1st time to WDW.. CRT or Akershus??

[Andrea73]

This is our 1st WDW trip and I want it to be magical of course, even though I am losing my mind planning it out.

We have 2 girls ages 4 & 8. Which do you prefer CRT or Akershus? If we do Akershus, it would be for breakfast as my 8 year old is a very picky eater. CRT could be for any meal.

Any advice? If we did both, would it be worth it?

Thanks

 

[LoriFromBama]

Our first trip we did both: CRT for lunch and Akershus for breakfast. Our second trip we did CRT for breakfast. If it were me and I could only pick one, I would definitely pick CRT just simply for the look on my daughter's face the first time she walked in the castle and they extended our "royal invitation" to dine with Cinderella. It was priceless. Akershus was great too, but not the same unique atmosphere as the castle. Everyone should do CRT at least once in my opinion. Now.. about the food. I was not impressed with CRT for breakfast. You have to choice 1 of a few items off the menu and we were not allowed to substitute anything. Lunch was delicious and there was more to choose from.

Akershus breakfast was good as well and the characters interaction seemed less rushed than in the castle.
You really can't go wrong with either and the photos included are a nice souvenir.
I hope that helped!

 

[shawnh199]

We have never tried CRT (we don't like to use two meal credits or pay that much OOP for a meal) but we absolutely love the Princess Breakfast at Epcot. The food is wonderful (love those potatoes!) and the character interaction is pretty good compared to some other character breakfasts. Depending upon how "talkative" your girls are will depend upon how much time they try to spend with you. My girls 2.5 & 6, are rather shy, so the Princesses give them hugs, try to talk to them without much response and take a couple of pictures. This was our second time here and it definitely won't be our last.

Just an FYI for you. Don't miss the Princess Meet and Greet in Toon Town. You can spend a good deal of time with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle. They each have a "curtain area" so you get to spend one-on-one time with each Princess. They really take a good deal of time to talk to the kids, sign autographs and they take lots of pictures. The same can be said for Pixie Hollow located in the same building, but be sure to be at Toon Town for Rope Drop (10am) if you don't want to wait atleast an hour to see the Fairies. The line for the Princesses is generally much shorter (atleast is was both days we were at MK in early December - don't let the date fool you either, because we had free dining going on and it was pretty crowded at there, especially on Extra Magic Hours day)

If you can do both, you might give it a try. If the castle is the biggest draw for you and you don't mind the cost, go with CRT. If more Princess interaction and a wonderful family style meal that you can get seconds on interests you, try Akershus.

You can't go wrong with either. Have fun!!

 

[Andrea73]

Thanks so much for the input!! I really appreciate it. I had no idea about the meet & greet and still have no clue what Toon Town is. Hopefully my "Unofficial Guide" will arrive this week! LOL! I feel pretty clueless around here.

 

[graceesmom]

We did both for our April 09 trip and our Oct. 09 Mother/Daughter Trip. My videos will give you some idea of the interaction at both.

We love them both and if your girls love princesses, they will too. Don't be afraid of the menu at Akershsus for lunch. I was, but was pleasantly surprised. The salad bar has cheeses (including cheddar for the picky one), boiled shrimp, along with pasta salads, green salads, etc.

The kids meals were very simple. We enjoyed the food much more than I expected. We also enjoyed our food for lunch at CRT and love the chocolate cream cheese buckle for dessert there!!!!!

If you look at the videos -- Apr. 09 DD is in Cinderella dress at CRT and t-shirt shorts at Akershsus

Oct. 09 -- DD is in Snow White Dress friend's DD is in Ariel costume at Akershsus

At CRT -- DD is in Cinderella and friends's DD is in Belle Dress. That will at least give you some idea of the restaurants and the princess interaction.

 

[disneybliss2]

We've done CRT for breakfast twice and Akershus for dinner twice. Both times we went, my daughter (3 years old the first trip, 5 years old on the second trip) preferred Akershus. Not really sure why; she didn't give a solid reason.
I wouldn't worry about your kids being picky eaters at Akershus. There is a separate kids menu w/ your standard kids options: hot dog w/ corn, pizza, I think I recall a pasta dish of some kind, some kind of chicken too. There will be options that should appeal to most kids. As far as the adult menu options, we really enjoyed the meal. The cold buffet was great! This restaurant is one of my husband's favorites.
I felt like the character interaction was equal at both restaurants. You get pictures included as part of your meal at both restaurants. If money is an issue, CRT is more expensive so keep that in mind. If you're on the dining plan, it is only one table credit at Akershus but CRT is two credits.
Both restaurants are great. You can't go wrong either way!

 

[Neesy228]

We've done both...and I have to say, that we were all disappointed with the castle. Super $$$, the princesses were rushing around like crazy, the food was . Microwaved egg souffle, a couple sausages and juice. Ick. Our waiter stopped long enough to throw our food at us...it was an awful experience. And oddly enough, my DD was completely unimpressed with the whole Castle-thing...which was the only reason we even went!

Akershus is always wonderful. Belle greets in her yellow ballgown, and the meal includes a photo with her. Then the princesses in their finest clothes (usually Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella and sometimes Snow White) come to the tables and are just wonderful with the kids. It's relaxing and fun and still very princess-esque. I would vote for Akershus. It's my DD's favorite.

 

[grace&philipsmom]

We've done both CRT and Akershus. We like both but for a first trip and two younger girls I would definitely go with CRT - lunch or dinner.

 

[Karpkg]

We loved Akershus breakast. I would definitely go back. Banquet hall with the flags looked very stately. Last September we saw Snow White, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella and Belle. We had a free picture given to us with Belle by herself, then we took pics of the princesses with their various gowns and had great interaction. I loved the pastries and fruits, sausages and a tasty fish I kept coming back for. Had a 5-10 min. conversations with our Norwegian waiter who told us great stories of his country. Funny, he was quite pleased when I took a pic of him in his costume!

We're going to try CRT this year for the first time. I'm told not to do the dinner because you won't have as many characters or personal interaction. The Fairy Godmother and mice do a a show or something but doesn't interact. The pic with Cinderella is with your own camera or you can pay for it. But while my daughter is still young and I'm not crazy about the price it's a one time experience I want for her and my family to eat in the castle.

 

[PoohsFan1]

When we took our girls for the first time, back in 2005, we took them to CRT. They really loved eating in the castle (which is by the way a very cool thing to do) and then having the princesses come out made it even more special. However, with that said, we much prefer Akershus because it is cheaper, the Princess interaction is much better, and we love the food. Akershus is one of our must do restaurants each trip, and my DDs always seem to request there instead of CRT. But since this is your first time going, I would say definitely do the castle, then if and when you decide to come back, go to Akershus.

 

[PoohsFan1]

going to try CRT this year for the first time. I'm told not to do the dinner because you won't have as many characters or personal interaction. The Fairy Godmother and mice do a a show or something but doesn't interact. The pic with Cinderella is with your own camera or you can pay for it. But while my daughter is still young and I'm not crazy about the price it's a one time experience I want for her and my family to eat in the castle.

Just wanted to quickly add that they have changed that within the last month. Now if you go for dinner you will be able to see the Princesses coming around the tables.

 

[cassie58]

I'd definitely do the castle if you can. We took DD5 then, for our 1st visit, and it is very magical - it really is like being in a castle! They get a wand, and have a wishing ceremony, and we all enjoyed the food for brft. Even my in-laws thought it was worth the price for the experience. We also liked the sit-down style, so you are at the table the whole time, as princesses stop by to visit(we saw Cindy-downstairs for photo, SW, SB, Jas., Belle(blue dress) - they aren't guarenteed, but the usual here). Many girls dress like princesses if your girls are into that, and princesses will comment on it, like SW who asked my DD if she was her twin!

We did Askershus this time, and it was nice, but not the same atmosphere. It was also tougher w/the buffet, as you had to run back and forth as you saw princesses approaching your table.(we had Belle(yellow dress for photo), Cindy,SB,SW, and Ariel). My DD had fun, but mentioned that she'd like to go back to the castle next time. Either way, you get pics/auto out of the way so less waiting in lines in the parks!

If you are interested in more than one meal, I'd try 1900 PF dinner - it has Cindy, prince, step-mom & sisters - very funny, as they all act in char., like the sisters singing loudly in their awful voices. DDs can also dance w/them when Cindy&prince dance each hr. - kids go out on the floor - my DD got spun around by the prince-priceless! If you go, ask at check in to be in the dancing room.

P.S. If you can get the castle for brft., try to get an early time and get into the park before opening - you can great pics by the castle w/Main St. empty, and when done brft., you're right next to Fantasyland to start the day! HTH!

cassie58
11/08-ASMo & Timeshare
8/09-CSR

 

[Nikisha421]

I have to say that I did not like the food at either place...we went to CRT for breakfast and Akershus for dinner...the rest of the family seemed to be okay with everything on the menu...if I had to pick one I would chose CRT and I would also go to CRT once again...I am not sure if I would be able to stomach the food at Akershus again...JMHO...but CRT was wonderful and the experience was great...on a positive not for Akershus...the interaction was great, the restaurant was beautiful, and the experience was obviously one that children at Disney should have...but my overhaul vote is for CRT...

 

[LuvSummer]

Did Akershus last summer partly because it was only one credit and a great value. DS is very picky and we got him pancakes which he didn't eat because he did find things on the buffet to eat. This year we are going to CRT because the adults want to eat in the castle. DD is not a fan of Cinderella???very confusing to me. She would prefer to go back to Epcot Breakfast but being this maybe the last time on the dining plan for a long while I do not want to pay CRT prices oop.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Eating at the castle is magical for the kids. We went there for my birthday and thinking it was my only change to eat there b/c we have a son...now he is asking when are we going to eat in the castle again with the princesses. He loved all the attention he got from the princesses and the kisses. When we went to CRT for breakfast, the princesses took their time talking to him and asking him alot of questions and posing not only for one or two pictures but we got a few with each princess (a few with dad and son and princess and family too). It was a great experience...food was ok but the interaction was great so worth the money to see the expressions on my son face.

 

[skier_pete]

I would definitely only do one....they are quite similar. If you are only going to do one, and aren't worried about price, I would go with CRT. (They are both ridiculous, but CRT is slightly more.) Your dining in the damn castle! C'mon what's better than that. In our experience, the interactions seem a little better at CRT. (Not as rushed.) Maybe because it's a slightly smaller dining area.

 

[2angels]

We are going on our first family Disney trip this fall and we plan on doing CRT. I think she will love the fact of eating in the castle!!!

 

[MissionMouse]

This is our 1st WDW trip and I want it to be magical of course, ... 2 girls ages 4 & 8. Which do you prefer CRT or Akershus? If we do Akershus, it would be for breakfast as my 8 year old is a very picky eater. CRT could be for any meal. Any advice? If we did both, would it be worth it? Thanks

We have two young girls and during their first time to WDW we took them to CRT Breakfast. They loved it. Lots of pictures and smiles. Definately magical for little girls. Each trip thereafter we have done a CRT Breakfast. We have also done a Akershus lunch and nearly saw a violent riot at the CM ADR check-in podium when we were leaving.

Personally, the castle is a Disney Princess icon. For us the experience comes across a lot better at CRT as they appears to be more organized. We also ensure our dining time is before park opening.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We did both with DD5 for Breakfast a few weeks ago and we would recommend both. But Akserhus had better food and princess interaction But I feel like the castle is a requirement for little girls regardless of the just "ok" food. We were on the DxDDP so we had lots of meal credits. But we will eat at both next year even if we don't do the dining plan

 

[djp0630]

CRT...I really enjoyed Akershus, and we went for lunch. I really enjoyed the food & princesses. My server was great too. But eating in the castle is special. DD3 has requested we go back!!! Both are great though so you can't lose!

Edited to add...we did both for lunch in Sept and are doing both again for breakfast in May! Doing both, although "similar", with DD3 (4), she was all about the princesses, so definitely not too much for us. In May, I have it early and late in our trip. We do CRT on our last day to save something special.