Back from WDW - Review of CRT & CP

[BaysMom]

Wow!!! What a trip!! We are now home, back in KY - and what an awesome adventure we had!! We did 2 Character meals while in WDW, so I thought that I would share with you my thoughts!!


Travelling on our trip was myself, age 32 - and DH, age 34, and our daughter - who turned 5 on our trip (which my daughter and I actually share the same bday)!!


Thursday October 6th 2011:

We had a 9:35 breakfast reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table for the 3 of us. We checked in around 9:20, and were told to go ahead and get in line for Cinderella - and have character books/pens/cameras ready. The line was not too long... probably around 8 families ahead of us. Cinderella made a good fuss over my daughter who was also wearing her Cinderella costume, and had 2 birthday pins on.. One from WDW, and one that I had brought that said birthday princess on it. She signed DD's book, and told her happy birthday. She then posed for pics for us...several, actually. We were not rushed at all, and I was able to take some with my phone, my camera, and the photo picture person did as well.

When we finished with Cinderella we were told to make our way up the staircase to the dining area. On our way up, DD tripped up one step and her shoe came off... She said, "Oh no!! I've lost a glass slipper!!!" hahahhaa, it was priceless!

At the top a very nice woman greeted us, gave us 2 wishing stars and showed us to our table. Several of the princesses were already circulating in the sunken dining area, so DD enjoyed watching them.

Within 5 mintues our waitress came to our table and brought us juice, asked if we wanted any coffee, and gave us fresh fruit and pastry items. She then told us that we had 2 choices for the adults: Stuffed french toast with whipped cream and bacon (what I had!), or the traditional breakfast plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, biscuits...etc etc. DH had this, but I didn't take any pics and can't remember what all was on it! It was packed full though, that is for sure! She also told us that for our little princess, she would receive scrambled eggs, bacon, and french toast sticks.

 

[BaysMom]

So, after bringing out my coffee and the requested chocolate milk for DD (she doesn't drink OJ) we began our wait! DD enjoyed watching the princesses at the other tables, and would get super excited when a new one popped out!

At this time, the announcement came on for all the young princesses to locate their magic wands and wishing stars as it was time to start making their wishes. He had them wave their wands in the air, and the princesses circulated around the room to give extra help to the kids on what to do! They then rubbed the wand on their wishing star, and were told to close their eyes... Make a wish, and open them!!! The room darkened and lights started flickering!! OH... to be a young girl at that moment!!! Truly magical!!!
DD loved it!!!!

 

[BaysMom]

Next came the FOOD!!! ahhhh!!!

My stuffed french toast was awesome!!! So sweet - but yummm-o!!! Bacon was just how I like it...not too crunchy, but not underdone and chewy. Perfect! Coffee was promptly refilled, and OJ as well. DH loved his breakfast platter of goodies, and asked for more bacon. She brought out a side plate of bacon that even he couldn't eat all of! DD ate her bacon, but was not a fan of the french toast sticks. Wasn't anything against CRT - she can just be picky. She has never eaten them before, and I tried to tell her it is like eating pancakes, only better - but she wanted no part of them. She ate a few bites of her eggs as well.
Meal was wonderful!!! With the plate of pastries, fresh fruit, and huge plates of breakfast...no one could leave that restaurant hungry!!!

 

[BaysMom]

So, on to the Princess encounters.....

We were able to meet Ariel (in her dress), Snow White, Aurora, and Belle. (Plus of course Cinderella on the way in, who does not circulate in the dining room)
Each princess spent time talking with DD - and making a big to do over it being her bday! They each bent down and talked to her while she was in her seat as they signed her autograph book... and then had her stand for a picture. Aurora spun her around and danced with her... Ariel had the cutest sayings - like jumping jellyfish, etc. They all talked in character... using words from their stories. DD was in HEAVEN!!!

 

[BaysMom]

So, our meal was about to come to a close.... but then our waitress came out with 2 cupcakes - 1 for DD, and 1 for me for our bday!!! So sweet!!! She lit the cupcakes, and then had the tables around us join in on the bday song if they wished! We were so stuffed that we couldnt' eat the cupcakes...but I really did appreciate the effort and thoughtfullness! It was a basic white cupcake with purple icing! DD loved getting it, and I could tell that she really wanted to eat it.. but she couldn't! She was full!!! Ha!


Overall - what an enjoyable meal! We loved everything about it. From the moment of check in - to meeting Cinderella, to our hostess, waitress, food, princess interaction, etc... everything was awesome!!!

I was a little nervous about the meal after reading bad reviews on here... saying the food was sub par, the princesses hurried thru, etc. But, we did not experience any of the such!

It was the highlight of our trip!!!

 

[JDUB]

Thanks for sharing. We too enjoyed the CRT for our lunch. Our DD6 enjoyed every minute again. Our server did have an accident and dropped my dessert on the floor which splashed on my DD Rapunzel dress. They couldn't get the stain out so gave us a gift certificate to replace with any dress downstairs at BBB. So my DD got a new Tiana dress which she wore to mnsshp that evening.

What other character meal did you experience?

 

[HuskerFaninIL]

We did a CRT dinner last month and really enjoyed it, gllad breakfast was yummy too!

 

[BaysMom]

Crystal Palace review to come soon... at work now.. BOOOO!

 

[BaysMom]

Thanks for sharing. We too enjoyed the CRT for our lunch. Our DD6 enjoyed every minute again. Our server did have an accident and dropped my dessert on the floor which splashed on my DD Rapunzel dress. They couldn't get the stain out so gave us a gift certificate to replace with any dress downstairs at BBB. So my DD got a new Tiana dress which she wore to mnsshp that evening.

What other character meal did you experience?

Wow - that is great that they did that for you all!!! I have noticed that CMs are very quick to make things right with guests!

DH and DD were in line for Dumbo, and the CMs messed up the number of people that they brought forward for the line... so DD started crying because she couldn't get on that turn like she thought. They gave us coupons for 3 ice creams just because! It wasn't a big deal...but her tears must have done the trick! ha!

 

[JDUB]

Wow - that is great that they did that for you all!!! I have noticed that CMs are very quick to make things right with guests!

DH and DD were in line for Dumbo, and the CMs messed up the number of people that they brought forward for the line... so DD started crying because she couldn't get on that turn like she thought. They gave us coupons for 3 ice creams just because! It wasn't a big deal...but her tears must have done the trick! ha!

Every dining reservation was great with our last trip. However, 3 yrs ago we didn't have the same experience at Akershus. The server wasmore worried about getting outta there then helping us after my DD4 got sick and threw up on her snow white dress and the table. My wife and DD didnt even eat and we were not on the DDP so we paid OOP for 3 meals wasnt worth the price or server. One bad situation didnt ruinour last trip but I'm glad CRT treated us better than the last time.