CRT vs Akershus Opinions From Those Who Have Done Both

[PSUGuy]

We did CRT in 2006 with one daughter, SIL and the grandkids. Tomorrow our 180 window opens for our party of 11, the ones who did CRT and our other daughter, SIL and their 2. It appears it's fairly easy to get Akershus and I know CRT goes fast. How do the 2 compare as to princess encounters and any other criteria you care to use? Is Akershus a good 2nd choice?

Thanks,

Bill From PA

 

[ErinsMommy]

Akershus is actually not so easy to get past your 180 day window. Spent weeks trying to adjust a time from 8:30 to 8:00 a.m. With that said, CRT I would say is more 'formal' with the dining style (they bring food/drinks to you) and the princesses come to you as well. Akershus is a mix of both where they bring you a family platter of food and you can also go up and get some fruit, cheese and other things I didn't really pay much attention to. Akershus also has a princess parade where you can walk through the restaurant with the princesses and the princesses also come to your table.

 

[PSUGuy]

Akershus is actually not so easy to get past your 180 day window. Spent weeks trying to adjust a time from 8:30 to 8:00 a.m. With that said, CRT I would say is more 'formal' with the dining style (they bring food/drinks to you) and the princesses come to you as well. Akershus is a mix of both where they bring you a family platter of food and you can also go up and get some fruit, cheese and other things I didn't really pay much attention to. Akershus also has a princess parade where you can walk through the restaurant with the princesses and the princesses also come to your table.

Thanks for the info. Just now I started an ADR on MDE for a party of 11 at Akershus for a noon lunch on Aug 16, just to grab a date out of the air, and it was available. Did the same this morning to test availability with the same result. On the other hand by 8:30 am there was no availability for CRT on Nov 1 for any time. Obviously we got a ressie in 2006 for CRT and may get one this year but I want to have a Plan B.

Bill From PA

 

[ADS2508]

I think it has been reported that CRT has lower reservation maximum (can't remember if it is 8 or 10) and you may need to split your party into smaller groups. You may want to call on that one.

 

[PSUGuy]

I think it has been reported that CRT has lower reservation maximum (can't remember if it is 8 or 10) and you may need to split your party into smaller groups. You may want to call on that one.

Never thought of that, I'll call.

Bill From PA

 

[ktlm]

We have done both multiple times and prefer CRT. In fact, now that DD is older we have dropped Akershus entirely and only go to CRT. In our experience the tables are closer together at Akershus, the Princesses are more rushed, and we have been rushed by servers before (once the server came to our table as we were being seated and wanted our food order- when I said I needed a minute to look at the menu, he said okay and then stood next to me waiting). DH and DD still joke about the time we were seated near the salad bar/buffet area and my chair was being bumped into about every 30 seconds. They were rolling with laughter by the end of that meal because it was constant. We far prefer CRT for a Princess meal - plus there is just something special about eating in the castle.

 

[Hessie628]

We preferred Akershus to CRT when we went in Aug. We had the opposite experience of ktim. CRT was so rushed. We saw all the princesses in less than 5 minutes. We barely had time to get autograph stuff ready for the next princess. Our server also rushed us. It was my first time eating in the castle and it may be my last. We don't complain usually-especially my husband- and he sent Disney an email. Our experience was much better at Akershus. The princesses took their time interacting with each table. We are going next week and booked Akershus along with some other meals. We'd rather not spend the extra money at CRT even if it is in the castle. Maybe we will give it another try in the future. I so wanted to have a great experience there.

 

[WVU Disney Fan]

Done both twice and are very similar characters wise. I personally like akerhouse better food wise.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We have done both and like Akershus better by far. We were a party of 7 at CRT and 4 out of 7 had food that tasted horrible. It was so rushed and our server was so disconnected. I would do CRT once to have the experience of eating in the castle - but would not do it again. The food is much better and more plentiful at Akershus. We also liked the princesses better at Akershus plus it is cheaper than CRT.

 

[Regan117]

Never thought of that, I'll call.

Bill From PA

Largest table is 8. They will have to book two separate reservations even if you call. We had to do this for our upcoming trip.

 

[Sun_soakin]

Done both twice and are very similar characters wise. I personally like akerhouse better food wise.

Agreed

 

[Disney Princess]

Largest table is 8. They will have to book two separate reservations even if you call. We had to do this for our upcoming trip.

I didn't know this. Is there a way to "link" the reservations so they know you're together? I know there is no guarantee, but will they try to seat you near each other? We've got 9. Our family of five and 4 grandparents. The only reason the grandparents are coming is to watch the grandkids interact. If we are across the restaurant, it seems silly for them to pay.

 

[Regan117]

I didn't know this. Is there a way to "link" the reservations so they know you're together? I know there is no guarantee, but will they try to seat you near each other? We've got 9. Our family of five and 4 grandparents. The only reason the grandparents are coming is to watch the grandkids interact. If we are across the restaurant, it seems silly for them to pay.

You need to make the reservation over the phone. They will link them and you will get two confirmation numbers, but they do tell you there is no guarantee you will be seated together.

 

[Robertfam08]

Largest table is 8. They will have to book two separate reservations even if you call. We had to do this for our upcoming trip.

Anyone know how this is handled for a party of nine when two of the diners are infants? We don't need more than eight seats, but as far as I know we still have to count the babies on the reservation, right?

I think Akershus represents a better value all around for princess interaction. Our family is all about value. Haha.

 

[Regan117]

Anyone know how this is handled for a party of nine when two of the diners are infants? We don't need more than eight seats, but as far as I know we still have to count the babies on the reservation, right?

I think Akershus represents a better value all around for princess interaction. Our family is all about value. Haha.

They don't add extra chairs to the end of a table. It would be handled the same, regardless of their age. We are a party of 9 and have had to have separate reservations every time we dine at CRT. We usually opt for late-night dinners, when it's less busy, so our chances of sitting together are better.

 

[moodyeeyore]

DH and I prefer Akershus. The atmosphere is beautiful, and we've had great character interactions both times we went. At CRT the characters seemed more rushed, and the overall experience didn't feel as magical (despite being in the castle). On our upcoming trip we booked Akershus again, but not CRT. Another fun alternative is the 1900 Park Faire dinner that has Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and the two stepsisters. The character interactions were fun and hilarious.

 

[twoplustwins]

We preferred Akershus. The food was better and we weren't so rushed. The princesses spent a lot of time with my daughters.

 

[Terra_K]

My family and I have done both and we prefer Akershus, not only is the building beautiful, but the atmosphere, service and food are great. I also personally felt like the princesses were able to take their time with guest and interact more there as well.

 

[pammydw]

We love both! We like Akershus breakfast more so than the dinner. Have only had dinner at CRT, but it was a wonderful experience as well. Great interaction with the princesses. We had bought our daughter a villians charm bracelet, and I remember Snow White at CRT really loving the bracelet, I mean, I think she REALY loved the bracelet! Lol! And then at Akershus breakfast, our DD had Maleficent ears on, and Snow White joked that Aurora would not be fond of them. I do think that for a really special feel, the castle provides just a bit more magic. I mean, it's Cinderellas castle! Have fun no matter where you go!! And have your camera ready!

 

[IrishNYC]

We prefer Akershus by a long shot. Sure, it's fun to eat in The Castle, but we preferred the food, the setting, and the princess interaction at Akershus. Even if they were both priced the same, Akershus would get our vote.