We were hugely disappointed in CRT when we went a few years ago. The interaction at dinner is very limited - only photos with Cinderella in the lobby. The food wasn't appealing at all.
In '09 we went to 1900 PF & loved it! The character interaction was excellent!! Cinderella & Prince Charming chatted up our DDs while the "steps" were in character throughout. My only warning is to make sure your DD knows the steps are going to act like they do in the movie. My youngest DD was speechless when they told her she had a big stain on her shirt, pointing to the princesses on her brand-new-that-day-from-MK shirt! She thought they were being mean. Our older DDs loved it though!! The food was pretty good too.
Since you went to CRT dinner, they have changed things...now it is a princess character meal just like breakfast and lunch there.
We have been to both places, for dinner. And to 1900 PF for breakfast (but not CRT breakfast). Here are my opinions...
1. 1900 PF was, hands down, the very best character breakfast we have been to at WDW. Great character interaction, excellent food, unique offerings on the buffet as well as familiar breakfast favorites. No princesses though...we were there last month and saw Alice, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Tigger & Pooh.
2. The character interaction at 1900 PF dinner (this was back in summer 2008) was excellent and very funny, but we didn't care too much for the food. It wasn't bad, just not our cup of tea compared to other buffets we have experienced at WDW. Only one actual princess there...Cinderella, and she circulates in the dining room.
3. Dinner at CRT last month was excellent! The food was fantastic, service was wonderful, beautiful atmosphere, and the character interaction was wonderful. You take a photo with Cinderella in the lobby (included in the price), but she does not circulate in the dining room. The princesses we saw during dinner were Snow White, Ariel, Aurora and Belle (in her peasant dress).
If I were going for dinner, I would choose CRT over 1900 PF. If it were for breakfast, I would choose 1900 PF, even though we haven't been to CRT for breakfast. But, it's mainly because I think CRT for breakfast is not as worth the money as it is for dinner because of the food. And yes, I know people go there for the experience of eating in the castle, but that's just the way I feel and I am not a cheap person by any means.
Another option, as mentioned in this thread already, is Akershus. We went there for lunch last month, and it was excellent as well. The photo is also included in the price. We got to take a photo with Belle (in her ball gown). She did not circulate in the dining room. During lunch, we saw Snow White, Aurora, Cinderella, and Jasmine. There is no guarantee you would see Cinderella here though, we just considered ourselves lucky.
Whatever you choose, I'm sure you will all enjoy it!!!
