Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner

[MareQ]

Wow - you took the words right out of my mouth. While we will be doing one character meal (CP breakfast - it's because we I love the atmosphere and being on Main Street with it practically empty!) I was also happy the castle dinner was not a character dinner. On all our previous visits to the castle, Cinderella usually did appear downstairs and it was CRAZY if you wanted a picture with her. So it sounds like not much has changed there. The castle is a MUST do experince for us (just DH and me) and it will continue to be. We will also be paying OOP as it's not worth it to use 2 credits.

Technically Dinner IS a character meal - it just happens to be a bad one. Cinderella is downstairs in the lobby for the pre-paid picture package everybody gets, upstairs in the dining room Suzy and Perla and the Fairy Godmother come out and flit around the room and perform a ceremony etc.

 

[tabrizia]

Technically Dinner IS a character meal - it just happens to be a bad one. Cinderella is downstairs in the lobby for the pre-paid picture package everybody gets, upstairs in the dining room Suzy and Perla and the Fairy Godmother come out and flit around the room and perform a ceremony etc.

Yeah but it is not really a character meal. It isn't one where you have to deal with the characters visiting your table or anything. It is more of a Fairy Godmother and the mice come out every hour (hour and a half) and do a silly little cerimony and then go away again, so they are completely ignorable. Rather then having to deal with all the princesses coming to the table etc.

 

[Lisa_M]

Thanks for sharing your bad experiences. I just called and cancelled my ADR for June 9th. It will be my honeymoon, and I think it would upset me to have bad food for such an expensive price.

 

[Blondie]

I have an ADR for early May and I'm holding out and praying for a change! If it's still getting bad reviews, we're outta there!

 

[texnmickey]

After reading many of the reviews on here, i was a little nervous since we're taking our niece here in june and she's beside herself in excitement, to say the least. I checked the reviews at Allears.net and they seem to be a little more kind. I think that the experience all depends on two things 1. your attitude, and 2. your server. The reviews from allears.net were very nice, all saying how great the food was. With that said, we're keeping our reservations and still waiting in excitement.

 

[AngieBelle]

The quality of the magical moment is greatly affected by the reception from the audience. It's very frustratrating to perform when no one is paying attention, but when everyone gets into it, it can be magical. Also, some performers are better than others. It's so new, we are still working out the kinks. I dislike attempting to do a meet and greet and a presentation at the same time- I'd rather just play.

The comments on the food, however, are completely baffling to me. I've eaten there for all 3 meals and thought it was mostly delicious! I had a pork tenderloin with grits for lunch once that was just scrumptious. The blueberry buckle was heaven. And I had the chance to try the corn and crab soup- something I never would have ordered because I don't usually like seafood- and I ended up loving it.

But to each his own...maybe I'm just weird like that.

 

[cstraub]

When did CRT switch over to this format for lunch and dinner? We were there for lunch in late Nov of 2005. Pictures were not included but the food was delicious and there was the same character interaction as the breakfast. Has that changed?

 

[beattyfamily]

When did CRT switch over to this format for lunch and dinner? We were there for lunch in late Nov of 2005. Pictures were not included but the food was delicious and there was the same character interaction as the breakfast. Has that changed?

February 1, 2006, the price increased dramatically and they now include that photo package for all meals (with a lithograph for dinner only) and they give out wands and swords at breakfast and lunch only. They also have a little 'celebration' at dinner with the Fairy Godmother, Suzy and Perla.

Lunch and breakfast are still character meals with Cinderella downstairs and she's also downstairs for dinner (photos).

 

[MareQ]

February 1, 2006, the price increased dramatically and they now include that photo package and they give out wands and swords. They also have a little 'celebration' at dinner with the Fairy Godmother, Suzy and Perla.

Lunch and breakfast are still character meals with Cinderella downstairs and she's also downstairs for dinner (photos).

Just to clarify - there are no wands or swords at dinner - that is only for b-fast and lunch. Dinner includes lithographs.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

I am possibly taking my 3.5 yr old dd to WDW in May for a mother/daughter princess trip. I am planning on doing the dinner at 1900 park fare. I was going to try and get a lunch or dinner at the castle. I know my chances are slim but I was going to try. After reading this I am wondering if I should waste my time?

My main question is what is it like inside? With the exception of the characters coming out is the restaurant special? Or is it just knowing you are "in the castle" that makes it special?

Shelley

 

[beattyfamily]

I am possibly taking my 3.5 yr old dd to WDW in May for a mother/daughter princess trip. I am planning on doing the dinner at 1900 park fare. I was going to try and get a lunch or dinner at the castle. I know my chances are slim but I was going to try. After reading this I am wondering if I should waste my time?

My main question is what is it like inside? With the exception of the characters coming out is the restaurant special? Or is it just knowing you are "in the castle" that makes it special?

Shelley

"just knowing you are "in the castle" that makes it special"... is what it was for us...not really the food or the Princesses. Now that I've experienced it in the past, I much prefer the 1900 Park Fare dinner or the Princess meals at Epcot...especially with the major price increase that happened on Feb 1.

 

[JulieNMM]

You used to be able to go inside the castle at Disneyland but not anymore. I really wish you could. So now that we are going to DW I really want to go inside the castle.

I just made my reservations today for dinner on April 7. I had to prepay $155 for me, DH, DD4, and DS6. That's a lot of money.

Our reservation is at 8pm. Does anyone know if we will be able to see the fireworks or parade from where we're eating? (Can you see outside easily from inside? What time is the parade and does it go by the castle? What time are the fireworks? How long does the dinner last?)

Also, can anyone tell me more about this lithograph? How big is it, what's the subject, etc. (Would love to see a pic!) And someone else said they sent it to their hotel? Do they do that for everyone? We're staying offsite...

Thanks in advance,
JULIE
Going to WDW 4/1-4/8/2006

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

The lithograph is of the castle. Since you're staying offsite, they won't send it to your hotel. They only do stuff like that for WDW resort guests. If you're in the castle eating during the fireworks, they might let you watch them from inside, but I don't know for sure.

 

[vascubaguy]

You used to be able to go inside the castle at Disneyland but not anymore. I really wish you could. So now that we are going to DW I really want to go inside the castle.

I just made my reservations today for dinner on April 7. I had to prepay $155 for me, DH, DD4, and DS6. That's a lot of money.

Our reservation is at 8pm. Does anyone know if we will be able to see the fireworks or parade from where we're eating? (Can you see outside easily from inside? What time is the parade and does it go by the castle? What time are the fireworks? How long does the dinner last?)

Also, can anyone tell me more about this lithograph? How big is it, what's the subject, etc. (Would love to see a pic!) And someone else said they sent it to their hotel? Do they do that for everyone? We're staying offsite...

Thanks in advance,
JULIE
Going to WDW 4/1-4/8/2006

If you are inside, you might see some flashes and hear the booms, but you won't really be able to see the fireworks.

 

[Dzny Nut]

I thought the food was AWFUL, but the dessert was good . We were also celebrating a birthday, but that was good . We were on the dining plan, and when our waiter found out he gets an 18% tip, he started doing bad . It was like he pretended he didn't know we were there. The show was great, though.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Like many other threads on different restaurants, I think each person can have uniquely different experiences. I DO think the cost is a bit much for a children's dinner. As two adults, my DH and I had a wonderful dinner. For a little character interaction and picture with Cinderella -- if breakfast and lunch could not be had, this may be a good (but expensive) alternative.

The picture taken with Cinderella was ok, but I ALWAYS hate pictures of me. My DH and I look kind of goofy (maybe even look LIKE Goofy!) there with beautiful Cinderella! I loved the photo of the castle (also 8 x 10) - right now in all its 50th anniversary glory in a really pretty folio. You also get a lithograph print of the castle with some cartoon characters in a large round tube - but since I am not into lithographs was not all that impressed with it.

Our meal and service was excellent. I have given a more thorough reveiw elsewhere and won't go into it here but DH's pork and cheesy orzo and my chicken and polenta was delicious. Desserts were not spectacular but I enjoyed it.

During (our) dessert, the fairy godmother and two castle (girl) mice arrived from Cinderella's tale. I believe their names are Perla and Suzy? They spread out and visit each table for hugs and really quick pictures. Although you sing happy birthday, etc.... it is just a generic "raise your hand" type of recognition - not personal if that is what you are looking for. I assume the characters come about once an hour -- and was wondering if people sometimes missed them! It was fun and cute. The children seemed to enjoy the characters.

We were seated at a window overlooking the little Cinderella fountain. I wanted to note that people who think these restaurants are truly romantic - think again. You are surrounded by large groups of people talking at once. They are designed to feed huge amounts of people. Not to say we didn't like it -- I just was naive myself about the "romance" factor.

We really enjoyed our meal and I was GLAD we had dinner at the Royal Table. My DH said he would like to go again another time! I am sorry that others did not have a good experience. You may have to judge it for yourselves.

 

[La2kw]

You used to be able to go inside the castle at Disneyland but not anymore. I really wish you could. So now that we are going to DW I really want to go inside the castle.

I just made my reservations today for dinner on April 7. I had to prepay $155 for me, DH, DD4, and DS6. That's a lot of money.

Our reservation is at 8pm. Does anyone know if we will be able to see the fireworks or parade from where we're eating? (Can you see outside easily from inside? What time is the parade and does it go by the castle? What time are the fireworks? How long does the dinner last?)

Also, can anyone tell me more about this lithograph? How big is it, what's the subject, etc. (Would love to see a pic!) And someone else said they sent it to their hotel? Do they do that for everyone? We're staying offsite...

Thanks in advance,
JULIE
Going to WDW 4/1-4/8/2006

It's unfortunate that we can't go inside Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland any longer. As far as seeing a parade, that's not gonna happen because the parades run on Main Street in front of the castle and the only windows at CRT are facing Fantasyland, behind the castle. You may see some fireworks, but the views are much better outside the castle.

 

[ADevereaux]

Hi Everyone!

First post! I'm new to this site but not new to WDW.

Okey dokey - my 40th birthday is this July and we have made dinner reservations at CRT. I wanted to feel like a Princess and eat in the castle. I'm getting really worried seeing all these negative reviews.

Anyone been to CRT recently?! *crosses fingers* Is it any better???

Thanks!

 

[SnwflkCts]

I really liked CRT -- you can see my review above. Yes, there are negative reviews -- since I had never been there before I had nothing to be negative about. I didn't even think the price was bad when compared to other fancy WDW resort dinners -- I think you will enjoy it. I really do!!! I would not have missed going to dinner at CRT for anything!!!

 

[ADevereaux]

Oh that's good to hear! I have read so many negative things that I was getting very worried. Thank you for replying!