Is Cindy's breakfast REALLY a must-do??

[moopdog]

What's all the hoopla about? Is it mostly because it's in the castle? I'd love to take my DD age 2 when we go in Sept, but feel like my DS age 4 will feel "funny" if I take him to a girly thing, or will feel left out if I leave him w/ Dad and older sister. I was thinking that maybe Donald's thingy, or Chef Mickeys or maybe Crystal Palace with Pooh would be more appropriate for both boy and girl. BUT since DD is free (right?) then I guess it wouldn't hurt if I took her (just her and Mamma) one day, IF it's really a great thing.... so is it??

Thanks in advance... moopdog

 

[MagicKingdom05]

moopdog,

I'm actually doing Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and Donald's Breakfastosaurus on my solo trip next week. I will let you know when I get back on March 6th, what I thought.

 

[judben821]

For us, it is a must do - my DD loves the princesses. This is one of her favorite things to do while we are on vacation. We have 2 DDs, so never had a young boy with us, but many of the other tables did and they seemed to enjoy themselves.

If you are only going to do one character breakfast, I would vote for Cystral Palace. I think both your DS and DD will love that one. But if you can do both, I would also recommend doing Cindys.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

We really enjoy CRT - last year we went witha party of 13 , 6 adults and 7 kids aged 2 - 12(4 boys and 3 girls) - I tell you what the boys had just as much fun as the girls! They loved getting their pictures taken with the princesses

 

[drumflower]

We ate there just last week! My DD10 and DS8 both loved it. It is a must do for us. It is so beautiful eating at the castle even without the princesses. Snow White kissed my son on the cheek, it was so cute! You gotta go at least once in your lifetime!

 

[sters]

The restaurant is small, so reservations are scarce and therefore a challenge to get. And because it's a challenge, people want them all the more! Princesses can be had more easily at Epcot, and that meal was just great! Cinderella can be found at the Grand Floridian character dinner, so that itch can be scratched elsewhere as well. Further, if you want the castle experience, lunch or dinner reservations are easier to score, although there are no characters. So, no, I don't think it's a "must do" for all the aggravation involved.

 

[moopdog]

I know there's a whole "thing" devoted to it on this site, but it's HUGE and I don't think I could muddle through to find out the few basic things I need to know, right? So... what's the deal for getting "in"?

Thanks again - moopdog

 

[Laura's Dad]

If you go to WDW and your DD is in love with the princesses and you are in love with the magic, it is a MUST. There will be no other meal that you will eat in your life with your young daughter that will EVER be any better. My daughter has been fortunate enough to have been three times, and I , as a father, have never been any happier than to see the happiness on my young daughter's face as the characters came around. She told me that the first time that we went that her heart was beating so fast that she could not eat. Yes, to us, it is that special.

 

[dzneelvr]

It's gotten so crazy trying to get PSs to this at MK, that the Princess Breakfast in Norway/EPCOT is fast becoming a favorite. If I were you with that small of children, I'd do the EPCOT first. We saw way too many young kids overwhelmed by the whole experience...crying....not eating....moms and dads frustrated...I'd wait until they were a bit older to do the Castle. And don't worry about your young prince, the characters make him feel special as well.

 

[mikesluss]

The first thing you gotta do is start calling at about 10 to 5 min before 7am eastern standard time 90days out for everyday of your trip and if you are on hold for more than say 20 min you are out of luck now I heard they are expanding the times for a late brunch so they might get a few more reservations in now on the crt thread there are specific numbers to call and certain numbers to punch I just called everyday and got it the last day we were going to be there last dec our daughter age 20 months loved it our son age 7 played his gameboy the entire time but did enjoy the meal and getting to see mickeys philharmagic before the official park opening

 

[MNmom]

My DS(4) was absolutely in LOVE with "Cillarenda" when we were on our cruise last year. He even ran into her one afternoon in the hallway. She kneeled down to talk to him and he was speechless. We told her that he calls her "Cillarenda" 'cuz he can't say Cinderella and she told him that only he could call her "Cindy."

Needless to say we will be having breakfast in the Castle with "Cindy" this year. I just don't know how to tell him that we won't be seeing her every day

 

[bishop1989]

MHO no. The food is average at best and heavy for traveling around park. As far as atmosphere, etc. We much prefer CP and chef Mickey's. And as far as Cinderella, we loved the dinner at GF.

 

[swilphil]

Since your daughter is only 2, she will be just as happy at this point with Crystal Palace and/or Chef Mickey's. We love the food, atmosphere and character interaction at Crystal Palace. If you want to experience the castle, you can go for lunch or dinner (no characters). There are lots of chances to meet different princesses throughout MK and Epcot's World Showcase.

 

[ncbyrne]

I took my 3 DGDs on Mother's Day - it was ok. It's always packed and the characters moved so quickly thru the room that it was difficult for us to get pics with all three girls individually. I prefer the lesser known, less chaotic character meals. If you just want the experience of eating in the castle, make a PS for dinner.

 

[F1Julie]

I found CRT to be way overrated and a big disappointment. I won't bother trying to go again. The princesses came around in assembly-line fashion and spent about 30 seconds at each table. The food was okay but as a whole, the breakfast was not worth the $36 plus tip for DD4 and I. For a good breakfast or dinner, try 1900 Park Fare. Garden Grill is great too.

 

[tink2]

This question depends on you and your DD. If your DD is into princesses and you want a magical experience- it is a must. My DD5 thinks Cindy invites us every year- she's been 3 times and my goodness if I ever don't get that ps!!
She LOVES LOVES LOVES the princesses- she is one you know! Nothing beats eating in the real castle with Cinderella and her friends. Yes, the food is average at best to me. Yes, once the princesses were rushed- this past year. But nothing compares to the look on DD's face when she sees the princesses and they come to our table and talk to us. At 2, she was soooo excited at the meal. She ran to Cinderella so hard when she came to our table she knocked her to her knees. Cindy sat on the floor and rubbed noses and whispered with DD for at least 5 minutes- priceless. Snow White dubbed her the eighth dwarf. She loved it even at 2. If you can, I say go for it. Maybe just take her and leave ds with dad. My DS loved CRT at 2 1/2- got lipstick kisses all over his face and wouldn't wash it all day! This last trip he was 3 1/2 and not so fond of it- just wasn't interested- wouldn't get his picture made wiht Belle, etc. I say take him to Crystal Palace if he is Pooh and Tigger fan or Chef Mickey's if he is a Mickey fan. But if I could, I would definitley take DD to CRT- she is only this young once and the magic is so real as a toddler!

 

[smoochie]

I thought it was just Ok. I felt like it was very rushed. I know they have to do this. But we were done our breakfast before every Princess had visited. I would recommend it because it is in the castle, but next time try Norway Princess breakfast. Just as good and not as crazy.

 

[TomD]

1st let me say my daughters are HUGE Cinderella fans. After reading this thread I asked them when we go down in Dec do you want breakfast there again. Both said NO but book the one in Norway

 

[tink2]

If you can't get CRT- do Norway. However, we were very disappointed in this one in Dec. We went here b/c DD loves Jasmine- she is her favorite princess. Yes, Jasmine was there. But she was actually running between tables! The princesses here were very rushed the day we were there. The Snow White was terrible looking- not even close to the real SNow White. We were so looking forward to this one but were greatly disappointed. The food did have more of a selection than CRT- but we don't go to these two breakfasts for the food. DD was happy b/c she got to see her beloved Jasmine for a quick picture- but she was much happier at CRT. We probably will not return to Norway. However, this restaurant gets mixed reports- some good and some bad. Maybe they can get the consistency down soon.