CRT losing its popularity?!?

[cigar95]

One thing to keep in mind is that most of the guidebooks out there, as well as much of the other literature, will still say "call at 90 days". The 180 day option will begin appearing in next year's guidebooks, coming out this fall.

So I suspect even without the price increase, availability would still be good in the 120-180 day range.

With the higher price, that will also serve to lower demand some as well. But given that in years past, they may well have been able to fill up the place five times over every morning, I suspect that the breakfast will still be full, or nearly full, just about every day. It certainly was when we visited in February, shortly after the new prices went into effect.

 

[grinningghost]

I have a sneaking suspicion that many people who have "been there and done that" choose not to return to CRT. I'm one of them.

It's very cool to eat in the Castle. No doubt about it. But once you're finally in there, it's not very impressive. Cramped is more what I'd call it. The restrooms were in serious need of updating, and the food was slightly below mediocre, considering the outrageous cost.

I think everyone should try it at least once, but I really think that's what it is for alot of people, a "just once" restaurant.

 

[GretchGraham]

We've made breakfast in the castle a family tradition and went the past three years. We thoroughly enjoyed it and my DH thought it was the best character breakfast we ate all week. However, we just can't justify paying that price for breakfast. I'm glad be have those memories because I just don't see us going back.

 

[Dorisk3]

I too remember calling at the exact correct day, looking at the atomic clock- heart beating fast- hoping, hoping, hoping- then exuberant when I got through.
My family and I loved eating at the castle (and enjoyed the food too) last September- no doubt it was a special experience. But when they changed it to 2 credits and included a photograph I don't really need or worse yet a lithograph (read poster) it was a deal breaker. Since we've experienced it once, it didn't really break my heart to skip it this time around. The good thing is that it makes it easier for all the folks who haven't tried it and are really excited about going.

 

[cigar95]

I have a sneaking suspicion that many people who have "been there and done that" choose not to return to CRT. I'm one of them.

That would include me. In the last six years, I've had breakfast there eight times. This past February, I knew this visit would be my last for quite a while.

I love the food, and I'll be back eventually, but the price is now out of the bounds of "must do this every trip."

 

[Eeyore2003]

I'm against the popular vote here, but I dont' think so. They changed several things at about the same time which I think accounts for the change in being able to make ressies around "180" days out. First of all, most people I don't think KNOW that it's now 180 days out, or think that far in advance to do it, 90 days was a much more realistic planning phase, so those that call around 180 days out will I would imagine get their choice. Secondly, they added lunch with characters, schedules can be much more flexible and I'm sure that adds to the availablity of reservations. I would bet that by the "old standard" 90 days out, they're booked up pretty well for BOTH meals!!!

 

[IandGsmom]

We will be there this December and probably use 2 credits each. I know I can pay OOP but I just dont feel like it. The whole reason we did the DDP was to not stress how much money we should take with us, etc. This is also a very special trip since I will be graduating college (better late than never) This is only our second trip to the World and the whos know when we can go again. I will be there during dinner eating my very expensive overpriced food with a big smile on my face.

 

[LSUDis]

After counting the cost ($149.00 for my family of four) and realizing that by skipping this one breakfast, we could stay ANOTHER night at a Value or almost at a Moderate, we decided to add a day instead.

We have eaten bfst. at CRT every time that we've been to WDW, but not this time...as others have said, they've increased the price while adding unwanted, unasked-for items. Is it really worth two other table-service meals??? If you've never been, then maybe...but for us, it is just not worth it.

 

[ThatNiceComputerLady]

We just treated Grandma and Grandpa to a trip with us this year, and we had breakfast one morning.

Everyone, young and old, had a great time.

But I think for our next trip, we'll save some bucks and either skip it, or make it a special "Princess" and Mommy breakfast.

The price, oh the price!

But the look on my daughter's face....and her picture with Cindy was incredible...

The things we do for our Princesses....

 

[maggiew]

We've eaten at CRT every trip so far. However, we will NOT be eating there this trip. It pained me to pay $19.99 for breakfast when we hardly ate any food. But we did it for the princesses. But at the prices now ... no way for us. $32 for breakfast??? Also, both of my girls are now "ADULTS" and so the price would be very expensive for us. I wish they would have kept dinner Princess-free and NOT set price. My girls, although considered adults, eat like a bird and I can't justify the dinner prices for what we would eat.

My girls are slowly outgrowing character meals (for now). We are doing Chef Mickeys, though. But I think the changes are great for those who have never been there and are willing to pay for the experience with the princesses. I'm just glad we have already been there done that.

Maggie

 

[Rudy6]

I basically had my choice of times, too. I called after WDW announced free dining in August, so it was around 100 days prior. This was the first time, that I had it so easy.

 

[MelanieC]

We used to eat at CRT for lunch and dinner each trip. But since it because a Fixed Price Menu at all meals we haven't eaten there. It's just too expensive for what you get. Actually our last meal we ate there in Nov of 2004 the food was not good at all.

I do wish they would change it back to an al-acarte menu so that we could once again enjoy it. I didn't mind spending $20 something for an adult entree off a menu, but I wouldn't spend $30 or $40 something for a price fixed meal.

 

[JulyGirl]

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.

That's exactly it. Besides the insane price increase, you can now meet the princesses at lunch too. It can accomodate more customers now.

 

[golden1]

I think it is still reasonably popular. At 180 days out, it was the only meal that I didn't have my choice of times to pick from. The earliest times were already sold out but I did manage to get an 8:15am reservation. Also, this is for the second week of December which is a slower time of year. By 90 days out I think it will be pretty booked.

As far as the cost goes, we are just having one adult bring my daughter. It makes no sense to pay an extra $33 for a meal that really is just for my dd to enjoy anyway.

 

[kimberh]

The first time we ate there, we were a party of 3 and it was in 2000. The food was good and I thought, we have to bring everyone back here. We did two years later and now they have outpriced themselves. Sure, some people will always pay it but it is not worth the price and the word will get out if it already hasn't.

 

[Sandi12404]

When are you people going? I called 180 days out for our trip in Oct. and breakfast and lunch were completely sold out for everyone of the 7 days we'll be there. I was so bummed. We got dinner but it's our frist trip and I soooo wanted breakfast there. Anway, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for cancelations and keep calling.

 

[Fionasmommy]

We went for lunch on DD's birthday, and she was sooooo in awe of the princesses that she literally didn't touch anything on her plate. She wasn't missing much though. Some people must enjoy the food there, but personally I just kept looking at our table and thinking, "$108 for this??"

I didn't like any of it. The major domo pie is okay, but not 2 TS credit worthy. I can't even remember the dessert and I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas so it's not often a dessert sneaks by me!

It was a lovely setting, and the Princesses were all lovely and sweet, but we won't be going back. We're going to try HDDR this time around. Atleast there we'll get sangria!

 

[zulaya]

I personally was a been there ~ done that person after the first time. But DH was the one who wanted the castle each and every trip. So we'd call and get a ressie.

This year, even though Dh wants to go again, even he turned his nose up at the prices. He still wanted to go, but I put my foot down.

We are NOT returning to CRT for any meal, until the prices return to something a little closer to normal. We just decided to eat in our room that day instead of eating breakfast in the park.

 

[musicmama]

I was never able to get a CRT res until last Christmas trip, no matter how hard I tried. This last time we were onsite/on the dining plan, so I went overboard and made a res for Christmas dinner and another for breakfast the next morning. Both meals were good but there is no way I would ever spend 2 TS on either of them. As we all waited, lots of comments could be heard about "enjoy this time, with the price increase we won't be back".

DD-12 was heartbroken that the one character she went to see, Fairy Godmother, wasn't even at either meal (apparently the FG CM had off). She firmly refused a picture with Cinderella - didn't want to wait in the line with all those "little girls" when it wasn't the Fairy Godmother. She already told me not to bother making a reservation for our August trip - she had other plans for those 2 TSs (1900 Park Fare dinner and a return to Le Cellier) and they included good food, not a picture opportunity.

If, as some other posters suggested, the picture price were separated out and the value returned to 1 TS as before, we'd probably consider going back. Otherwise - no - it's just not comparable to the other 2 TS experiences in either food or entertainment value.

 

[eeyore45]

I got a first time breakfast - but now I want it switched to a lunch for the last week of Sept - I've been trying since my 120 day mark to change it to any lunch time - nothing available on any of my 8 days!! I call every day - hoping something will open up!!