1. Yes you are able to ask for more. Generally the wait staff will come around and ask if you'd like a 2nd or 5th helping. If they don't, you can still ask. They also bring a large serving of various bread and pastry for your table.
2. The earliest reservation you can get is 8:05am. This is regardless of what time the park opens. If MK opens at 8am, CRT's first reservation is still 8:05am. If MK opens at 9am, CRT's first open reservation is 8:05am.
3. It usually takes approximately 45 minutes for the Princesses to make their rounds. You meet Cinderella downstairs before you enter the the dining room upstairs. Once you're at your table, the Princesses are announced to the entire dining room. There is a little intro about each princes and then they enter the room. They'll wave to everyone, everyone cheers, claps and waves and then start their way visiting each table. A few minutes later, the next princess comes into the dining room ect. You meet Snow White, Aurora/Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and Jasmine. Belle no longer meets at CRT. Previously if Jasmine was unwell, Rapunzel was appearing at CRT but this has not happened for a long time. I've also heard of the Fairy Godmother making an appearance here if some of the Princesses are unwell. The princesses will go for short breaks to get a drink but they're back within 5 minutes usually.
4. There is no parade, like at Crystal Palace. There is a wishing ceremony where everyone in invited to make a wish at their table. Each child (and adult if they want) are given a wand or sword. Generally girls are given the wands, boys are given the swords but you can ask to swap. We had a table near us where the two little girls wanted swords. We've also seen a few boys with wands.
A few words of advice. Once you're settled, ask your server for your bill. It's a set price so it won't change no matter how much you order and this will save time afterwards. We have wasted up to 20 minutes after we were done eating, waiting for the bill.
Have your autograph book, pens and camera out on the table and ready for when the Princesses come to your table. You want to maximize your time with the Princesses and not be trying to find books and cameras.
The best way to have a good character interaction is have a question ready for them. Ask Ariel if it was her idea that they don't serve fish for breakfast at CRT, ask Aurora if she has trouble waking up so early to greet the guests, mention to Snow White that you were disappointed there were no apples offered for breakfast. You get some fun conversations going that way.
Keep your eye on where the Princesses are so you'll roughly know when they'll be coming to your table. You don't want to be in the bathroom when Snow White stops by. They can't always make it back to your table and if they do, you'll often have to wait.
Your server isn't always around to take photos and usually there is no character attendant with the Princesses at CRT. If you want to take group photos and have everyone in the photo, team up with a table nearby. They can take your group photos and you'll take theirs.
If you finish before the park officially opens, you will be "held" at a rope just behind the castle. They'll usually let you go a little earlier so you have a slight head start to the crowd. We always allow an hour and a half for CRT, however we make later reservations. You won't be held up by waiting for your table as (assuming you make a reservation within 45 minutes of CRT opening) you won't be waiting for a table to become free.
Take the opportunity to take photos with you kids on an empty Main St and the castle! The photos are always amazing since there is almost no one in the background. It's a rare opportunity!
I have just a couple of questions about the CRT breakfast. I looked at photos and it seems like the child portions for my kids will not be enough (no, seriously, they out eat myself and DH. Of course, they are beyond skinny, so much so that it looks like we starve them. Darn well working metabolisms! It's not fair.
) Are we able to ask for 2nds? 3rds? 12ths?
Also, are we able to make an ADR for BEFORE the park opens? How long does it usually take for the ladies to make their rounds? (i.e. when will we be done?)
Lastly, are their any audience participation activities done besides meeting the princesses? Like, I have heard at Crystal Palace there is a parade, anything like that here?
Thank you all for your infinate patience and wisdom. Doing this for the first time I feel like I'm traveling to China!
So this could be an uphill battle but your info. has been very helpful and does confirm that CRT is, in fact, all you care to eat. Thanks again!
