How bad is Cinderella's Royal Table? Should we replace it?

[centurythree]

I have reservations at CRT well ahead of the time for the Spectromagic I'm expecting to attend. Is this a mistake? How is this place, really? I've never gotten to eat at the castle, but I don't want to be in a bad mood there either

If we replace it we will likely to go with Cosmic Ray's or the Plaza.

Thanks in advance!

 

[logan&tylersmama]

CRT is nice - we have eaten there three times and enjoyed it - lots of fun and the food was great. I LOVE the chocolate glass slipper = yum
Jennifer

 

[jenjersnap]

We just had a horrific meal at CRT for dinner. There's a post about it in the review section. Disney would have to pay ME to eat dinner there again because it was a disappointment in every way.

That said, we have enjoyed breakfast there. And it is truly a lovely place to eat that every person should try at least once, IMO. Have you looked at the menus? Do you care about the characters mingling with guests? If so, maybe a lunch seating would be better? I thought the lunch menu looked better than the dinner menu anyway but it didn't work with our plans ... none of us enjoyed anything for dinner except the spring roll appetizer and the chocolate crowns on the kids' ice cream sundaes.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Again you will never know until you go! What do I know I have not eaten there but I will next year, But one thing I do know if you cancel that ressie it will be gone before you know it! and you will make someone very happy,again I think that it is all about Eating in the Castle. the other Primary reason is that you get a great FREE photo with Cinderella! the food is secondary, So if you go for that then everything will be A OKay!

 

[ElizabethB]

We've only been for lunch, not dinner. We've always enjoyed it. We had lunch a couple of weeks ago and it was so poor and hurried -- both in character interaction and food -- that we won't go back. I would never spend 2TS credits on it again.

 

[melancholywings]

That said, we have enjoyed breakfast there. And it is truly a lovely place to eat that every person should try at least once, IMO. Have you looked at the menus? Do you care about the characters mingling with guests? If so, maybe a lunch seating would be better? I thought the lunch menu looked better than the dinner menu anyway but it didn't work with our plans ... none of us enjoyed anything for dinner except the spring roll appetizer and the chocolate crowns on the kids' ice cream sundaes.

I agree with how bad dinner is. But it's the castle and the things I'll eat or leave on my plate - to be in the castle...

 

[drew64]

Atmosphere is great, but food is not. Limited choices and not too tasty.
Definitely do this one for the experience and not the food.

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

Listen to the 7/23/08 episode of the DIS Unplugged podcast. Kevin Klose does a review of dinner at CRT & he did not like it, to say the least.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Who is going to be at this meal?

I've been there 3 times (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and thorougly enjoyed the experience. Mainly, I've enjoyed it because my kids loved it so much and it was a relaxing family meal (vs. the character buffets where you are constantly trying to fit a trip to the buffet in between characters, etc.). If I were going on an adults only trip, I would probably just skip it because of the price (unless I was going with somebody who really just wanted to eat in the castle, then I would say "sure").

The food has always been tasty (I nearly licked my plate clean at lunch in April), but not $150 for 2 kids (who don't eat b/c they are too excited when they see Snow White, Belle, etc. across the room) and 2 adults tasty. The atmosphere is what you are paying for ...

 

[eventamy]

I really enjoyed our dinner there last February. My mom and DH had the prime rib and thought it was just ok, but good ok. I had the pasta dish and really enjoyed it! The bread was good, the spring rolls were awesome! My DDs ended up sharing the pasta they brought out for my toddler because older DD didn't feel like fish after she ordered it. The service was good.
I say go for it! You never know and it's so cool to eat in the castle!

 

[catne]

we ate dinner there in May 2008, two 52 yr. old adults (both had prime rib, enjoyed it), one 19 yr old female (had the pasta, she liked it o.k.) and 18 yr. old male (had the salmon, said was not the best but he ate every bit.) We liked the salads, the corn/crab soup, the bread and loved the desserts. Service was excellent, the little show with the Fairy Godmother was cute and eating in the castle was absolutely awesome.

Cinderella meet & greet was fun too, even though no children in our group.

So, don't know whether or not you'll like it. What I saw was lots and lots of smiling people while we were there...I think you definitely hear from the "squeaky wheel" here on the boards...it's human nature to speak up when you don't care for something or thought you didn't get your money's worth...but then you don't hear from all the people who had no complaints. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dancermomof1]

Cinderella's Royal Table was our absolute favorite meal during our trip. We loved it. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was amazing, and it is a truly special experience not to be missed in our opinions. Somehow they found out it was our anniversary and gave us complimentary toasting flutes! We went during breakfast time so I'm not sure what other meals are like there...but we would give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

I go every now and then, and will second that you are paying for the space. As many people will tell you, if your on the DDP I think you're better off paying cash, 2 credits is a lot for this place. It is overpriced, but what isn't? I wouldn't say the food is bad, but don't expect the same quality you'd get at Cali Grill for the same 2credits.
I've never been to lunch, but would like to try that next as the menu does look better.
IMHO, Breakfast is the best in terms of food quality, worst in term of value (especially if you use credits, its way expensive)
At least with dinner you get more for you money, but the food CAN be lackluster compared to many other places.
So, I know I will continue to go because I love the experience and think it's worth it. I like the food, but go in knowing it's not going to be the fine dinning experience of my trip.
If you're more concerned about getting great food for your money and don't care about the dinning experience, maybe this isn't the place for you.

Also note, the characters don't spend a ton of time at the table. If you wouldn't mind missing the castle experience, try a meal in Norway. The food is excellent and you still get the princess meet and greet!

 

[Lynn5700]

I loved eating in the Castle. My food was good and it really is a fun experience.

 

[shadowryter]

We go for the atmosphere and the experience. This past Aug the food was okay. For some reason the corn and crab soup and the sauce for the prime rib was just way too salty. But maybe it was me. DD and DH loved it. You have to try it for your self at least once.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

We've eaten at CRT 3 times. Been to dinner, lunch, and about two weeks ago, breakfast.

Each time I was hoping it would get better.

Nope.

This past visit was the worst meal of our trip. Everything was bad. The food, the service, the characters were rude and rushed.

If you want to see the princesses go to Akershus. If you want a picture with Cinderella, seek her out at the Judges Tent in Toontown.

CRT was the biggest waste of time and money.

 

[eliza61]

I have reservations at CRT well ahead of the time for the Spectromagic I'm expecting to attend. Is this a mistake? How is this place, really? I've never gotten to eat at the castle, but I don't want to be in a bad mood there either

If we replace it we will likely to go with Cosmic Ray's or the Plaza.

Thanks in advance!

CRT is one of those restuarants at Disney that is over priced even by Disney's standard but I think every one should do ONCE.
It reminds me of the restuarants near broadway NY. The food is ok (not spectacular but edible) and its outrageously priced. As always you are paying more for Location, Location, Location.

Go for it, hey your eating with Cinderella and her gang in the castle, just know that it's going to be pricey (I believe 2 TS credits if you're on the ddp or 43 bucks pp if not) and the food will not be that great

 

[GrammyJudy]

The prime rib is excellent and the atmosphere is too.

 

[princessesrule4]

We love it for breakfast! The cream cheese stuffed french toast is amazing!!

 

[ElizabethB]

I live in NYC. Is your point that both CRT and restaurants near Broadway all have bad food for sky high prices, with rushed and rude service?

There actually are some very good restaurants on Restaurant Row and elsewhere near Broadway. So, location does not necessarily equate to bad food and service in New York, although it certainly seems to in Disney's world!

As for CRT -- won't waste my time or money again on it. Wish I had that hour and those 2TS credits back.

I don't think my niece had even 30 seconds of Snow White's time. Disney now has the lunch so timed to the millisecond that the princesses have to rush through the room to make it around once before the wishing on a star things starts and the meal is over.

The hostess seating us kept telling us to hurry and sit down -- this despite the fact that I have two elderly and handicapped parents who simply don't move quickly.

I finally told the hostess, "My parents are elderly, they take as long as they take, please leave us alone."