Disappointed at the Castle

[SeaSpray]

The breakfast price didn't match the supply and demand; that was the mistake I was referring to.

Their experience with breakfast makes it very clear that Disney can come up with a character experience for lunch and dinner that, if priced better perhaps, would be far more profitable than the old normal lunch menu/experience and normal dinner menu/experience they used to provide.

Really? I'll defer to Disney's experts, who have the market research data on that, rather than go on my gut-feel.

I will grant you, though, that it was a nice place to eat. I liked it. I just wouldn't pay as much for it as it seems others would pay for a character experience there.

Thanks for explaining, and I agree with you.

If we're talking profits, then there will be people who will pay that extra amount for a meal with characters. We did it, and enjoyed every single character meal we've ever done.

I'm just extremely disappointed with losing the castle as a regular restaurant for dinner. The new format is totally unappealing to me. Perhaps if they tweak it, I'd return, even if they did still have some characters or something. It's the combination of the limited menu, exhorbitant price increase (although again, it's not only about the cost because if I felt it was even remotely worth it, I'd pay), the overwhelming disappointment from DISers who've done the dinner since the change. It's the combination of all of these factors. If people were coming back raving about the new dinner format, I'm pretty sure I'd be booked there for our May trip.

 

[KimR]

So am I misunderstanding something or do the princesses not visit your table like at other character meals? I was finally able to book CRT breakfast for our April trip. My youngest DD loves the princesses and I was assuming that they would be coming around to the tables like at other character meals. If they do not, I am going to cancel becuase that little 'show' that was described and a breakfast certainly isn't worth $150.

 

[bicker]

FWIR, the best non-character dining experience available now at MK is the Plaza Restaurant.

 

[SeaSpray]

FWIR, the best non-character dining experience available now at MK is the Plaza Restaurant.

We had lunch at the Plaza restaurant for the first time on our last trip and I was pleasantly surprised. The food was extremely fresh and service was great. We also had lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern and there aren't any characters there either, only at dinner, so that's another alternative for a non-character lunch.

I'm still going to hope for a change at the castle. Lots of people complained about the changes at the Garden Grill and Disney listened, so I am going to wait and see what happens with this.

 

[CheshireVal]

I'm totally with SeaSpray on this. I grew up eating lunch at the castle at least once every trip. It was something I looked forward to, and it was always my first choice when my mom asked "if you had to choose just ONE restaurant...."

This lunch tradition continued through our Dec. '04 trip but has now ended.

Granted, I haven't tried the princess breakfast and, since I don't have kids yet, have no desire to. I was fine with the idea of the breakfast for the little ones, but I'm incensed that they took away my lunch (and dinner, too!) The menu has seen drastic changes over the years (mostly reductions-- they used to serve free soup and dessert with every meal), but changing it to a price fixe set menu is just about the most disappointing thing ever. They totally ruined what was once a unique, relaxing, and enjoyable dining experience.

Okay, off my soap box now. I suppose if I have a little girl one day I'll probably go back. But I won't be happy about it!

 

[bicker]

Take my word for it: For a brief (perhaps) shining moment, eating a meal with your little princess, in the castle, you'll be happy about it!

 

[DisOrBust]

For the poster who asked:

Characters are still at breakfast and lunch, HOWEVER with disney it is always subject to change.

IMHO, the price for dinner without any "real" character interaction is astronomical and its affects are begining to show on the waitstaff as the OP stated. I disagree with Brian that they do market studies etc, more likely bottom line managed...look what happen at the Garden Grill. Hopefully those who are dissapointed LET THEM KNOW.

Breakfast may have been and still very popular however I wonder what the customer satisfaction is, if that were ever taken into considration. My bar would be set quite high for that price and I would be sure to let them knwo I am not satisified. Just IMHO.....I think as word gets around of it being a ripoff, again IMHO, eventually it will not be as popular,

 

[indigoxtreme]

So am I misunderstanding something or do the princesses not visit your table like at other character meals? I was finally able to book CRT breakfast for our April trip. My youngest DD loves the princesses and I was assuming that they would be coming around to the tables like at other character meals. If they do not, I am going to cancel becuase that little 'show' that was described and a breakfast certainly isn't worth $150.

Kim, the Princesses are still at Breakfast and Lunch. They children get wands and Swords. So you can still enjoy them at the 1st two meals. Most of the complaint has to do with the price increase and the fact that they have taken away the menu options for dinner. I have res for our 30th anniversary there on the 28th and I am going to cancel due to all the bad responses. I have always dreamed of having a great dinner with my spouse and I thought it would be really romantic. But alas it seems that this is not to be. Fortunately we were able to have the breakfast last Sept with our DGD (4)for our 1st meal ever there, as I could not pay for it before the dining plan, and we had a good time. I enjoyed the food although I find many people do not like it. I didn't think it was bad at all on the contrary. Have fun and your children will enjoy it.

 

[n2mm]

We were in WDW Feb. 2-10 and only got as far as the menu. While at MK, we decided to check out the new menu and realized that NONE of our favorites are listed anymore. We were disappointed and see no need to dine here again. Too bad, it was one of our favorite places to dine for dinner.

 

[sajetto]

CRT used to be one of our favorites as well. However, now we will not be returning. I believe that it is just too much princess for one day to have them for breakfast and lunch (What about families with sons ) Our favorite menu items are gone and the pricing is far above its value (I could give a flip about a picture package)

 

[gregger77]

FWIR, the best non-character dining experience available now at MK is the Plaza Restaurant.

Wow, wish I'd read this a couple of weeks ago, while planning our meals!

From what I could tell, there were NO non-character dinner hour dining experiences available anywhere near the MK. In fact, according to the reservationist, my only dinner choices were CHARACTER dinners, at either the Castle; Liberty Tree; character buffet at Crystal Palace; and, nearby, Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. (I'm not counting California Grill at Contemporary, which is clearly not a family dining experience in terms of budget or men type.)

My boys are 9 and 12 and frankly none of us were interested in a character meal for ANY of our WDW meals. However, we were doing a full day at MK on the Disney Dining Plan (which we wouldn't do again...but that's a separate topic...) and counted on staying until 8 p.m. for the fireworks, so dinner there was a must.

We ended up at Liberty Tree, which was okay; like in all of Disney World, way too much food for way too much money (how much food can you possibly throw away in four days? Amazing!). But the boys liked the simplicity of the food--hooray, mashed potatoes!--and fortunately, Chip, Dale, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto have an excellent sense of what older boys are about, and also what level of interaction an obviously tired family of four are willing to tolerate. We all counted it as one of the better meals.

But Disney: Seriously, we are not all into the character meals, we are not all into paying the obvious premium to have character meal experiences, so please, give us choices...even at the Magic Kingdom!

 

[MareQ]

Wow, wish I'd read this a couple of weeks ago, while planning our meals!

From what I could tell, there were NO non-character dinner hour dining experiences available anywhere near the MK. In fact, according to the reservationist, my only dinner choices were CHARACTER dinners, at either the Castle; Liberty Tree; character buffet at Crystal Palace; and, nearby, Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. (I'm not counting California Grill at Contemporary, which is clearly not a family dining experience in terms of budget or men type.)

But Disney: Seriously, we are not all into the character meals, we are not all into paying the obvious premium to have character meal experiences, so please, give us choices...even at the Magic Kingdom!

Tony's and the Plaza restaurant in MK are not character meals, Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary is not a Character meal, 'Ohana (except for b-fast here)and Kona at the Poly are also not Character dinners etc. GF - other than 1900 Park Fare - also has several restaurants that are not character meals. You were woefully misinformed.

 

[GEM]

Don't forget Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Cafe - both a quik boat ride away at the Wilderness Lodge. (In fact, no matter where we are staying, we often leave the MK and take the boat over to the WL for lunch or dinner. It's a wonderful break from the park and a great chance to see the amazing lodge and grounds!)

 

[MareQ]

Don't forget Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Cafe - both a quik boat ride away at the Wilderness Lodge.

Ahhh yes forgot those. I cannot imagine that the CM didn't know about all of those restaurants. I wonder if she was telling the family, without being specific, that maybe the only choices were character meals because they were the only ressies available?!?!

In any case - it just proves the point that the best information available comes from people here- not from the CM's

 

[PRaffen]

I'm just extremely disappointed with losing the castle as a regular restaurant for dinner. The new format is totally unappealing to me. Perhaps if they tweak it, I'd return, even if they did still have some characters or something. It's the combination of the limited menu, exhorbitant price increase (although again, it's not only about the cost because if I felt it was even remotely worth it, I'd pay), the overwhelming disappointment from DISers who've done the dinner since the change.

Totally agree! I was so looking forward to our tradition of dinner in the castle - the filet mignon was always outstanding. Will miss the lunch too - that salmon sandwich was great!

 

[gregger77]

I wonder if she was telling the family, without being specific, that maybe the only choices were character meals because they were the only ressies available?!?!

In any case - it just proves the point that the best information available comes from people here- not from the CM's

Probably the case. And you're right...only found this spot AFTER we returned!!

Thanks

 

[DaisyGirlAllTheWay]

Anyone else disappointed in a recent experience at Cinderella's Castle? We ate there for dinner on 2-09. It cost two credits from our dining plan. The food was so-so, banquet style. The "show" was laughable. Even our waiter said he was reaching his boiling point with the changes that were made. He said that the new customers look like zombies and that return customers are angry with the changes. I actually mentioned our frustration to a manager and he said its not the first time he has heard it and won't be the last.

I totally agree, I was very disappointed with everything, the food was so so... its just so ... limited! The show was truly a joke. The pictues were very nice! Certainly not worth 2 credits! (Its a good thing my server only charged me 1 ts each! shh don't tell )

 

[hookedup]

We always had dinner at least once (or twice if we could get it same day PS) at the Castle. It was a special treat for me and dh. I always wanted to do CRT breakfast but could never get the PS's so we never bothered.

I just made a bunch of ADR's today for our upcoming trip and after I finished making all my ADR's I asked the CM if there was any availaiblity for CRT. She had no problem finding times for me - I asked about breakfast and she said that could be done too - I almost fell off my chair! She did tell me that breakfast and lunch would sell out for sure, but the new dinner was still not as popular.

wow! this is my 1000th post!

 

[SeaSpray]

wow! this is my 1000th post!

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[bicker]

She did tell me that breakfast and lunch would sell out for sure

That really is going to be the overriding consideration. We can hem and haw about what we would prefer to see, but if there are so many people satisfied with a more profitable offering, the company would be crazy (and negligent) to pull away from it.