CRT food was Awful!!

[Joshua_me]

The bottom line - for me at least- is for the price they are charging for meals, there is absolutely NO reason breakfast, lunch and dinner shouldn't be memorable, "three star" (at least) experiences...

You should leave the castle saying to yourself, "Wow ! that was *really* good food !" Just like you would expect to do at any other fine dining establishment.

The fact that Disney doesn't provide that level of quality is, quite simply, because they don't *have* to... People come anyway, and in return are served mediocre food at best.

It didn't used to be that way, it doesn't have to be that way now.

The only reason is greed. You've paid top dollar to be in the park in the first place, paid more top dollars for the "privilege" of eating in the castle, and in return are served the bare minimum of quality that they can get away with...

And that's a big ol' slap in the face if you ask me.

 

[livie1205]

we are going for the first time in Dec for my dd4 b day...she will be the big 05!! haha BUT if the food is that awful I will be going to CS and getting at least one ts credit back!That way we can go to a real 2 ts place and enjoy it.I guess we will see....but I am sorry it is NOT ok to let wdw get away with "oh your paying to eat in the castle" ...its just not ok, it should be the whole package, and we are not getting free ddp so our meals have been paid for.

 

[GeorgeG]

The bottom line - for me at least- is for the price they are charging for meals, there is absolutely NO reason breakfast, lunch and dinner shouldn't be memorable, "three star" (at least) experiences...

You should leave the castle saying to yourself, "Wow ! that was *really* good food !" Just like you would expect to do at any other fine dining establishment.

The fact that Disney doesn't provide that level of quality is, quite simply, because they don't *have* to... People come anyway, and in return are served mediocre food at best.

It didn't used to be that way, it doesn't have to be that way now.

The only reason is greed. You've paid top dollar to be in the park in the first place, paid more top dollars for the "privilege" of eating in the castle, and in return are served the bare minimum of quality that they can get away with...

And that's a big ol' slap in the face if you ask me.

I agree. I used to brag about how WDW was special. You never, ever got paper napkins at any table service restaurant and always walked away impressed. Even the counter service was better, possibly as good as some table service places are now. Yes, shame on Disney, but also shame on the guests who accept lower standards and are turning WDW into just another amusement park!

 

[shalom]

but also shame on the guests who accept lower standards and are turning WDW into just another amusement park!

It isn't just the guests being willing to put up with it - it's the lack of vision. Walt Disney had a vision of quality, and he taught his staff to share that vision. Roy wasn't as big on stuff like gold plating on the castle, but apparently he felt strongly about people getting their money's worth as well. Current management simply isn't interested in providing quality at a good price. Not to say they want to rip people off, but their vision is more about money and they're find with charging and providing "what the market will bear."

Disney has coasted on its reputation for quality before, but at some point reality will overwhelm collective memory. So far someone has always realized that Disney is about vision and in some sense recovered that vision, or recovered enough of it that Disney remains unique. Could still happen this time.

 

[GeorgeG]

It isn't just the guests being willing to put up with it - it's the lack of vision. Walt Disney had a vision of quality, and he taught his staff to share that vision. Roy wasn't as big on stuff like gold plating on the castle, but apparently he felt strongly about people getting their money's worth as well. Current management simply isn't interested in providing quality at a good price. Not to say they want to rip people off, but their vision is more about money and they're find with charging and providing "what the market will bear."

Disney has coasted on its reputation for quality before, but at some point reality will overwhelm collective memory. So far someone has always realized that Disney is about vision and in some sense recovered that vision, or recovered enough of it that Disney remains unique. Could still happen this time.

I sure hope things get better soon. The Comcast.net home page typically has an assortment of news and information and not too long ago there was a piece on how to tell a restaurant is on the verge of going out of business. There was a list of things that included decline in the quality of food, smaller portions, fewer menu selections, less staff and even fewer pieces of tableware on the table. Sound familiar? We'll know all is lost when the so-called "signature" restaurants start using paper plates and plastic forks. But, what the heck... you'll still get to eat in "the Castle!"

 

[newdisfamily]

I am SOO sad to hear this considering my daughter really wants to go dine in the castle with Cinderella for dinner specifically Since the comments haven't been that bad regarding breakfast perhaps I can get her to change her mind to that meal instead.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Yeah, I'm of the 'never again barring drastic improvements' party too.

Interesting to note that most of the folks who have commented on the positive side for CRT dinner experiences have mentioned the prime rib - which is no longer offered.

I don't even bother with it for breakfast. None of the princesses with whom I have traveled (aged 4-44) have expired upon failing to dine within the castle walls, and the last couple of times I gave in and booked it at the request of a party member, the person making the request regretted it to some degree or another afterwards.

General consensus among us has been, yeah, that was not worth the time, trouble, or money.

 

[mollygirl13]

I guess I'm the only one who truly enjoyed my dinner at CRT!

I must admit that I wasn't thrilled with going to CRT for dinner (we are 4 adults with no children). Our friends really wanted to go so we went for them.

BUT-it was our best meal of our entire trip!! Everyone loved their meals. It was utterly fantastic. We had a blast. They put us at the BEST table in the entire restaurant which was right up at the window overlooking Fantasyland.

 

[eliza61]

I sure hope things get better soon. The Comcast.net home page typically has an assortment of news and information and not too long ago there was a piece on how to tell a restaurant is on the verge of going out of business. There was a list of things that included decline in the quality of food, smaller portions, fewer menu selections, less staff and even fewer pieces of tableware on the table. Sound familiar? We'll know all is lost when the so-called "signature" restaurants start using paper plates and plastic forks. But, what the heck... you'll still get to eat in "the Castle!"

Wait please don't tell me they are using paper plates at TS restaurants.

 

[GeorgeG]

Wait please don't tell me they are using paper plates at TS restaurants.

Well, not yet, but they are using paper napkins at some. If the day does come that they use paper plates, I'm sure they will be really good quality ones... at first...

 

[daraddg]

we were there in Aug for lunch and thought it was great, the kids both got nuggets but barely ate and I got the Major Duomos pie it was delicious,sorry you didnt enjoy it, we went at 2:30 maybe going on an off time is key?

 

[daraddg]

I am SOO sad to hear this considering my daughter really wants to go dine in the castle with Cinderella for dinner specifically Since the comments haven't been that bad regarding breakfast perhaps I can get her to change her mind to that meal instead.

you could still catch Cinderella elsewhere,we saw here when we did the princess breakfast at Norway in Epcot and she does a dinner at 1900 club fare,there was a photo package at Norway too but it was with Belle when we went last Oct...haven't been to 1900 but considering it for the next trip

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I dont think id like the food there,so we never been.

 

[free2div]

We love the breakfast meal at the castle. Good food and good interaction. Have done dinner before and was dissappointed in the food...but the breakfast was really good. We just did it last week with 11 of us!!! 1900 Park Fare is a good place also for Cinderella but I dont think the food is near as good..that one was mostly for the characters.

 

[emmabemmainc]

I guess I'm the only one who truly enjoyed my dinner at CRT!

I must admit that I wasn't thrilled with going to CRT for dinner (we are 4 adults with no children). Our friends really wanted to go so we went for them.

BUT-it was our best meal of our entire trip!! Everyone loved their meals. It was utterly fantastic. We had a blast. They put us at the BEST table in the entire restaurant which was right up at the window overlooking Fantasyland.

LOL--nope--although our meal was lunch. We loved it and my 9 year old dd can't wait to go back! I thought the food was good and the whole experience was magical.

It always cracks me up when people get so up in arms--it's a restaurant. If you don't like it or don't want to pay the money to eat there, DON'T. It's not the end of the world.

 

[emmabemmainc]

I can't imagine it's really that important to clarify, but I suppose I should have said "inedible" in the last part. Hope that helps.

Gee, thanks. I know, I'm so stupid, aren't I?

BTW--your post still doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

 

[♥Cleo]

So I just had to post after our recent trip. It was our first visit to CRT...I was sooo excited now that I finally have a girl I had an excuse to take the family! My boys actually did just fine...but the food was one of the worst meals of the trip!!

Don't get me wrong...the castle was beautiful and a really neat experience...and the princesses really loved on my DD...but what a dissapointment with the food...and if I had actually paid and didn't have free dining I would have been really upset.

I order the hen I think it was? blah...so bland and tasted like it came out of the microwave...the appetizers selection was bad too...who wants funky cheeses (and small amounts too). I get that they are trying to be more "elegant" there with their food...but we all left just not satisfied. Every other one table service meal was better.

Okay..enough of my rant. Just wanted to share our experience....and while the experience was sweet...we won't be back for the food!

We always went there & 1900 Park Fare, since I was a little girl. I noticed the same thing @ 1900 last time I went. I went in June of 2009 paid for the dining & it was good. Nov 2009 we went FOR the free dining. The food was not near the quality is usually is. I take it was the same case @ the castle for u. It's usually much better. I will say the vacation in Nov. of 2009 we stayed 2 weeks & had amazing food every single other day. Course I can't complain if something is free!

 

[Joshua_me]

It's not the end of the world.

No, but it is the symbolic center of one. Walt's and his vision, to be precise.

And it's an establishment that should pride itself in serving high quality food with a nod toward imagination and innovation and in a style befitting the Disney reputation for being just a little bit better than all of the rest of the competition out there.

But, hey - If the chicken nuggets were warm I guess that's all that matters.

 

[mickey2000]

No, but it is the symbolic center of one. Walt's and his vision, to be precise.

And it's an establishment that should pride itself in serving high quality food with a nod toward imagination and innovation and in a style befitting the Disney reputation for being just a little bit better than all of the rest of the competition out there.

But, hey - If the chicken nuggets were warm I guess that's all that matters.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

We've only been there for breakfast but I thought it was pretty good and they sure give you plenty. As for the cost, for me at least, all that really matters is that my little girl was tickled pink to eat there. I would have paid twice the price to see her so happy and excited. We're going back in January and already have our CRT reservations. As with so many things, it may just be a matter of perspective.