How's dinner in the castle?

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Good Evening All,

My aunt decided to join me for a trip to WDW and I'd like to take her somewhere fun for dinner. How's the food and atmosphere for dinner in the castle? Would two adult ladies enjoy it?

Thank you!

 

[wickywinn]

Well, if your not particular at all about your food than ok I guess. If you like for food to at least be on the same level as Denny's than it's horrible. And I'm by no means a food snob and, until I tried it late July, really doubted the badbadbad reviews I'd seen. Call me stubborn but I absolutely refused to believe that dinner in Cinderella's castle could be anything less than Magical. I was wrooooong. We were a party of 6 and, when we came in, noticed at least 2 tables complaining repeatedly, which I normally hate. But, manohman, when we got our food I saw the light as did the rest of my party. We each ordered something different and the theme was dry dry dry. Did I mention everything was dry. Well, everything was. My meat looked like a greyish brown mess of mainly fat and grissle and, well....everyone repeat after me d-r-y. It came with a scoop of scalloped potatoes the size of a melon baller on top of which were two greasy, limp stems of asparagus. The chocolate buckle dessert that sounds so devine? A chocolate....dry (yes again) muffin with as little sauce drizzled on it as humanly possible (have to keep the dry theme going I guess). Since my daughter is 2 she is not on the meal plan. Most of the other restaurants are accomodating of this and bring a little something. Their offering is drrrrry pasta. No sauce, straight out of the strainer.

Am I being sarcastic? You bet. It was that bad. And I have heard many, many, many horror stories. My family was appalled at how badly it has gone downhill. Everyone agreed their meal was awful.

But if you really, truly would like to eat in the castle - since it is very nice food aside - I would suggest trying to get in for breakfast. I hear that's much better.

 

[inkedupmomma]

wicky, that is so sad to hear we LOVED crt in 2005. I mean loved it loved it.. It was all we talked about for some time! I do know they changed the menu quite a bit, but I am still looking forward to it this trip. Hopefully we will have a better expirience than you did
:/

 

[wickywinn]

wicky, that is so sad to hear we LOVED crt in 2005. I mean loved it loved it.. It was all we talked about for some time! I do know they changed the menu quite a bit, but I am still looking forward to it this trip. Hopefully we will have a better expirience than you did
:/

They've changed since you went. I have been to dinner there many times and always LOVED it. I had my dd dressed to the tee in her Cinderella gown, shoes, everything. Like I said, it was really bad. Read reviews....you'd be shocked.

 

[SGMCO]

I would still give it a try--we will.
I think it will be fun!!

 

[inkedupmomma]

They've changed since you went. I have been to dinner there many times and always LOVED it. I had my dd dressed to the tee in her Cinderella gown, shoes, everything. Like I said, it was really bad. Read reviews....you'd be shocked.

yeah I saw that they changed it.. but I was hoping it was a bit the same ;( DF is gonna be bummed

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Oh dear, I hate to hear dinner is bad. I've done the breakfast a couple of times and honestly, I don't think the food is worth what it costs for breakfast. For me breakfast is more about the character interactions, DD dressed up in her gown, the atmosphere - and that was worth the cost to me. We've had absolutely wonderful times with the princesses for breakfast.

Well, I've been looking at menus and now I'm thinking about the CA Grill, trying to time it for the fireworks. I'm looking for a special experience for my aunt, she doesn't get to WDW very often.

That's for the help. I'll probably try the castle dinner sometime but I think I'll do something else for this particular trip.

If anyone has suggestions for a special dinner, feel free to post

 

[wickywinn]

yeah I saw that they changed it.. but I was hoping it was a bit the same ;( DF is gonna be bummed

Well I will say this, for two adults I wouldn't recommend dinner but if you have little ones, eh, maybe. You probably will be disappointed by the food but your children will enjoy the experience. They get swords and wands and put on a quick little show during the meal. There's no character interaction in the dining room but you get the Cinderella picture package (although my dd decided she would not remove thumb from nostril so...it's a lovely picture). We will try the castle again but never dinner. We'd gladly go to breakfast for the characters and, from what I've heard, the food's pretty good.

OP, don't just take my word though. Read reviews and read many. That would probably give you a less biased look. Although I read them - and saw the vast majority were negative but I was determined...

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

It's ok wickywinn, I didn't have my heart set on the castle , that's why I'm easily talked out of it but I appreciate that your trying to be fair.

I'm just looking for a nice way to start our girlfriend getaway trip off. Still looking around, Ca grill or Artist Point are sounding better all the time!

 

[catne]

well, I'm one who thinks you should take the negative reviews with a very large grain of salt...keep in mind the "squeaky wheel" theory...you hear from the people who didn't like it, but the majority who had a positive experience don't report it.

I'm one who does...in May 2008, DH, myself (two old 50-somethings) and DD (19 yrs. old) and her BFF (18 yr. old guy) ate dinner at the castle.

And we all enjoyed it completely...we loved the meet & greet & photo with Cinderella (her chit chat was really fun...she was charming & in character all the way, even when flirting with DD's guy friend...once she knew he wasn't "DD's prince") The atmosphere & ambiance in the castle dining room was really special, too. The food...we all enjoyed it. We had 2 different appetisers, 3 different entrees and 2 different desserts. The food was cooked properly every course; the prime rib was delicious, the salmon was very good and the desserts were outstanding. Service was excellent. The show with Fairy Godmother was short & cute (which is fine for a mostly adult audience.)

Was the food the best we've ever eaten...of course not. But it was far, far, far better than "denny's" and the service was impeccable. Don't know about you, but that was the first & only time we've had a chance to eat in a castle...that was worth the $$ all by itself.

So, we had a completely different experience than PP...which is why I suggest you give things a try yourself. If you're looking for a chance to eat in a fairy tale castle, this is it. And it can be a wonderful time.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Oh dear, I hate to hear dinner is bad. I've done the breakfast a couple of times and honestly, I don't think the food is worth what it costs for breakfast. For me breakfast is more about the character interactions, DD dressed up in her gown, the atmosphere - and that was worth the cost to me. We've had absolutely wonderful times with the princesses for breakfast.

Well, I've been looking at menus and now I'm thinking about the CA Grill, trying to time it for the fireworks. I'm looking for a special experience for my aunt, she doesn't get to WDW very often.

That's for the help. I'll probably try the castle dinner sometime but I think I'll do something else for this particular trip.

If anyone has suggestions for a special dinner, feel free to post

how about something silly fun like?? maybe 50's prime time or whispering canyon?? or maybe even one of the shows like hddmr or the spirit of the aloha?? dinner and a show might be cool??

if not I think cali grill is nice.. OOOh hhow about coral reef and get special menus made and have a diver with a sign??

wow i just got all add lol

 

[inkedupmomma]

well, I'm one who thinks you should take the negative reviews with a very large grain of salt...keep in mind the "squeaky wheel" theory...you hear from the people who didn't like it, but the majority who had a positive experience don't report it.

I'm one who does...in May 2008, DH, myself (two old 50-somethings) and DD (19 yrs. old) and her BFF (18 yr. old guy) ate dinner at the castle.

And we all enjoyed it completely...we loved the meet & greet & photo with Cinderella (her chit chat was really fun...she was charming & in character all the way, even when flirting with DD's guy friend...once she knew he wasn't "DD's prince") The atmosphere & ambiance in the castle dining room was really special, too. The food...we all enjoyed it. We had 2 different appetisers, 3 different entrees and 2 different desserts. The food was cooked properly every course; the prime rib was delicious, the salmon was very good and the desserts were outstanding. Service was excellent. The show with Fairy Godmother was short & cute (which is fine for a mostly adult audience.)

Was the food the best we've ever eaten...of course not. But it was far, far, far better than "denny's" and the service was impeccable. Don't know about you, but that was the first & only time we've had a chance to eat in a castle...that was worth the $$ all by itself.

So, we had a completely different experience than PP...which is why I suggest you give things a try yourself. If you're looking for a chance to eat in a fairy tale castle, this is it. And it can be a wonderful time.

I know for a fact that when I went in 2005 the food was ridiculously good, and I also know our waiter was amazing. But being in the actual castle made it even more amazing!! I'm stoked to go there again either way!

 

[wickywinn]

well, I'm one who thinks you should take the negative reviews with a very large grain of salt...keep in mind the "squeaky wheel" theory...you hear from the people who didn't like it, but the majority who had a positive experience don't report it.

I'm one who does...in May 2008, DH, myself (two old 50-somethings) and DD (19 yrs. old) and her BFF (18 yr. old guy) ate dinner at the castle.

And we all enjoyed it completely...we loved the meet & greet & photo with Cinderella (her chit chat was really fun...she was charming & in character all the way, even when flirting with DD's guy friend...once she knew he wasn't "DD's prince") The atmosphere & ambiance in the castle dining room was really special, too. The food...we all enjoyed it. We had 2 different appetisers, 3 different entrees and 2 different desserts. The food was cooked properly every course; the prime rib was delicious, the salmon was very good and the desserts were outstanding. Service was excellent. The show with Fairy Godmother was short & cute (which is fine for a mostly adult audience.)

Was the food the best we've ever eaten...of course not. But it was far, far, far better than "denny's" and the service was impeccable. Don't know about you, but that was the first & only time we've had a chance to eat in a castle...that was worth the $$ all by itself.

So, we had a completely different experience than PP...which is why I suggest you give things a try yourself. If you're looking for a chance to eat in a fairy tale castle, this is it. And it can be a wonderful time.

as I originally said...

OP, don't just take my word though. Read reviews and read many. That would probably give you a less biased look. Although I read them - and saw the vast majority were negative but I was determined...

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Lots to think about, thanks for the suggestions.

Sometimes I think a certain place may have had an off night (or week) or the atmosphere just doesn't appeal to a particular person. I tried Raglan Road after so many people on the boards liked it, and it wasn't my thing at all

 

[catne]

as I originally said...

OP, don't just take my word though. Read reviews and read many. That would probably give you a less biased look. Although I read them - and saw the vast majority were negative but I was determined...
I realize you did say that

My point was that the majority of satisfied customers rarely bother to post (or even know they can post their opinions ) So what you'll see is going to be mostly negative opinions.

This holds true everywhere...just human nature to be louder about the negatives, IMHO.

 

[GenieCat]

The Dis Podcast crew had a listener contest for a family to join them for dinner at CRT. The review can be heard on the July 23rd episode.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/archives.htm

Scroll down the page to July 23rd, and click "download this weeks discussion show". You don't need an iPod to listen, just the speakers on your computer.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thank you, I'll listen to it

 

[Peepster]

You can't beat the atmosphere of the Castle. Yes, the dining plan has standardized the menu here the same as the World over, but we were just there and enjoyed ourselves and the food was good. It's expensive, but what isn't at WDW?

By the way, we're two adults and while we don't opt for the Princess thing, we enjoy the dinner.

The servers here are wonderful and most have been here for a long time. If you happen to get Christopher, tell him his Wisconsin fan club says "hey".

Everyone has different tastes and different ideas. Give it a try and let us know!

 

[leanan]

I found the food to be salty and the portions to be small.

 

[captaindavidhook]

Good Evening All,

My aunt decided to join me for a trip to WDW and I'd like to take her somewhere fun for dinner. How's the food and atmosphere for dinner in the castle? Would two adult ladies enjoy it?

Thank you!

we had dinner there this past fri and downstairs with the cinderella chaos going on that is a fiasco but the food and service was good...just toke forever to get up there..i think i had the chicken which was terrific but i give the food good marks the d'stairs madness i give that a F