Akershus Royal Banquet Hall or CRT

[Cyberc1978]

HI

My DD(5yo) and I are going to visit Disney in September. I was thinking we should visit ankershus or CRT for lunch.

I can't seem to find the difference between the two? - except for pricing.

Today I was lucky enough to snag a reservation at CRT for lunch on our first day.

My DD is a huge frozen fan, but from I can read the characters doesn't attend at any of the dinners.

Since my DD is only 5yo is one more suitable than the other?

Regards

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well, major differences are the pricing and venue. Cinderella is the greeter at CRT, and Belle at Akershus. The roaming princess cast is generally quite similar, and no, no Frozen girls. They are not Disney Princesses(tm) and you can't cross the streams.

Akershus has a princess parade and often better interaction.

Depending on which meal, check the menus to make sure you both will like something on the menu too.

 

[shawnh199]

CRT is something I would suggest every Princess loving little girl should do at least once, especially before they outgrow the princess thing. That being said, we did CRT for breakfast once and we checked it off our Disney Bucket list. We do the Princess Breakfast at Akershus every trip. We love the food and the princess interaction is wonderful. As PP said, double check the menus and make sure they have something you will eat. CRT was not impressive to me as far as the food went, especially for the price. Eating in the castle - awesome! Akershus has some of my favorite breakfast food, especially the cheesy potato dish they serve with the bacon, sausage and eggs. Plus they have a small buffet, with deli meats and cheese, salmon, and fruits and pastries. The only thing I dislike about Akershus is the long walk back to it BUT now you have the benefit of being right there at the new Frozen attraction. We always do a pre-park ADR as early as we can so we can get to rides as soon as the park opens. We haven't been since the Frozen ride opened, but I imagine if you are done before 9am, you could get on the ride without much wait.

If your DD loves Princesses, you can't go wrong with either. Enjoy your trip!

 

[alex9179]

We didn't try CRT. One poster here reported that Cinderella was missing, entirely, one day. Illness, maybe, but that's a bummer for her fans and the parents to dole out the dough for it.

We had breakfast at Akershus our first trip (2012) and it was fun. The princesses were nice and spent time with our shy daughter and though they tried, the boys wanted nothing to do with them. Snow White, especially, was great and DH still talks about her! The food was pretty good, both the cold serve-yourself area and the hot entrees. The potato casserole was delicious and the kids got seconds on the sausage. Along with Snow, we saw Aurora, Ariel (very fun, too), and Cinderella.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We did both for breakfast and Akershus was FAR better than CRT, all around. The food was a lot better and much more plentiful than CRT. Our portions were small for the price at CRT. The princesses weren't rushed at Akershus like they were at the castle, and they did a cute princess parade with the kids. We probably won't ever go back to CRT mainly because of how rushed we were through the meal. Paying that kind of money, or even 2 TS credits, I'd expect to be there longer than 40 minutes. Our check hit the table while we were still eating and we were never asked if we wanted anything else. It was annoying. We will do Akershus from now on. We love having both the cold buffet options and the hot foods brought to us - that potato casserole was one of the best things I've ever had! We are excited to go back in Sept for breakfast.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We've done B,L,&D at both. As far as setting goes, CRT wins for us. I personally think it's magical to dine in the castle.

Beyond that, I think the princess interaction is about the same at both, minus the parade at Akershus...which isn't as big of a deal if your child isn't one of the lucky few going hand in hand with a princess.

As for food, Disney character meals tend to be inconsistent as a whole, but from our experiences...CRT was better for breakfast and Akershus was better for lunch or dinner.

 

[Nancyg56]

We go to both CRT and Akershus. I have never had breakfast at CRT, but both lunch and dinner were good and we enjoy our meals evey time that we go. The atmosphere is the best, and I think that everyone should go at least once.

I only schedule breakfast at Akershus, and have never had a negative experience.

Both venues offer good character interactions, IMO and both have decent food, although the AYCTE option at Akershus can be very attractive if you like a substancial breakfast. I woudl look at my finances or credits I want to use and go with the one that makes the best sense at this time. You will not go Wong at either one, they are both Castles.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Thanks everyone for you imput.

Since the dining options at Akershus is fully booked during the time we go, are there any chance that people cancel, and if they do when does it normally happen the day before. I know its difficult to predict, just need some pointers

Regards

 

[_auroraborealis_]

are there any chance that people cancel

Yes.

Look at:

• 60 days prior
• 45 days prior
• 30 days prior
• Night before

Look at other times too, but those are the major change dates.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Yes.

Look at:

• 60 days prior
• 45 days prior
• 30 days prior
• Night before

Look at other times too, but those are the major change dates.

Thanks for the insights.

I'll try and look at those dates.

Regards

 

[ShannonMB]

You can also keep an eye on the cancellation thread, it's pretty active. Go to Disney Dining Reservations board, then the cancellation thread for the month you are going. People will give a heads-up on what they are planning on cancelling, and some will even offer to coordinate with you if you PM with them.

Best of luck! I have had cancellations work out for me if I'm persistent!

 

[ShannonMB]

We probably won't ever go back to CRT mainly because of how rushed we were through the meal. Paying that kind of money, or even 2 TS credits, I'd expect to be there longer than 40 minutes. Our check hit the table while we were still eating and we were never asked if we wanted anything else. It was annoying.

My exact experience at CRT breakfast - it was very clear they were ready for us to move on out. I've never felt that way more than at CRT.

 

[mFont23]

If you're on the dining plan, the Norway breakfast is only one credit as opposed to two for CRT. We like to do that breakfast because it gets you into the Epcot World Showcase early, the interactions and princess dresses are more exciting, and the food is awesome. CRT is an experience in itself, but personally I feel like we always get more out of the Norway breakfast. Plus, there are so many places in and around MK that we prefer to eat on those days we are in MK.

Also, if you're really into Frozen, you can book the princess breakfast and try to get a fastpass to meet the Frozen princesses shortly after!

 

[crystalsmom1021]

Thanks for the insights.

I'll try and look at those dates.

Regards

Im surprised it wasn't mentioned but you can go to the touring plans tracker and have it watch for cancellations during your trip. Have fun

 

[TeachrRay]

We have done both numerous times. We no longer do CRT....it is not worth the extra dining credit to us, and our kids like the food as well or better at Akershus. We also tend to get more face time with the princesses at Akershus. That being said if you have never done CRT, the experience of being in the castle is something you should do for the experience and ambiance. It really is a matter of what is most important.