CRT Dinner - Will it be a mistake?

[abirdd]

During all our trips to WDW, DH and I have continually passed on CRT. Just seemed like for all the hoopla, it was not somewhere we'd want to eat. Too many other choices better suited our food preferences.

This trip, eldest DS who's 3 asked to eat in the castle. He doesn't care much for the character interaction with any of the Princesses, he just wants to be in the castle. I managed to get a table when our ADR window opened up, so no worries there.

What's got me concerned are all the horrible reviews that keep pouring onto the DIS. Granted, not everyone takes the time to write positive reviews; so the data could be skewed.

While the "mom" in me wants to make DS happy; I also know he's a picky eater (likes healthy or ethnic foods). If the food is bad or gross, involves just chicken fingers or mac/cheese, he won't eat it.

Any recent dinner eaters care to share their experiences?

 

[The VWL Five]

It was not recent but we took two young girls once for dinner and we all hated it. The food was horrible and expensive. Have not returned.

This is only our opinion from our experience. Sorry.

Good luck.

 

[Justsyd2]

DH and I were there for lunch in June. We loved it. Completely worth every penny. We'd go again without hesitation. You'll get many different replies. It's best to just try it for yourself.

 

[koolaidmoms]

We were there in May and my kids love this restaurant. They are not "character" kids but just like being dressed up in the castle. There are pictures of the kdis meals in my blog (link in signature) under dining reviews.

Hope this helps some.

 

[knieriem]

I think everyone should do CRT at least once. We did it on our honeymoon and even though I don't remember how the food tasted I do remember the experience as being a positive one.

 

[Cinderella94]

We've done it more than once. The food is nothing spectacular, but really, you're paying to eat in the castle. I agree with whoever said that everyone should experience it at least once. The view from the windows is really cool!

 

[SnowandMittens]

Just know that you're paying to eat inside of the castle. The food is nothing to write home about, but if you make up your mind to enjoy the thrill of eating INSIDE of the castle, the food shouldn't matter much anyway.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

We had dinner here 2 weeks ago and it was ok. My 3 DD's weren't impressed by the kid's meal either but they loved their chocolate crown ice-cream desserts. Food was ok but really, the amotsphere was awesome. Personally, I wouldn't pay to eat there again because it's too expensive but I'm glad we did it the one time. I must have taken about 200 hundred pics. It's pretty magical, at least once!

Here's the menu:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=120

 

[GvilleDisneyDad]

In terms of both food quality and character interaction, the breakfast is MUCH better than dinner, IMO.

 

[Joshua_me]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/reviews/Cinderellas-Royal-Table.htm

^ A link to podcast Kevin's review of dinner at the CRT.

Sadly, he's right on the money, IMHO.

BUT, it IS important for you to decide for you and yours. Some folks love it.

Good luck.

 

[abirdd]

I think we might just stick with DS's choice - hoping our low expectations of the food will solve all concerns

At the end of the day, we talked about it again with DS and seeing the inside of a castle is REALLY important to him right now. So, it will be something new - and worse case, it's a "did it once" as several of you suggested!

 

[eventamy]

We've eaten at the castle twice, first time for dinner 2 years ago and last February for lunch. We LOVE eating in the castle! I've enjoyed my meal both times and so have my mom and DH. They especially loved the Major Domos pie for lunch last year. My DDs are big fans of plain, buttered pasta but aren't eaters of "typical" kids food. They loved just being able to get pasta here and shared our appetizers with us.
The castle is a great experience, you have to try it at least once! We did more then once and we were very happy!

 

[momofrrr]

We have done both breakfast and dinner. I would not go back for breakfast but we are going back for dinner in just over a month. We let everyone pick one meal and no one can complain about the choice. Our DD17 chooses the Castle everytime. She is a very adventourous eater (not sure where she got it because it is not from me!) and she loves to try the different things there. I think that it is a little "fancy" for me but she loves it. Not sure it is worth two points for the food but it is worth two points to make her smile. Everyone should go at least one time. Have a great trip!

 

[Poohbear5]

We went this year for the first time a party of two adults. It was fun, the food was decent, the meal was VERY rushed for what we paid. (mY husband was literally hanging onto his plate after my was taken from under my nose!)
Glad we did it and saw the castle but would not spend the money to do it again unless I'm so blessed with a granddaughter some day!

 

[tony67]

Just know that you're paying to eat inside of the castle. The food is nothing to write home about, but if you make up your mind to enjoy the thrill of eating INSIDE of the castle, the food shouldn't matter much anyway.

This sums it up.
It's one of those things you have to do once if your into the whole Disney thing.

 

[maznorm]

If this is a "do it once" kind of thing, what sort of age is the best age to do it?

We took my friend's daughter to Akershus for her 4th birthday and she really enjoyed it. My DD will be almost 3 when we go. Is that too young for the one and only time?

 

[snookiedoodles]

We had dinner there and the food was just ok....also my husband likes red wine with his steak....and it is a dry park.........so he was out of luck!

It is worth it to eat in the castle just once.

That being said, I did make breakfast ressies for the next time we go to Disney because my son wants to eat in the castle. I hope that the food is better, it is certainly less money .... but not that much!

 

[Kit'smommy]

DH, DS and I ate ate CRT on Sept 25th prior to the MNNSHP. DH ordered lamb and I ordered prime rib. I can't remember what DS ordered, but I remember it did come with some very good baby green beans.

Our salads were good and dessert was fine. DS got grapes and cheese as an appi and a cute bowl of ice cream with a white chocolate skull on top. The entrees were not good at all. (I wished I had ordered the salmon as everyone at the table next to us had it and it looked very good). Still we had a good time and were not rushed at all.

We have eaten dinner there 5-6 times over the years and DH and I agree that it was much better several years back before it became a character meal. I think if we go back again, it will be for lunch (Major Domo's Pie - yummy).

The castle is gorgeous and it is worth eating there at least once in my opinion.

 

[robandkelly13]

We've been multiple times for dinner and lunch and we all like the food. DD was 3 when she first went and has been back with us everytime since and she always eats all of her food. It's just as good as any other character dining in the park in my opinion, of course

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

We loved both of our dining experiences at CRT. We would have gone again this upcoming trip except we decided to try Chef Mickey this time instead since our DS (age 2) is totally obsessed with Mickey Mouse right now. I would say the best food from our trip was eaten at CRT. Also, you cannot beat the location...so magical. Have fun!