Is Cindy's for Dinner Worth It?

[*NikkiBell*]

We are trying to figure out where we want to eat for our next trip (in December). Is Cindy's a good dinner place or should we look elsewhere?

 

[DisTeach1]

I haven't eaten there for dinner, but I'll tell you why I won't. It sounds like a nice place, beautiful atmosphere, and upscale food. But, I can't sitdown to a nice dinner and not be able to enjoy a fine wine with it. I'm sorry, but I can't imagine ordering a filet and having a coke. I'd rather spend my dining money at another restaurant where I can have a drink with dinner. Just my opinion.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I didn't know they did not serve drinks. I thought they did.

 

[KTSMOM]

I've eaten at Cindy's twice. The food is pretty good but not worth the price they charge. The atmosphere is definately a plus. There's something special about eating in the castle. That said, I think the two times i've gone are enough for me and I would personally choose a different location.

 

[willidc]

Our group of five adults ate there on January 29 and even though we had eaten there numerous times in the past, I felt this most recent experience was the best. As for the price at that time, we had actually changed from a reservation at Tony's Towne Square since after looking at menus in both places, Cindy's was near identical in pricing and as someone else pointed out, the atmosphere is so special in the castle.

We also did not have any need nor desire to have a character experience, so the dinner meal was best suited to us.

Now, having said all of that, it is my understanding that effective Feb. 1 (just a few days after our dinner), the restaurant changed the menu format and now has a fixed price, preset dinner menu ($40 adult) with Fairy Godmother acknowledging any special celebrations. I don't know where I heard/read this, but I was definitely sitting at my computer at the time.

So, you may want to do a bit of research to verify what the format, menu and price would be.

 

[kdibattista]

Cinderella's Castle is excellent for dinner. We tried the breakfast and it was so bad that we almost did not try it for dinner. The atmosphere and food have been wonderful the past couple of years.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Below is a link that I found before going in February and also my review that I have posted at other threads here - (don't think you are seeing double if you catch it elsewhere). There were no children with us so I can only give an adult perspective. Anyway -- I AGONIZED over going and it was really fun and the food was delicious! Would I go again? The chances are I will not be going back to CRT -- but more so because there are so many other places to try out (too many places - too little time!). Otherwise, I would love to go back again!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=120

Ok, my DH and I ate at CRT on 2/13. Here is the scoop and my review for DINNER.

You do have to wait a while in the lobby after you arrive at reservation time. This is to allow time for pictures with Cinderella. A companion bathroom is in the lobby - very convenient for children and handicapped guests or just those who need one! Don't forget to look around the lobby (up high!) and see two little mice from Cinderella peeping down at you!

The picture is ONE 8x10 brought to your table. I know the info says others but that is what we got - it may depend on the size of your party. It is in a beautiful folio with a photo of the castle (also 8 x 10) - right now in all its 50th anniversary glory. You also get a lithograph print of the castle with some cartoon characters in a large round tube -- very light but keep in mind you will have to drag it around the rest of the evening! (That's what husbands are for, right?). I loved the castle photo the best!

The meal is fabulous!!! Service was excellent. There are several offerings but this is what we had. The BLT salad was the best salad I had all week. It is served with pretzel bread - unusual pretzel rod shaped and tasting rolls with honey mustard butter. Really tasty and different! DH got the pork tenderloin with cheese orzo. Tender and delicious. I got the chicken with polenta and kale. A large half of capon (I think that is the word!). The polenta has pieces of corn in it. I am not a big fan of cooked kale but I tasted it. We both were pleased with our entrees. Dessert for DH was a chocolate mousse cake. I got blueberry buckle (a large sugary blueberry muffin) with a scoop of lemon ice cream on it. The ice cream was creamy and good. I liked the "muffin" and they tasted good together. I had ice tea with my meal and my DH had milk. (He loved that milk was served everywhere as a "regular" beverage unlike non-Disney places!)

During (our) dessert, the fairy godmother and two castle (girl) mice arrived from Cinderella's tale. I believe their names are Perla and Suzy? They spread out and visit each table for hugs and really quick pictures - don't forget your camera like I did but get it ready fast!! It is a prepared lip synch song that the fairy godmother sings - though she has a microphone and may say some other things - I couldn't tell. Although you sing happy birthday, etc.... it is just a generic "raise your hand" type of recognition - not personal if that is what you are looking for. I assume the characters come about once an hour -- and was wondering if people sometimes missed them! It was fun and cute. The children seemed to enjoy the characters.

I noted the usual children entree offerings, one of which was hot dogs and appetizer of fruit and cheese. For a little character interaction and picture with Cinderella -- if breakfast and lunch could not be had, this may be a good (but expensive) alternative.

We were seated at a window overlooking the little Cinderella fountain. I wanted to note that people who think these restaurants are truly romantic - think again. You are surrounded by large groups of people talking at once. They are designed to feed huge amounts of people. Not to say we didn't like it -- I just was naive myself about the "romance" factor.

Our bill for 2 with tip was $96. It is supposed to be 2TS but I will admit for some reason we were only charged 1TS each?????

We really enjoyed our meal and I was GLAD we had dinner at the Royal Table!

 

[scrump]

We are trying to figure out where we want to eat for our next trip (in December). Is Cindy's a good dinner place or should we look elsewhere?

It's worth one try at least, if the idea of eating in the castle appeals to you at all.

We go every trip because my friend LOVES eating in the castle. Personally, I am not gung-ho about it, but I always enjoy my time there. At the current prices, though, I am inclined to leave it off my itinerary, as I find the food to be OK (maybe good, rarely outstanding). I always think you should try it at least once, though!

 

[DLBDS]

Below is a link that I found before going in February and also my review that I have posted at other threads here - (don't think you are seeing double if you catch it elsewhere). There were no children with us so I can only give an adult perspective. Anyway -- I AGONIZED over going and it was really fun and the food was delicious! Would I go again? The chances are I will not be going back to CRT -- but more so because there are so many other places to try out (too many places - too little time!). Otherwise, I would love to go back again!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=120

Ok, my DH and I ate at CRT on 2/13. Here is the scoop and my review for DINNER.

You do have to wait a while in the lobby after you arrive at reservation time. This is to allow time for pictures with Cinderella. A companion bathroom is in the lobby - very convenient for children and handicapped guests or just those who need one! Don't forget to look around the lobby (up high!) and see two little mice from Cinderella peeping down at you!

The picture is ONE 8x10 brought to your table. I know the info says others but that is what we got - it may depend on the size of your party. It is in a beautiful folio with a photo of the castle (also 8 x 10) - right now in all its 50th anniversary glory. You also get a lithograph print of the castle with some cartoon characters in a large round tube -- very light but keep in mind you will have to drag it around the rest of the evening! (That's what husbands are for, right?). I loved the castle photo the best!

The meal is fabulous!!! Service was excellent. There are several offerings but this is what we had. The BLT salad was the best salad I had all week. It is served with pretzel bread - unusual pretzel rod shaped and tasting rolls with honey mustard butter. Really tasty and different! DH got the pork tenderloin with cheese orzo. Tender and delicious. I got the chicken with polenta and kale. A large half of capon (I think that is the word!). The polenta has pieces of corn in it. I am not a big fan of cooked kale but I tasted it. We both were pleased with our entrees. Dessert for DH was a chocolate mousse cake. I got blueberry buckle (a large sugary blueberry muffin) with a scoop of lemon ice cream on it. The ice cream was creamy and good. I liked the "muffin" and they tasted good together. I had ice tea with my meal and my DH had milk. (He loved that milk was served everywhere as a "regular" beverage unlike non-Disney places!)

During (our) dessert, the fairy godmother and two castle (girl) mice arrived from Cinderella's tale. I believe their names are Perla and Suzy? They spread out and visit each table for hugs and really quick pictures - don't forget your camera like I did but get it ready fast!! It is a prepared lip synch song that the fairy godmother sings - though she has a microphone and may say some other things - I couldn't tell. Although you sing happy birthday, etc.... it is just a generic "raise your hand" type of recognition - not personal if that is what you are looking for. I assume the characters come about once an hour -- and was wondering if people sometimes missed them! It was fun and cute. The children seemed to enjoy the characters.

I noted the usual children entree offerings, one of which was hot dogs and appetizer of fruit and cheese. For a little character interaction and picture with Cinderella -- if breakfast and lunch could not be had, this may be a good (but expensive) alternative.

We were seated at a window overlooking the little Cinderella fountain. I wanted to note that people who think these restaurants are truly romantic - think again. You are surrounded by large groups of people talking at once. They are designed to feed huge amounts of people. Not to say we didn't like it -- I just was naive myself about the "romance" factor.

Our bill for 2 with tip was $96. It is supposed to be 2TS but I will admit for some reason we were only charged 1TS each?????

We really enjoyed our meal and I was GLAD we had dinner at the Royal Table!

Do you pay extra for the pics or is it included with the meal? If not part of the meal, how much?

 

[DizneyDogs]

I haven't eaten there for dinner, but I'll tell you why I won't. It sounds like a nice place, beautiful atmosphere, and upscale food. But, I can't sitdown to a nice dinner and not be able to enjoy a fine wine with it. I'm sorry, but I can't imagine ordering a filet and having a coke. I'd rather spend my dining money at another restaurant where I can have a drink with dinner. Just my opinion.

Yep no alcohol is served in the Magic Kingdom Park.

 

[jonimce]

There are a lot of rest. at Disney that are 2 TS credits. Most of them are worth it, but not this one. The food was good, but not worth the price. If your going to use 2 TS's go to CG.

 

[SnwflkCts]

DLBS -- Pics are included. I think if your party is larger than two, you get more pictures -- it was only my DH and I and we got one 8 x 10. The picture of the castle, picture of us with Cinderella and lithograph in tube all came with the meal. I think if you pay, it is $39.99 per person (adult)-- or on the DDP it is 2 TS credits.

In February the computer was messed up so we were only charged 1 TS each -- a little bonus for us cause we used that one for a KONA breakfast our last morning at WDW. (LOVED that Tonga Toast at KONA!)