How difficult is it to book CRT? and other Q's

[Miss Marie]

We were planning on trying Cinderella's Royal Table for the first time on our next trip. But we don't know how hard it is to book it. I've heard some stories about how it is almost impossible, but then I have heard things about how it isn't crazy hard. How hard IS it to book CRT? Is it true that they charge you when you make your reservation? How difficult compared to Akershus?

How is the food? And what are the best items on the menu? I have heard things about disgusting food there.

Have children over 12 ever gotten a wand or a sword? Adults even?

How is character interaction? Any rude character experiences?

I'd like to hear about your experiences, good or bad.

Thanks so much!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

CRT is a Family Tradition for us..... So although I haven't been there since 08, I've probably eaten there 10 times over the years...

Of Course they change things from time to time... including the latest change which included the change in Menu, characters, etc. (lunch/dinner is the only time I've been there)

As a Family tradition... I made sure that it was the first Ressie I made last week... when I booked for May's vacation.
NOTE - Originally when I called they didn't have the time I wanted available... You can play around with the online reservations to get a sense of how booked they are... so Yes - they are now filling up now for May is my gut feeling...

We always enjoyed the whole experience... eating in the castle, Characters...and Food..

And we ALL ... (Except Hubs) received a sword or wand...

I still have my wand sitting right at my make up table so I can see it every morning !
Have a magical Visit !
Mary

 

[disneybliss2]

On our first trip there it was almost next to impossible to get in, but we booked our trip only three months in advance and we went in the summer. On other trips since then it has been easy to get into but we booked several months in advance. If you know you're going to go and have travel dates secure, I would definitely take advantage of booking 180 days in advance like you're able to. If you do that, you're golden.
As for the wand, our girls have only received one. They passed DH and me up. I was surprised to see the pp say she had received one.
The character interaction was good. Nothing but a great experience. The princesses don't seem to spend a ton of time with guests, but they didn't seem overly rushed either. The little "show/presentation" they did to have guests close their eyes, make a wish, etc. was cute and fun.
In regards to food, we had breakfast both times. It was standard breakfast fare. It was good, but how hard is it to mess up breakfast?
We had a good experience the times we went. It was nice eating in the castle for the experience, but overall I didn't feel like it was worth the two dining credits we had to use. My girls actually enjoy Akershus better. They can't really pinpoint why. It has a similar castle feel, on a much smaller level, and you see the same princesses. I actually really enjoy the food at Akershus. It is a bit noisier there, which is the only negative I can think of. With both meals you receive a free photo package, but the meal at Akershus is much less expensive. Many will say they wouldn't think of not doing the castle. On our first trip to Disney I thought it was a must too. Now that I've been, though, we'll stick with Akershus because of the food and it's less expensive.

 

[Wadecool]

We were planning on trying Cinderella's Royal Table for the first time on our next trip. But we don't know how hard it is to book it. I've heard some stories about how it is almost impossible, but then I have heard things about how it isn't crazy hard. How hard IS it to book CRT? Is it true that they charge you when you make your reservation? How difficult compared to Akershus?

How is the food? And what are the best items on the menu? I have heard things about disgusting food there.

Have children over 12 ever gotten a wand or a sword? Adults even?

How is character interaction? Any rude character experiences?

I'd like to hear about your experiences, good or bad.

Thanks so much!

I'll answer your questions in order:

How hard it is to book can depend on when you want to go. We ate at CRT for breakfast during the first week of May last year and booked it in January, but some other times of the year you need to book right at the 180 day mark.

They do charge your CC in full when you make the reservation.

We enjoyed the breakfast. It's nothing spectacular, just traditional fare but they will give you all you care to eat.

DW and DD3 got wands and I got a sword (which I have proudly displayed on my desk, lol). I'm pretty sure that everyone who wants a wand/sword, gets one.

DD's character interaction was amazing, she was in awe the whole time. It's hard to explain but those princesses have an amazing ability to make each child feel like they are there solely to meet them.

Our experience was awesome! As I mentioned previously, the food is pretty good but we into it understanding that this meal is not about the food, it is all about DD and her meeting the princesses. We will keep going back as long as DD wants to.

 

[drnp]

What is the price difference between breakfast and lunch? Is it substantial? I didnt want to spend 2 TS credits either, and am willing to do out of pocket, and thinking I may save some money on doing it OOP.
Also, I will have 2 girls with me, but one will only be 2. Will she get a wand too, or is it only for ages 3-9?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Cinderealla's Royal Table used to be VERY hard to get reservations for, but when they upped it to 2 credits on the dining plan and raised the prices so much, it became easier to get reservations for. It's stil fairly popular but doesn't totally book up at the 180 day mark anymore.

Akershus has, basically, the same character experience as CRT. I think you are really paying the premium for eating in "The Castle." If you have never eaten at the castle, then I consider it a must try, but if you have eaten there before, then it's probably not worth the extra money or credits. You even get the photo package at Akershus and it's only 1 TS on the DDP.

The food has always been fine when we have eaten there in the past, but nothing totally spectacular.

I believe the current prices for CRT for breakfast are $45.00 for adults and $30.00 for children and for dinner $55.00 for adults and $33.00 for children.

If you are on the DDP you will not have to pre-pay for the meal, just give them a credit card hold for no-shows.

 

[Miss Marie]

Cinderealla's Royal Table used to be VERY hard to get reservations for, but when they upped it to 2 credits on the dining plan and raised the prices so much, it became easier to get reservations for. It's stil fairly popular but doesn't totally book up at the 180 day mark anymore.

Akershus has, basically, the same character experience as CRT. I think you are really paying the premium for eating in "The Castle." If you have never eaten at the castle, then I consider it a must try, but if you have eaten there before, then it's probably not worth the extra money or credits. You even get the photo package at Akershus and it's only 1 TS on the DDP.

The food has always been fine when we have eaten there in the past, but nothing totally spectacular.

I believe the current prices for CRT for breakfast are $45.00 for adults and $30.00 for children and for dinner $55.00 for adults and $33.00 for children.

If you are on the DDP you will not have to pre-pay for the meal, just give them a credit card hold for no-shows.

That's good to know, as we were planning on the DDP for next trip!

 

[krb2g]

Just as a piece of anecdotal evidence, today I pretty much decided to accompany some friends on a spring break trip, and one of them expressed interest in Cinderella's Royal Table. I was able to find an ADR time during our trip (we didn't book because it's expensive and we're still not sure who's going, much less if they want to pay for this particular meal). So it's not impossible to get close-in, but you'll need to be flexible about dining times.