Feeling Rushed at CRT, during Cindy Greeting.

[Christy729]

We had breakfast reservatios at CRT, which I was grateful to have because it was Presidents Week. Everything lived up to my dreams, except for feeling rushed by Cindy's handlers. After checking in, we had to wait in a line for Cindy to greet DD and take a picture. They were two hostesses who were basically herding us like cattle. They pretty much had megaphones yelling "MOVE!" Almost. That was the only thing I didn't like. They were hollering "Come on, forward, forward, please" ,and waving their hands. They were shouting loudly and not smiling. I have never experienced anything like this in all of WDW. Is this typical for CRT? Maybe we'll try Akershus next time. Cinderella was very sweet and my DD adored her. Inside the restaurant, everyone was great and the food was delicious. The handlers are my only complaint!

 

[AnnetteF]

We had a less than perfect experience at CRT for lunch last August. First of all, the restaurant actually closed when it was time for our ADR due to a "problem in the kitchen". We weren't even sure if it would reopen, but finally it did and when they brought us in, there was practically no line for Cinderella. I was so pleased, but then one of the character handlers said that Cinderella was going to take a break and we would see her on our way out , and they sent us right upstairs to be seated. The people upstairs, a hostess and a character handler, asked if we had seen Cinderella and we told them what they told us. They looked puzzled, which didn't give me a great feeling, but they seated us. Then, just after our meals were put down in front of us, the character handler comes over and says, you have to go see Cinderella now because she's going to be leaving . So we left our hot meals and went running downstairs to see her. Down there it was a zoo. But one of the character handlers down there did ask us if were had eaten. I told her we were in the middle of it. She said " you're in between dinner and dessert?" and I told her no, that our meals had just been served, so at that point that got us right up there. DD4 was happy that she got to see Cinderella, so that was our main concern, but when we got back upstairs our meals were cold . Not the experience you expect for the trouble you go to to get the reservation and the price. We're leaving for another trip in a couple of days and this time we're doing Akershaus.

 

[DizneeMommy]

We had a terrific experience at CRT for lunch. Cinderella took plenty of time with my kids, and the CM's couldn't have been nicer. The characters upstairs were great as well. . .none seemed rushed at all.

 

[Abbeysmom]

They were two hostesses who were basically herding us like cattle. They pretty much had megaphones yelling "MOVE!" Almost. That was the only thing I didn't like. They were hollering "Come on, forward, forward, please" ,and waving their hands. They were shouting loudly and not smiling.

Wow!! Sound like our exact experience last november. DD had went to BBB and was dressed up just like Cinderella and was so excited. I was so disappointed in the way the picture was handled~ a very unfriendly lady kept telling people to move forward and fill in the line... she was so bossy. It really left a bad taste in mine and especially DH's face... I mean this meal was out of pocket so it costs (we had 2 other adults with us) about 200.00 including tip, and before we even got to eat we were very annoyed with the treatment. DD loved the meal and seeing the princesses, but the experience with the picture was enough to keep us from booking it again this trip. I really wish they would do a better job of how they handle it during the photo op.

 

[ElizabethB]

Our most recent lunch at CRT a few months ago will be our last. We were rushed like crazy -- through the picture line and through lunch. The princesses came around like they were on a relay race - most of them gave my 5-year-old niece less than a minute, including picture taking time.

We used to love, love, love CRT lunch -- until they turned it into a set price menu and made the experience just like an amusement ride. To wit:

Line 'em up, shoot 'em, seat 'em, feed 'em, greet 'em, push 'em out. Repeat.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

You are always rushed with Cinderella even if you have the earliest booking. She is usually pretty good but the cast members know they have to get you through and treat you like groceries on a conveyor belt.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We dined there twice on our visit and here part of the "herd' both times. Cindy herself was very nice and didn't try to rush but the handlers did. Even the princesses were VERY brief in their meetings unless one had to "stall" for the next princess to move on after being Hijacked by a family (good for the family!)

 

[fairestoneofall]

We didn't feel rushed with Cinderella. We did feel rushed through our breakfast. We had barely touched our bread basket and it was whisked away. They were clearing tables around us for the next seating and I felt like we were just rushed to hurry up and leave.

 

[Christy729]

Seems like our situation was pretty typical, since I've read the responses. I will stress that the princesses were amazing, and the food was delicious. My only complaint was feeling like cattle by the bossy and rude handlers! I know their goal is to move people through the line, but they could be more gracious, and maybe try to be in character like the rest of the CRT staff!

 

[marybrat]

We ate breakfast here once and will never eat here again. Also felt very rushed. Not worth the cost, IMHO.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) People pay for a meet-and-greet with Cindy.
2) They do not pay for a meet-and-greet-forever with Cindy.
3) The handlers must stay on top of things.
4) Cindy is so popular that folks would monopolize her time.
5) Then others might miss her.
6) Cutting time to a minimum is the best way.

 

[Munchkin'sMommy]

It's funny that this posted today because I was looking at some videos on youtube last night about CRT and I got the impression watching the different videos that it was kind of rushed and a little disorganized. In fact, one of the handlers can be heard on one of the videos telling a young girl to step forward to have her picture taken in a very curt manner. The mother seems very annoyed. And it did not seem that organized once they got to the meal. On one of the videos you can hear someone complain that the characters were bypassing their table altogether.

The step sisters seemed to be having a great time though.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

1) People pay for a meet-and-greet with Cindy.
2) They do not pay for a meet-and-greet-forever with Cindy.
3) The handlers must stay on top of things.
4) Cindy is so popular that folks would monopolize her time.
5) Then others might miss her.
6) Cutting time to a minimum is the best way.

7) And none of the above is an excuse for the handlers to be rude.