Akershus dinner! Was it always THAT expensive?

[kaabost]

We did the princess dinner at akershus tonight. I had researched some menu costs online to remind myself about how much the experience costs for a family of 4 (2 kids). We have done this dinner before and expect it to expensive as it is a princess dinner at Disney. The menu didn't have prices which should have been my first clue but I didn't worry too much due to my previously experience and recent research. Anyway, we got our tab and our bill was $250 which included 2 adult dinners, 2 child dinners, and 2 beers. Am I crazy? Surely it wasn't always this expensive or else I doubt I would have been interested in returning. My cousin and my family were with us. Their tab was $325 because they have an additional child who happens to be 11 years old and considered an adult. I am so embarrassed for setting this meal up and setting such wrong expectations! They don't even give you a photo anymore. It goes to show that I did some research but clearly not enough!

 

[yaksack]

Did they bill the kids as adults?

 

[kaabost]

The kids meals (pizza and macaroni and cheese) were $35 each and the adult meals were $65 each. This all included a dessert sampler for the table to share as well as the appetizer buffet which has some pretty good selections such as smoked salmon and such. Guess how much of that appetizer buffet my kids ate? One child ate 1/2 a roll and the other ate one small piece of cheese and a shrimp. Anyway, you add 2 beers, tax, and gratuity and the tab is $250. I could have eaten something really tasty over the counter and bought one of those awesome halley Hansen coats in the Norway gift shop!!!!!!

 

[ShellieMimi]

Of course it's more expensive now than it was in, say, 2013, but I cannot recall a particularly large increase that happened all at once.

That bill must have been such a shock if you weren't expecting it. I hope everyone enjoyed the meal all the same.

If you plan to go to any more AYCTE meals, there is a sticky at the top of this forum that lists the exact price of each meal. That should help you avoid more unpleasant surprises.

 

[sharonabe]

According to the Buffet Sticky, it should have been $57.50 for the adults and $34 for the kids. Your total sounds like they charged one of the kids as an adult. Remember 10 years and up are considered adults.

 

[kaabost]

I just checked that sticky. Thanks for the tip. This will be helpful for those who research in the correct location in the future. The meal really was great but I still think I have enough buyers remorse to keep me away from table service for a while.

 

[Elle23]

We are headed there next week, but I am on the dining plan, thankfully, so won't have the sticker shock.

It seems like it isn't that much less expensive than CRT!

It's crazy how inflated prices are at Disney. I have never in my life spent $250 or $325 on a meal, an I have eaten at some pretty nice places and have 4 kids!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We are headed there next week, but I am on the dining plan, thankfully, so won't have the sticker shock.

1) Of course there is no Sticker Shock.
2) They already have your money, so you don't notice the actual price. *
3) TrustTheScupper, you did pay the expensive cost.

* Casinos and Cruise Lines recognized this many years ago. By switching to chips at casinos and room cards on ships, people buy without noticing the cost. Do you think that folks would so casually toss dollar bills onto a craps table if it were real money in their hands and not brightly colored chips? With DDP, you pay up-front, so you don't realize the cost of the meals as much - or at least don't care. Even DISboards has done studies that show DDP is not a bargain for guests, just like CM's have known for a very long time.

 

[mco65]

Hum.. we were just there in (1st week of JAN) we ate breakfast there.. 3 adults, 2 kids.. i don't think it was that MUCH.. maybe close but not quite... is breakfast a tad cheaper? Of course we didn't have a beer.. do beers cost $15/$20 each??

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Hum.. we were just there in (1st week of JAN) we ate breakfast there.. 3 adults, 2 kids.. i don't think it was that MUCH.. maybe close but not quite... is breakfast a tad cheaper? Of course we didn't have a beer.. do beers cost $15/$20 each??

Breakfasts are always a little cheaper.

 

[Marthasor]

The character meals are just insanely expensive and if you are going for the food and not primarily the characters it's just not worth it at all. I've found the resort TS to be much more reasonably priced and the food better as well. DS9 and I went to Capt. Grille the other night, had apps, entrees, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages all off the adult menu and spent a little under $100. We don't do character meals anymore. They're just too expensive.

 

[Elle23]

1) Of course there is no Sticker Shock.
2) They already have your money, so you don't notice the actual price. *
3) TrustTheScupper, you did pay the expensive cost.

* Casinos and Cruise Lines recognized this many years ago. By switching to chips at casinos and room cards on ships, people buy without noticing the cost. Do you think that folks would so casually toss dollar bills onto a craps table if it were real money in their hands and not brightly colored chips? With DDP, you pay up-front, so you don't realize the cost of the meals as much - or at least don't care. Even DISboards has done studies that show DDP is not a bargain for guests, just like CM's have known for a very long time.

We did get the DDP at a discount, and I think we will come out ahead on it, but I do get what you are saying.

I would have a VERY hard time plunking down $250 for a meal...especially one that probably isn't even that great. If I'm going to spend that much on food, it had better be mind blowing!