Akershus Royal Banquet? Mistake?

[JerseyMamaBear]

I am usually very confident with my dinner reservations but I am really having second thoughts about this. I booked the princess dinner for next Tuesday for 2 adults and my soon to be 2 year old foir her birthday. Im rethinking this one big time! Sure the princesses will be great but 40.99 per person for food that in my opinion does not look to be my tastes is crazy!!!!!! The whole reason I booked this over nighter was for her "Princess Party" and now I just dont know. HELP!!!!!! I need advise, suggestions and a whole lotta "what would you do's"

 

[eelkmj01]

I've heard many great things about Akershus from the food to the atmosphere. We are so excited to have lunch there on May 19. I hope you have a great time!

 

[cmcinc]

Do it. My daughter still talks about her first time there...that makes it all worth it to me.

 

[BayouMickey]

Go for the princesses, not the food.
We REALLY wanted to like this place. First time we went for dinner, the food and service was terrible.
But we were told that we had to do the breakfast, so we said what the heck and gave it a second chance, it was no better.
We were so hoping to like this because it's a 1 credit meal with princesses versus a 2 credit one at CRT. But after our last attempt we're writing it off from future trips.
But I'm a firm believer in go at least once and make up your own mind.

 

[DisneyDiva2006]

I agree with the PP. We did the Princess Breakfast and the food was just okay but my daughter loved the interaction with the princesses. I do highly recommend 1900 Park Fare for a great Character Breakfast with delicious food. However, like PP said try it for yourself and decide. Good Luck!

 

[jcarwash]

It is a lot of money, so if you're not on the dining plan (where this is covered), I understand your second-guessing.

Here's what you should know:
1. The food is outstanding. Don't be fooled that you're going to be eating weird food. You get a taste of Norweigan styles but ultimately there's a selection for all here. Among the cold buffet, entrees, and desserts you get a lot to choose from. My experience with the food and the service has been great and we keep going back.
2. You do get a photo with a princess (faux 8X10 -- it's like 6X9 in an 8X10 matte -- and four 4X6s) taken and delivered to your table. Should be with Belle unless that's changed in the last year.
3. The interactions with the princesses are wonderful; excellent way to meet all the princesses and spend time talking to them.

 

[MHSweb79]

I agree with those who say go ahead and do it. The time from toddler to teen goes by so fast! You'll get priceless photos if nothing else.

 

[scard192]

We had a nice dinner there last September. My 3.5 year old grand daughter was thrilled with the princess interaction( Aurora, Ariel, Snow White and Jasmine) and the food was surprisingly good. The cold buffet had something we all liked-salad, cheese, cold cuts, bread. The entrees were good-I had the salmon and my daughter and son in law had the beef tips. I'm a picky eater and I really liked the meal.

 

[Hoppypooh]

We are two adults - no kids - and going for the second time in August. It's really beautiful inside (like a castle) and the princesses spend a lot of time at each table. In my experience, the interaction level is second only to Crystal Palace... but the princesses, unlike Pooh and Friends, can actually talk. It's not the best buffet on property, but it's not bad. Remember that all food is in Disney prices, and then heightened again because you are paying for the characters. A lot of people are scared of the "foreign" aspect of the food, but there's lots to choose from and not all of it is "weird."

 

[tpettie]

We did it last year too for the first time and greatly enjoyed it. Also remember (which we forgot) its a family style meal so you can ask for more of what you liked. And you can't go wrong with the photo that's worth it for me.

 

[HunnyJar]

I agree with some of the other posters.. You should try it if you want to see the princesses. I'll be honest with you.. It's not my family's favorite restaurant. We have tried it twice for dinner and feel like it will be quite some time before we go back. We did not care for the food (except the cold board) nor did we care for the character interaction - except Snow White and the service was less than great. BUT it was nice to be able to see 5 of the princesses at one time.

You might have a totally different experience so I would encourage you to try it if you and your family want to see the princesses!

 

[KELLY]

We only do breakfest there. Since we did dinner once and it wasn't my thing.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I am going to Akershus for the first time and am paying out of pocket for it. I can't wait!

 

[eastcoastcan]

I would not go specifically for the food – it’s fine, but not outstanding, but I would definitely go for the experience with the princesses. I have always found the princesses to be extremely patient – with hugs, photos, autographs, and making personal comments for the kids. Every princess visits every table, but you never feel rushed. It’s a very relaxing way to interact with lots of princesses in one shot! We also find the service provided by the young Norwegians who work there very good.

 

[jcarwash]

Also remember (which we forgot) its a family style meal so you can ask for more of what you liked.

Are you talking about breakfast being family style or lunch and dinner too? I've only been for dinner and those were separate entrees...the dessert is served "family style" for sharing but I'm not sure you can ask for more dessert or not.

 

[ktjohn]

It's funny how so many people can have vastly different experiences at the same place. I guess it's completely dependent on the day!

I was somewhat discouraged with our experience there. I kept my feelings to myself, because my children are too young to care if something is not as it should be. They were very thrilled, so I that's all that matters.

However, as an adult who is the one paying all the money for this, I felt what Disney has to offer there was not worth the price tag. The breakfast was tasty and well presented, but there wasn't much on the menu that my husband was willing to eat. And I pretty much paid through the nose for my kids to eat a few bites of eggs and some bacon.

It wasn't even the food that was the problem for me. There were only 3 princesses (I was expecting at least 5 for the price we paid), and they were all in a rush. We had to move very quickly to get them to sign the autograph books, take a couple pictures, and talk to my girls for a brief moment. The amount of time they spent with my kids was actually less than the amount of time we got with the princesses in various locations around the parks (which we didn't have to pay money to go spend time with). We were there for the last week of January, which is the slowest time of year. If they were rushed then, I wonder what it would be like in a busier season. We've been to other meals where the characters have come around a few times and really interacted. These princesses never came back... and we waited a long time, because I couldn't believe we paid all that money for 1 very brief interaction. I kept sitting there thinking they must be coming back around. Finally we gave up and left after the waitress kept coming back to prod us along. We asked her if any other princesses would be coming, and she said no.

Also, they didn't have actresses that looked very much like their character. There was no facial similarity, and they didn't act "in character" at all. It was basically three girls in pretty dresses and wigs. They were also not animated at all. They were very quiet and subdued. It was not the high quality "Disney magic" we are accustomed to.

With all that said, I think a princess meal is worth it to do one time. But after that, I think the experience you get with the princesses in Toontown Fair is more enjoyable, the characters are more authentic in terms of appearance and personality, they spend more time with you, and it's free.

My advice is to go ahead and do it, because your kids will LOVE it. But keep your expectations very low and make your peace with the fact that you're paying a lot of money for it. Then you won't be dissapointed. On the other hand, if it turns out to be a great experience like many people have reported having, then you'll be delightfully surprised!!

 

[aurorae]

Sure the princesses will be great but 40.99 per person for food that in my opinion does not look to be my tastes is crazy!!!!!! The whole reason I booked this over nighter was for her "Princess Party" and now I just dont know.

So, do something else.

There's lots of other places to eat that are cheaper.

Wait until your child is old enough to remember the princesses, then go if you want to.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

We love it - have been three times now. Prefer breakfast to dinner - haven't ever done lunch.

The self service buffet appetizer is sure to suit most people if they like fruit/cooked meats/fish (with the additional pastries at breakfast and salads at dinner). The main courses at dinner are ok but not amazing. The breakfast potatoes are worth going for IMHO. The puddings are dinner are served family style.

For the price you also get your photo which would be a lovely momento on your son's birthday and the character interaction is excellent.

 

[Gwendolyn]

We had breakfast at Akershus last time. The food wasnt really good (im not into sausages for breakfast), but the atmosphere was magical. I loved having the princesses around. And having my picture taken with them. And DS7(almost 3 back then) loved it too. He talked about it all day through.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

We went to Akershus breakfast in August and loved it. It was worth the money to me NOT to stand in line and wait for five separate princess signatures (I had enough sweat dripping down my back, thank you!) and I liked that we got pictures with Belle included in the price.

The food was pretty standard - eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, this marvelous potato casserole - plus a cold buffet of fruit, meat, cheese, yogurt, rolls, cereal, etc. I thought it all tasted pretty good.

The princess interaction was very nice also. Granted they didn't spend all day at our table, but we got pictures, my daughter asked each of them a question or two, and we loved the dresses and thought the princesses really did look like their counterparts. Cinderella was very lovely and friendly. And we also saw Arial, Aurora and Snow White.

Granted, I grew up in Minnesota and especially in small towns, there are a LOT of Scandinavians around here - lutefisk suppers, lefse, etc. In viewing the menu for the lunch and dinner, I guess I was glad that we went for breakfast. I mean, I can make meatballs and cream gravy any time and get some lefse!