Disappointed with Cinderella Royal Castle

[Monima]

We were so excited that we were able to reserve lunch at CRT for our first trip. Especially after reading the description on the Disney site.
What a disappointment it was. There was nothing magical or royal about it. The waiting area down stairs is way too small with too little seating. The food was mediocre to say the least, the service was not what we would expect when you pay that kind of a price for the experience.
We were not guided by a royal guard to our table as the site states. We were handed a piece of paper with our name on it and told to go upstairs. While going upstairs we had to squeeze by other guests that were coming down.
Our waitress was ok, but our table was overlooked when they handed out the magic wands and swords, so when the princesses did their little spell our girls were not able to follow along.
It all felt very Cafeteria like and rushed.
I am glad we did it, just so we could see the inside of the castle, but we will never do it again.
We left disappointed and hungry.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

What a disappointment it was.

1) I hate to say it, but "DUH".
2) CRT is for princesses, not for food or service or atmosphere.
. . . you go to character meals for the characters and not for the food
. . . there is no (zero) character meals that have superior food, regardless of their price
3) Service is frequently mediocre at CRT, because the SERVERS have a built-in tip (and many guests add extra tip money even if the service is bad).

NOTE:
It is tough to always be on-the-ball when you make $100,000-$120,000 per year regardless of your level of hospitality.
Only V&A SERVERS make annual incomes that approach/exceed that amount.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

It has been almost a year and my husband still complains about the miniature steak they served him at CRT. It was the same size as the one my son had eaten in his kids meal at the skippers canteen the day before.

 

[Shanti]

Especially after reading the description on the Disney site...We were not guided by a royal guard to our table as the site states...It all felt very Cafeteria like...We left disappointed and hungry.

The Disney website doesn't say anything about being escorted to the table by a royal guard. It says:

"Cinderella makes your acquaintance in the majestic Grand Hall, before you ascend a spiral staircase to the banquet hall above. (A gilded elevator is also available to transport you to the festivities.)

Then, dine in a storybook setting surrounded by soaring stone archways, majestic medieval flags and spectacular stained-glass windows overlooking Fantasyland. During your time inside the castle, visit with classic Disney Princesses."

We've had dinner there a few times and enjoyed it. Not gourmet food but perfectly fine and standard portion sizes (neither tiny nor huge). We were always served well, had good character interaction, and enjoyed the ambiance, which is that of a pleasant and very pretty full-service restuarant (filled with friendly princesses, of course), not at all like a cafeteria.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your experience.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

. . . there is no (zero) character meals that have superior food, regardless of their price

I really like the food at Tusker House, especially the salads and side dishes.

 

[earfulofmagic]

3) Service is frequently mediocre at CRT, because the SERVERS have a built-in tip (and many guests add extra tip money even if the service is bad).

NOTE:
It is tough to always be on-the-ball when you make $100,000-$120,000 per year regardless of your level of hospitality.
Only V&A SERVERS make annual incomes that approach/exceed that amount.

Wot? CRT servers make 100,000-120,000 a year?

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

Wot? CRT servers make 100,000-120,000 a year?

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing!

 

[DWFamilyof6]

We dined at CRT for the first time in early September. Loved it! We thought the ambiance was fun, our server was very attentive, characters were perfect, and the food was good. I go in with the mindset that everything is overpriced. It just is. Even a hot dog is expensive at Casey’s. I’m paying for the experience and if the food reaches mediocre to above it’s a good thing. Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've found most restaurants, not just Disney restaurants, don't have seating for everyone waiting for their table.

Sorry you didn't have a good time.

 

[Kelly loves Food]

I'm not a fan of CRT either. But I loved the food and service at other character meals: Tusker House, Garden Grill and 1900 Park Fare.

Also, how do I sign up for a CRT server job????

 

[disneyAndi14]

We loved our dinner at CRT, so magical. Food was good, not great but we loved it for what is was. A magical princess experience.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Wot? CRT servers make 100,000-120,000 a year?

1) You betchya.
2) Many SERVERS, property-wide, make in excess of $80k.

 

[Dis703]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. I've dined there twice and for me most of the magic was just dining inside the castle after seeing it for many years and never going inside. But we had great character interactions and one really delicious meal and yet another not so great meal entrée but delicious dessert. It's a shame it's not always consistent in quality because if it was always as good as the first time I'd be much more eager to return.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'm sorry it wasn't a great experience, my ds would have also been disappointed if he did not get a sword/wand when they were passed around. It is very expensive to feel like you are being rushed through. We had a similar experience at Akershus, it was a very pricey breakfast and we were totally rushed, the food was cold and it just wasn't what it should have been.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Well....I know back in the '80's the ex was averaging $400.00 daily (I still remember because that was our monthly rent for many years) in tips after splitting with his team, working at top notch mostly French restaurants so it could happen although I would suspect it's mostly the signature restaurants and I think there are only maybe 25 of them on property out of a total inventory of over 300 restaurants. Which would make wait staff making 100K and up in a distinct (and prolly veddy happy, LOL) minority. The QS restaurant workers would undoubtedly make the least amount.

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

1) You betchya.
2) Many SERVERS, property-wide, make in excess of $80k.

Wow!! Sign me up!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

A lot of those servers work very hard, and my understanding is you work towards the better paying locations. Dining rooms full of cranky kids, parents who are freaking out about the cranky kids/cost of vacation and people who are just basically awful to anyone in a service role...

Yeah, $80k wouldn't be enough to make me be a server.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy CRT, OP. I found the service to be incredibly lackluster (think, Jeanine Garofolo in The Cable Guy) and the food was really mediocre. Ironically, we went to "CRT" a second time when it was temporarily relocated to Citrico's during a refurb and it was far, far better.

I'm glad to hear the servers make a decent living in WDW!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP - our experience in July was a lot like your post. We found the food quality and selection mediocre and the service very rushed. Our daughter was 2 at the time and our waiter made the ordering experience for her very awkward. I think ultimately he was trying to do us a favor so we wouldn’t get charged for her given her age, but it was weird and I’m still not even sure what happened or why?

Anyway, CRT was definitely one and done for us, at least for lunch.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Hopefully]

Well....I know back in the '80's the ex was averaging $400.00 daily (I still remember because that was our monthly rent for many years) in tips after splitting with his team, working at top notch mostly French restaurants so it could happen although I would suspect it's mostly the signature restaurants and I think there are only maybe 25 of them on property out of a total inventory of over 300 restaurants. Which would make wait staff making 100K and up in a distinct (and prolly veddy happy, LOL) minority. The QS restaurant workers would undoubtedly make the least amount.

I don't believe WDW has anywhere near 300 TS Restaurants where there are servers. Where do you get that number from?

A lot of those servers work very hard, and my understanding is you work towards the better paying locations. Dining rooms full of cranky kids, parents who are freaking out about the cranky kids/cost of vacation and people who are just basically awful to anyone in a service role...

Yeah, $80k wouldn't be enough to make me be a server.

I couldn't agree more. I don't think any amount of money could make me want to work in a Service job at WDW in today's entitled world. Custodial, maybe I would consider.