Cindy's Breakfast advice & encouragement

[J Lynn]

Hi - New to boards, new to Disney...totally in a planning frenzy. 1st trip with family booked for 2/26/05-3/4. Have 4 yr old daughter that MUST meet Cinderella. Have calendar marked for tomorrow to book Once Upon...breakfast and just learned that you now can book 6 months out; not 90 days. Entire week is booked already!!! I am crushed! Apparently they changed the timeframe 4 days after I booked our trip.

Any ideas on what to do now? Anyone ever go to the Princess breakfast at Epcot? So much wanted to bring my girl to the castle for breakfast....I am really heartbroken.

Any advice appreciated....

We're going that same week and I was planning on calling tomorrow morning for Fri. but now I'm dissapointed to read that you tried with no success. We're just a party of 3. I wonder if there will be any cancellations to try for.

 

[J Lynn]

I got it!!!!!!!
I can't believe I got CRT, Party of 3 @ 9am on March 3.
apbrooks, don't give up.

 

[mmiller]

That is great...you will have the best time. We have ressies for a party of 5 on Jan 26th and I am more excited that my child.

 

[Keith]

I called last week trying to get CRT for Dec. 14. Didn't get it, but the CM told me they are, and have always been, booking CRT a year out. I felt like telling him that's not true, but didn't push the issue. I said that I thought they used to book it 90 days out, but just recently started doing 180 days out. He said that's not true.

 

[blewits]

I know it's not CRT but . . . . .

I will be cancelling a reservation for 6 on Wed. Dec. 14th at Norway in Epcot for 10:35 a.m. This is a character meal with princesses (sans Cinderella). If anyone would like it, PM me and we'll set up a time.

Wendy

 

[slbeaute]

OK. I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has done the new reservation system. My day to call in is this Sunday. The first day of our reservation will be a Sunday night and we plan to stay for the week. Can I ask the CM for any breakfast time available that week or do I have to ask for a particular day and if that's booked then ask for another day, etc? I have a three year old who will be crushed if she doesn't get to go into Cinderella's castle and eat with the princesses! Any advice would really be appreciated!

 

[mistydoodles]

You can ask for anytime that is available for that week. They will ask you a day you prefer but you can tell them you aren't picky.

The only thing with Cinderella's castle that I noticed when calling for my reservations was that on my day to call they would tell me that Cinderella's was booked. I would call the next day and same thing . Then the following day something was available.

I don't know if they set so many reservations aside for each day or what but it was weird how I was able to get one three days later.

My advice would be to keep calling until you are able to get that reservation. It does pay off.

 

[DCDisney]

When we made our reservations for CRT for January under the 90+10 rule I found that when I called on the first day possible things on the later days were very limited. I got a CRT reservation but it was extremely early and I wanted late. When I called the next morning at the 90 day mark there were many more times available. I had the same issue for Le Cellier. The rest of the places I was booking it was no issue.

Yvonne

 

[PrincessJsMom]

I just called (8:56Pm EST) and got my choice of 2 times for 2/28 and 3/01.
I chose 2/28!

My first post- thanks for all the tips!!

 

[JimMIA]

OK. I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has done the new reservation system. My day to call in is this Sunday. The first day of our reservation will be a Sunday night and we plan to stay for the week. Can I ask the CM for any breakfast time available that week or do I have to ask for a particular day and if that's booked then ask for another day, etc? I have a three year old who will be crushed if she doesn't get to go into Cinderella's castle and eat with the princesses! Any advice would really be appreciated!

Just be sure DD is not expecting to eat with Cindy! Cindy doesn't do lunch!

You get a one-minute photo op downstairs with the great woman, and then eat upstairs with various celebrities. We went on Sunday, 12/4, and had lunch with Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Mary Poppins and the Fairy Godmother. Not sure what Mary and FG were doing in that mix.

Frankly, I think a LOT of the other character meals are better values...but with DD3goingon23, what are you gonna do? Cindy's is something I did once, but will not do again.

 

[lucincia]

Just be sure DD is not expecting to eat with Cindy! Cindy doesn't do lunch!

You get a one-minute photo op downstairs with the great woman, and then eat upstairs with various celebrities. We went on Sunday, 12/4, and had lunch with Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Mary Poppins and the Fairy Godmother. Not sure what Mary and FG were doing in that mix.

Frankly, I think a LOT of the other character meals are better values...but with DD3goingon23, what are you gonna do? Cindy's is something I did once, but will not do again.

Make sure your kid understands the princesses are not sitting down eating with you. I read on Dis that some kids were disappointed that the princesses only walk around and not actually sitting down eating.

If you have trouble getting into CRT, look at the princess dining in Norway and 1900 Park Fare dinner. Both are princesses (Cindy is at the one in 1900 PF), better food, better interactions, less rushed. Just some other options

 

[JimMIA]

OK. I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has done the new reservation system. My day to call in is this Sunday. The first day of our reservation will be a Sunday night and we plan to stay for the week. Can I ask the CM for any breakfast time available that week or do I have to ask for a particular day and if that's booked then ask for another day, etc? I have a three year old who will be crushed if she doesn't get to go into Cinderella's castle and eat with the princesses! Any advice would really be appreciated!

Having said what I said above, we would NOT have gotten Cindy's without the advice we received here.

You need to call at 6:58 AM, follow the prompts as outlined above, and don't bother being nice when you get a live person on the line. You can apologize and thank them profusely later. They understand.

We also made multiple calls at the same time via cellphone, and noticed two different sounds.

Sometimes we got a staticy sound and could hardly hear the background music. We believe that sound indicates Disney Dining Purgatory...where you think you are in the queue, but you're really lost in space. We never did speak to a live human when we got that sound.

When we could hear the music, we eventually got to speak to a real person, and eventually got our ressie.

Good luck!

 

[JimMIA]

If you have trouble getting into CRT, look at the princess dining in Norway and 1900 Park Fare dinner. Both are princesses (Cindy is at the one in 1900 PF), better food, better interactions, less rushed. Just some other options

I agree with this. We did a Norway breakfast previously, and it was MUCH better than Cindy's...although I thought the food was better at Cindy's.

Is Cindy actually walking around at 1900? If so, that would be the one to do.

 

[lucincia]

I agree with this. We did a Norway breakfast previously, and it was MUCH better than Cindy's...although I thought the food was better at Cindy's.

Is Cindy actually walking around at 1900? If so, that would be the one to do.

Cindy walks 1900 PF when we were there last week. Sleeping Beauty got the hallway/entrance duty.

 

[mamalle]

thanks for all the wonderful advice. we had lunch at CRT on Dec 1. dd was in all her glory. we didnt realize though cinderella wouldnt be upstairs and we accidently were standing where she came down for pics by the christmas tree. that worked out well and then we headed upstairs for lunch. 4 princesses did come by. It all seemed kinda rushed to me and the food wasnt the greatest. the kids had two chicken fingers and grapes. Our bill very pricey for what their portions were but dd was happy so that made it worth it. I think though that I will book 1900 park fare when we go again. The food was delicious and the kids had alot of time with cinderella and gang. It wasnt a rush job like this one was.. Guess you have to say you went to the castle though!

 

[Cyndy]

I'm curious since I called on a Sun. evening (the last night of our bonus 10 days) and received an 8:45 seating for 11 people at CRT. I was shocked even though the 1st week of June isn't as busy as other weeks. Now for my question, is the new pricing and the terrific experience we and others have had at Norway a possible factor or is it more likely just good fortune. We've done both breakfast and lunch but our 3 young princesses love Cindy and Snow White and none have ever eaten in the Castle. Back to the question is it now easier due to the priceing/photo package or is Norway creating relief from the craziness?
Just curious.

 

[tlbwriter]

I'm curious since I called on a Sun. evening (the last night of our bonus 10 days) and received an 8:45 seating for 11 people at CRT. I was shocked even though the 1st week of June isn't as busy as other weeks. Now for my question, is the new pricing and the terrific experience we and others have had at Norway a possible factor or is it more likely just good fortune. We've done both breakfast and lunch but our 3 young princesses love Cindy and Snow White and none have ever eaten in the Castle. Back to the question is it now easier due to the priceing/photo package or is Norway creating relief from the craziness?
Just curious.

Personally, I don't think so. The craziness remained in full force after the Norway meal was added. I think you're seeing the result of the 180 days (which most people don't know about), the increased price, and the requirement to pay in full at reservation.

 

[LoveRafiki]

Just back from trip. Went to CRT on 12/4. My DD is almost 5 and loves the Princesses..... Our reservation was for 10:15a. Our other DD (almost 2 was also in tow as was my Mom).

We waited in line for the picture with Cinderella by the tree downstairs and then up the cool winding staircase to the very nice dining room.

For "pre-plated" food -- we thought it was pretty good. You're paying for the experience -- my DD ate one bite of her french toast sticks because she was far too nervous/excited (I didn't expect her to eat).

We were sitting on upper tier - and I guess the characters have a certain order that they go through the room - so it took a while for them to get around to us... but when they did... it was worth it. We had Cinderella downstairs and upstairs we had Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Mary Poppins and the Fairy Godmother.

DD was in her Belle dress -- when Belle came over, she oohed and aaahhed over my daughter and was just lovely. But the Fairy Godmother -- was truly the most special. Great grandmotherly type wonderful lady. (Side note-- last year we were at 1900 PF and had a very nice experience --- in particular the FG in hallway... my DD was very shy and nervous with Cinderella and Prince during dinner -- and was reticent to interact with the FG in hall. The FG knealt down and spoke gently and softly to her and got her to be comfortable with her. She was lovely). So, when DD saw Fairy Godmother this time, she melted right away and it was "magic" -- we told this FG about the experience from prior year and how special it was and how kind "that" Fairy Godmother had been. The FG came back to Sarah 3 times hugged, kissed her. When we thanked her and again told her how special she was, she actually got a little teary (must be why they do what they do). So, needless to say, it was a magical event for us. Although my daughter would say that Belle is her favorite, in her heart it is the Fairy Godmother.

So -- then 3 days later -- we go back to 1900 PF. The Fairy Godmother in hall is a "young" person (definitely not a grandmother age -- probably 20s or 30s). It was more like Roseanne Barr plays the Fairy Godmother... my Daughter says -- "Thats NOT the Fairy Godmother" -- we explained that she was right, but that someone had to play the Fairy Godmother so that the other children coming to dinner would have someone to meet... yada yada.... The Food was okay - the room stunk -- like either someone had barfed, or they used dirty rags to clean up.... yucky. Cinderella was okay. The Prince was NOT charming.... last year the Prince was one of the most beautiful/pretty young men I've seen - and he had lovely manners. This guy, was blond (which Sarah noted was incorrect) - but was also like Prince Charming a-la Central Florida - not a palace. He phrased things like "how are y'all doing over here" and "you guys" --- PLEASE ! Didn't they PREP this guy!

So ultra magical CRT and ultra unmagical Park Faire.

I will jump through the hoops to do CRT again - but will skip Park Faire.

 

[Cinderpals]

Hi,

I'm sorry to read that Park Fare wasn't a magical experience! I'm going to be there in a week. Last year, it was our favorite Cinderella experience and buffet meal. Hopefully, they will have the same handsome prince back to work during our meal! He had perfect manners and played the part really well. Cinderella was the prettiest Cindy ever! I have pictures of her, and she has dimples with eyes that sparkle! Hopefully, we won't experience the unpleasant smells or Prince experience that you had!

I wasn't aware that the CRT meal will have the photo opportunity this month. Glad someone posted that info. I was aware of the price increase for bookings after Feb 1st to include the Photo with Cinderella.

 

[100AcreWood]

This guy, was blond (which Sarah noted was incorrect) - but was also like Prince Charming a-la Central Florida - not a palace. He phrased things like "how are y'all doing over here" and "you guys" --- PLEASE ! Didn't they PREP this guy!

I'm rolling thinking of Prince Charming saying "y'all." I'm glad we decided to only visit CRT. I agree I was happy we got a reservation. The princesses and FG were amazing!