CRT worth it?

[dancin'girl]

I know my DD will love a character meal with the princesses, so were planning on making ADRs for one. I was just reading one of the Disney guidebooks and it had several pages of instructions for getting reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table in the MK. I knew it was a hot place to go, but really!! This book actually instructs you to dial, hang up, stare at your watch and then press redial at the exact correct second. Then, if you get through, it says to make your request really fast - forget about being polite, and hold your breath about getting the ressies. Oh! And make sure you do it exactly when the office opens - and not a moment later! Yikes!! It just seems a little over the top! Is this the way it really works? Is it worth all the effort? I'm wondering if one of the other princess meals would be just as nice.
Any thoughts?

 

[ADKSPiette]

We went to the Princess breakfast at Epcot in June and I was very impressed. The wait to get in was minimal, and my DD was thrilled to see Belle when she walked in the door. We forgot her princess dress at home, but she was thrilled that the dress she chose to wear that day coordinated with Belle.

The food was great and the waitstaff was terrific. We were seated next to a wall and we misse dout on two princesses. We called the waitress over and told her what happened and shortly afterwards the missing princess came to the table.

I was even more thrilled when we got the photos (Free, or included in the price of the meal). I definitely wasn't expecting a bag full of pictures for my DD.

 

[Missin'Disney]

I've done both princess breakfasts, and enjoyed them both very much. the Askerhus b'fast is definitely underrated, but I did wait over an hour for our ADR, which was a bummer. The food was excellent though! I think CRT is more about the location though, can't beat dining in the castle with a view of Fantasyland!! It's quite pricey though. I haven't found that you have to go crazy to get a reservation - you just have to be a little flexible with your dining times, that's all. I've never called 180 days out or done that "call first thing in the morning" bit. Maybe if your travelling during peak season, I'm not sure, Haven't been brave enough to go that route

 

[Tammysue5]

CRT was very nice (at least my family thought so) and worth the money. I actually was surprised that I did not have much trouble getting the ADR when I called (about 160 days out and earlier morning call) We also did the Akershus and loved the princess interaction! So, if you cannot get CRT opt for that ...the girls will not be disappointed.

We are trying the 1900 Park Fare (GF) this year and are thrilled w/all the positive comments we have heard about it.


I do agree w/the poster that CRT is really about eating in the castle. Can't beat that. DD6 is still talking about the "wishing part" of the meal. We have the greatest picture of her w/her eyes closed 'wishing'

 

[kimsuenew]

I know my DD will love a character meal with the princesses, so were planning on making ADRs for one. I was just reading one of the Disney guidebooks and it had several pages of instructions for getting reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table in the MK. I knew it was a hot place to go, but really!! This book actually instructs you to dial, hang up, stare at your watch and then press redial at the exact correct second. Then, if you get through, it says to make your request really fast - forget about being polite, and hold your breath about getting the ressies. Oh! And make sure you do it exactly when the office opens - and not a moment later! Yikes!! It just seems a little over the top! Is this the way it really works? Is it worth all the effort? I'm wondering if one of the other princess meals would be just as nice.
Any thoughts?

Wow ~ those directions are off the wall! At my 180 days+ calling, very early AM (about 7:10-7:15), I was able (first attempt) to schedule CRT breakfast! I had to cancel it (we cut the trip by 5 days) and have not been able to procure another ADR for there... breakfast, lunch, or dinner (and I have called several times daily, numerous days). Good luck!

 

[Hootch]

day and a very early ADR, then those directions are pretty useful. We do lunch which is in less demand. Two times ago we called around 90 days prior and had a couple of choices for lunch. (UG must have been printed before the 180 day time frame was announced.) Last year we changed ADRs around 120 days out and had several lunch and dinner times to choose from. Both of these were in late June.

Is CRT worth it? That's a tough one for someone else to answer. We still go every trip because my daughter is in a princess stage. She absolutely loves it and glows the whole time there.

Once she is out of this stage we will probably take a break for a few trips as we reorient our dining to accommodate the parents a little more.

 

[Brian Noble]

This book actually instructs you to dial, hang up, stare at your watch and then press redial at the exact correct second.

Several years ago, the prices at CRT were raised significantly. Ever since, it's been much easier to book. The addition of lunch hours, and the expansion of princesses to Akershus, has also helped. All in all, I find I no longer need my atomic clock.

 

[memy26]

I found it was very worth it but the look on my dd's face when we went!!

I made our ADR's about 150 days out and in the evening to boot. I didn't have any trouble getting the exact day and time that I wanted! And although I'm sure this isn't the norm we saw another family walk straight in (with no ADR's) the morning we were there.

For us it was totally worth that once in a lifetime moment!

 

[dancin'girl]

Thanks for the input! I think that DD will love eating in the castle and actually, I'm pretty curious about going inside myself! It's good to know that it may not be as difficult to get a reservation as I had thought. I was actually a bit scared off by what I had read.

 

[Tam1067]

Getting into CRT is not nearly as hard anymore. I've done it twice and never had an issue. I don't even call right at 180 days.

DD and I had breakfast there last week. It's very nice for what it is. The atmosphere is special. The service is pleasant. The food is decent. The princesses, though, are really the reason to go. If you tell yourself you're paying not just for typical breakfast food but also for characters, a castle visit, and a photo package, it's "worth it."

 

[jamimb]

We have done both CRT and The Princess Breakfast at Norway. While we loved the meal at Norway the meal at CRT was one of our worst and we vowed never to go back. We were not on the DDP and paid $150 for the 4 of us and I just expected much more for that price. We all shared one appetizer and there wasnt even any bread (we did lunch). I have never ever been so rushed to eat in my life! Even though I thought our server was great it was obvious that they want to get you in and out as fast as possible. Absolutely no time to linger or just enjoy you meal. The princesses spent no time with us and even acted annoyed when we wanted to take pics. I don't know dinner and breakfast may be different but it was by far our worst character meal to date! (and we have done almost all of them!)