Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner

[n2mm]

This was one of our favorite places to eat until Feb. 2005. All of our favorites are gone. We ate there in September 2005 for my 50th birthday and they gave my cake to another party. We ended up with the other groups cake (yuck, not chocolate). The meal was great. We ate there in October again. I looked at the menu and am not impressed. I hope this dinner is so unpopular that they go back to the original method of meals. I'm not too hopeful--but will never go back.

 

[Stitch65]

We cancelled our CRT in favor for 1900 Park Fare. I've heard good things aobut the interaction at 1900...

 

[dhcoffey]

We just ate there this past Monday night for my DD12 birthday. We all loved it. We've eaten there in the past for breakfast and dinner and this was different but fun. When we checked in, we told them it was my daughter's birthday and when we got to our table, they had decorated it with streamers and confetti. My DD7 loved her food. The appetizer for her was great, grapes, strawberries, cheese, carrots, celery and ranch dip. She was in heaven. The corn and crab soup was great and the salad that my DH had was very good. Main courses were all fresh tasting. My DH had the prime rib and thought it was very good and he's pretty picky about that. The desserts were fresh and yummy. They also brought us a cake for her birthday that was very good. Couldn't eat it all, so they brought us a box to take the rest back to our room.

Overall, we were very happy with the experience. The characters did come by our table and we were able to take pictures of them with my DD7. We would do it again for another special occasion.

 

[Tam1067]

I'm sorry so many have had a negative experience. I now feel better about our choice to do the Akershus one instead. Even if it's just mediocre, it'll cost us only one TS credit on the DP

 

[La2kw]

This was one of our favorite places to eat until Feb. 2005. All of our favorites are gone. We ate there in September 2005 for my 50th birthday and they gave my cake to another party. We ended up with the other groups cake (yuck, not chocolate). The meal was great. We ate there in October again. I looked at the menu and am not impressed. I hope this dinner is so unpopular that they go back to the original method of meals. I'm not too hopeful--but will never go back.

I agree 100%. It was always a tradition for us to eat in the castle. When they added the character breakfast, we tried it once and hated it. The place took on a whole new atmosphere with characters walking around, and a large number of ill-mannered children who seemed to be there. The well behaved children there seemed to get a lot less attention. Fortunately, lunch and dinner was still character-free and a much more dignified experience. Now with this latest menu change and the character experience at every meal I doubt if we will ever be back. Hopefully it will be unpopular enough at dinner that they will return it to its previous incarnation. Until then, it joins Akershus as one of our formerly favorite restaurants.

 

[pam66]

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!

I'll be celebrating my 40th while I'm there in July too!! We're planning on having dinner at CRT the night of my birhtday as well!

 

[brettb]

Sold for $20.50 on E-bay recently: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6617403945&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1

 

[Aristomommy]

During our late September 2005, we had CRT lunch. We had also ADRs at Chef Mickey's and Disney Princess Tea Party before CRT. You can't compare CRT to the Tea Party, that wouldn't be fair. But compared to another character dining and all the hype about getting an ADR, we were not happy. I tried the salmon, DH and mom tried Major Domos and DD7 ate something "kiddy", don't remember. The food was ok, nothing to complain there. But by the time they hurried our desserts in, we had not seen one princess. Then all of a sudden the princesses literally rushed through the room, grabbed the autograph book instead of waiting for DD to hand it to them and put their arms around her shoulder and stopped for a quick picture. After all the trouble they know people go through to get this ADR, I thought it was incredibly rude. In comparison at Chef Mickey's, the characters took their time, made jokes and we had plenty of video and pictures of the characters. From CRT, we have one picture per character. Next August, we will not even try for CRT, we will go to Epcot or do the Tea party again. Not worth two dining credits.

 

[makinorlando]

We cancelled our CRT in favor for 1900 Park Fare. I've heard good things aobut the interaction at 1900...

We give it two thumbs up.... one for DD and one for me... WE LOVE 1900 Park Fare - but we are going to try CRT, to say we have done it later this month.

 

[ADevereaux]

Sold for $20.50 on E-bay recently:

Thanks for posting the link for the litho, Brett! It looks good to me!

Here's hoping our dinner will be as good

 

[SnwflkCts]

I think those of you celebrating Birthday's at CRT will have a nice time. I re-read my review (above) and thought "Wow, I didn't sound that enthusiastic!" -- but my DH and I had a really nice time there. I loved being in the castle! You can name any restaurant in WDW and get good and bad reviews. People love 'Ohana and I was not impressed at all! The food at CRT was delicious (from an adult perspective - no kids with us). It was a little expensive but you sometimes have to expect that at a resort/theme park! After all, my local restaurant doesn't have to help pay for fireworks and parades every night!

My DH and I are rather low key people and I don't expect alot of hoopla paid to me personally ... but do like tasty fresh food and prompt, courteous service. We got that at CRT. Just take in the magic of the castle itself (look for the little mice peeking at you in the lobby!) and you will have a great time!

I hope those in the DIS Forum that had a wonderful time at CRT (after the "tramatic" menu change) chime in!

 

[mousebit]

Did I just say that? Me? The one who plans every detail of a Disney trip around meals. But, really, for those of you going to celebrate your birthdays--relax, pay the bill just this once, and enjoy the castle even if you have to go fill up on mouse ear ice cream bars afterward. (Would that really be so bad? ) You know you'll regret it if you don't go--IT'S THE CASTLE!
Of course, I say this having gone before they made the changes and I'm glad I don't have to pay today's prices (or use 2 precious TS). But, even so, I'm afraid I'd have to do it once. I know I'm the type of sucker Disney is counting on, but I'm more concerned about what makes me and my family happy. And I'd sacrifice other things to be inside the castle. We have so many fond memories of the whole experience and not one of them depended on what we ate.

 

[DVC Sadie]

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.

Great post. In all of the years we have visited WDW and have eaten in the castle we surely don't go for the food. When I think about delicious food I don't equate theme park food in the same sentence. I have often thought resort food was better but lets face it, sometimes we pay extra for mediocre food for the pleasure or convenience of a certain establishment such as CRT. I try to accept it for what it is and if I want a different dining experience then I pick somewhere else to eat.

 

[JulieNMM]

We just ate there on Fridat night. Our ADR was for 8pm and we arrived at 7:30 to see if we could get in a little early. No deal. So we went on Small World and came back at 8:02. We waited a few minutes and were ushered in to a small castle-like room. There was a long line to see Cinderella which we stood in for 10 minutes. We decided to have the picture be with DD since she was all dressed up as a Princess. After 28 minutes of waiting, and several other parties going in before us, we finally got seated after complaining. DH was very cranky since he was tired and the kids were tired, too.

We walked up a winding stairway to the room and jokingly asked for the best table. Mistake! I think we were given the worst table. It was off to the side behind a large pillar and we couldn't see a thing. Just then, Suzy and Perla came out and twirled around the restaurant. DD managed to get a hug but no picture or autograph. Suzy (or was it Perla?) motioned that she didn't have time for either. Then Fairy Godmother started singing very loudly and we couldn't hear the waiter. She was very loud considering we could barely see her ....

Anyway, the service was fine, the food was OK, but the entertainment lacked, the wait was way too long and the price was too high.

The kids got cheese, grapes, carrots, and celery for appetizer which they liked. We also got a big basket of pretzel bread and what we thought was butter. It wasn't. It may have been apple butter? It was sweet and I didn't mind it, but DS hated it. The bread was good! I had a BLT salad with one small piece of bacon (a little tiny bacon bit), some lettuce, one small cherry tomato. Took about 6 bites to finish. DH got the soup and it was in a big bowl and he said it was good.

We both had prime rib with scalloped potatoes and that was good. DS is picky and wanted mac and cheese but the waiter said too bad. He got chicken strips instead which were very big and very hot and were (horrors!) touching the mashed potatoes. DS refused to eat them until I wiped the mashed potates off. Then the waiter says "I pray we never have another draft" implying that my DS would be in trouble because your food touches other foods in the army? DD was too tired to eat her food. By this time it was 9:30.

For dessert, DS got sorbet with berries but didn't eat it and DD had ice cream with a solid chocoltae crown (which I ate). DH and I both had chocolate mousse cake. I really wanted some beer or wine after a long day and with a nice meal but no dice (of course we all know why).

We did get the litho and the picture with Cinderella turned out nice. (DD had been to Bippity Bobbidy Boutique that morning.) But for $155, I was hoping for more. Oh well, now I know for next time.

JULIE

 

[Tinkwantabe]

I am really disappointed - I thought that the breakfast in the castle was to have a meal with the princesses. That is why when booking meal reservations I booked this. Where should I go to have a meal with more then Cinderella - I want to pay for the interaction with my daughter with princesses - not a fairy godmother and mice. It would be great to say I was in the castle but that is not the most important thing. I am going in may and need to figure out what I want to do..... ANy help is appreciated


If I do stick with the castle - how do you get in when the park is closed still and we have a 8a meal.

 

[tiggersthebest]

Did it change? We did breakfast last summer and saw Cindy, sleeping beauty, mary poppins (not really a princess) and Snow White. I think there may have been one more, but I don't remember. I don't think it is worth 2 table service credits though, the interaction seemed rushed at times. It is 1900 park fare that only has cindy..... We did that one too, for dinner food was great, but there was only mice and Cindy and prince.....


6 2

 

[lastminutemom]

I am really disappointed - I thought that the breakfast in the castle was to have a meal with the princesses. That is why when booking meal reservations I booked this. Where should I go to have a meal with more then Cinderella - I want to pay for the interaction with my daughter with princesses - not a fairy godmother and mice. It would be great to say I was in the castle but that is not the most important thing. I am going in may and need to figure out what I want to do..... ANy help is appreciated


If I do stick with the castle - how do you get in when the park is closed still and we have a 8a meal.

At the breakfast, this past Wednesday, were Cinderalla (downstairs for pictures) and then Belle (in her blue dress), Snow White and Aurora as well as the Fairy Godmother. We had 8:00 reservations... you arrive at the park at 7:30 or so and they let you in around 7:45 am -- assuming the park opens at 9:00 am.

I thought it was wonderful.

 

[Tinkwantabe]

At the breakfast, this past Wednesday, were Cinderalla (downstairs for pictures) and then Belle (in her blue dress), Snow White and Aurora as well as the Fairy Godmother. We had 8:00 reservations... you arrive at the park at 7:30 or so and they let you in around 7:45 am -- assuming the park opens at 9:00 am.

I thought it was wonderful.

Thank you so much - I will keep the reservation then - my daughter just loves the princesses and that is what I thought this was about. Thank you for the quick response...

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Breakfast IS still with the princesses. The "show" with the FG and mice is at the dinner....I am not sure about lunch.

 

[MKCB]

We had dinner at CRT on April 3. I was a bit hesitant after reading all the bad reviews but decided to keep our reservation and glad we did.

Details have been described by several others so I won't go too much into them, but my only complaint was that it took awhile (25 minutes) for us to get seated after being led into the "holding" area where you get your picture taken with Cinderella.

My 2 daugthers (6 and 3) were quite excited about seeing Cinderalla and one positive about the extended wait was Cinderalla made her way around the room when there was no one waiting for pictures.

I generally think the food at Disney is not very good (ex. Crystal Palace has terrible buffet) but the food at CRT was ok. Soup, salad and prime rib were good. Lamb shank was acceptable. I had to leave with our baby before dessert but the rest of my family said it was ok.

Our service was good, no complaints there. We were there long enough to see the fairy godmother mini-show twice, kids were mildly entertained by it.

Our pictures turned out well, haven't looked at the lithograph yet but with those 2, the novelty of eating in the castle and ok food, made the experience worthwhile.

Am I glad we went and is it worth to do once (especially with young girls)? Absolutely

Would I do it again? Probably not, don't need another set of pictures or lithograph and the novelty would no longer be there.