, but I'm not paying that kind of money for bad food, when I can go to 1900 Park Faire, Akershus, or Ariel's (in DCA/Disneyland) and have an interactive Princess experience for a lot less!

 

[lttlmc3]

Kevin, I totally agree with your review. I went to CRT two years ago with my sister and nephew and it was awful. Everything was just as you said in your review. The food was awful and the show was lame. We didn't enjoy it at all and we paid full price for it! It was a ripoff. Our Cinderella wasn't phsychotic, but she did have a slight lazy eye. Wierd.

 

[Rhonda7011]

I totally agree with Kevin. We were at CRT for dinner about a year ago with DH and my daughter (who was 19 years old at the time). None of us were impressed. The food was mediocre at best and our server seemed intent on getting us in and out (like Kevin - he wanted our entire order upon being seated). Maybe it was because we had no "children" with us, but this is not something I would ever do again.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I totally agree with Kevin. We were at CRT for dinner about a year ago with DH and my daughter (who was 19 years old at the time). None of us were impressed. The food was mediocre at best and our server seemed intent on getting us in and out (like Kevin - he wanted our entire order upon being seated). Maybe it was because we had no "children" with us, but this is not something I would ever do again.

I wonder what would happen if you said "I'd like to wait an order our entrees after we receive our appetizers." or "I don't know what I want for dessert yet, can I order it later?"

 

[TheCooksLuvDisney]

I honestly can't remember the specific items on the breakfast menu, but I thought the food was good to very good. It was a nice experience to do once (and less expensive than dinner), but I don't see the need to do it again.

I have to agree; the breakfast at CRT is worth it for the character interaction, the ambience and the food was pretty good too. The last time I went for lunch, there were no characters.

Now Kevin, where are those pictures you guys were laughing about on the pod cast? I wanna see the "blood-clot"!

 

[todd222222]

We (me, DW, DD3, DD4) had breakfast at CRT in Dec 06 and frankly I was not too impressed. My wife liked it more then I did.

It was our only sit down meal during that trip, so it was nice to get some "real" food, but frankly it was very greasy.

The photo-op was ok and the interaction during the meal was ok as well, but they didn't stay that long. I think we spent more time with the princesses in Toon Town and it was free, plus at 10am there isn't a long wait.

but there is something to be said to eating in the most famous castle in the world, but I doubt I'll be back any time soon.

With each new trip we talk about doing it again, but we end up deciding against it.

Keep in mind, we have not done any other character meals, so I can't compare this to other ones.