Akershus Royal Banquet vs Cinderella Royal Table

[Ms95014]

We will be visiting both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It's a brief trip, one day in either park. I'm trying to pack in as much as possible for a once in a lifetime birthday trip for my daughter. She will be turning four. We want to do a character dining experience, and are trying to decide on either Akershus or Cinderella's castle. Can anyone recommend one over the other. Also does anyone know if there is a princess storybook lunch at Akershus or is it just breakfast?

 

[dachsie]

Its easier to get Akershus ADR and yes they have lunch, but for a birthday, I would try hard for CRT. If you cant get it then by all means do Akershus.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The princesses are at all three meals at. Akershus.

A lot of people think the princess interaction is better at A, but aren't fans of the food. CRT, you are absolutely paying for the castle more than the food.

 

[CookieRobot]

I prefer Akershus over Cinderella's royal table. We thought the food was better and had better character interaction. Cinderella's was still nice, it just felt rushed. For my family, there is just so much we love to do in the magic kingdom that we will opt out of eating in the castle to save time and headed over to bog.

 

[Mikie]

I don't know about lunch at Akershus, but I have done meals at both locations with my daughters and son several times. My comparison points:
- On the dining plan, Cinderellas Royal Table (CRT) is a 2-credit meal, where Akershus is 1
- paying out of pocket, CRT is more expensive ($55ish adult/$35ish kids for breakfast vs $45ish adult/$25ish kids; lunch prices roughly $5-$7 higher per person, dinner roughly another$5-$7 more than lunch)
- Akershus brings a fancy character touch to Epcot, a park which my kids love, but is less "Disney" to a little one than Magic Kingdom is
- CRT is dining in a CASTLE!
- at CRT you get a photo with Cinderella in her throne room before the meal, at Akershus, it is a photo with Belle in her yellow ball gown before the meal.
- Characters who come to your table during the meal vary at each place, but they are similar. We have met Jasmine, Snow White and Ariel at both. We've met Mary Poppins and Mulan at Akershus and Aurora at CRT.

- Akershus breakfast is cold buffet plus hot items brought to your table.
- CRT is menu table service
- We like the food at Akershus, but like it more at CRT
- Special extras at CRT: wishing star ceremony and a magic wand or sword given to each child. Special extra at Akershus: a princess (Belle? I don't recall!) leads all interested children in a parade around the restaurant

 

[Jfsag123]

We have done both and enjoyed both. In your case I would probably choose Akershus, not because it's better or worse, but because with only one day in each park, I'd be more willing to give up the time it takes for a sit-down ADR from Epcot than MK. With only one MK day, I'd want to be able to use as much of the time as possible.

 

[lisski76]

We personally like A better. We don't feel rushed, DD loves the parade and we enjoy the food more. We opt to do breakfast there because the cost makes it worth while.

 

[lynzi2004]

Something else to consider...is DD even aware that there is a meal in the castle? If she didn't know, then she would think Akershus was awesome! Save some money and save time in MK, it's a win-win!

 

[Twitterpated!]

The food comparison is negligible. I would base my decision on your DD's princess preference. The price of the meal includes a 5"x7" photo in frame carrier. CRT is with Cinderella and Akershus is with Belle. Who would she rather dress up as and who would she be more excited to see?

 

[Twitterpated!]

Something else to consider...is DD even aware that there is a meal in the castle? If she didn't know, then she would think Akershus was awesome! Save some money and save time in MK, it's a win-win!

This is a good point. Akershus, on the other hand, is right near the entrance to the upcoming "Frozen Ever After" attraction. If you plan to take her on that ride, it will be hard to ignore the gaggle of little princesses waiting to get into the restaurant.

 

[Catvondita]

Having been to both my vote is for Akershus. The food is better and you have cocktail options. Royal Table is over rated in my opinion. The food is meh and there are only soft drink options. We also had a long wait even with reservations.

 

[Minnie222]

Hands down CRT.

We have been to A for dinner, and would never go back.
Long wait for table (even with ADR), super tight space between tables, food not good.

 

[Baptist]

For your situation, Akershus is the better option. There is not a lot at Epcot for a 4 year old (compared to MK). Spend your time at a "sit down" character dinner there. Eating in the castle is nice, but not really worth the extra dollars.

You only have 2 days, so make the most of your time.

 

[capegirl]

This is a good point. Akershus, on the other hand, is right near the entrance to the upcoming "Frozen Ever After" attraction. If you plan to take her on that ride, it will be hard to ignore the gaggle of little princesses waiting to get into the restaurant.

I just made our Akershus ADR for 8:00am because of 'Frozen Ever After'.
If we can't get a FP, at least we'll have a chance in the standby line. Fingers crossed for a 9:00am opening!

 

[Nancyg56]

I would choose Akershus and go for breakfast. I really enjoy both, but given your DD age, I think she would have more fun at A. My Princesses had meals at both, and if I had to gauge what they liked best I would say A. That Princess Parade is really a lot of fun!

 

[momof2n2]

We have done both and enjoyed both. In your case I would probably choose Akershus, not because it's better or worse, but because with only one day in each park, I'd be more willing to give up the time it takes for a sit-down ADR from Epcot than MK. With only one MK day, I'd want to be able to use as much of the time as possible.

Absolutely this. I'd not want to give up any time from touring at MK if I was only there one day.
If I could do it pre-open, then I'd likely to Akershus as well to increase chance of getting on FEA.

 

[Ranger75062]

My wife and I have done both. If your DD is 4 then I would think that the Castle would be more special to her.
I do agree that the food and the INTERACTION is better at Akershus.
ADR id Extremely hard for the Castle and the food (IMO) is not as good.

 

[BaroneMD33]

Glad to hear the interaction is better and from what I am reading the food is better at Akershus. I have 4 girls going with us (ages 17, 13, 12, 11) this year and my GF who is 38 and never been to DW. Although the idea of CRT is a thought, With mine being older and my GF's son (9) going, we didn't want to spend the extra just for the CRT (which my two older DD have experienced at ages 3 and 7 - 10 years ago, at the time)

 

[lynzi2004]

Update: We settled on 2 MK days and got to eat at Cinderella Castle today! We didn't tell DD we were going until we walked in. We got a window seat and were there for dinner. Interaction was great, service was great, and food was delish!

 

[WDWNY]

Akershus! Much better food and I think it's a better value. I regret using 2 meal credits on Cinderellas Royal Table