hello.
i have a love/hate relationship with CRT. for the most part, i've gotten great service and awesome character interactions at CRT. unfortunately, my last 2 visits were subpar. i don't know why i even went back but i know it's something my daughter enjoys.
you can't enter the park before 8am so i would get there at 8am. then you can take your empty park pictures, walk down an empty main street and get to your ADR by 8:15.
you are seated in sections according to time. we were sat in a section that already had princesses rotating. by the time we sat down & before our drink order was taken, we had snow white and aurora breathing down our necks. a few minutes later, ariel and jasmine stopped by. our character interaction lasted about 15 minutes total.
we were out and done with the meal in about 35 minutes. we were the last table to leave in our section and i felt everyone staring at me, wanting me to leave. the quicker the table is turned, the more guests they can seat.
i actually asked for a table by the window as we were seated in a dark corner, but they told me i would have to go downstairs, re-check in and then wait 30 minutes. that's pretty silly and stupid actually.
this was probably the worst CRT experience i have had. my daughter loved the characters but i mean 35 minutes for an $90 meal is pretty ridiculous. normally, our meals there are pretty leisurely and FUN. my daughter didn't even get to eat the frosting of my birthday cupcake as i felt like they wanted me to leave. when the CM stops coming to your table, i think it's time to leave.
also, we had to get our picture taken after our meal. it was so disorganized and chaotic. the photopass people had no idea what to do with those that needed their picture taken after the meal. even cinderella was annoyed and grabbed my autograph book out of my hand and signed it while i waited to see what to do.
but like i said, we've eaten there 6 times total, 2 of which had sub-par service and character experiences. i hope this doesn't discourage you as eating in the castle is a unique experience and i'm sure you will love your experience!
i've just had 2 bad ones and probably not going back again.....or until i see another pre-park adr.