CRT losing its popularity?!?

[engle]

I called today...180 days out exactly...late this afternoon. I thought for sure there would be no way since I didn't call first thing this morning. I got my pick of times for breakfast!!

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

being a mom to a Disney "princess" myself, I would have to say that CRT is going to lose it's popularity secondary to the fact that it now is a TWO TS credit. Why go there when you could go to Epcot and have a princess meal or 1900 ParkFare and have a Princess Meal?? Although i have to tell you that DH is paying OOP for DD and I to have Breakfast at the castle in Sept. I should also mention that we are going to 1900 for dinner also!! LOL.
I guess he's a sucker for a cute lil princess (see pic below)

 

[kaw1218]

definately! I called to see how much it would be for my family of 4 and it was over $160. For BREAKFAST!!!!! that is just crazy. that being said, I called about 2 weeks about, which just put me about 100 days out. They had a whole bunch of times available. I still remember the days of calling at 6:58am every day for a week..........

 

[kellyf2626]

Personally, DH and I always eat at CRT each year. But, since it has changed to a "set" menu with an increased price to include pictures and lithographs....we opted to not eat there this past trip. And, as a previous poster said, if you want a "princess" meal, there are several other excellent options that are 1 credit and offer more of a menu selection. So....we will see what Disney does....but for those of you that are going - more availability is good!

 

[beattyfamily]

I think it's all the changes (price increase, pay in full etc...) and that it's now a character meal at breakfast and lunch as well.

We never see those threads anymore about "I didn't get CRT, anyone have one they're going to cancel or anyone have any tips?" "I didn't get the time I wanted, someone want to exchange?" "I got CRT!!"

 

[Buzzandthemermaid]

I'll always be proud to say I ate in the castle (we didn't even have ADRs, my DW just kept bothering the hostess) , and for only 1 TS! Now that they changed it, no thanks. As others have said, too many other great choices.

 

[kcashner]

The last time we were there one of the podium people was running around telling guests that there was room to eat at the castle if they wanted to. He asked us, I said that we had ADRs. Don't know if that was a cancellation or a no show, but.....

I really think that the issue is the increased cost. We did CRT several years ago and it was wonderful. At lunch in December, it was so-so...but we had a friend who hadn't been there, so..... I wouldn't do it again since it is 2 TS on the dining plan and no one ate anything.

Every little girl needs to eat there once, but it isn't a place we return to.

 

[BlindTyldak]

We too called a couple of days late and got our choice of times (we're actually getting in an hour before the park officially opens, which is pretty cool!). I got the impression as the CM rattled off the times that it wasn't nearly as busy as it used to be, and we did have much less availability of choices for Norway's princess dinner.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I ate for one. It was a nice once in a lifetime experience. But the food was just OK for one credit (lunch) and for two it would be entirely sub-par. No way are we going back for two until we have a grand daughter. That's a long way off. What they should do is make it one credit and inform people it will be $30 out of pocket charge for the picture regardless of the size of the party. That way parties of 4 wouldn't be paying a $60 price increase and getting back only a picture in return.

As to the out of pocket, Make the price increase only $5 over what it was before and again inform of a $30 per family for the picture.

 

[aristocat]

Last Sept, My fiance and I walked up to podium at supper time and got in immediately without an ADR! I was pretty impressed, especially since we were there during 'free dinning'.

It was our FAVOURITE meal of the whole trip.... but now that it's 2 TS credits, I don't think I'll return. there's lots of other restaurants (that are 1 TS credit) that i'd like to try on our next trip this Aug!

 

[Angel16]

My DH and I had our anniversary dinner at CRT last October. We had a wonderful time, good food and were made to feel like we were special on our special day. Now that they have changed the menu to a "set menu" as well as increasing the price. I am sorry, but I really don't need the pictures and litho's for just my DH and myself. We enjoyed the magic they had and the fact you could dine in the castle for an adult meal. (Which I mean without the princess's and fairygod mother.) We will not be returning during our two week holiday vacation this year. It really is rather sad.

 

[oogieboogie]

We used to love eating at CRT, but when they took away lunch and dinner and turned it into princess meals, we stopped. I have no interest in princesses, and for the price they're charging... well... it's highway robbery.

Is CRT losing popularity? I don't think so - eating in the castle is still a sought after experience, but they're making it less accessible or making it less of a value for your money. I also think they're alienating a lot of people who would've liked to eat there. Many people were like us, love to eat there for the food, not for the princesses.

 

[Nancyg56]

being a mom to a Disney "princess" myself, I would have to say that CRT is going to lose it's popularity secondary to the fact that it now is a TWO TS credit. Why go there when you could go to Epcot and have a princess meal or 1900 ParkFare and have a Princess Meal?? Although i have to tell you that DH is paying OOP for DD and I to have Breakfast at the castle in Sept. I should also mention that we are going to 1900 for dinner also!! LOL.
I guess he's a sucker for a cute lil princess (see pic below)

I can see why! She is adorable, and likely to melt any Daddy's heart. Your little Princess wears her tiara well.

My DH is a sucker for our little Princess also. We are paying OOP for CRT in January so she can have her lunch in the castle while her friends the Princesses visit her. SHe is going to meet Prince Charming for the first time also when she has dinner at 2900. A Nana and a Pa must indulge their royal DGD.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We stopped dining for dinner at CRT once it because all princess. Darn... But there are so many other GOOD restaurants to choose from. But I miss dining in the castle....

 

[ceecee]

We enjoyed CRT for breakfast although a little pricey as we are light breakfast eaters. Dinner and lunch I really didn't care for. Especially last year when I went for the "slipper" and they stopped serving it the night before! I really don't think it is worth 2 TS on the dining plan which may be why there are openings.

 

[jwfla422]

We don't use the DDP, we have a DDE card and even with the discount it's ridiculous. I thought it was outrageous even before they made the big changes, now it's just completely absurd.

But, I guess as long as there are those that must see the princesses no matter what the cost they can keep charging those prices for the less than average tasting breakfast.

For us, they need to serve a lobster breakfast to get us back in there again and a good one for those prices. DD is starting to outgrow the princesses anyway which is just as well. SO, is it losing popularity with us, you bet...it's been written off our list for at least a year now.

 

[nanalisa]

I called 3 weeks for an ADR to CRT breakfast just to see if I could get one and sure enough we have a table for July 12 at 9:00 am. It's probably a fluke and I likta died when they told me it would be over 100.00 for 2 adults and 1 nine yo for breakfast. We've eaten many meals there, breakfast, lunch and dinner but I have to say this will be it. It's going to be a place where people eat once for the experience but I think they could lose their return customers.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Having eaten at CRT three times previously for breakfast, we will not be eating there again due to the huge price increase. My daughter is okay with this and I save alot of money.

 

[Lizzybee]

We will be dining at CRT for lunch on my bday this August. My kids really enjoyed CRT lunch last year and it was tops on their list. Since we have free dining, all it means to me is I pay OOP for a cheaper meal. I think that will be Ohana breakfast b/c it would be the cheapest meal and my DD8 won't eat that kind of breakfast so they may or may not charge us for her (or an entertainment fee) according to the CM who made the ADR for us. I wouldn't pay OOP for CRT Lunch and I get annoyed enough paying for cheaper character breakfasts. At least for lunch my DS12 can have salmon and I love the Major Domo pie. No eggs on earth are worth almost $100 for 3 people.

 

[NMW]

We have done the CRT breakfast our last two trips. This trip (Oct 2006) we are skipping it. We have the meal plan, but would never use TS credits for a breakfast, much less 2 TS credits.

We love character breakfasts and are doing several that we are paying oop for in Oct (Crystal Palace, Norway princess, Donald's in AK, Lilo and Stitch at 'Ohana) but I just won't pay almost $200 for our family of 5 to eat breakfast at CRT. It's the worst food of all the character breakfasts (our whole family agrees with this). We all really liked the Norway Princess breakfast much better, especially the food!