CRT for first night dinner????

[tripplanner2]

We are traveling with 3 princesses aged 10, 8, and 5. Our 5 year old has been through a lot and we want this to be a perfect trip for her. I want the first night to be magical and figure Spectro and fireworks and maybe a few rounds on Cindys carosel. But dinner? Thinking CRT for dinner and watch fireworks through the window but not sure if it will be a letdown going for dinner instead of lunch. Anyone have any ideas? We are on the dining plan and I don't mind using a park ticket for the 1/2 day. Any and all ideas very welcome. She has some allergy issues so I am unsure if a buffet will work.

Thanks in advance for everyones help.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Disney is very good at accomodating food allergies. Mention your daughter's specific needs when you make the recommendations. They really go the extra mile and are used to all sorts of special requests.

I think CRT is a wonderful way for three little princesses to kick off a WDW trip! But I don't think you can see the fireworks too much, there are some tables that have views of Dumbo and the fireworks are behind that area but you'd have to be at one of those specific tables. I'd make a reservation for fairly early, then go out and get a good spot for Spectro and Wishes.

Crystal Palace is another one that is very fun if you can't get CRT to work out.

I hope you have a great trip and that your little 5 year old has some very happy days ahead!

 

[AnnetteF]

I would plan on being through with dinner before the fireworks, since none of the MK restaurants offer a great view of them and there is no guarantee of even getting a window seat. CRT is a great idea as long as you know that there will be no princesses coming around. They will meet Cinderella before dinner and then the Fairy Godmother does a little song in the dining room, but there is no table to table greeting like at Breakfast or lunch.

I agree with another poster that any of the Disney restaurants will try to accomodate people dining with allergies, including the buffet restaurants. So with that in mind, another idea would be to dine at 1900 Park Faire in the GF and then go over to MK for Spectro, fireworks, etc. It is a great buffet dinner with Cinderella, the Prince, and the Stepmother and stepsisters. We just did it a week ago tonight with our DD5 and she loved it. They announce all of the characters, Cinderella and the Prince come in and dance to "So this is love" and then the Prince danced with some of the little girls, including DD who was in awe of him! The whole thing was adorable and I highly recommend the dinner.

Whatever you decide, I hope you all have a wonderful trip!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

My only concern would be tired kids. We're laways tired the day we travel and learned last time to try to take it easy that first day.

 

[Blessedx3]

I agree with the pp. We are always tired too. On our very first trip my boys were 3,2 and 9mos. We did dinner at Cali Grill went out on the observation deck and watched the fireworks. It was amazing and I will be honest I cried when my 3 year old saw the castle in the distance and said there it is mom there is walt disney world. It was the perfect start to the vacation. We weren't rushing to make a dinner ressie (which we have done several trips since then) and the kids were well rested for a early start the next day because we didn't have to fight the crowds to leave the park, catch a bus ect. Just an idea for you. Whatever you decide I am sure it will be magical.

 

[tripplanner2]

I agree about the tired kids thing but in 2007, during our last trip, we waited until we were rested to hit MK. On the first night in the pool our oldest daughter inhaled pool water and wound up with an infection in her lung. Definately bad luck but she was so sick even after going to the hospital. It was a trip from (well you can imagine). She wound up spending 2 nights in the hospital back home after the plane ride and that was after a week on strong antibiotics. My thing now is to do things while we are healthy and happy. If it means we sleep in the next day, that is fine. I just want a wonderful start and hopefully finish to this vacation. We bought trip insurance this time. To help insure nothing goes wrong.

Thanks for the info though about dining in the castle for dinner. I will ask for the window but of course it will not be guaranteed. I think just being there will be special and I guess I should not plan on eating too late as you can't see fireworks from inside the castle. I never realized that before.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Just throwing my 2 cents in....I try not to book anything with a cancellation penalty for the first night just in case of any kind of travel delay. I also think that tired kiddos is a factor to consider. CRT is such a great, yet expensive, experience that you want everyone to get the most out of it, kwim? Have a great trip.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, that's the other concern. Take your travel plans and possible delays into account. CRT requires prepayment in full upon booking. If you are delayed while traveling, you will possibly lose the entire amount. If you're on the dining plan you will be charged a no-show fee. You might want to make sure your travel insurance would cover that - I am not sure it would cover the cost of the meal or your no-show fee if you do make it to WDW, just too late to make your reservation.

It would probably be most adviseable to pick a restaurant on a travel day, especially if you are traveling by air, that does not require prepayment in full or a no-show guarantee (like Park Faire if you want a princess themed meal)

 

[tripplanner2]

Just throwing my 2 cents in....I try not to book anything with a cancellation penalty for the first night just in case of any kind of travel delay. I also think that tired kiddos is a factor to consider. CRT is such a great, yet expensive, experience that you want everyone to get the most out of it, kwim? Have a great trip.

Did not even think of a flight delay. You are right though. Maybe we should go for an early lunch the next day. We don't go to breakfast, we like to use our mornings in the park and then hit someplace for an early lunch and break.

Then maybe we should hit 1900 Park Fair for dinner on the first night. I guess there is a show now? Last time we were there Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the mice circulated the room but no show. The show sounds cute and a nice way to start the vacation.

 

[DisneyTinkerbell]

We always hit Chef Mickey's on our first because like a PP mentioned we are tired from traveling. We hit Chef Mickey's and then back to the room to rest up for a full next day.

 

[ktlm]

I know my daughter would prefer lunch or breakfast at CRT so that she could see all the Princesses and have them come around to her table. Also, I would not book something pre-paid and non-refundable the 1st night due to travel delays. I am also afraid if I promise something like that for the 1st night and we have a travel problem, that DD would wind up heartbroken. I think doing CRT for lunch your 1st full day there is a great plan. I would probably book Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, or 1900 for the 1st night and not tell my daughter what we were doing until we got there so if something happened she would not be upset. My only concern about doing 1900 the night before CRT would be the possibility of having to explain to your 5 year old why Cinderella looks different the next day. We are doing those two places a few days apart on our next trip, and I am still a little worried about that one, especially since my DD got glasses the week after our last trip (her 1st) so now she will be able to see them a lot better. I hope your 3 Princesses have a wonderful time- especially your 5 year old!