CRT - Should We?

[Scootersbabygirl]

I've booked a lunch at CRT, but after all of the reading I've been doing, I'm not sure if it's something we should keep booked or if I should do something else? So far every day I've got a character lunch or dinner booked, including 1900 Park Fare, Akershus (I KNOW I spelled that one wrong! LOL), Crystal Palace, 'Ohana's (breakfast), and Chef Mickeys. I keep reading so many negative things about CRT, should I keep the booking or reschedule to something else?

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

In my opinion, the only reason to dine at CRT is for the experience of eating in the castle. That is, without question, a magical experience and probably worth doing once. In my opinion the food is merely ordinary, and is actually below average for WDW, but I cannot argue with the magic of dining in the castle.

That having been said, my DD5 reports that she enjoyed the meal at Akershus far more. The princesses were just as good (all but one were the same, with Belle replacing Jasmine at Akershus), and in my opinion spent longer with each diner than at CRT. The food was far superior, with a better selection and more interesting choices. The service was better and less rushed. And it was unquestionably less expensive (whether you're on the DDP or paying OOP). On our upcoming trip, she asked to go back to Akershus and said she'd rather skip CRT in favor of trying a new place (and she could have chosen to go back to both). She is, incidentally, a princess fanatic, so skipping a chance to have another dinner with the princesses is not an insignificant choice on her part.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

I think it sort of depends on what you hope the experience to be. Is it just to meet the princesses? You'll see them at Akershus. Is it to dine in the castle? You can't do that anywhere else. We took our girls, ages 7 and 8 at the time for lunch at the castle on our first trip. I would say it is worth it for the experience only. The food was probably the worst meal I've eaten at disney. It wasn't bad, just not as good as almost all the other restaurants. We were on the dining plan and it cost 2 table service credits. If you're on the DP it might be better to pay OOP. If it's a matter of cost and just to see the princesses I would probably skip it. We enjoyed our meal at 1900 Park Fare much more, and you also get to see the step-sisters, who are hilarious!

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

Personally, I'd cut a lot of those character meals. I wouldn't want to do so many! We did Akershus last November with my almost 5 year old and 3 year old and it was very nice. This time, we chose CRT instead of Akershus - haven't gone yet - because the girls wanted to see the inside of the Castle. But that's the only princess meal we're doing. We *may* do Garden Grill for dinner, but I'm tempted to have CRT be our only character meal, as little ones want to wait in line for characters anyway, even if you do the meals.

If your girls don't know about CRT, personally, I'd cancel that and use the 2 credits for a more grown up meal. If they want to be in the castle, I'd cancel both Akershus and 1900 Park Fare. I'd also rethink doing Ohana breakfast, Crystal Palace AND Chef Mickeys.

 

[whitney6494]

Your schedule looks alot like mine. I also went back and forth day after day with using 2 TS for a meal that is not getting good reviews. Finally...I just cancelled it and never looked back. I've been to Akershus for dinner and we decided we would do breakfast the next time and thats what we're doing. I have a Chef Mickey's for dinner,Ohana for dinner and a Cape May for breakfast with a couple others like Sci Fi and Plaza. If you really want to eat at the castle...just do it!! Who cares what other people say about the food. Goodluck!!!

 

[amyr1]

Honestly, we were not too impressed with the castle or the food. The dining room was extremely crowded so much of the "castle feel" was kind of lost, kwim? Much of the food we had that day (lunch) was incredibly nasty. Very few kids choices and they wouldn't substitute anything.

We really, really liked the dinner at 1900 Park Fare. We saw Cindy, Prince Charming, Stepsisters, and the Stepmother. All were in character and so much fun. The decor of 1900 Park Fare was very pretty--I thought it was more "royal" looking than the castle.

We thought the character interaction at Norway was good. I was not impressed with the food (breakfast) but it was edible and there was a good variety.

I would suggest you do 1900 Park Fare and Norway (1TS each) instead of the 2 TS CRT. You will get MUCH more/better character interaction and the food will likely be better.

Amy

 

[DW2010]

Honestly, you'll hear negative reviews about many places...CRT, Akershus, 1900 Park Fare, etc. It doesn't mean your experience will be negative. We chose CRT for the experience of eating in the castle. We aren't picky eaters, so I doubt we'll be underwhelmed by the food. As long as it's edible, we'll be just fine . Now, next time we head to Disney, we'll choose Akershus if my DD wants to eat with the princesses. I think CRT might just be one time only for us due to the cost.

 

[JacksLilWench]

Honestly, you'll hear negative reviews about many places...CRT, Akershus, 1900 Park Fare, etc. It doesn't mean your experience will be negative. We chose CRT for the experience of eating in the castle. We aren't picky eaters, so I doubt we'll be underwhelmed by the food. As long as it's edible, we'll be just fine . Now, next time we head to Disney, we'll choose Akershus if my DD wants to eat with the princesses. I think CRT might just be one time only for us due to the cost.

My thoughts exactly. If you listen to enough people, as many people that tell you they love such and such restaurant, the same number of people will tell you they'd never set foot there again. I've never eaten there myself, but I hear breakfast is much better than dinner. And if you can get a pre-park opening reservation, you get to "sneak" into MK when it's still deserted We'll be going for breakfast in December ourselves...

Either way, I hope you enjoy your trip!!!

 

[disneydreamkate]

We dined at CRT our last trip. It was our first meal in the World, and very special. It was pretty amazing to eat in the castle...and that was an experience in itself. The food was decent enough, but that is not why we chose to eat there. For 2 TS we probably would not do it again, but I am very happy with the memory we have from that day!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We dined at CRT for breakfast and my son loved it and he requested that if we can eat in the castle again. I would do it b/c the memories for the kids eating in the castle is priceless. They are young for such a short time and its was truely magical for my son to eat at the castle. I would remove 1900 Park fare.

 

[Hootch]

I'm the exception. I've eaten lunch three times at CRT and have enjoyed my meals. Yeah it's a bit expensive for the level of food but much of Disney (and other theme parks) are that way and the atmosphere has made it worthwhile for us as demonstrated by two return trips with a likely third next year.

 

[djp0630]

We ate at CRT for both breakfast & lunch and it is so neat to eat in the castle. Not sure if we will do it again, depends if I have another girl as DD ate in it twice already and she's only 4! We also enjoyed Akershus. We liked breakfast better than lunch at CRT.