Cinderella Dinner Report
April 2003
Just back from a girls' trip (me and DD, 6.5) - DH and DS (13) took a Disney break this year so it was just the girls! I may or may not get to a full trip report, but I thought I'd post about our Cinderella Dinner at 1900 Park Fare since it was VERY enjoyable and a special part of this trip.
Naturally, circumstances and expectations play a big part in how an experience is ultimately perceived, so heres the context: it was the last night at DW for us on our short trip; I had relatively low expectations from some of the posts I'd read (some said noisy and long waits); we were both very hungry after mostly snacking our entire trip (DD rarely wanted to eat); and I, for one, was very eager for some sit down time after two very full days of non-stop action.
We intentionally scheduled an afternoon in the MK before our 6:40 PS after swimming at the pool mid day, we made it just in time for the 3:00 parade, spent a few more hours at MK and then took the monorail to the GF. This worked out great since it made the dinner seem like part of the park experience to us; I'd highly recommend combining MK with this dinner if you're picking a day it was fun to see Cinderella in the parade, and visit the castle, and talk about having dinner with Cinderella later. Just be sure to leave enough time for the monorail to circulate to the other resorts first - I thought the GF would be the first stop from the MK and it was actually the fourth (Contemporary, TTC, Polynesian, then GF, I think). Luckily we arrived right on time anyway.
We had 6:40 PS, and upon check-in at exactly 6:40 were told we'd be seated within 15 minutes. A pleasant surprise in the lobby - we saw that the Fairy Godmother was there which meant that Cinderella and the Prince were circulating with the mice (Pearl and Suzy). We were expecting Cinderella and Prince in the lobby and Fairy godmother to circulate, but there must have been some intense Fairy union contract negotiations about working conditions etc.. Anyway, DD enjoyed peeking in to check out the scene and excitedly reported on seeing the celebrities in action. For whatever reason, she chose not to wait in line to see the Fairy godmother (a short looking line, but a line nonetheless ,and I think she was on a line strike. Luckily, we only waited 10 minutes before our buzzer went off and in we went!
The carousel theme to the restaurant was very appealing, and we were lucky to be seated RIGHT near the buffet near where the characters enter and exit. The buffet itself was delicious! Now, remember the context: this was the first sit down REAL meal I'd had the entire trip, and so it was absolutely heavenly to have things like paella (excellent), lasagna (very good), turkey and stuffing (very food), fish (very good) etc. The soup was especially yummy, both the seafood gumbo (excellent) and the strawberry (very good). Best of all for DD there was ziti with tomato sauce and tons of fresh fruit. She chowed down as never before. Since it was just the two of us, I was especially glad to be so close to the buffet, even though my waistline is paying for it now!
Character interaction was just right for us Cindy got to us right away, then Pearl "chatted" with me about her sewing skills and promised to make me a dress (DD was mortified that I had asked her to sew me a dress since, "you know, the REAL Pearl is only THIS big, and is in a MOVIE, and besides, it really embarrassed me!" 6.5 going on on 13!?!). Suzy was a short while later, and honoring DD's wishes for less embarrassing interactions I simply took her picture and got an autograph.
Desserts were awesome! I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee with a yummy meringue tart while DD had a make-your-own cupcake and rice crispy treats. The Prince took his time coming around which I think was due to his chatting it up quite a bit at each table. In fact, Suzy and Pearl made it to us again in the meantime just long enough for DD to show Pearl the picture she drew of her. Pearl was delighted and DD was, well, embarrassed againin a good way. Then we enjoyed watching Pearl try to approach the table near us where a little boy covered his ears and squealed in abject terror as she inched her way toward his table ever-so-gingerly. It was a riot to hear his shriek start and stop and start again as she stepped forward and back and forward and backeven the waiters were laughing.
Throughout the dinner I think I counted 4 yes 4 - Happy Birthday choruses which makes me think this must be a tradition of sorts. DD enjoyed singing along for the girl at a nearby table. Finally, it had been just about an hour by the time the Prince was getting close, and the Manager offered to check on his ETA since he saw that we were ready to head out. He very kindly offered to take us right to him as we were leaving very nice. And a final surprise as we left Goofy was hanging out in the lobby along with Fairy Godmother! DD passed on the photo and autograph with Goofy, but it tickled me just to see him out of the blue there like thatit was rather like seeing Vanessa from American Idol at the mall yesterday
So to all who are thinking of scheduling the 1900 Park Fare dinner, Id say go for it! I wasn't able to get the Cindy breakfast and was very happy with this experience as an alternative. DD especially has always been a fan of the mice, so it was really perfect. I knew the dinner had been a success when DD excitedly described the carousel decorations and make-your-own cupcakes to DH during the drive home. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
April 2003
Just back from a girls' trip (me and DD, 6.5) - DH and DS (13) took a Disney break this year so it was just the girls! I may or may not get to a full trip report, but I thought I'd post about our Cinderella Dinner at 1900 Park Fare since it was VERY enjoyable and a special part of this trip.
Naturally, circumstances and expectations play a big part in how an experience is ultimately perceived, so heres the context: it was the last night at DW for us on our short trip; I had relatively low expectations from some of the posts I'd read (some said noisy and long waits); we were both very hungry after mostly snacking our entire trip (DD rarely wanted to eat); and I, for one, was very eager for some sit down time after two very full days of non-stop action.
We intentionally scheduled an afternoon in the MK before our 6:40 PS after swimming at the pool mid day, we made it just in time for the 3:00 parade, spent a few more hours at MK and then took the monorail to the GF. This worked out great since it made the dinner seem like part of the park experience to us; I'd highly recommend combining MK with this dinner if you're picking a day it was fun to see Cinderella in the parade, and visit the castle, and talk about having dinner with Cinderella later. Just be sure to leave enough time for the monorail to circulate to the other resorts first - I thought the GF would be the first stop from the MK and it was actually the fourth (Contemporary, TTC, Polynesian, then GF, I think). Luckily we arrived right on time anyway.
We had 6:40 PS, and upon check-in at exactly 6:40 were told we'd be seated within 15 minutes. A pleasant surprise in the lobby - we saw that the Fairy Godmother was there which meant that Cinderella and the Prince were circulating with the mice (Pearl and Suzy). We were expecting Cinderella and Prince in the lobby and Fairy godmother to circulate, but there must have been some intense Fairy union contract negotiations about working conditions etc.. Anyway, DD enjoyed peeking in to check out the scene and excitedly reported on seeing the celebrities in action. For whatever reason, she chose not to wait in line to see the Fairy godmother (a short looking line, but a line nonetheless ,and I think she was on a line strike. Luckily, we only waited 10 minutes before our buzzer went off and in we went!
The carousel theme to the restaurant was very appealing, and we were lucky to be seated RIGHT near the buffet near where the characters enter and exit. The buffet itself was delicious! Now, remember the context: this was the first sit down REAL meal I'd had the entire trip, and so it was absolutely heavenly to have things like paella (excellent), lasagna (very good), turkey and stuffing (very food), fish (very good) etc. The soup was especially yummy, both the seafood gumbo (excellent) and the strawberry (very good). Best of all for DD there was ziti with tomato sauce and tons of fresh fruit. She chowed down as never before. Since it was just the two of us, I was especially glad to be so close to the buffet, even though my waistline is paying for it now!
Character interaction was just right for us Cindy got to us right away, then Pearl "chatted" with me about her sewing skills and promised to make me a dress (DD was mortified that I had asked her to sew me a dress since, "you know, the REAL Pearl is only THIS big, and is in a MOVIE, and besides, it really embarrassed me!" 6.5 going on on 13!?!). Suzy was a short while later, and honoring DD's wishes for less embarrassing interactions I simply took her picture and got an autograph.
Desserts were awesome! I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee with a yummy meringue tart while DD had a make-your-own cupcake and rice crispy treats. The Prince took his time coming around which I think was due to his chatting it up quite a bit at each table. In fact, Suzy and Pearl made it to us again in the meantime just long enough for DD to show Pearl the picture she drew of her. Pearl was delighted and DD was, well, embarrassed againin a good way. Then we enjoyed watching Pearl try to approach the table near us where a little boy covered his ears and squealed in abject terror as she inched her way toward his table ever-so-gingerly. It was a riot to hear his shriek start and stop and start again as she stepped forward and back and forward and backeven the waiters were laughing.
Throughout the dinner I think I counted 4 yes 4 - Happy Birthday choruses which makes me think this must be a tradition of sorts. DD enjoyed singing along for the girl at a nearby table. Finally, it had been just about an hour by the time the Prince was getting close, and the Manager offered to check on his ETA since he saw that we were ready to head out. He very kindly offered to take us right to him as we were leaving very nice. And a final surprise as we left Goofy was hanging out in the lobby along with Fairy Godmother! DD passed on the photo and autograph with Goofy, but it tickled me just to see him out of the blue there like thatit was rather like seeing Vanessa from American Idol at the mall yesterday
So to all who are thinking of scheduling the 1900 Park Fare dinner, Id say go for it! I wasn't able to get the Cindy breakfast and was very happy with this experience as an alternative. DD especially has always been a fan of the mice, so it was really perfect. I knew the dinner had been a success when DD excitedly described the carousel decorations and make-your-own cupcakes to DH during the drive home. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
