Disappointed with princesses at CRT

[donnajon]

We did breakfast at CRT last week and were very disappointed with the princesses at CRT. It seemed like, "Hello, let me sign your book, take a quick picture and goodbye." Mary Poppins actually walked off while my DD4 was asking her a question. Mary said, "How nice." and went to the next table, not even listining to what my DD4 said. All of the princesses were like that except for Aurora who took 2 seconds to actually look in the front of the autograph books and see my kids names. She was very sweet and maybe spent 60 more seconds at our table than the other princess but just seemed like she enjoyed what she was doing so much more. We did CRT last November ('03) and didn't have this problem. We didn't expect excessive time but an extra minute or two would have been nice. I know there is high demand for this breakfast but I thought the rushing was ridiculous. Next trip I'm trying the Norway breakfast. I hear it's much more relaxed.
On a side note, Alladin was in the lobby and he was wonderful! Quite charming and seemed to love the kids. I'm not sure how he fit in to the CRT group but we really enjoyed meeting him.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have heard that the CRT is very rushed, as well. We've never had the desire to be rushed, so we did the Princess Storybook a couple of weeks ago and found it to be very relaxed, and the Princesses spent ALOT of time with each child. We were all adults, so we didn't need them that much LOL, but we watched on as they sat and visited with each child. SO CUTE TO WATCH =)

I'm sorry you were disappointed, and that your little girl was cut off! I hope you have a better exp with PSB =)

 

[daisy112878]

We do the CRT breakfast with just the girls in my family. We always get the latest breakfast we can b/c a CM several years ago told my dad it isn't as rushed as the earlier time. We haven't had a real problem. In Dec Mary Poppins and Belle were the best there. They spent alot of time with my niece. I think it also has to do with the person playing the princess. Some of them are nicer then others. In Dec we also did the Storybook Breakfast and really my niece didn't like it as much. She's in love with the castle. We also didn't think the food was as good as CRT. I think it's all personal perference. Next year when we go we are going to try the 1900 Park Fare Dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming.

 

[ugadog99]

Your experience sounds a lot like ours in 2001. We were VERY disappointed with CRT. We were rushed and the food was only so-so. While the castle is beautiful, it also feels cramped to me. We decided to do PSB instead and it is one of our favorite character breakfasts. The princesses are much more relaxed and the dining area isn't so cramped. I doubt we will ever return to CRT, but will definitely be doing PSB again.

 

[Eponine1]

I did this breakfast years ago. I will never spend the money again to do so. I was in and out within 30 minutes. It is very rushed.

I enjoyed the breakast at 1900 Park Fare more! I think because it's the CRT, they try to squeeze as many people in as possible in such a short time.

 

[jwfla422]

The princesses here are actually on rotation type schedules so they do need to visit a certain amount of tables in a certain amount of time and usually if you're at the beginning of a rotation you tend to be more rushed because they want to get thru the whole restaurant. Then they take a break and go through another rotation.

Since we've been to both breakfasts (CRT & PSB) we've had all types of experiences with PSB being the worst the first time we were there. We waited 45 minutes until any of the princesses showed up and they almost all came at the same time (one after another) probably staying for 30 sec a piece (if that-dd was overwhelmed, waiting all that time and then they were all there at once)- plus the food was lousy and so was the service (an overall bad visit-but we did give it another chance).

Although we've gone back and had "better" princess interaction, the food has always been cold and undercooked (maybe they just know it's us coming.

CRT's food is better, but still not great. I tried the yogurt and granola selection last time and that was actually pretty darn good! Very fresh! CRT's is definitely more rushed but it also depends on the princess. Each experience has been very different.

Yes, I agree that Aladin is "quite" a charmer!!

 

[sotoalf]

Could it be that, as princeses, they have little time to waste with commoners?

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

We went to PSB two weeks ago. Daughter had an excuse to wear Gown and crown.She was totally adoreable. Princesses were very nice but brief.
Once was enough.
It is more fun to 'find' the Princesses and characters.
We will be looking for Winnie the Pooh this trip and we won't be doing any character meals.

 

[TwingleMum]

I hope your DD wasn't too disappointed. Hope you have better luck at PSB.

 

[MagicalMom]

Now you are worrying me. We are paying alot for 6 of us to go to CRT for an 8:10 breakfast. Do you think they will be really rushed. I'd hate to feel like I wasted a lot of money.

 

[tink2]

I've been to CRT twice and enjoyed both times. I think the amount of interaction really depends on the princesses. The first year we went, most of the princesses were very brief except Cinderella and Snow White. This past year, all were wonderful and took a good amount of time- with Cinderella taking the least- still OK though. Snow White picked up DS 2 and held him for a long time. Belle and Mary Poppins carried on a long conversation with DD and DS. And Aurora just let DD love on her for a while. Our time was 8:10 on Thanksgiving morning- very busy (isn't CRT always busy though? ) Anyway, if you haven't been- go, everyone should do it once. DD5 thinks it is a must to eat with the castle with the princesses- keeping my fingers crossed! We're doing both PSB and CRT this Dec- if we get PS. DD really wants to eat with Jasmine so we're trying PSB in hopes of seeing her. It also helps if your child can 'start' a conversation with the princess- ask Belle if she's read any good books or where Beast is, ask Snow White how Dopey is doing, or Cinderella something about the mice. It doesn't always work- Snow White kinda brushed dd2 off the first trip, but it really worked this year.

 

[mcr5298]

Unfortunately, it's almost like going to a restaurant and getting a bad waiter. Then you can go again a few months later and get a great waiter. I agree that the princesses should slow it down just a little bit more. But I guess that's the price that is paid for being a popular attraction. Is there anywhere we can make suggestions? Maybe someone on staff would listen? I've been to CRT about 5 times. Each time has been different. Luckily I have never felt that the princesses have rushed us.

Aladdin is quite the charmer! Here he is with me and my niece!

 

[frannn]

not by the princesses. One time, Cinderella grabbed DD1, and gave her a lipstick kiss on her cheek. She then (after asking our permission) "borrowed" DD and got each of the princesses to kiss her, each leaving a different color lipstick kiss on her cheek. The waiters we have had the few times (about 4) we've been there have always seemed to rush us thru our meal. I felt bad asking for seconds, but I usually feed DD1 off my plate (she was only served french toast sticks) and she is a big eater. She is more concerned with the food than the princesses, although she does enjoy the interaction. DH is usually mesmerized by the characters, and doesn't bother having seconds. I feel bad asking for more, but I do want to have a good breakfast- who knows how long we'll be in the parks before eating lunch? Sometimes we even skip lunch. If it wasn't for DD1, we wouldn't bother eating at the castle. I'll try getting ressies for this Sept, getting up at the crack of dawn, etc, and will probably snag one. If I don't manage to get a ressie, though, I won't be all that disappointed. We'll be going to PSB anyway, and will just have to go to the Cindy dinner (was very good last Oct!) even though its a bit more expensive.

 

[DisneyLisa]

We've done CRT twice...once in 2002 & again in 2003. We had the same experience both times...the princesses spent very little time at our table. They barely stayed long enough for me to even snap a picture...no interaction with the girls at all. Pose quickly, snap, gone! We thought that maybe it was just bad luck or timing in 2002 but having the same experience in 2003 confirmed it...we will not be doing CRT again.

Now CP on the other hand...we've done it four times and each time, the character interaction has been top notch.

 

[MinniMama]

I always politely ask for particular picture poses like one with the baby and then one with all three kids. They do oblige and that slows them down. I am careful not to hog and do try to take the pics quickly also if I already ahve the autograph I skip that part for more talking time. 3 books does slow them down enough to chat though. I would just ask for what you need most will listen.

 

[alien]

It goes to show you that no two experiences are alike!
We've gone to CP twice and were seated at the table nearest the buffet. Both times, the characters took a break right before our table and they never came back to us.
The only time we went to CRT was when our youngest was 2 1/2 or 3. It was then we found out that she didn't like the "face" characters. All of the princesses were trying to talk to her. Snow White even got down on the floor (our daughter was under the table at this point) to say hello. Needless to say, we were out of there in a hurry - not because of the service or short character interaction! We're trying again this year - she's now 8 and wants to go!

 

[tinkerbela]

i haven't had the pleasure yet of going to CRT for breakfast. i wanted to go there last june for breakfast to meet sleeping beauty because she's my favorite princess and i didn't know where else in WDW she was. i didn't get to have breakfast there but i did get to meet her eventually that very same morning in the town square. she was really nice. i do want to have breakfast there and meet the princesses again. it would be nice. i had lunch there. i ordered one sandwich but got the wrong order. i didn't complain though because i figured let me give it a try. i liked it so it worked out fine.

 

[tinkerbela]

i haven't had the pleasure yet of going to CRT for breakfast. i wanted to go there last june for breakfast to meet sleeping beauty because she's my favorite princess and i didn't know where else in WDW she was. i didn't get to have breakfast there but i did get to meet her eventually that very same morning in the town square. she was really nice. i do want to have breakfast there and meet the princesses again. it would be nice. i had lunch there. i ordered one sandwich but got the wrong order. i didn't complain though because i figured let me give it a try. i liked it so it worked out fine.

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

I think CRT has gone downhill this past year. We have gone many times with DD. Up until 2003, all of our visits were truly magical. This past year, I felt very rushed, both with my food and with the characters. DD was almost in tears last year because Cinderella spent more time at a table with adults (mostly male) then she did with her. There were 4 males and 1 female in the party and every guy had to pose separately with each princess. That probably took time away form our table. I'm all for the adults having character interaction, but certainly not more than the children.

We went again a few months after that and I still felt rushed. Princesses were very sweet, but definitely cut down on that interaction time. I guess if you haven't gone in the past, you couldn't tell the difference.

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

We went in 12/03 and had a 10:30 seating. We were one of the last parties in the restaurant. The princesses certainly didn't stay in the dining room until the bitter end, but they were still mingling even as the crowd dwindled. We had a picture with each while they were rotating; then at the end Cinderella, herself, rallied all the other royalty around and we got pictures of our girls with all of them. Not only that, but since it was Xmas Season, the lobby was decorated beautifully so we took a roll of pictures as we were leaving.

An aside, my youngest is 4yo and she still, often, talks about how Alladin was the only boy at the Princess Breakfast and that she doesn't understand why he was there since Jasmin was not. LOL!