ADR--looking for help making a choice

[mjc2003]

We have taken our girls to the Princess lunch at Akershus in Norway the last two years. They loved it. We were thinking of changing it up this year and doing lunch at the Castle, but I see it's almost $300 for a group of 6!! (For Lunch!!). We are still willing to do it, but I also saw I could get a reservation at Crystal Palace. I know it's different, but we have not eaten at either.

We are tempted to just go back to Akershus since we know they love it, and then try the Crystal Palace....

Anybody have thoughts on lunch at the Castle and/or Crystal Palace?

 

[CarolMN]

Moved from DVC Boards

 

[Perditamarie]

Lunch at the castle is special....and including the photo package is a nice touch. The characters do not have as much time to visit as they do at Askershus - you probably will be disappointed in this. The menu selection is also limited and the servers are professional but definately move things along. We have always had excellent meals at Crystal Palace - the choices are varied and the characters are delightful. I would probably go w/CP for a bigger group. Happy planning!

 

[Leitadala]

I would suggest that it depends on what your girls like about Akershus. My opinion about all 3 is that Akershus had my favorite character interaction of the three (all the princesses) but the castle was a really cool place to eat (awesome looking room, and super cool to be inside of the castle) but not as many choices for food compared to buffets, and then Crystal Palace is one of the few places I have no special desire to eat at again. I'm not a big Winnie the Pooh fan and I'm not picky when it comes to buffets. I think the Castle is something do do once, but out of all three I'd go with Akershus because you already know they love it!

 

[mom2dina]

We liked:
Magic Kingdom: The Crystal Palace - a Buffet with Character

All-day character dining at the Crystal Palace, featuring Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore. Breakfast Hours: 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. $18.99 (10+) and $10.99 (3-9); Lunch Hours: 11:30am to 3:00pm, COST: $20.99 adults; Lunch $11.99 (3-9), Tax and gratuity extra. Dinner Hours 4 p.m. - Depends on Park Closing Time. COST: $28.99/Adults, $13.99 Children ages 3-9. Call WDW-DINE up to 90 days in advance (Magic Kingdom admission ticket required). Same day priority seating available.


The castle was fun but hardly any interaction with characters, $$$ and food choices limited.

Never done thies either but looks fun:

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner

Regulars include Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drizella from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm daily. $35.99 (10+) and $17.99 (3-9). For priority seating call WDW-DINE. (Formerly the Villains Character Meal).


Grand Floridian - My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea

Hosted by Rose Petal*, an enchanted rose who delights in storytelling and sing-a-longs. Girls are encouraged to attend dressed up in their favorite Princess attire and receive the royal treatment as they sip tea and enjoy a special visit from Princess Aurora*.

Young princesses also:

Receive a special 18" My Disney Girl doll dressed in a matching Princess Aurora gown plus accessories.
Take home their own ribbon tiara, silver Princess link bracelet, fresh rose, special princess scrapbook set and a "Best Friend" certificate.
Menu Items:

The adult menu includes Garden View specialty teas and a luncheon plate that consists of:

Egg salad sandwiches, Chicken-Almond salad sandwich, Blue Cheese Barquette, Smoked Cheddar, cheese, Sage Derby Cheese, Lavosh (flat bread), Grapes, A slice of princess cake

The kids menu consists of: Peanut Butter & Jelly Hearts, Grapes, Apple Juice,
A slice of princess cake

Cost:

One adult and one child (ages 3-11): $250 (plus tax, including gratuity)
One additional adult: $85 (plus tax)
One additional child: $165 (plus tax)
Location: Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Garden View Tea Lounge

Dates: Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday – Friday

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Daily

Call (407) 939-6397† to make your Tea Party reservations

 

[mjc2003]

Lunch at the castle is special....and including the photo package is a nice touch. The characters do not have as much time to visit as they do at Askershus - you probably will be disappointed in this. The menu selection is also limited and the servers are professional but definately move things along. We have always had excellent meals at Crystal Palace - the choices are varied and the characters are delightful. I would probably go w/CP for a bigger group. Happy planning!

Thank you. The girls especially liked the interaction, so that's a big factor. I think CP might just be fun, combined with Askershus on another day....not too shabby!

I would suggest that it depends on what your girls like about Akershus. My opinion about all 3 is that Akershus had my favorite character interaction of the three (all the princesses) but the castle was a really cool place to eat (awesome looking room, and super cool to be inside of the castle) but not as many choices for food compared to buffets, and then Crystal Palace is one of the few places I have no special desire to eat at again. I'm not a big Winnie the Pooh fan and I'm not picky when it comes to buffets. I think the Castle is something do do once, but out of all three I'd go with Akershus because you already know they love it!

The girls like the interaction, so Akershus might be the better choice. While they would probably love either, I think one factor is they prefer MK better of the two parks, so they won't really miss it; whereas, they would have that to look forward to at Epcot.

 

[mjc2003]

We liked:
Magic Kingdom: The Crystal Palace - a Buffet with Character

All-day character dining at the Crystal Palace, featuring Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore. Breakfast Hours: 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. $18.99 (10+) and $10.99 (3-9); Lunch Hours: 11:30am to 3:00pm, COST: $20.99 adults; Lunch $11.99 (3-9), Tax and gratuity extra. Dinner Hours 4 p.m. - Depends on Park Closing Time. COST: $28.99/Adults, $13.99 Children ages 3-9. Call WDW-DINE up to 90 days in advance (Magic Kingdom admission ticket required). Same day priority seating available.


The castle was fun but hardly any interaction with characters, $$$ and food choices limited.

Never done thies either but looks fun:

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner

Regulars include Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia and Drizella from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm daily. $35.99 (10+) and $17.99 (3-9). For priority seating call WDW-DINE. (Formerly the Villains Character Meal).


Grand Floridian - My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea

Hosted by Rose Petal*, an enchanted rose who delights in storytelling and sing-a-longs. Girls are encouraged to attend dressed up in their favorite Princess attire and receive the royal treatment as they sip tea and enjoy a special visit from Princess Aurora*.

Young princesses also:

Receive a special 18" My Disney Girl doll dressed in a matching Princess Aurora gown plus accessories.
Take home their own ribbon tiara, silver Princess link bracelet, fresh rose, special princess scrapbook set and a "Best Friend" certificate.
Menu Items:

The adult menu includes Garden View specialty teas and a luncheon plate that consists of:

Egg salad sandwiches, Chicken-Almond salad sandwich, Blue Cheese Barquette, Smoked Cheddar, cheese, Sage Derby Cheese, Lavosh (flat bread), Grapes, A slice of princess cake

The kids menu consists of: Peanut Butter & Jelly Hearts, Grapes, Apple Juice,
A slice of princess cake

Cost:

One adult and one child (ages 3-11): $250 (plus tax, including gratuity)
One additional adult: $85 (plus tax)
One additional child: $165 (plus tax)
Location: Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Garden View Tea Lounge

Dates: Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday – Friday

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Daily

Call (407) 939-6397† to make your Tea Party reservations

Wow, the tea sounds like it would be incredible for my older daughter, she will be celebrating her 6th birthday. The younger one would love it as well, but my 6 year old would talk about that for a year. It would be $500 for the 4 of us, of course that's a factor--oh boy, you've given me a lot to consider!

We did the Cinderella dinner at GF. If I recall, it's at 1900 Park? It was just ok, very loud and somewhat overly stimulating for the kids, the characters moved around a lot and quickly, and it was sort of rushed. They had fun, but it was very chaotic; we were also seated a ways from the buffet, so it took awhile to even get to the food with all the people moving about and activity. I would not say that it's not worth trying, it just wasn't really for us.