Chef Mickey's dinner or CRT breakfast?

[ajk912]

I am hoping for free dining so I can swing both. But, if I have to pay OOP, I can really only afford one. So which should I do, from those who have done both? My kids are 8, 7, and 4, and we haven't been to Disney in 6 years, so the kids don't remember at all. Part of me really wants to do CRT because "I" have always wanted to eat in the castle- and I really want to see my 4 year old's face when she sees Cinderella for the first time. She ADORES Cinderella. Well, for now she does, you know how finicky kids are at this age..she may not in 6 months. BUT, my oldest is 8, and he is a boy, and I know he won't get much out of CRT, it's more of a girly thing. So Chef Mickey's would be for everyone. PLUS, food-wise, it would be a better value to do Chef Mickey's- we can easily do breakfast in the room with poptarts/cold cereal/etc but you HAVE to eat dinner.

Any thoughts? But, hopefully they'll have free dining Aug 24-30 so maybe I can do both after all!!!!!

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Well, I really hope that you get to do both. They both have plusses and I agree with what you said regarding both your DD and your oldest DS.

Another alternative that may make everyone happy is 1900 PF for Dinner. There is Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine (step-mother) and Anastasia and Drizella (step-sisters). They put on quite a "show" and it is very interactive for the kids - both boys and girls.

Good Luck with you decision making - hopefully free dining will make the decision for you!

 

[Tam1067]

I'd do Chef Mickey's. CRT (which I do like by the way) is quite expensive, and your DS is not going to like it. We always do dinners when we're there, so to get the characters and dinner together for less than the CRT breakfast would cost would be a no-brainer for us. As the PP said, 1900 Park Faire is an alternative and your DS would probably like the stepsisters and stepmother more than he'd like the castle.

 

[ajk912]

I know, that's why I keep going back and forth. I keep thinking that Chef Mickey's is definitely a MUCH better value, and it's something that everyone will enjoy. But then I think...I have two daughters, 4 and 7- how do I deny them the princesses? Especially my 4 year old, she ADORES Cinderella. My son is 8 (almost 9 on the trip)- he's more into Yugioh and sports and such so I am not sure if he will really either meal.

But, then I was thinking that Chef Mickey's will be great for a break on a hot August day, and CRT is scheduled on our first day at Disneyworld at 8:30am. At first I was thinking that would be awesome..get there before the park opens, walk up to the castle when it is pretty much dead and see everything, have breakfast..and then see the World. Especially since this is basically my kids' first trip. That sounds cool to ME, but to little kids..they may just be annoyed the park isn't opened yet and want to go ride everything.

 

[iloveeeyore]

You might be surprised what your "cool" athletic 9-y-o boy would enjoy while in WDW. The place seems to bring out the corny in kids of all ages.

I just asked my family your question, and the vote came out 3-1 in favor of dinner at CM (with the one dissent from me personally, 40 yo mom).

My family unanimously agrees that CRT is very "girly." Having said that, there is something very special about dining in the castle, at least once. And there are some masculine props about, like suits of armor and banners with crests and the like, and usually a few princes are there. We saw Aladdin and Prince Charming both times we dined there, but that was a while back. I understand now they give little guys swords...and the princesses make quite a fuss about the little "prince" in your party, which he may or may not enjoy, depending on his personality or mood on that given day. My son really enjoyed CRT at 5 and 7, but would not wish to back today (he's 11). 9 might have been the edge for my guy, but he'd still love to get a sword.

Dinner at Chef Mickeys is very fun for the whole family, and the all-you-can eat buffet is a much better value, if you're looking at the food alone. I always feel like I'm getting more for my $$ at dinner than breakfast, in fact, we never do sit-down breakfasts anymore.

Would you consider Akershus for breakfast, which is much cheaper than CRT, and maybe you could still do CM, maybe for a late lunch, then slightly cheaper than dinner?

Hoping for free dining for you. This is a very tough decision to have to make!

 

[ajk912]

You might be surprised what your "cool" athletic 9-y-o boy would enjoy while in WDW. The place seems to bring out the corny in kids of all ages.

I just asked my family your question, and the vote came out 3-1 in favor of dinner at CM (with the one dissent from me personally, 40 yo mom).

My family unanimously agrees that CRT is very "girly." Having said that, there is something very special about dining in the castle, at least once. And there are some masculine props about, like suits of armor and banners with crests and the like, and usually a few princes are there. We saw Aladdin and Prince Charming both times we dined there, but that was a while back. I understand now they give little guys swords...and the princesses make quite a fuss about the little "prince" in your party, which he may or may not enjoy, depending on his personality or mood on that given day. My son really enjoyed CRT at 5 and 7, but would not wish to back today (he's 11). 9 might have been the edge for my guy, but he'd still love to get a sword.

Dinner at Chef Mickeys is very fun for the whole family, and the all-you-can eat buffet is a much better value, if you're looking at the food alone. I always feel like I'm getting more for my $$ at dinner than breakfast, in fact, we never do sit-down breakfasts anymore.

Would you consider Akershus for breakfast, which is much cheaper than CRT, and maybe you could still do CM, maybe for a late lunch, then slightly cheaper than dinner?

Hoping for free dining for you. This is a very tough decision to have to make!

Thank you!!!! I appreciate your asking your family, too, that's so sweet. I am hoping to do both, you never know..it's still 6 months away. A lot could happen between now and then! I am currently about $500 over budget- so that's why I keep hoping for free dining, because then it would be a no brainer!!!