Dining with the princesses

[djc1319]

What is your favorite restaurant and experience dining with the princesses? First time for my 6 year old daughter.

 

[Jfsag123]

We have done Cinderella's Royal Table, Akershus, and 1900 Park Fare dinner. My daughter's favorite was Akershus (for the food and princess interaction) son's was CRT (for the atmosphere of being in the castle), and mine was 1900PF (for the hilarity of the Tremaines and the food). I think I would recommend Akershus, though. Princesses are typically Belle out front and Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, and Aurora inside. CRT tends to be the same line-up with Jasmine instead of Belle (and, of course, Cinderella as the one you meet first). Akershus gets you similar princesses and interactions with better food than CRT for less money than CRT.

 

[ameliahyde]

CRT all the way! While I agree that Akershus is a great value, I love the whole castle experience - it feels very special to us. But, we love Akershus too, so I think both are very worthwhile.

 

[Kimosabe]

If you think she will undoubtedly make you stop and meet princesses at meet-and-greets anyway, then I would vote for 1900 Park Fare. Cinderella is there, so you get the full-on princess greeting, but the rest of the gang that is there is pretty unusual and a lot of fun (Prince Charming, Tremaine stepfamily and I think even Fairy Godmother comes through).

Otherwise, for a first visit, I might have to vote for CRT. Yes, it's way too expensive and the food doesn't live up to the cost, but for a first-time junior visitor, there's nothing better. With that said, I would definitely agree with prior comments that Akershus has its place in the WDW dining world.

Other than Belle at Akershus and Cinderella at CRT, I would not make any promises to your daughter in advance as to what princesses might be at either place. We have seen Jasmine, Mary Poppins and Mulan at Akershus at different times, along with the others named above, so they do switch them up from time to time.

 

[figment_jii]

This is my comparison between Akershus and CRT:

PRINCESSES: In general, the princesses are pretty similar between the two venues. Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella are among the "standard" princesses at both venues. Jasmine is usually the fifth princesses at CRT and Belle is the fifth princess at Akerhsus. At Akershus, you take the photo package photo with Belle (yellow dress) while at CRT the photo is with Cinderella. As noted, the princesses can vary depending on day/meal, so it's best to not go expecting to see anyone in particular.

INTERACTION: I found the princesses at both locations to be equally friendly/interactive. I did like the set-up a little better at CRT. The princesses enter to a little fanfare (quick summary of the story; like three sentences) and then follow a set route. So once the first one goes by, you know that when next princesses reaches a certain table, it means you're next. No more having a princess show up and your is full! At Akershus, the princesses don't really have a route so you never know when one will show up. We even had the character handler come up to our table and ask if we'd seen a princess (in our case, Cinderella) yet because she was about to head to the next room.

GAMES: There are no games/activities at CRT. There was a princess parade at Akershus (at least there was at dinner). All of the kids were invited to parade through the dining room with one of the princesses.

FOOD: Neither venue had outstanding food, but honestly, folks go for the experience and the characters. I went for dinner at both. I liked the cold board/appetizers at Akershus better. I liked the desserts better at CRT. The entrees were about the even (in terms of which I liked).

ATMOSPHERE: This is where CRT really shines. Akershus is fine, but there really isn't anything "magical" about the setting. At CRT, you're eating inside Cinderella's castle! Everything about it seems to say "Disney" to me. Plus, kids get a toy wand or sword (adults too if you ask) and a wishing star.

COST: In this way, Akershus wins. It's only one credit (on the DDP), whereas CRT is 2. If paying cash, I would probably opt to pay the extra money and go to CRT because of the overall experience. If you're on a budget, then Akershus is a good option for princesses.

OVERALL: If you had to only pick one and budget wasn't a consideration, I would go with CRT. I would especially go to CRT if you have children that are into princesses and dining in a "castle." If you have budgetary considerations, then Akershus is less expensive and you see largely the same princesses.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

CRT was great. Plus you get to eat in the castle. 6 year would love that.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We've done CRT- all 3 meals, Akershus-all 3 meals, and 1900 PF dinner. While Akershus is nice and a great alternative if you've done CRT or can't get into CRT, I think - if in the budget - CRT is the must do for a first princess meal. CRT obviously wins for atmosphere, but I also prefer the little wishing ceremony at CRT over the princess parade at Akershus. Of course, my kids weren't huge fans of the parades, so that may be why.