Buyers Remorse.......

[lsteadman]

Yesterday...I called to book CRT for myself and daughter on upcoming trip!

I truly missed the boat and discussion about the changes in price and down payment requirements for CRT. I was surprised that she offered me my choice of times for CRT.

Now I am wondering if paying $76 dollars for breakfast is really worth it.

$76 dollars for pancakes, bacon, eggs, and a few pictures.

Please give me your opinions on this breakfast.

Its the atmosphere, character interaction, a the pictures really worth $76.

This will be a our first CRT meal with DD10. In all of our trips we have never taken a picture with Cinderella. But to pay $76 dollars to do it.....I don't know.

 

[snowy76]

I say, live a little and do it even for just this once. Especially while DD is young enough to really be into it. She will always remember eating in the castle with you!

 

[pbharris4]

What makes the $76 worth it is eating in the castle and my DD meeting the Princesses. Worth every single penny. The food was fine..it's just breakfast. We'll do it again when my younger DD is around 4 1/2 and then no more breakfast..might do dinner though. I think it was really neat to go up into the castle. Your DD will like it too. I'm a "try it once" kind of person, so if we like we'll do again, if not we don't. You'll even enjoy seeing all the other little girls all dressed up and the look of delight on their faces as well!

 

[sunny04]

I agree with the previous posters. It's worth it just to have done it. DH and I got it for April with my mom, sister and little niece. It will be the first time my niece has been at WDW, and I just went for it. It's quite expensive for 5 to go to the meal, but it's worth it to have the meal in the castle, especially for little girls (and us big girls that still believe in our hearts that we are truly a long-lost princess from some faraway country that will find us soon.... ) Anyway, eating in the castle is a special experience, and meeting the princesses is special as well. That's what you're really paying for, more than the food.

 

[Schachteles]

I am with everyone about it...just do it! I know my husband almost had a corinary when I told him that it was $107 for the two of us and our 3 year old. But I figure we won't do it every time that we go so you can splurge...and typically we buy the pictures so we just "pre-paid" for those...though I am curious if you get a picture package for each person or how that is going to work.

 

[msmayor]

I agree that its worth it for the 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to eat in the castle and soak up the atmosphere.

If I remember correctly, you can get seconds and thirds and more throughout the meal at no additional cost. I'd make the breakfast a little later in the morning, and treat it as your 'big' meal of the day. Have sandwiches/counter service later in the day rather than another large meal.

 

[larsson7]

lsteadman, $76 seems a lot but the castle is great and its cheaper than the tea party! Also thanks for starting the food pics thread, its great.

 

[nbodyhome]

I wouldn't do it - that is a lot of money! But it is really up to you, and your budget.

Denise

 

[patsal]

Possibly worth it for a one time thing, so long as you are not creating a way too tight budget for yourself.

 

[Minerva]

My theory is that if I question something it's probably not the right thing. If it's Cinderella that's important how about trying 1900 Park Fare for dinner? The food is great and won't cost as much.

 

[3princesses4us]

I looked at it this way. For 2 TS credits, I could either take my girls to one meal at Cindy's castle or 2 different meals (1900 PF for dinner to meet Cindy & Prince Charming and Akershus for breakfast with princesses just in a different castle). I am opting to go to the 2 different places to spread out the princessy fun. Plus I'm hoping they'll realize the craziness of this and take it back down to 1 TS credit someday...

 

[MouseWorshipin]

"Worth it" is too subjective. I can't ever decide that for someone else. But...

If I could, I would!

 

[chris7]

I would do it once, and then you can decide if it's worth doing it again. We just got back from our X-mas trip and did lunch at the castle for my daughters 6th b-day. I'm glad we did it, my daughter enjoyed it, but I don't think we'd do it again. Everyone seems to respond differently to the CRT meals. Some swear by it, some are not so impressed. I was of the not so impressed ilk. I really do not regret doing it, I just don't think the experience justified the cost. We enjoyed breakfast at Crystal Palace so much more.

 

[maxiesmom]

I must admit that when I saw the new price list, my first reaction was no way, no how! But on our last vacation, my then 4yr old niece kept asking when we were going to eat in the castle. And we had alrady had dinner with Cindy at the Grand Floridian. All it took was remeber that, and it became a no brainer for me!! So when we go next October, you can bet that we will be eating in the castle!!

 

[MrsTink04]

No, I don't have children, yet, but if I have a daughter and she is interested in the Princesses (she BETTER be!!) I will take her to CRT when she is old enough to appreciate it. I remember the Extra "little" things my parents did for me when I was young, and now that they are gone (and I am only 29), I have those wonderful priceless memories of them. If you can afford it, I don't see why not - at least once. You cannot put a price on your child's warm memories of quality time spent with their parent(s). If they're old enough, they WILL remember the wonderful things you did (do) for them.

 

[Lizzybee]

We were fortunate enough to get a lunch ADR before they made it two credits and on free dining so I paid nothing but a tip to eat there. Still, if not I'd probably would have done it once for my kids so they could eat in the castle. We really enjoyed and I'm so glad we went. I probably would have had to close my eyes when the check came if I had to pay for it OOP but I still would have done it at least once.

 

[crisi]

I looked at it this way. For 2 TS credits, I could either take my girls to one meal at Cindy's castle or 2 different meals (1900 PF for dinner to meet Cindy & Prince Charming and Akershus for breakfast with princesses just in a different castle). I am opting to go to the 2 different places to spread out the princessy fun. Plus I'm hoping they'll realize the craziness of this and take it back down to 1 TS credit someday...

I think that is my take as well. The food at character meals is never worth it, what you are paying for is the experience and opportunity to meet the princesses (or characters) in a manner in which you don't need to stand in line. Since my daughter doesn't have a preference for Cinderella and finds Belle and Snow White just as interesting, Norway worked fine for us.

I sort of figure there is no reason for her to know there is a restaurant in the big castle. When she finds out for herself, she'll be old enough to make her own reservations and spend her own money if its that important.

MrsTink, I'm sorry about the loss of your parents, but I do plenty of things for my children. Disney World has plenty of "special memories" for our family (as does playing Scrabble and fishing at the lake and spending time with Grandma and baking brownies) and I don't need to indulge every little whim they have on them (or, in this case, teach them to have new whims since its never occurred to them that they could eat in the castle) in order to ensure they remember me fondly when I'm gone.

 

[Merriwind]

Wow, that's a hard question because value is different to everyone. I will tell you that I am very glad that we've already had the castle experience (and actually will do a farewell to the castle next month on DD7's bday weekend.) Otherwise, I would be very hard pressed to spend that sort of money for breakfast in the castle. I'm not super-frugal, but I have my limits!

If you are really questioning your breakfast and if Cinderella is at least as big a draw as the castle, I would suggest you look at 1900 Park Faire's dinner, which imho, serves much better food than the castle's breakfast.

I'm sure you will enjoy either way!

 

[MrsTink04]

MrsTink, I'm sorry about the loss of your parents, but I do plenty of things for my children. Disney World has plenty of "special memories" for our family (as does playing Scrabble and fishing at the lake and spending time with Grandma and baking brownies) and I don't need to indulge every little whim they have on them (or, in this case, teach them to have new whims since its never occurred to them that they could eat in the castle) in order to ensure they remember me fondly when I'm gone.

That attack was NOT necessary!!!!! Got a little blind-sided by that one and forgot my flame suit. Did I ever pick you out and say, "Crisi doesn't do special things for his/her children"? NO!

I will NOT indulge my children in all of their whims...my parents did not for me. Yes, I have fond memories of the "smaller" things, too, such as a sing-along in the car with my mom on the way to the grocery store, or going to a golf tournament with my dad. But, we did "extra special" things (unexpectedly) and I still very much appreciate them. My children will go to CRT if it is something very special to them. It will be a surprise, something that they would not EXPECT from me. By the way, I probably would not agree with everything you do for/with your children, but I would not attack you for it!

 

[problemchild718]

One of my most cherished memories is the look of awe and complete joy on my DD face when Cinderella took her hand and gave her a hug. She was 4 at the time and I didn't have $$$ to take her to CRT, but gave up something else and made it happen. Yes, I would do it again. BTW, she was too excited to eat her breakfast! I pray that if I get old and forgetful, that little face is one thing I will always remember.
She will be 10 only once...go for it!!!