Can't Decide on CRT

[Jessirip]

I keep going back and forth on dining at CRT. We currently have a 2:35 lunch there for Easter Sunday, which is late for us, but the only time slot available when I booked.

Pros:
- Our 6 year old daughter will geek out over eating in the castle
- I am really looking forward to eating in the castle again, last time I did was 30 some years ago when I was her age.
- We'll have a nice sit down / bring the food to you break on what will undoubtedly be a crazy busy day at MK
- We can easily cover it with the dining plan, even though it is 2 credits we aren't planning a TS every day

Concerns:
- That our 3 year old boy who will be full price for kids won't get as much out of it as the 6 year old girl at this age
- That the 3 year old boy will have zonked by that time in the stroller, and I don't want to wake him to eat (all our other TS meals are at better times for him)
- We are also dining at Akershus later that week for a noon lunch. Not sure we should do both in one trip.
- Worried about the $$ if we're miserable (i.e. grumpy around nap time) during that time of day.

But it's the castle! I am just torn. I do have a reservation finder working to find something earlier, but don't have much hope since it is Easter Sunday. If we didn't do CRT, I'd replace with lunch at Crystal Palace for Easter and a dinner at Biergarten (think the kids will love the dancing and music).

Also, we plan to return in 3 years so DD will be 9 and DS will be 6. Better ages to appreciate it?

What would you do? Thanks for any thoughts so I quit obsessing.

 

[sponica]

Ooooo that's a toughy.

Since cost isn't an issue, maybe wait it out to see if people change/solidify their plans over the next month or so? The disney fan in me thinks eating in Cinderellas castle on easter sunday is perfect...(I've yet to eat there, I couldn't justify it this trip with a sub 2 year old who doesn't know the characters).

 

[mom2rtk]

Be vigilant. An earlier time will come up.

 

[ElsasFan]

I would do it. Your six year old will love it, and you really want to do it, so I think that you should. It's possible that some of you will be tired and even grumpy, but maybe an afternoon break in the castle would help fix that. About the $$$--my kids are picky eaters. Like really picky. Our first trip we got the free dining offer, and I was so glad that we didn't waste money on their meals because they hardly ate anything! We haven't received that offer again, and I've come to terms that if there is a restaurant that my husband and I want to go to, we might just pay for kids meals that are hardly touched. I look at it as the cost of the experience. That makes it more palatable (pardon the pun!) to pay the bill. It's Disney. It's part of the experience.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would have said yes until you mentioned you 3 year old might be asleep in his stroller. Personally, I wouldn't risk it. It is no fun trying to get through a TS when people are tired and miserable. I would keep trying for an earlier time. If you can't find an earlier ADR, I think CP and Biergarten are fantastic alternatives. If you plan on going back to WDW, you can do CRT another time.

 

[KenHutch]

Try for an earlier time but if worse comes to worse, keep the reservation. I took my daughter there when she was 5 and the look on her face made the cost totally worth it.

 

[meohmy]

Would you consider having a mummy/daughter lunch?
You son could have his nap, your husband a quiet lunch and the credits saved would cover your meal at Biergarten.
The Castle is also a little small for strollers, your poor boy maybe bumped a few times.
Have a lovely Easter.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I would say go now for your 6 yo. I have a 9 yo now and while she wants to eat at the castle it’s no longer magical. We went the first time when DS was just shy of 3. They give the boys swords and it was the greatest thing he got at Disney. He told everyone he would ‘sword’ dragons for us. I hear tell (although it hasn’t happened for my son) that sometimes the princesses make a big deal out of the little boys. Honestly I think you might be at a really good age where your son has a good time (before he would complain about it) and while it’s still magical for your daughter.

That said, I would definitely keep trying to get a better time so not in his nap time. Not sure what I would recommend if you can’t.

 

[3gr8boys]

Several years ago my three sons and one nephew were taken to CRT for my niece's benefit (not to mention I really wanted to eat in the castle). The boys had a blast staging death-by-sword photos at the table. Hilarious fun. Not necessarily your three year old's cup of tea- but point is they found fun even though they had zero interest in the princesses.

The idea of making it a mother-daughter event is definitely worth considering if CRT isn't important to your husband. Whether it means your son can nap or have the thrill of picking something special to do with Dad, saves you the worrying. I know a lot of families don't like to split up....but "divide and conquer" usually keeps my crew happy.

 

[Jessirip]

Thanks all for your input. I never thought about splitting up, but that is probably not for us as I know my husband would be disappointed in not seeing our daughter's reaction to being there and meeting the princesses. I didn't know they did things for little boys too and now am excited he will be included!

I altered plans a little bit to try and make it easier. The day before Easter is our arrival day, and I had planned to go to MK that night after a rest, but instead I reduced our tickets by a day and am now planning a full resort day for arrival day of just pool, unpacking, and relaxing. Then bed "on time", and hopefully the excitement of being there for the first time the next day will eliminate some grumpiness and passing out in the stroller too early.

Still hoping for a slightly earlier time, but not going to sweat it too much. Thanks again!