Dining in the Castle

[constanze]

We just booked a CRT dinner ADR for our August trip. Although both my kids are older teen's, we really wanted to experience dining inside the castle. I've read some of the dining reviews and they seemed mixed, but was having difficulties finding something current. I'd appreciate any menu suggestions. What's your favorite dish?

 

[Nancyg56]

We had dinner in teh Castle in October. We were three adult women, and I was the only one who had ever dined there. It was a wonderful evening. The service was terrific, with the CM enjoying one of my friends first time even seeing a Princess. I thought that it was so nice that teh CM was as invested in her joy as we were.

The food was excellent. I know people have had lousy reviews, but we were all happy woth our choices.

The Princess interaction was also very good. THey were as kind to use as they were to teh little kids who wee all Princessed up.

 

[constanze]

We had dinner in teh Castle in October. We were three adult women, and I was the only one who had ever dined there. It was a wonderful evening. The service was terrific, with the CM enjoying one of my friends first time even seeing a Princess. I thought that it was so nice that teh CM was as invested in her joy as we were.

The food was excellent. I know people have had lousy reviews, but we were all happy woth our choices.

The Princess interaction was also very good. THey were as kind to use as they were to teh little kids who wee all Princessed up.

Thank you so much for your post!!! I am SO looking forward to the evening. I missed my chance when they were young to have this experience, so thought I'd never see the inside of this castle, but my daughter told me recently she would LOVE to dine in the castle, so I was all over that My DH and DS just love new experiences, so this will be perfect.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you so much for your post!!! I am SO looking forward to the evening. I missed my chance when they were young to have this experience, so thought I'd never see the inside of this castle, but my daughter told me recently she would LOVE to dine in the castle, so I was all over that My DH and DS just love new experiences, so this will be perfect.

I know you will have a wonderful time. I am Blessed to have had lunch there twice and dinner last October. This trip we have booked it for dinner so the rest of my family can enjoy it as well.

Don't rule out your Dh and DS having fun. WHen we had lunch, my big burly man's man turned into mush for Snow White! LOL! She planted her signature kiss on his cheek and all he could do was stammer that he had "Been reading about you all my life!" LOL!!!!!!!! My DD got a great picture!

 

[Tulles]

We did breakfast there our last trip. It was close to my birthday and I got a plastic placemat with all the princess signatures on it. Awesome souvenir (and free too). We all had a great time, even my son who was 8 at the time.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

The only gripe I had were with the small thimble sampler desserts. Ended up having cheesecake at Riverside mill a short time after. Otherwise awesome.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of CRT Dinner: (*rev 01/17/2015*)
. . . food price value: D
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: C
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: B
. . . eatery atmosphere: A (hey, it is THE Castle!)
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: B
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Royal Tasting of Cheese Plate
. . . entree:.. Slow-Roasted Bone-In Pork
. . . dessert:. Chef's Dessert Trio
.
NOTE1: For food, CRT is grossly overpriced. As with most character meals, you are paying for characters, and possibly atmosphere, but not the food. Food is ample and tasty, but quality only average or even slightly below. Time spent by princesses it relatively short; barely enough to take photos (Akershus is better for princess photos and interaction). But, the castle experience/ambiance can't be beat.
.
NOTE2: The eatery no longer includes a photo package with the price. This ended on Jan 5, 2015. They do have Memory before you go into the meal. Inside, you need to use your camera. WDW has gone to this system at all character meals to force or highly encourage folks to buy the MM Photo Package.
.
NOTE3: This is not an All-You-Care-To-Eat meal.

 

[dwight16]

we did it last time with my DD 9 at the time and two nieces 5 and 8 now as the person paying and just looking at dollars and cents is it worth it and the simple answer is NO not even close BUT BUT BUT BUT would i do it over again for them at that age yes and the intangibles is what makes it worth it. for us getting into the park early and then the looks on the kids faces was just priceless my DD was star stuck so should you do it at least once.....YES will you be eating your meal and thinking this is the best meal ever NO......but your not really paying for the food your paying to be in the castle

 

[constanze]

Thank you everyone for your replies! SO looking forward to the trip, just a couple weeks away!

 

[RustManFan]

It has been years since we ate here but the experience and the food were both incredible.

 

[SouthJersey]

We had dinner in teh Castle in October. We were three adult women, and I was the only one who had ever dined there. It was a wonderful evening. The service was terrific, with the CM enjoying one of my friends first time even seeing a Princess. I thought that it was so nice that teh CM was as invested in her joy as we were.

The food was excellent. I know people have had lousy reviews, but we were all happy woth our choices.

The Princess interaction was also very good. THey were as kind to use as they were to teh little kids who wee all Princessed up.

The food is definitely not worth the price, at all.
The experience however, is. I mean, you're eating inside THE castle

 

[caracarn]

We have dined in the castle at least 6 times over the years. It is always a highlight of the trip. I agree with many of the posters, if your yardstick is value, then this is not your cup of tea. If you are looking for experience then this is the place to be! We went in March of 2014 most recently and about half our party had never been and half had been several times. Those who were "Cindy vets" enjoyed seeing the experience of those who were new and the newbies definitley had their eyes opened. We had a couple of hard core tweens who were certain they would hate Disney and this along with all the other experiences over our week converted them to not being able to wait until we get back hopefully in June 2016. Most likely we will visit with Cinderella again. It is a must.

 

[Erica W]

I'm disappointed to hear there's no longer a photo package included. Do you still hey to meet Cinderella and take your own photos before going to the dining room? This was a must for me because I want to eat inside the castle 3yr old loves princesses, but the mixed reviews on food quality have me second guessing.

 

[jenjersnap]

I'm disappointed to hear there's no longer a photo package included. Do you still hey to meet Cinderella and take your own photos before going to the dining room? This was a must for me because I want to eat inside the castle 3yr old loves princesses, but the mixed reviews on food quality have me second guessing.

They do still take your photo with Cinderella in the lobby. If you have Memory Maker, you will have digital versions of the photo which you can print at home.

We used to not love the dinner menu, but it was much improved in November 2014. Hoping to return this trip but I pushed my dates back to see Osborne Lights and lost my original ADR (*sniff*).

 

[River Country]

its a must do on every trip for me. I will milk it for as long as my DD wants to go there. before she is all grown up

 

[Lovinallthingsdisney]

My DD is 17 and asked to eat there during our trip in December. She is not a big eater so I KNOW the $$ value will not even be close. That being said, time with my daughter before she leaves for college is so precious to me. I would have dinner there all 10 nights of our trip if that is what she requested. (Thank goodness she has not!). We are looking forward to this "special" experience for sure.

 

[rainboots]

I loved every little second of it. To me, it was the epitome of Disney magic. I cannot wait to go again!