Cindi's Royal Ripoff

[maxiesmom]

Has no one attempted to send back the cold food? If you did, what kind of reaction did you get? I will not eat cold eggs, yuck!

 

[P-Dust]

I have eaten CRT breakfast twice and both times felt rushed and the food was just OK. In December, we had lunch at CRT and really enjoyed it. We had an excellent server (my DD turned up her nose at the Minor Domo and the server took it away and replaced it with the childs plate, without question) and we loved the food (Major Domo's are delicious!). The price increase means that we will never go again. Too bad...we enjoyed the lunch!

 

[srfrgrl07]

Has no one attempted to send back the cold food? If you did, what kind of reaction did you get? I will not eat cold eggs, yuck!

Good question. I know if I was not satisfied with my meal, I would mention it to the server.

There is poor service everywhere...from Denny's to Disney. We each definitely expect certain things, and if our expectations are not met within reason we should make that politely known. While I assume that you wouldn't have told your waiter that "Cindy's is a Royal Ripoff," I don't think it's fair to use that description here where there are readers looking for advice that may take your word as gospel. But I guess that's the beauty of the message board in that we can all say what we think, while being respectful of others, and at the same time share our opinions.

As you (OP) said, we weren't there so I can't say if your opinion of it is an accurate description or not. I know that there are others here who agree with you, so I guess that amounts to something. For me, I prefer to experience it on my own and then make my decision.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We had lunch there in October. The food was rather tasty. My older DD and I had the salmon, which we liked, and my younger DD had the Major Domo, which she liked. Princess interaction was great, if the looks on my kids' faces was any indication.

We had the first seating for lunch (high noon) and we had our choice of tables. The kids picked a table right by the window. They were hesitant about picking one out themselves, but the host seating us encouraged them to pick the nicest table that would accomodate our party. Our waiter was professional, efficient and congenial without being overly personal. He didn't balk when I ordered an additional beverage (tea with lunch, coffee with dessert) even though he'd already processed our bill. We had a great experience.

It was our first trip to WDW and something we really wanted to do to make our stay magical. It certainly helped that we were utilizing the dining plan at the time, but we would have done it regardless. By the same token, now that we HAVE done it, and my kids are older, we probably would not choose to dine there again in order to try other dining experiences.

My .02, your mileage may vary...

 

[mickekmania]

We went to CRT January 9th for breakfast and we too were disappointed. Yes, it was neat to eat in the castle and see the princesses but the food was so-so (for WAY too much money) and our server didn't even bring DH and me juice until we sat for 15 minutes looking for her to do so. Even then, it took her over 5 minutes to get it to us. The princesses were okay but not overly friendly - which may or may not have been tainted by our attitude towards the situation with our waitress. We did the Princess Storybook Breakfast last year and LOVED it. I think part of the reason we preferred it was because it was our DDs first experiences with the princesses but evn so we found the atmosphere just as inviting, our server more attentive, and the food much better. Even the princesses there seemed to spend more time and seemed much more friendly with the girls. Who knows....separate experiences render different opinions.

Could you tell me more about the Princess Storybook breakfast and where it is located?

Thanks,
Mickekmania

 

[jworthy]

my dw ordered filet of beef well done. The first steak was perfect, but the second one was very very rare. The server appologized and brought out a whole new plate with 2 steaks and veggies.

 

[tink&pan]

Tink,

The princesses still walked around the room and this was January 13th. The only one that didn't was Cinderella. She is downstairs in the foyer. You wait in line to see her. My daughter also attended the princess breakfast in Epcot last year and she felt the food and character interaction were both much better. She said she might do that one again but never Cindi's.
I do want everyone to understand that my entire family loves WDW. We are DVC members and go as often as we can. But we all also feel that allowing Disney to get away with rip offs like this breakfast may make them feel they can drop their standards elsewhere. If we allow this to happen we will all be ruining it for ourselves. I hope others feel the same way we do. Lets not allow them to make this place a tourist trap but rather keep it what Walt wanted, the magical place that he created.

Thanks for your reply Vinn.
My family has done the princess breakfast in the past and knew the cost of breakfast included the "entertainment" and I endured the stress of getting the PS. I was extremely surprised this time, to get a PS on my first call at 11 am, the beginning of this month for our trip in April. I was also extremely surprised to see almost 300.00 charged to my C/C already for this PS. The CM didn't explain that using my C/C would incur an immediate charge. In the past the C/C was used to hold your PS. There will be 4 adults and 5 children attending one will be allowed to eat off her mother's plate because she is 2, and we will not be able to all sit together. We were doing this for the other family that has never been to WDW. My daughter of course loved the interaction, being in the castle and all, but I'm not sure it is all worth it now. Its ashame that you can't relay bad service by less of a tip or no tip at all when it is already paid for 4 months in advance. I see that by other posts the "entertainment portion" will change on Feb 1. On the official site it states a visit by a princess, for Cindy's breakfast, where as the other breakfast states that in plural. I love WDW too, and have been countless times, and have recognized many changes that drain my pocketbook. I think I'll be cancelling my PS and having breakfast with Mickey where I don't need a park ticket too added to the cost of my breakfast. Thanks for your help!!

tink

 

[DisneyWisher]

Thanks for your reply Vinn.
My family has done the princess breakfast in the past and knew the cost of breakfast included the "entertainment" and I endured the stress of getting the PS. I was extremely surprised this time, to get a PS on my first call at 11 am, the beginning of this month for our trip in April. I was also extremely surprised to see almost 300.00 charged to my C/C already for this PS. The CM didn't explain that using my C/C would incur an immediate charge. In the past the C/C was used to hold your PS. There will be 4 adults and 5 children attending one will be allowed to eat off her mother's plate because she is 2, and we will not be able to all sit together. We were doing this for the other family that has never been to WDW. My daughter of course loved the interaction, being in the castle and all, but I'm not sure it is all worth it now. Its ashame that you can't relay bad service by less of a tip or no tip at all when it is already paid for 4 months in advance. I see that by other posts the "entertainment portion" will change on Feb 1. On the official site it states a visit by a princess, for Cindy's breakfast, where as the other breakfast states that in plural. I love WDW too, and have been countless times, and have recognized many changes that drain my pocketbook. I think I'll be cancelling my PS and having breakfast with Mickey where I don't need a park ticket too added to the cost of my breakfast. Thanks for your help!!

tink

This is from Deb's site
NOTE: Once these changes go into effect (February 1, 2006), payment in full with a credit card will be required at the time of booking for all meals at Cinderella's Royal Table. If you do not have a credit card, the reservation cannot be made. All reservations for dining at Cinderella's Royal Table prior to February 1, 2006, will follow current pricing and deposit payment policies

I think because of the price change it will be easier to get ADR's for the Castle now. Another idea instead of Chef Mickey's is Park Fare for breakfast. The characters there are Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter, Pooh and Tigger w/ Mary Poppins in the lobby(the best character interaction I've experienced, they came around about 4 times, last time Tigger danced the "Running Man" while they sang Happy Birthday to a grandmother, it was great!). We've been 3 times since September and my DD12 claims its her favorite buffet. The food selection is much better than the Castle and PSB. IMO If you choose against Cindy's the Princesses are in Mickey's toontown for pictures and autographs.

I think its crazy that if people don't have a credit card they can't make reservations at Cindy's. What about people that just don't have them because they don't believe in them (going into debt), Sometimes I wish I didn't have mine. "Hi I'm Shirley, and sometimes a complusive "lets go to Disney" for the weekend". Still I think its wrong. OK, stepping off the soapbox now. hehe.

Have Fun!

 

[Laurajean1014]

We were at Cindy's Breakfast in Mid-December. We had a great time. We're a party of three and all the Princesses came to see us (even with DS9).

We thought the food was good. It was our last day and DH loaded up on extra helpings of eggs before our flight.

Our waitstaff was excellent and we stayed longer than we normally do, just because we loved the view from the castle.

We had a very nice experience and I would recommend this breakfast to anyone.

I'm sorry that not all could share my experience.

 

[Buzz2001]

This is an example of Disney greed run amuck. The platter of food (if you want to call it that) is thrown at you followed closely by a check. Eggs were cold and the blueberry sauce on the french toast was dried out. We were a big group so gratuities were included or I would have reconsidered my tipping. When we asked for more pastries at one end of the table, Scott, our server picked up the basket from the other end and gave it to us. The family members at the other end wanted them back. There are a lot of fine dining experiences at WDW. This is not one of them!!!

We didn't care for it either. I can say we did it but would never do it again. Not with so many other choices at WDW.

 

[Lewisc]

CRT is in such demand that some guests were going so far as to try to buy and sell their reservations. You're paying for the dining experience and character interaction.

That said if Disney is going to charge top dollar for the breakfast they really should be offering better food. At the price that's being charged the food should be cooked to order and entrées other than scrambled eggs should be offered.

This is an example of Disney greed run amuck. The platter of food (if you want to call it that) is thrown at you followed closely by a check. Eggs were cold and the blueberry sauce on the french toast was dried out. We were a big group so gratuities were included or I would have reconsidered my tipping. When we asked for more pastries at one end of the table, Scott, our server picked up the basket from the other end and gave it to us. The family members at the other end wanted them back. There are a lot of fine dining experiences at WDW. This is not one of them!!!

 

[aunt kelly]

We had breakfast at the Castle in 2003. The food was "okay." The princesses were beautiful and polite, but it was obvious that they were in a rush to sign their autograph, pose for the mandatory picture and move on to the next table. Our server was also polite, but clearly he wanted to move us in and out quickly. The castle is beautiful and I am glad we saw the interior, but I'll never pay that much money for breakfast again! By the way, I realize I could have complained to the management about feeling rushed, but both my husband and I have high stress jobs and when we go to WDW we don't want to spend our time complaining to the management. Especially in front of the kids. We go to WDW to relax and for the prices you pay, you just shouldn't have to spend any time complaining to the management about service. We have several favorite restaurants here in our hometown that we visit often and never get bad service-and they are much cheaper than Disney!

 

[bicker]

The market will govern this: If it really is a "rip-off" then people will stop patronizing the restaurant in such numbers that Disney won't be making as much money. If, on the other hand, a smaller number of people decide to stop patronizing the restaurant, and the number of guests that remain, paying what Disney is now charging, results in more revenue overall, then it was clearly the correct decision.

 

[kpk89]

=, I realize I could have complained to the management about feeling rushed, but both my husband and I have high stress jobs and when we go to WDW we don't want to spend our time complaining to the management. Especially in front of the kids. We go to WDW to relax and for the prices you pay, you just shouldn't have to spend any time complaining to the management about service.

I totally get this point, but at the same time, if everyone who is dissatisfied simply eats, pays and leaves without registering their comments, how will the powers that be realize what needs to change? Not saying anyone has to make a career out of complaining (because who wants THAT at Disney??) but to at least mention the places for improvement might help.

And btw Aunt Kelly I'm not picking on you -- just your quote expressed very clearly what I think a LOT of people feel and have mentioned on this board. (Me included ... )

 

[my4kids]

For that price, I would like some caviar on my eggs. Salmon caviar omelette...mmmmmm. For anyone who has not been and thinks they have to shell out this kinda money or else their vacation will not be a success....believe me, you can skip it....see Cindy somewhere else...this price is crazy.

 

[Texa]

Hmmm. This thread has given me pause for thought. I think I'm going to keep my reservation for now (for June) and wait for some of the reviews after the Feb. 1st change. We also have a Chef Mickey dinner so will still have a character meal if we have to cancel.

 

[DisneyDotty]

The market will govern this: If it really is a "rip-off" then people will stop patronizing the restaurant in such numbers that Disney won't be making as much money. If, on the other hand, a smaller number of people decide to stop patronizing the restaurant, and the number of guests that remain, paying what Disney is now charging, results in more revenue overall, then it was clearly the correct decision.

I'm not sure that's the case with Disney. Think of how many hundreds of thousands of first-timers come to WDW. And everyone wants to eat at the Castle.
I think it will take a loooonng time for the market to play out with this one.

 

[bicker]

First-timers are a very legitimate part of the market, and so what they value should surely be factored into pricing.