Can NOT decide.....CRT or Akershus?

[heather0809]

We are taking our boy/girl twins to WDW for their 5th birthday. We have lunch reservations at CRT, as we wanted the "castle experience" and liked that they included the boys by giving them a sword, etc..

My question is....Is CRT really worth 2 dining credits? I really don't want to pay OOP, as I'm trying to stay within our budget. I have heard great things about Akershus, but don't like that there isn't something for my son to enjoy....(only princesses, etc.).

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Heather

 

[eelkmj01]

We dined at both last month. It's true, there isn't anything like dining in the castle. I wasn't terribly impressed with either but I don't think there would be a better experience for 5 yr olds than the castle!

 

[Ginamarie]

We did CRT lunch with our kids last year. Was the food terrific? No, not really. It wasn't terrible, but it was nothing to write home about either. Was it a great experience? Yes! The ambiance of that restaurant cannot be beat. I reccomend that people try it at least once with their kids. Yes, it's expensive, and I walked out knowing that we spent a LOT on the meal, but I was still glad we did it.

As for Akurshus, I actually like the restaurant better. We usually go for breakfast and I enjoy the breakfast food. It's STILL very expensive, but the interaction with the princesses is excellent there. I don't love it enough to go there without the kids, but since we have a princess loving daughter, we'll probably go back to Akurshus again on our next family trip.

 

[sher92]

We did Akershus last year when my daughter was 2.5 and son was only 4 months and it was amazing!!! I, and she, LOVED every minute of it!! We saw all the princesses there and they were so great and gracious to wait paitently for pictures. You also get a souvenir photo there as well.
I haven't yet done CRT, but plan to on upcoming trip...only because we just did Akershus last year and I want her to be able to dine in the castle. However, if I can't get in...then I will gladly go back to Akershus!

 

[pumba]

we went to The princess breakfast at Norway and the interaction with the princesses and the staff there was amazing. The food was pretty good too ...I know you said you are going for lunch but if the interaction is the same as we had ...it was amazing....They took time with the grandkids and ALSO MY HUSBAND......he had to have his photo taken with Belle ....Hope you have a great time wherever you decide to go....

 

[wizzzzzard]

We did both last trip (Christmas '08). The food was OK at CRT, and the interaction was just so-so. (It was very busy!) However, my DW had been trying to get CRT since our DD was born. She tried on her own for several years, and only last time, when we used an agent, was it able to happen.

The experience was very interesting. We had a window seat, and could look out and see the carousel. We could see the people moving around.

That experience made it worth the epxense. We've done it.

That said, I would not likely do it again any time soon. Our experience at Akershus was better. More interaction, better photo ops. Your boy might like the pretty girls. Or they might like him. We did dinner in 07 and breakfast in 08. They were both on par. Breakfast was good, what with the potato casserole, and good bacon & sausage.

Check out my TR in my sig, for some pics of both.

But do CRT once, and say you've done it. Then skip it for a few years.

 

[MinnieGarden]

We just returned from our trip to the World and dined in the castle for breakfast on Saturday morning. The food was ok, character interaction with my 5 year old niece was excellent, and yes it is an amazing experience; however I can't imagine spending 2 TS credits. If you happen to have 2 extra TS credits, go for it, however it was a quick experience - 35 minutes with a 9:00 am reservation.

 

[kandls momma]

We weren't able to get CRT for our May trip, so we did Akershus instead and we really enjoyed it! We did breakfast, it was yummy, princesses were great, and service was very good. We would definitely recommend it and go back.

I would still like to do CRT for our girls, but I would go back to Akershus if I couldn't get CRT for future trips.

I guess what you have to ask yourself is how important to you is eating in the castle? If it's very important to you, then do CRT. If not, then save the TS credit and do Akershus.

 

[2kids2luv]

My daughter and I had lunch at CRT in '08 when she was 4 yrs. old. We had a wonderful experiences. We had great interaction, weren't rushed at all, and it wasn't noisy. It's an experience we will never forget, and she still talks about. She is now 6 and doesn't want to eat with the princesess on our upcoming trip because she feels she is too old. For me CRT is absolutely worth the expense for the memories.

 

[DW2010]

I had this same dilemma. I just couldn't decide between CRT or Akershus for my DD. We're celebrating her 4th birthday when we go, so I ended up choosing CRT. I just think the experience will be worth it at least one time. Plus, I don't know how long this princess phase will last for her so I want to make sure we go and get a lot of pictures and video . She has an 8AM appt. at the BBB and we have a 1:10 appt. at CRT although I'm hoping to get lunch a little earlier if possible. I actually had a 12PM spot and then cancelled it for dinner and then decided we wanted to do lunch instead .

 

[honeybunches]

Just got back from our trip last week and did both CRT and Akershus. We had deluxe dining plan with extra TS credits, so it didn't bother me to spend them on CRT. It was really neat to be inside the castle. Honestly though, Akershus was a better experience for us food-wise and with character interaction. I felt that the characters were rushed at CRT (trying to get ready for the parade & doing pictures) and we had much more time with them at Norway. I'm glad we did CRT so we can say we have done it, but other than that it wasn't anything special!

 

[lumpy08]

Our last trip I couldnt' get into CRT. I was really bummed where it was the kids first trip. The kids were 3 and 6. We did Akersaus and 1900 Park Fare. We all loved the food at 1900 Park Fare much better than Akersaus. We also had a beyond wonderful character interaction at 1900. We had Cinderella and the stepsisters. Cinderella danced with dd and ds. Drizella sat on the floor with my dd for a few minutes and just chatted with her. And Anastasia played with her at the table. I really didn't even know about the 1900 when I planned our first trip it was based on the recommendation of the CM that I booked all our meals thru.

This trip we are actually doing all 3 character meals, but we are on the Deluxe. I would say if you can swing it and have a reservation than I would keep it. Since you never know when you plan your next trip if you will get in or not.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Here is how I would decide:

When you think of Disney World do you think of the Castle at the Magic Kingdom or do you think of Norway in Epcot?

The Castle is an icon. Dining in the castle is as exciting for the setting as it is for the meal. I'm sure you've already researched this but you do get the photo and the tax and gratuity is included. If you've not traveled on the DDP before think about the fact you won't be tipping on this particular meal since it's included and if your check is around $100 at other restaurants you will be paying another $20 in tips. If you want to get the maximum value for the DDP might I recommend making your ADR for dinner?

My kids talk about eating in the castle and they're 21 and 16 now. They remember it because it is so special. Akshurus can be special too but not castle special. That's my $.02. Hope you have a ball! (just don't lose your slipper at it)

 

[djp0630]

I'd do the castle. It's more special, especially for a boy. We did CRT & Akershus both for both May & Sept. Have you eaten in the castle before, if not, I think you should do it once and a birthday is the perfect time.

We normally eat at both, but I think in the future, we probably will only do Akershus to save the credit and we all enjoyed Akershus.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We are doing both in September, we originally did not have CRT booked, but since FD came out we decided to upgrade to the DxDDP so DH and I said "why not". We love the experience of eating in the castle, but we love the food and character interaction a lot more at Akershus. We have only eaten at CRT for breakfast, but this time we are trying it for dinner...before our MNSSHP we can't wait.

 

[TARAMEOW]

We did both last year and loved them. I think the Castle experinece is really special f you have never done it even if it is two credits. I did find the food better at Akerhus but nothing beats the castle! Also it worked out well for us because I really wanted to go to T-Rex in DTD so it gave me a night with no TS to go there. If you plan an OP meal I would suggest T-Rex for your DS and I bet you DD would love it too

 

[devonsmommy]

Last fall I took my 4 year old dd to Disney. We did both Akershus and CRT.

We LOVED eating in the castle! She is in full princess mode, so it was really a treat. We loved the food we got as well. It was pricey and we paid OOP for it, but it truly is a once in a lifetime thing. Not something we will be coming to do anytime soon again, at least for a couple of years!

The breakfast at Akershus was okay. Nothing spectacular and I felt extremely rushed here. I'm not sure if it's the characters that quickly came and went, or what! I feel like she got more time when we were in the castle.

So for you, I think it would depend on your kids, and if you think it would be worth it for them, and the menu...do you prefer one over the other in regards to the food being offered?

Good luck!

 

[CathieArms]

We did CRT about 10 years ago and I didn't leave feeling real "impressed." That doesn't mean I didn't like it; it just means that it didn't "wow" me and make me just itching to go back.

On the other hand, we did Akershus last year and LOVED it. We took my (then) 13 year old daughter and 4 year old son. He loved it every bit as much as she did. It was an awesome experience and is at the top of our list of "must dos" for next trip.

To be honest with you, I would *NOT* give up 2TS credits for LUNCH at the castle. I've looked at the lunch and dinner menu and there's now way that cost-wise it's worth 2TS credits. If you can get a dinner ADR, then maybe...but if it's for lunch, then I'd switch to Akershus.

 

[hroyale]

It's fun trying to keep things even at WDW for b/g twins when the girl is in the princess phase, isn't it?

Jan will be our 3rd trip in 3 years right at their b-day (Not the exact day, but a few days before so we pick one meal and make it a "birthday meal")

On our first trip I thought it would be a once in a lifetime trip. But I didn't do CRT, we did 1900 Park Fare. DD did BBB and the kids had a great time. The step sisters make a fuss about the little prince and DD BEAMED over prince charming.

But...I wasn't thrilled with the food and the ambiance. It felt like a hotel ballroom.

While we were there I told DD about the restaurant in the castle to gage her "wow" factor for it. Honestly, she seemed let-down. She'd rather believe Cindy and Prince Charming lived there. She had no interest in seeing what it really looked like from the inside, no matter how amazing.

So the "castle experience" would be for me if we did CRT, not her.

Last trip we did Askerhous. We did NOT make that the birthday meal since DS was really not looking forward to it. They were turning 6 this time. However, he ended up having a blast. The princesses made a fuss over him. Cindy wanted to see his muscles etc... DS made this comment half-way through the meal ... "I love hugging princesses!"

You can also order special birthday packages at any character meal to make it extra special, and to even it out for DS. We did this at the 1900 Park Fare meal. His was pirate themed with a little cake, treasure chest, and a few other trinkets. Hers was princess themed. Were the worth the extra money? No, but they did help even things out.

They aslo have the Pirate League if DS wants to wear a costume to whichever venue you choose. Or my DS found that he just liked the pirate face-painting ($15) .

Have fun,
Heather

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

We did both CRT and Akershus during our trip about three weeks ago.

I agree that the experience of eating in the castle is magical, and something that every aspiring princess should do at least once. My DD5 loved it, the princesses were all very sweet, and the service was perfectly fine. The food was just OK. Not bad, certainly not great, but also the food wasn't why we were there. Still, it could have been improved, in my opinion.

On the other hand, we loved Akershus in pretty much every respect. The princesses were just as kind, sweet and engaging (and four of the five were the same, with Belle replacing Jasmine for us at Akershus). The food, in my opinion, was unquestionably better at Akershsus. The ambiance, while not the castle, was romantic and special. The picture package (which also comes with the meal, like at CRT) came out better for us, and we felt that the photographer took more time to get a good picture. Overall I enjoyed the experience far more and DD also reported that she preferred Akershus.

In no way do I regret going to CRT, nor do I feel that it was overkill to do both. That having been said, we'll likely go back to Akershus as frequently as once a year, even if DD outgrows her princess stage, but CRT may be a "we did that, have fond memories, and will cherish THOSE memories rather than make new ones" kind of place.