Do I have a better shot with a window seat at CRT

[digman6]

with us having the first seating at 8:05am on Xmas eve. Its a table of 6 and was hoping that with us being first in we may get to sit by the window. Unless there is a better spot to try and sit at in the castle?? We have never eatten the the castle

 

[tink2]

I've had the 8:05 seating twice- it is great!!! Get there early- you will want to soak in the atmosphere of walking down Main Street without many people- especially Christmas eve! Both times we had 8:05- there were more people than I expected. The first 'seating' is 8:05- at least 8:30- the ps are like 5 minutes apart. So everyone with a ps during those times was there and being seated. You only had to wait if your time was after the first 'seating'- meaning the dining room was full and you were in the next round- make sense? Anyway, we did not have a choice of tables- they were quickly trying to get everyone in and seated before the princesses arrived. They seemed to be on a schedule with this. Checking in at the podium was a hoot at that time- the poor guy working there was being bombarded with all the people. Plus, also remember that you now get your picture made with Cinderella in the lobby- taking up time before you actually sit down. So, if you want a window seat- get there really early. Last time I was there, they wouldn't let us through the gate until 8:00- so everyone with an early seating was there waiting and we all got in and arrived at the same time.
A tip- the lighting in the castle is not very good and pictures are hard to get right. If you do sit by the window- I think it is better for your pictures if you are facing the window and it is not in the background. Someone who has sat there before can help you with that.
Remember to try to take it all in. Last time we ate here, I got frazzled b/c I had forgotten to pick up autograph books (it was our first morning), but the waiter brought them out just in time for the first visit from a princess. Just try to relax and enjoy the moment- it will be special wherever you sit.
Good luck and have a magical breakfast!!!! It will be a wonderful Christmas Eve for your family!!!

 

[digman6]

Thank you for all the tips I don't know who is more excited me and dh or the kids.

I was hoping to get to CRT at like 7:40 but i may not if they are not letting you in to early.

I really do plan to enjoy every moment and as you said take it all in. I have no idea how big the dining room is but it looks amazing. I told dh that I had heard the breakfast was a better meal with charcters and food so I got that and he gave me a BIG thumbs up this morning.

If anyone has anything else to add

 

[hmmchowell]

My DD7 and I ate at CRT October 2006. We got what they call the #1 table in the restaurant which is a table for two right by the windows in the center looking out over Cindy's Carousel. If I remember correctly, there are no tables for six by the windows. I believe that beside our table were only tables for four. Our table was the only table for two in the entire restaurant to my eyes because I looked. It was actually a smaller table. So, unless they pushed it together with another table by the windows, there won't be any tables for six. It's magical either way, though because when we went in 2004 with DH and DS, we weren't by the windows but still had a magical time. The windows are that kind of Tudor style, not really big....so don't fret. You'll have a great meal and lots of character interaction!! Enjoy!!

Oh and by the way.... since you have to early seating---right outside the back of the castle is a store named Tinkerbell's Treasures. If you get out of the restaurant by 9:00 or 9:05 after your breakfast, the first child that comes in that store can ask the CM if they can wake up Tinkerbell. If no one has come in the store to do so, they will give the child a magic wand and the child will be able to climb up a step stool to a treasure chest which is where Tink lives. When they tap the wand on the chest, she will fly out. Then the child is given a Certificate that states that they woke up Tink in the Magic Kingdom on that day. It's pretty neat! Good luck! Have a blast!

 

[MickeyMacks]

We had the 8:05 a.m. seating a couple years ago and were seated not right at the window but about a table or two away. The entire wall facing the castle is windows and the entire opposite wall is mirrors - the actual seating area is long and narrow along the windows, which are tall and close together, so it's like every seat is a window seat. The view is beautiful and worthwhile wherever you sit.

All the glass makes it a rather noisy place since sounds bounce off it and the glass and metal ceiling. But people are usually fairly subdued at that hour, and the morning light is lovely with the characters - makes for very dreamy-looking photos.