Anyone surprised at CRT availability?

[88Keys]

I just called and had many choices of times available for CRT breakfast. Is this an anomoly? Is it because it is now more expensive (with pictures included), that you have to put the whole proce of the meal down as deposit, that there is lunch available or that people are not aware you can reserve now 180 days in advance? Just curious....

 

[pixiepower1971]

I know my family will NOT be going anymore with the price increase! My girls do not rate CRT at the top of their lists of restaurants. We will go one last time this month and then we are through. Over $100 for breakfast is absurd!

 

[Sammie]

With the price increase I am sure many that have already been to CRT will not be repeating the visit.

With the pay in full requirement, I am sure that will reduce the number of people booking for various reasons.

 

[jessica52877]

I think it is crazy trying to do reservations 180 days out. I don't even plan my trips that far in advance so if you were at the early end of it then that might be why. We just went in November and won't be going back with the price increase, we actually had dinner there and it was the worst all week, we were on the dining plan and ate a ton of GREAT food, for $40 per person, no way! I hope you enjoy it! I have a son, so the princess thing didn't matter, hubby had just never eaten in the castle before!

Jessica

 

[mrsv98]

I was and I booked for Jan before the changes take place. I forgot to call but decided to try on a whim and had the option of several times.

I have a feeling the changes will take it off the "must do" list for many familes.

 

[luv2nascar]

not worth it with the price increase - plus isn't it 2 credits for dinner under dining plan. There so many better choices.

 

[88Keys]

The new price (after Feb 06) is around $32/adult -- what is it currently? Just trying to find out how big a leap it is.....

 

[minijeanie]

I guess I am so out of the loop!!!

enlighten me...what are the changes and what is the price increase?

seems like the 2 times we went this year ,,June and November, we could not get in at CRT at all Even stayed concierge at CR which didn't help one iota

 

[88Keys]

The changes are..........

price increase (though you get a photo package)
Reservations now taken 180 days (not 90) before
lunch now offered as well
Cinderella only hangs out outside in the lobby now
They now charge the full amount to your credit card when you reserve

 

[julia & nicks mom]

The price increase is about $10 a person - too steep for me!!

 

[disney's daughter]

Had it not been for my youngest granddaughter's obsession with Cinderella, I wouldn't be paying out all that money either...However...as to the 180 days out...when I take all ten of us once a year...I like to pay for the costs gradually until the "Big Day"... Plane tickets, park tickets, disney dollars,...anything I can pay in advance, I'll do it...That is my own personal way of "budgeting" for the trip. The rest of the days....we'll eat cereal in our rooms...

My daughter in law is trying to find a Cinderella costume (at a reasonable cost)...and will present it to my granddaughter(for her to wear to the breakfast) for Christmas...I will write out some sort of poem about "all of us" being invited to Cinderella's Castle for breakfast....(because there are other grandchildren too..just not as "in" to Cinderella)....We are going to make a "big production" out of this "event".....I guess that is the way...in my mind...I am justifying the costs.. and I know this will be a "one time show" for us...

 

[bicker]

And that's really the most sound basis for the price increase. Now folks like you can know that you'll be able to get a reservation there, for that super-special experience, without having to play fastest finger at 8AM Eastern Time, some time before your trip.

 

[BrianD]

Thanks to the price increase, we may actually get to do it now!

Also, as a great alternative, the Cinderella character dinner at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian is very good.

 

[tubachick]

I haven't been since Aug, but we did the lunch. I did ejnoy the food offerings at lunch. at the time (lunch was still new) we didnt have any problems getting a ressie. BUT-- now with the price increase and the "deposit" it makes it kinda undesireable. We may still go, but not every trip. Breakfast is not worth that much money-- pictures or not.

 

[Martha7]

Just wondering~ Do they include the amount of the server's tip in the amount charged to your credit card when you reserve, or do you need to remember to pay for that separately at the time of the actual meal?

 

[snowbunny]

It seems like half the attraction for a lot of people was that it was impossible to get a reservation. Once it's easy to get in...who cares?

 

[tubachick]

It seems like half the attraction for a lot of people was that it was impossible to get a reservation. Once it's easy to get in...who cares?

I agree-- now that its easy to get a seat, its not as actrative. But I do enjoy a good character meal too!!

 

[bicker]

Sounds like my college roommate -- he only wanted to go out with the women who didn't want to go out with him!

 

[slo]

I'm so glad that I read this thread!!!!

I had no idea that there was a price increase or that you can make your ADR's 180 days in advance.

We skipped The CRT this year and went to 1900 Park Fare and PSB instead just to have a change. We were not thrilled with 1900 Park Fare and we were also not thrilled with PSB - the castle is the place for us.

I don't mind paying for the price difference because it's my DD's most favorite place to go and you sometimes can't put a price on your child's memories. If it means that I don't come home with a sweatshirt or something for me so she has a wonderful trip - then I'll do that!!!

Knowing about the 180 days in advance to make your ADR is the most wonderful news of all!!! DH and I used to stress out about making our ADR's in the past on the 90day mark and we always got in - but I always felt I needed a stiff drink afterwards Here in Indiana we would have to call in for our ADR's at 6pm - much to early to for stress

We haven't booked our 2006 trip yet, but we do know the dates we are going - so now I can find the 180 day mark on our 2006 calendar and call on the day.

Thanks for this thread!!!

 

[T-i-double-g-err]

It's still a hard find on short notice (2 mo.) for Jan. (before the price increase). We're going to be in the parks 1/3,4,5 & 6. I've been trying a few times a week for a cancellation. Of course, we'll be a party of 6 for which they only have a limited number of tables. The CM, however, has indicated that they have nothing open for breakfast or lunch any of those days even if we were willing to split up...

DD9 and DD6 are still into the princesses, so I'll keep at it until I luck out or we head out. I do have an ADR for dinner at Akershus, which I'll probably cancel if we can get into CRT during our trip.