Disappointed in CRT

[pickles]

we ate dinner there about a year or so ago and enjoyed it

wish they had more food and a little less rushed

 

[Just Granny]

We celebrated our granddaughter's 1st birthday with a CRT breakfast. Highly disappointed with the experience: Although we were able to get in early, we were rushed from the moment we took pictures with Cinderella to the waiter who didn't even let our daughter finish eating her breakfast. (Not much on breakfast selection, but the french toast was good - not that great though to spend 2 table service credits from the dining plan). The waiter was supposed to let us put our cake topper on the cake, but he set the cake down and started singing Happy Birthday before we could even get our video camera ready. Had we paid out of pocket, it would have been well over $200 for 4 adults and one birthday cake.
There was one positive -- granddaughter LOVED the princesses!!! They were so affectionate with her and wishing her a special birthday. But would we go back??? No -- but we had to go there once!

 

[Just Granny]

We celebrated our granddaughter's 1st birthday with a CRT breakfast. Highly disappointed with the experience: Although we were able to get in early, we were rushed from the moment we took pictures with Cinderella to the waiter who didn't even let our daughter finish eating her breakfast. (Not much on breakfast selection, but the french toast was good - not that great though to spend 2 table service credits from the dining plan). The waiter was supposed to let us put our cake topper on the cake, but he set the cake down and started singing Happy Birthday before we could even get our video camera ready. Had we paid out of pocket, it would have been well over $200 for 4 adults and one birthday cake.
There was one positive -- granddaughter LOVED the princesses!!! They were so affectionate with her and wishing her a special birthday. But would we go back??? No -- but we had to go there once!

 

[fairestoneofall]

CRT is very rushed. DD and I had barely touched our bread when it was snatched away. And we were hurried out of there. It was nice to have that experience with her--and our table was by a window overlooking Fantasyland. But, it was definitely the most rushed meal I've ever had.

One of the CMs when we entered gave us the wrong information, so we got to our table later than we should have (we were told to wait for our name, when we should've just gone up the stairs after meeting Cinderella). So, we were even more rushed because of that. We had to ask for Belle because she'd missed us.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Based on all this, I'll just stick with Akershus. Love the atmosphere there. And I certainly don't like being rushed. I've done Akershus dinner but not breakfast. Usually we make Ohana's a "tradition". I don't have any little princesses so I don't really have that "gotta have that uber-magical moment" for them.

 

[pickles]

have you tried hoop de doo? lots of fun and well worth the money

couples only dinner my husband and I enjoy Konas

 

[loperella]

I was up at 5:00 am on my 90 days to get CRT and I did get an 8:15 a.m.! But, I've been so "on-the-fence" with this one. I have two DS(10/12) & DH who could care less about the princesses. I don't think they care either way about doing CRT other than they think I want to. I kinda do, but just to eat in THE Castle, early/empty Main st. and the pics would be a neat souvy. One of my boys is a picky eater & vegetarian and my other is a total carnivoire and DH doesn't eat breakfast at all!!!

I'll prob end up canceling this one and let someone have it that really wants it. It just doesn't seem "worth it", either OOP or 2 credits. Hopefully my cancellation will bring some pixie dust.

 

[eliza61]

CRT is more about the "experience" than any thing else. I thought the characters there and at Chef Mickey were very rushed. It's one of those things I chalk up to as "do it once just to say you did it" but would never do again. especially the breakfast.

 

[Bete]

and that's got to be worth something. If you get a window seat it's even more of a treat.

If you are looking for a greater character experience, then I feel there are better choices.

I think the castle comes alive when you eat there. It makes it more real and I enjoy feeling that way.

You have the atmosphere here and the eats and character experience will not be number one, but it doesn't make it bad.

 

[garanorymom]

Oh bummer..we booked this for our Dec. trip and I was so excited. Hopefully we will have a good morning there. I have read such great Crystal Palace reviews, but when we were there last trip I thought it was our worst character meal. I have pictures of the characters literally running past our table patting my then 6 and one year olds on the heads. It was ridiculous.

 

[catne]

we had dinner at CRT on Friday 9/11 before the MNSSHP. Service was excellent, food was very good and we were not rushed through the meal at all. It's not "gourmet" food, but it is good. Is the food worth $50 per person...no. But if you figure you're paying some for the photo with Cinderella, and some of the cost is a fee to eat in the castle (and tax & tip are included) then we thought the meal/experience was well worth the price. It's the only way to see the inside of the castle...and a guaranteed meet/greet/photo with Cinderella.

 

[LYNSUE]

I am one of those old veterans who remembers CRT back in the late 80's. We took our two boys ages 6 and 3 at the time. It was a lunch ressi. At that time there were no characters to rush through and dining there really was an experience with excellent quality food and service. Well worth the price. They addressed DH and I as Lord and Lady and the boys were prince (first name). We were treated like royalty! Very fond memories.

From what I read now, it is very much a circus atmosphere. When checking the prices on the menu boards I am shocked, especially when I read about the quality of the food. I would not miss the princess meals if they went away. DH and I would like to get back to Norway to dine again. Have not been since the princesses arrived. We do miss it.

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

We really enjoyed our experiences at CRT. We have dined there twice. Once time was for breakfast with the princesses and the other was for dinner where we were seated by the window and watched the Wishes fireworks during dinner.

Yes, it is an expensive meal compared to some at WDW but we felt the food was very good especially at dinner and the ambiance is amazing especially for children. Where we live a family dinner at a steakhouse can rival CRT prices and you do not get to eat in a castle. I was also really impressed that the family portrait is included in that price. Just my two cents.

 

[michaeldorn1]

I have not eaten in the Castle since '73 when I was 11 yrs old. Boy, did I just date myself. We decided to do dinner @ CRT before MVMCP on 12/15 because my partner has never been in the restaurant and after 35+ years, I'm sure I don't remember much about it either.
Anyway, we chose dinner because we liked the menu more and we weren't that interested in the Character interaction because we are having 3 other Character meals ( and no, we have no children ) one of which is Akershus.
Just wanted the experience! BTW, I will take as much time as I need to eat and relax. No rushing me through any dinner I don't want to be rushed through!

 

[michaeldorn1]

I've never done it and will not with what I am reading.

I did notice that the buffets had lower quality foods than the non-buffets.

Next trip I will only do CM since it's sort of a tradition.

Just a note! CRT is NOT a buffet. Breakfast is all-you-can-eat, but served by a CM.

 

[Mary T in PA]

During our June trip, we did CRT lunch. A few years ago, we did breakfast at CRT and didn't care for it. However this was a birthday surprise trip so I lucked out in getting several princess meals as I knew DD wanted to celebrate with the princesses (we did CRT, 1900PF and Akerhaus). CRT lunch was our favorite! We were not rushed at all - the princesses took their time and made small talk and the meal was good.

To the OP, I am sorry you didn't have a good experience at CRT. Our disappointment during our last trip was 1900PF, never again.

Mary

 

[miprender]

We ate their for lunch in 2006 and it was our first time eating with the princesses. Boy did I feel rushed. We also ate later that week in Norway and couldn't believe how relaxed it was compared to CRT.

This year we decided to try the dinner and though there were no Princesses coming around we were not rushed. Our waiter was excellant and even gave a sword to DH! The food also was great. We even were able to get a picture with one of the mice too.

OP don't give up just yet. Maybe try the dinner and if you still feel rushed maybe then try something else next time.

 

[pixeydust]

We loved it when it was King Stefan's Banquet Hall. No characters but the guests were all 'lords' and 'ladies' and the menu was hearty castle fare. The food was wonderful and we were never rushed, it was like a different era as we went for the first time more recently and what a horrid disappointment! Food unmemorable, tiny portions, rushed through like a cattle call, so sad..

 

[kim_o]

We went in April 2009 (Easter Week) and had the total opposite experience. The food was AMAZING. We had a great window view seat and the princess spent a ton of time with our 3 children. We saw 6 princesses that day at the castle. We had 11:50am lunch reservations.

Loved it so much we will be going back again this easter. Another great thing we did was go to the BBB for a pricesss makeover and our boys got "cool dudes". All the princesses raved about how cool they looked.

If I had to rate the experience it would be a perfecft 10.

I completely agree. WE went Memorial Day Weekend of '08 and loved it. My oldest was being shy and 4 out of the 5 pricesses spent quite a few minutes trying to engage him and get him out of his shell. Aurora flirted shamelessly with him and eventually gave him a kiss which he really liked because she left the lipstick marks on his cheek. Cinderella also took about 5 minutes chatting with us. Although the appetizer plate was scarce and left something to be desired, we all really enjoyed our lunch meals. I never once felt rushed and the waitress was also very attentive. Can't wait to go back!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

...But, I've been so "on-the-fence" with this one. I have two DS(10/12) & DH who could care less about the princesses. I don't think they care either way about doing CRT other than they think I want to. I kinda do, but just to eat in THE Castle, early/empty Main st. and the pics would be a neat souvy. One of my boys is a picky eater & vegetarian and my other is a total carnivoire and DH doesn't eat breakfast at all!!!

I'll prob end up canceling this one and let someone have it that really wants it. It just doesn't seem "worth it", either OOP or 2 credits. Hopefully my cancellation will bring some pixie dust.

I know it's your vacation too, but you're really going to drag 2 pre-teen boys there, and your husband who doesn't even eat breakfast?!? And I would have to agree that it wouldn't be "worth it" to me to spend all that money or dining credits on something only I wanted to do.

I would not miss the princess meals if they went away. DH and I would like to get back to Norway to dine again. Have not been since the princesses arrived. We do miss it.

Kind of with you on this. Maybe cut back to one or two meals at each place with princesses.

I, too, would like to go back to Norway again, but another princess meal does not interest me.

I've done the breakfast at the castle a few times, back when that was the only princess meal and I had friends with me who had little girls. Even then it wasn't that great as the girls were so shy. But I did love those greasy bacon/cheese potatoes! Add bacon and/or cheese to just about anything and I'm happy.