Is Cinderella's Royal Table worth the cost and the time it takes to get an ADR?

[Magical Kingdoms]

My family is planning a weeklong stay at Walt Disney World and we want to try and have a meal at Cinderella's Royal Table. My mom has seen the price and read about how hard it is to get an ADR and she is not sure. She only says she'll go through all the trouble if it's really worth it. I really want to try it, and so does the rest of my family but we are not sure if it's really worth our time and money.

Is it really worth the price?
Please help!

 

[Pikezh638]

I think so. After 8 or 9 trips for me (11 for my parents) we finally got a reservation there. I think it was well worth it and I would definitely go back.

 

[OhThePain]

It depends on what would make it worth it to you and your family. If your going to base it purely on food quality, then you will likely walk away pretty disappointed. If your going to base it purely on character interactions, you might be disappointed. If your going to base it on the fact that you get to eat in Cinderella's castle and get to experience one of those truely Disney-only experiences, then it will be worth it. I personally find that eating at CRT is one of those things everyone should experience at least once.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

I think everyone should eat in the Castle at least once in thier life. To be honest, the food wasn't that great. That being said, my nephew had a great time because we were in the Castle. Having done it once, I would never go back (I enjoy good food). There are lots of other great restaurant, but the vibes being in the Castle are great.

 

[sukhakuli]

The food isn't very good, the character interaction was just OK (the fairy godmother was actually kind of mean and made my dd cry, the other princesses seemed nervous and awkward), the cost is really high. However, eating inside the castle is really interesting, so I'm glad we went. I wish they had a better meal there, but it is what it is. I do want to take my kids back because my dd broke the magic wand they gave her, and to this day she wants another one. But it looks like we will not be able to get a reservation. I'd like to go, but I won't be heartbroken if we don't.

 

[Magical Kingdoms]

The food isn't very good, the character interaction was just OK (the fairy godmother was actually kind of mean and made my dd cry, the other princesses seemed nervous and awkward), the cost is really high. However, eating inside the castle is really interesting, so I'm glad we went. I wish they had a better meal there, but it is what it is. I do want to take my kids back because my dd broke the magic wand they gave her, and to this day she wants another one. But it looks like we will not be able to get a reservation. I'd like to go, but I won't be heartbroken if we don't.

Did you know that now the Fairy Godmother isn't there? She's been replaced by 24/7 Princesses at dinner. We're mainly doing it because we want to eat inside the castle, and we might have one of my friends with us. It'd be really cool to eat in the castle with my BFF!

 

[Magic3forme]

It was our favorite meal in Feb. We went for dinner.. we all had the beef. it was cooked perfectly and the potatoes etc were great. dessert was great too.... we went in expecting just okay..and it was better than expected!

My oldest is 13 and it was her bday.. she had a great night.

We didnt realize you got pictures with Cinderella and the tip was included.. so it was a double bonus for us!!

I think the food is much better at dnner.. but that is just me.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I think it's definitely worth doing at least once (or twice in our situation) The first time we did it was on Thanksgiving day, so we wanted to try it again on our following trip with just the regular food choice (it was a fixed Thanksgiving menu on Thanksgiving day). The character interactions have always been great in our experience, the princesses were very attentive to our girls. The food has been decent, but nothing to write home about. We have agreed not to do the CRT on our upcoming trip, simply because we would rather use those 2 TS credits on something else. But the two trips we had there was absolutely worth the experience.

 

[Mjkre]

Having tried for years to get an ADR and been thrilled to get one for breakfast last year, I was disappointed with the entire experience. We were very rushed through our meal, the character interaction was not personal in any way and the food was something I would normally spend less then $10.00 per person for. We only saw Cinderella when we got the picture taken. Ohana's and Cape May's breakfasts and character interaction was much better...but no castle and no princessess. I have heard great things about Asherkus (sorry, I know my spelling is way off) Bfast in Epcot.

Oh, did I mention that my dds got into a wand fight on the way out....a perfect end to the very expensive meal!

Was it worth the $200+ that it cost? IMHO, absoulutely not. That said, maybe you should try it once and maybe dinner is better.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Worth it? How does one measure worth of a restaurant meal.... If it puts a smile on the face of your children, then it's worth it to me... I can eat at "regular" restaurants at home or cook good food myself at home.

I've never really had bad food at Disney except ribs at SciFi and the ribs at Whispering Canyon and the so-so lunch and dinner buffet at Hollywood and Vine. The rest have ranged from good to fantastic. On the deluxe dining plan, it's not like I'm going to starve....

I'm going to CRT 1st time next week for me (DH), DW, DS6. Didn't reserve it at first, but an opening came up on the cancelled ADRs thread, so I took it. Figured... something different to do and DS would like eating in the castle. Then I thought it was too "girly" and canceled. Then another lunch opening came up on the canceled thread.... so Cinderella must be wanting us to come.... I kept that one!

Maybe I'll get a tiara for DW! DS already has a kings hat and knights outfit which I'll bring. And I might even find something for me to wear. We need Halloween costumes anyway. I think it will be fun to dine in the castle... but I'm really looking forward to the Beast's Castle when that opens.

Eating in the castle seems to be the best part of this...we are looking to do different things this trip. The picture with Cinderella looks nice... But for pictures with the princesses, it looks like it will be hard to get pictures without people in the background unless our table is against a wall (as is for most character meals).

 

[sukhakuli]

We had breakfast there, and it was just so-so, perhaps lunch or dinner is better. I wanted to try it again, but so far I have not been able to get reservations.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

We are going on our first trip in one week. We have an ADR for CRT for breakfast and I think I will end up cancelling it.

I know the main opinion is that it is worth it for the "experience", but not worth the price for the food and the princess interaction is questionable. I am taking DD6 to the Perfectly Princess Tea which is expensive but I feel that this experiencee will actually be worth it. DS4 will do the Pirate Leaugue with DH while we are at the tea party. We both have a special activity with our kids.

Also, we are eating at Asherkus, so we will get to eat with the princesses.

The only thing that keeps me hanging on to the ADR is DD6. I know she would really like it, I just can't wrap my head around spending that amount of money for a breakfast that no one has anything good to say about and does not include Mimosas!

 

[TDC Nala]

Why would you be thinking of going there?

The food, according to most reports (it's been years since I have been there myself) is not worth the cost. It isn't terrible, but it's not up to what you are paying. The experience (castle and princesses) may be, if that is the experience you are looking for.

The usual advice is, don't book CRT if it's the food you are interested in. If you want to eat in the castle and meet princesses while you eat, then consider it.

 

[bama-mom]

I guess every WDW fan should try it once. That being said, we won't go back. We loved it when it was NOT a character experience. We tried it for the first time with the princesses last October & hated it! Food was horrible, service was even worse, character interaction was okay. We just felt SO rushed and like just another table of customers. Before the princesses were there, it was relaxed and they always seemed to make us feel like special guests (even before we had kids).

Give it a try, just don't have high expectations!

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

My family was there for lunch last month, had a great time, and definitely plans to go back. We though the food was excellent (for Disney). My wife ordered the pork while I had the beef, and she ended up stealing my plate because she thought the beef was so good. Our service was excellent - so much so that I left a significant extra tip on top of what was already included (for whatever reason, we had great luck with English CMs all over the World). The character interaction was on par with Akershus, and I especially enjoyed each princess getting an introduction almost as if we were at a sporting event. We found the setting incredible as well.

It seems that many people have had bad experiences there. We've only been once but loved it. I'd say it was one of the best two meals of our trip (along with La Hacienda).

 

[HelenParr]

It's worth it for the experience of eating inside the castle. It's very cool to see inside, and then, every time you walk by for the rest of time, you have the cool memory of having been in there...but ther food is mediocre and the service inconsistent.

Bottom line for us it's worth doing for the experience (at least ocne) but not worth the price if the food is your goal.

 

[PoohsFan1]

It was our favorite meal in Feb. We went for dinner.. we all had the beef. it was cooked perfectly and the potatoes etc were great. dessert was great too.... we went in expecting just okay..and it was better than expected!

My oldest is 13 and it was her bday.. she had a great night.

We didnt realize you got pictures with Cinderella and the tip was included.. so it was a double bonus for us!!

I think the food is much better at dnner.. but that is just me.

I agree completely that the food is better at dinner than at breakfast. We have gone for dinner the past 2 trips with a third time coming this January. To me, I don't think it is quite as difficult to get an ADR for CRT than in years past. It isn't like trying to get an ADR for lunch at Le Cellier. However, we always make our ADRs right at the 180 day mark and we like to go for dinner, plus we go at off times so that may be a factor too. If you were to try and book it a month out or so and want to go for breakfast before the park opens, then it will, of course, be much harder to get. Good luck....and to answer your question, Yes it is worth going to CRT, at least once in your lifetime

 

[Chelle's Belles]

We've been twice for lunch and it was a wonderful experience. We were drawn primarily by the opportunity to visit with several princesses and to be inside the castle. I thought the food was great! I guess it just depends on what you like. The wishing ceremony at the end brings tears to my eyes!

I would do it again in a heartbeat, but my daughter is now convinced that "princesses are for babies."

 

[AmyBeth68]

Wow...good question honestly. Here's the thing, it's such an iconic thing to do. But I really felt, compared to some other character meals, the whole thing was rushed and the food was very mediocre. With that said we went there for dinner the following year and had a lovely experience. I felt the food was good and the atmosphere less hectic. We saw Cinderella after dinner, so my then 3 year old daughter was thrilled to pieces. For my time and money, I'd do the dinner. It's been years since my kids were young and asking to do this, so maybe things have changed with the dinner. But if it's still not a character meal, that would be my suggestion over the breakfast. Good luck! I'm sure you will enjoy it regardless of your choice.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Yes, I think everyone should try it once. We have done both lunch and dinner and I would suggest trying one of those over breakfast. You might feel you are getting more for your $$.

The thing that disappointed me last time was that they no longer have the chocolate-buckle for dessert. It was my favorite dessert at WDW.

You also need to remember that the price includes the photos, food/drink and even the TIP.