CRT Menu Woes

[magicbob]

I was concerned from the beginning about booking CRT because my kids are picky eaters. I saw that fried chicken was on the menu and thought that would work nicely. But now that I've made my lunch reservation, I see that the fried chicken is only on the dinner menu.

My kids are WAY too old for kid's menu chicken tenders, and I'm worried there's nothing on the lunch menu that they'll eat. I'm really pretty surprised that the lunch menu doesn't have something less "exotic" offered, especially when they have FRIED CHICKEN at dinner! Is there any possibility they would prepare fried chicken for lunch?

I have a chance to change to a dinner ADR, but the time is not good (4:20 pm is currently the only availability, and that may not be around for long). That early dinner time throws a wrench into our timeline for midday break. Also, while there are items on the dinner menu I'm sure I'd enjoy, I was kind of looking forward to trying the majordomo, which is only served at lunch. The sad thing is... there are three entrees common to both menus and they're all things that my kids wouldn't touch!

For now, I plan to keep the lunch reservation and hope something between 5-7 pm opens up. If not, I may have to play hardball and tell them that they can eat what's on the menu or go get chicken tenders at Cosmic Ray's while my wife and I have a romantic lunch in the castle without them!

ARGGH.

 

[MsPeggySue911]

Fried chicken was the only thing on the menu that you think your kids would be willing to eat?

How old are they? If they don't order off the kids menu you have to pay for them as adults correct?

Are they 10 and older?

I did not book a res at CRT for my family because of the menu and it's limiting choices of stuff I know my family wouldn't eat also. So if those adult choices don't appeal to them then the hot dog or the tenders may be the best bet if you are dead set on eating in the castle.

If your kids are too old to order kids menu items then they may not really care much about eating with princesses at CRT either. You may want to ask them if they would rather eat somewhere else. Especially for the expensive cost of eating there. Almost $50 per person or 2 TS credits for ONE MEAL.

 

[aripantaloon]

Why would they be too old for the kids' meal chicken tenders at CRT, but they would be ok going to get chicken tenders at cosmic rays instead? I'm confused. Do you mean that there isn't enough food in the kids' meal tenders for them or they would feel like babies eating it?

You can always buy them adult meals.

I know how it is to be limited by the things that the kids will eat. It's really annoying when you would like to try a restaurant, but know full well your kids won't eat a thing there. I'm working really hard this next year to get my girls to expand their palates. I'm going to check out some of the menus of the places we'd like to try and have them eat foods that are typically on the kids' menu (or at least try and get them to eat) so that they have more options. Well, I'm not doing it just for Disney, since I want them to eat more foods anyway, but I think that for them to have a goal that says "Disney" is a little bit of incentive for them.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Actually, it doesn't look like fried chicken is on the dinner menu anymore either. The updated menu as of 5/11 says:

Roasted Prime Rib of Beef with Grilled asparagus, Gratin potatoes & a Cabernet sauce

OR Lemon Lavender Chicken on mashed potatoes served with wilted spinach and a chicken jus

OR Pork Chop with bacon and mushroom ragout, vegetable couscous, and drizzled with a sweet chili glaze

OR Roast Lamb Chops with roasted Fingerling potatoes, vegetable ragout, and drizzled with a herb pesto

OR Pan Seared Salmon with a grain pilaf, grilled asparagus, and glazed with rosemary-lemon honey

OR Cheese Tortellini with Julienne vegetables, fresh Romano, garlic & garlic marinara sauce.

Selection of Beverages (included in price): Coffee, Tea, Hot Cocoa, Minute Maid apple or orange juice, Milk, Soda, Iced tea, Lemonade and Punch . prices vary 36.00-59.99

 

[magicbob]

Why would they be too old for the kids' meal chicken tenders at CRT, but they would be ok going to get chicken tenders at cosmic rays instead? I'm confused.

My youngest "kid" is 14. They always eat off of the adult menus, but are not into the "gourmet" stuff. The chicken tender meals at Cosmic Ray's, Columbia Harbor House, etc. are adult meals, not kid's meals. I ocassionally eat chicken tenders at CS restaurants. They're not ONLY available on kid's menus.

Do you mean that there isn't enough food in the kids' meal tenders for them or they would feel like babies eating it?

Yes and yes.

Actually, it doesn't look like fried chicken is on the dinner menu anymore either. The updated menu as of 5/11 says:

Roasted Prime Rib of Beef with Grilled asparagus, Gratin potatoes & a Cabernet sauce

OR Lemon Lavender Chicken on mashed potatoes served with wilted spinach and a chicken jus

OR Pork Chop with bacon and mushroom ragout, vegetable couscous, and drizzled with a sweet chili glaze

OR Roast Lamb Chops with roasted Fingerling potatoes, vegetable ragout, and drizzled with a herb pesto

OR Pan Seared Salmon with a grain pilaf, grilled asparagus, and glazed with rosemary-lemon honey

OR Cheese Tortellini with Julienne vegetables, fresh Romano, garlic & garlic marinara sauce.

Selection of Beverages (included in price): Coffee, Tea, Hot Cocoa, Minute Maid apple or orange juice, Milk, Soda, Iced tea, Lemonade and Punch . prices vary 36.00-59.99

Well, if that's the current menu, then the one on WDW website is not up to date, because I just looked at it again it looks nothing like that. What is your source?

Dinner Menu:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/Media/InternetMediaType/Dining/CinderellasRoyalTable/cinderellas-royal-table-menu-dinner.pdf

Lunch Menu:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/Media/InternetMediaType/Dining/CinderellasRoyalTable/cinderellas-royal-table-menu-lunch.pdf

 

[AnnetteF]

I have to say this - Do your kids really care about eating in the castle? If they are little and will be in awe of the princesses and eating in "THE CASTLE", then go ahead, but I have to say that we've eaten there a couple of times now and it is a crazy free-for-all. There is nothing relaxed about this meal, certainly nothing that is even remotely romantic, and the food is mediocre to downright bad, depending on the day. We've done it for our DD who is now 7, but all that money for what you get is just outrageous. The princess dinner in Norway is much better and much more relaxed if they really want princesses. The mystique of eating in the castle is not that great that it is worth what they are charging. If you kids are older and are unhappy with the menu choices, another restaurant, with or without characters might be a better choice. If it might wind up being just you and your wife, definitely go elsewhere. Sorry - I just had to say it.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Well, if that's the current menu, then the one on WDW website is not up to date, because I just looked at it again it looks nothing like that. What is your source?

Right here on the DIS.

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

Updated as of 5/11

 

[magicbob]

I would not have a huge problem eating somewhere else, but my wife really wants to eat at the castle for our anniversary. We are not out of pocket and in terms of being 2 TS credits, that's actually ok. Because we are not big eaters, we plan to share for several other meals and those extra credits would end up getting wasted. None of us is there to "see the princesses" per se, but all of us can still appreciate them being there. I'm a little disturbed by the term "free for all" because when I ate there years ago, it was quite classy and elegant. I suppose the addition of the princesses could account for a change in the overall atmosphere. I could certainly try to sway my wife's opinion on eating at CRT but, ultimately, I don't want her to feel that I didn't take her where she wanted to go.

 

[magicbob]

Right here on the DIS.

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

Updated as of 5/11

Not trying to be contentious or anything, but isn't that a third party site vs. WDW's own website? Plus, it lists Cappuccino, Espresso, and Bottled Water as the only things served for lunch. So I wonder about the accuracy even if it was just "updated."

 

[AnnetteF]

Just read your post magicbob and thought I would elaborate on the "free for all" terminology. We ate there a long time ago, once upon a time when there were no princesses and yes, it was very nice.

Now though, upon arriving, you are told to wait until your name is called. Once it is, you are directed to the line of people (and this has been a mob scene both times we were there) waiting to meet Cinderella and have their picture taken. After you have your picture taken, you go up the stairs and give them , I think, just your name, and they direct you to your table. Understandably, the restaurant is packed and there are lots of children and it is very noisy - fine for what it is but definitely not romantic. The waitstaff both times we were there were very rushed. THey take your order and immediately the food starts to arrive starting with the appetizer platter (which seemed small and skimpy to us). The food arrives very quickly too. This is not a meal where you will be able to keep a relaxed pace. The food all appears pre-made, and that explains why it comes out so quickly. Nothing looks very special and the general feeling I got was that it was just "get the people in and then get them out". Of course, in between all of this, the princesses are visiting your table and I have to say that even they seemed rushed to us. Even DD, who was 4 at the time, seemed a little underwhelmed by the whole experience after dreaming about it for so long. On that visit, they brought us a bill at the end of the meal. We were paying out of pocket and I had already paid by credit card at the time of booking. It didn't dawn on me for a minute, and DH started to pay for it, when I remembered seeing the charge on my credit card statement. We told the waiter to check again, and when he came back, he said sorry, that was a mistake. It was almost a very expensive mistake for us if we had paid for it twice.
Some people may disagree with me on the experience, but I think very few people would say that this meal is even remotely romantic. To most adults, I think it will seem very rushed and not special at all. If you must try it, you might want to have a backup restaurant or another special meal planned at some point during the trip. Sorry , I love a special anniversary dinner, too, but this just doesn't come close, imo, and I hate the thought of this being someone else's special dinner.

 

[Hootch]

the the Major Domo. It's like a higher end shepherds' pie but id far from gourmet. They recently changed the lunch menu and it is the only thing that was carried over. It is also what I will be having on our trip next month.

 

[purple figment]

Since your kids are 14 and older, I would show them the menus and ask if there's anything they would order.

You'll be paying adult price (or 2 dining credits) for each of them, so if they want the chicken tenders, ask if they will make it an adult sized portion. I think this would be more realistic than hoping the kitchen can make fried chicken because that's only on the dinner menu and more than likely the kitchen won't have the ingredients prepped or the space set up for it during the lunch hours.

Because it's your 25th anniversary trip and you said your wife would really like to eat in the castle, it would be nice to do it. As you said, your kids could go to Cosmic Ray's and you and your wife could have "a nice romantic lunch ...without them!"...although I'm not too sure how romantic it would be. A little more "romantic" would be a late evening dinner timed to the fireworks display. While it's not the best view, they do dim the lights and it is a different perspective to see them through the stained glass windows of the castle.

 

[Hootch]

I believe the windows are covered now to block views of the ongoing construction.

 

[AnnetteF]

Just wanted to add that if you do decide to eat at CRT, why not consider ordering a special cake or dessert for the occasion? Also, call them and make sure they know it is a special meal to celebrate your 25th. That might get you a little special treatment. Whatever you decide, Happy 25th Anniversary!

 

[magicbob]

Just wanted to add that if you do decide to eat at CRT, why not consider ordering a special cake or dessert for the occasion? Also, call them and make sure they know it is a special meal to celebrate your 25th. That might get you a little special treatment. Whatever you decide, Happy 25th Anniversary!

I'm thinking about ordering the chocolate slipper dessert if we do go. I read where they also have a "proposal" package with an actual glass slipper for the ring and I might get a price quote for that (of course it would be an anniversary ring rather than an engagement ring, but I think that would still knock her socks off!).

 

[AnnetteF]

I'm thinking about ordering the chocolate slipper dessert if we do go. I read where they also have a "proposal" package with an actual glass slipper for the ring and I might get a price quote for that (of course it would be an anniversary ring rather than an engagement ring, but I think that would still knock her socks off!).

Wow, that sounds like a wonderful idea! I think that would definitely knock her socks off and would certainly make up for any shortcomings of the restaurant. I hope you will post how it went when you get back. I think everyone here would love to hear about it.

 

[sukhakuli]

Just read your post magicbob and thought I would elaborate on the "free for all" terminology. We ate there a long time ago, once upon a time when there were no princesses and yes, it was very nice.

Now though, upon arriving, you are told to wait until your name is called. Once it is, you are directed to the line of people (and this has been a mob scene both times we were there) waiting to meet Cinderella and have their picture taken. After you have your picture taken, you go up the stairs and give them , I think, just your name, and they direct you to your table. Understandably, the restaurant is packed and there are lots of children and it is very noisy - fine for what it is but definitely not romantic. The waitstaff both times we were there were very rushed. THey take your order and immediately the food starts to arrive starting with the appetizer platter (which seemed small and skimpy to us). The food arrives very quickly too. This is not a meal where you will be able to keep a relaxed pace. The food all appears pre-made, and that explains why it comes out so quickly. Nothing looks very special and the general feeling I got was that it was just "get the people in and then get them out". Of course, in between all of this, the princesses are visiting your table and I have to say that even they seemed rushed to us. Even DD, who was 4 at the time, seemed a little underwhelmed by the whole experience after dreaming about it for so long. On that visit, they brought us a bill at the end of the meal. We were paying out of pocket and I had already paid by credit card at the time of booking. It didn't dawn on me for a minute, and DH started to pay for it, when I remembered seeing the charge on my credit card statement. We told the waiter to check again, and when he came back, he said sorry, that was a mistake. It was almost a very expensive mistake for us if we had paid for it twice.
Some people may disagree with me on the experience, but I think very few people would say that this meal is even remotely romantic. To most adults, I think it will seem very rushed and not special at all. If you must try it, you might want to have a backup restaurant or another special meal planned at some point during the trip. Sorry , I love a special anniversary dinner, too, but this just doesn't come close, imo, and I hate the thought of this being someone else's special dinner.

I haven't been to CRT since 2007, so keep that in mind.

I agree it is not a romantic meal, and I think doing another more romantic restaurant another night is a great idea. But, I have to say, we didn't feel rushed at all when we were there for breakfast. I do like how the food comes right away. I have small kids, and they hate waiting around for food, so that doesn't make me feel like they are rushing me through our meal, but being considerate of families with small fidgety people. I'm sure all the food is pre-made, that's why the menu is so small.

When we were there before, we really took a long time at our meal. We always do at character meals because when we first sit down the kids are too hopped up to eat much, but the longer we're there the more they eat. I have kids who are very underweight for their height, so anything I can pack in to their tummies is worth any extra time it may take. We nicknamed our son Bacon the Boy after that meal because he ate bacon like I have never seen anyone eat bacon before! It was a crack up! Every picture we have of him (he was about 22 mo old) shows him with bacon hanging out of his mouth and a strip in each hand.

I do agree though that it is not a quiet, sedate, romantic meal at all. I'm debating if we're going to go back next time. It was fun, but somehow after it was over I felt a bit deflated like - that's IT? Overall I'd rate the Crystal Palace a better overall meal (food, atmosphere, fun) than CRT, but my benchmark is different because we have small kids still, and the last time we went to DW our kids were 22 mo and 4.

I feel you on the picky kids thing. There's a lot of places I want to go eat, but I know my kids won't touch anything on the menu.

 

[si-am]

My advice is to not let picky teenagers dictate all your dinner plans, especially if it's something special you want to do for your anniversary.

Send them off on their own, they'll be fine.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Not trying to be contentious or anything, but isn't that a third party site vs. WDW's own website? Plus, it lists Cappuccino, Espresso, and Bottled Water as the only things served for lunch. So I wonder about the accuracy even if it was just "updated."

I have found things here to be updated faster than WDW's site. I figured the lack of lunch menu was just temporary and it hadn't gotten posted yet. I am willing to be wrong.

 

[magicbob]

I have found things here to be updated faster than WDW's site. I figured the lack of lunch menu was just temporary and it hadn't gotten posted yet.

That may very well be the case. I'll be checking both sites periodically to see if any other changes are posted. Actually, the dinner options on the menu you linked to look much more promising. The Prime Rib, Lemon Lavender Chicken, Lamb Chop, etc. don't seem as exotic in their preparation as some of the items listed on the WDW site. At the end of the day, I think I will end up just showing the menu and photos of the dishes to them and say, if you want to eat here, these are your choices. Both kids eat chicken, beef, turkey, pork. One likes shrimp (but not really fish). They will eat basic vegetables, but when the preparation includes things like apple-onion ragout, they can't handle it. It might be possible to order the meat without the "fixings" but I imagine it would be a pretty bare looking plate.

Well, thanks to everyone for your ideas. I've still got plenty of time to pull the plug on the ADR if I decide to go somewhere else. In the meantime, I'm not going to obsess over it. But I will reflect some on the options and eventually decide what will work best for us.