CRT vs Akershus

[Stephaniesue]

I have bookd CRT, but I like the Akershus experience as well.

We will be going on our first trip in Sept, and will be on DDP. I am having a hard time spending 2 TS dinners for CRT. But, I know DD will LOVE it.

Which one would you prefer? Which has the best character interaction? How's the food?

I have read mixed reviews for both.

We have already booked CRT, but there are openings for Akershus as well.

 

[PrincessAurora]

I adore Akershus and find it to be the best food in Epcot. I don't eat there for the Princess Parade but have always found all the characters to be charming and interactive.

I have eaten at Cindy's for lunch and dinner. I found the food to be average, the room cramped and the character interaction decent.

Both places are "castles" but Cindy's is in "The" Castle.

I suppose it depends on your child. If she is totally into Cinderella, then suck up the overpriced credits and do Cindy's. However if Cindy isn't her fav Princess, the array of other Princesses at Akershus gives you more bang for your buck. The food is more varied and they do have "modern kid food choices" as well as the fabulous Norwegian food.

 

[mb_uh]

Akershus we did breakfast got in at 8:00 took pictures with Belle and then seated. Buffet of berries, yougart, pasteries, lox, etc. Plated eggs, meat, potatoes delivered all princess joined us at the table. Paid left before park opened. Food was okay, really the only character meal that we could easily skip. The only reason we would do it again is to get in the park early. We actually got fp for mission space before the park opened.

CRT- walked right in to our ADR for dinner. But we waited in line for pictures with Cinderella for awhile . Then seated, apps brought quickly, dinner served - excellant, dessert, princess circulated lots of attention then swords, wands and wishing stars. Kids loved the whole thing and wanted to go back the next night

So I highly recommend CRT.

 

[divawife]

Go to CRT at least once even if it is 2 credits. It is an experience to see the inside of the castle icon of the Magic Kingdom. We did a late lunch, it was the only ADR we could get. I was worried but it turned out great. The princeses took their time and lunch food was pretty good. We also did Norway but it was a very early lunch. Which also worked out great. The food gets mixed reviews because at lunch it is "different"with an appetizer buffet that has some regular items but also has fish items. I loved it. The princesses were again lovely and the photo is included. Your little girl won't be little forever and the castle view changes in the eyes of a little one. Not a bad thing but there is no going back. Try the Cindy castle experience and don't worry about timing (early or late). Its not the food you are going for.

 

[danceintherain]

I agree about trying it once. If your daughter is at the princessy age, then it is definitely worth the credits. If you don't try it this time, then you'll only be faced with the same dilemma when you begin planning your next trip.
I've never done Akershus, but there's something special about eating in the castle. I'm sure I'll fit Akershus in some time in the future.

Also, Magic Kingdom in general has limited Table Service. If you don't eat at CRT, then where? In that vein, where are you eating in Epcot? I usually make my decisions based on scheduling.

Last, the expansion of Fantasyland includes at least one additional table service restaurant. If you don't do CRT this time, next time you might be faced with a decision between two great TS options at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[TAKitty]

We really preferred Akershus breakfast. We found the characters spent a lot of time with each table. Much more than CRT. That being said, CRT is neat for the castle experience, but I think it was neater for me than any of the kids in our group. They were fine meeting the characters at any location.

 

[juliebean]

We preferred Asherkus to CRT - my daughter loved Belle and we really liked the breakfast. I love bagels w/lox, the berries were gorgeous and the hot items were all good. The princesses were all very engaging and my daughter's enjoyed the princess parade.

Our experience at CRT isn't one I'd want to repeat, we had to wait forever to be seated, the food was not particularly good, and, I'm sure it was just a fluke, but the princesses were not terribly interested in the kids. They were more interested in talking with each other. Jasmine needed a reminder of what her job was. She literally signed my daughter's book, and walked away - all the while laughing and talking with Snow White. What a disappointment.

 

[juliebug1997]

I haven't been to Ankershus yet but I've been to all three meals at CRT. My brother loved dinner and my husband loved breakfast and lunch. There's just something about eating in the castle. I highly suggest it. It's special and worth it in my opinion, that of a 36 year old princess.

 

[mwmom]

We did both in November (CRT for breakfast and dinner and Akershus for dinner). My DD, age 5, loved both, and I liked the food at all of them. If I had to pick one for our first trip, I would definitely choose CRT just bc of the castle experience and seeing Cinderella when you walk in. It is truly magical!

 

[graceesmom]

After going to both numerous times, we now just go to Akershus. However, if I hadn't gone to either and was only going to 1, I would probably choose CRT if it was in the dining budget (credits of $$$). Dining at Cinderella's castle is an unforgettable experience for your little princess.

 

[magicbob]

Cindy's is in "The" Castle.

There's just something about getting to go upstairs and eat in THE castle!

 

[OhThePain]

The only reason why we would choose CRT over Akershus is because, as the others have said, eating in the castle is something all Disney lovers should try at least once. However, my girlfriend and I had better character interaction and liked our meals better at Akershus (lunch) than at CRT (breakfast).

 

[RBrooksC]

We are looking forward to our breakfast at Akershus. I like that we can get into the park early.

My daughter is only two and just learning about the Princesses so we thought this was a better idea than trying to fight for a spot at CRT.

This way we get some nice photos in Epcot before all the people show up, we get to enjoy the quiet and be able to be right in the thick of the action before most of the people show up.

 

[Stephaniesue]

Alright CRT it is! DD just turned 8, and I am not sure when our next trip will be.

Thanks so much, you guys have all answered my questions perfectly!

You guys are so right, she's only little once. This was the first ADR I made, because I knew she would love it. It's just hard justifying 2 TS credits, but if the experience is worth it, and the food is good I think it's worth it.

Thanks again .

 

[tink2]

We've done both with our DD (who is now almost 12). She thinks eating in THE castle is a must every trip! We did both on a trip when she was 6 years old. The next trip we planned, her first question was~ are we going to eat in Cinderella's castle? She never once asked about Akershus. Both were good~ but there is just something magical about eating in THE castle. Especially if she loves princesses. When she was little, she begged to go even further upstairs to see Cinderella's bedroom~ haha! Yes, your dd will only be little once, go for it! I hope you have a magical time!

 

[whitney37354]

We did breakfast at both & both were fine. Character interaction was a little better at CRT, but Akershus was good too. We bookended our week with these breakfasts, seeing the same two sets of princesses at each place, which wasn't a problem for us. I think the food at Akershus was a little better. Atmosphere was good at both places, but there's nothing like being in Cindy's Castle!