Is CRT breakfast for us?

[bangzoom6877]

Our next trip is in 2010, so pretty far away, but I am debating about CRT for breakfast. We will have the DDP but we would be paying OOP for this, as it would be 2 TS credits and I feel it is a better value to pay this one OOP since we will be having a TS dinner every night (just our family's habits, we like to sit down to dinner after a long day at the parks).

We have 2 boys who will be 3 and 5 when we go. Last July we went to the 1900 Park Fare Cinderella dinner and it was nice. My boys were a little shy with these characters, yet interacted with the costumed characters. Perhaps because the princesses actually speak to you. But my older son keeps saying he wants to go into the castle and eat there. DH is not overly thrilled with it and I know he can take it or leave it. It is, however, a fantasy of mine to dine in Cinderella's castle.

So, do you think we should go ahead and have breakfast at CRT? I don't want my DH to think this is a waste of money once we leave there, but I can't help but be curious about eating in the castle, and I don't want to wait until my boys are older and refuse to eat with princesses! This of course would replace a different OOP breakfast (probably 1900 Park Fare). What do you think?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Do it!!!

I skipped it in 2008 because I thought DH and DS wouldn't like it and DD was too young for me to use as an excuse. I REALLY wanted to do it though.

I regret skipping it. We did it two weeks ago and when I told DH about the ADR he was all giddy! More excited than me I think!! He loves Disney and was so excited about the castle.

It's a wonderful experience no matter the age. DH and I plan on doing an adult only trip in the next few years and I will most definitely eat at the castle sans the kids. Dinner most likely though.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Another vote for yes do it. They get given a sword when they arrive which helps!

If your budget will stretch though I would consider dinner. Firstly the food is better, secondly the meal isn't really a character meal but the mice and Fairy Godmother do a little show and she sings Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo. My son loves the castle as much as my daughter for the fact that itis the castle. He prefers the dinner show though to the princesses in the morning and at lunch. We have been dinner and breakfast for our last two trips and it is definitely worth the money to us.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Another vote for yes do it. They get given a sword when they arrive which helps!

If your budget will stretch though I would consider dinner. Firstly the food is better, secondly the meal isn't really a character meal but the mice and Fairy Godmother do a little show and she sings Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo. My son loves the castle as much as my daughter for the fact that itis the castle. He prefers the dinner show though to the princesses in the morning and at lunch. We have been dinner and breakfast for our last two trips and it is definitely worth the money to us.

Do they offer child-friendly entrees at dinner? I saw the menu and recall not seeing a children's section. I thought the breakfast would be nice since I know we would all enjoy the food and get into the park early before it opens. As I said, it would replace a different OOP breakfast, probably 1900 Park Fare or maybe Chef Mickey's and we would do that for dinner one evening instead, as 1 TS credit on the DDP. If doing the CRT dinner we may consider using the 2 TS credits is costs from the DDP, but not for the breakfast since it would be a better bang for our buck to pay OOP for that and use the 2 credits on 2 dinners (we always have a TS dinner every night on vacation).

I think we should do the castle on the next trip, even if it is the only time we end up doing it. The boys will still be little (3 and 5), and I know at least my older one talks about eating in the castle. He loves the Cinderella movie too. Only problem is, convincing DH to do it. He doesn't think the castle is necessary with boys. He also is not that into dining, and pretty much likes every kind of food. He doesn't get too impressed by food, not like I do. So I will be dealing with DH telling me that we could have good breakfast food at any of the WDW restaurants, so questioning me as to why we HAVE TO go to the castle and not to another place. Any suggestions how to convince him? LOL...I have about a year to convince him, because our trip will be in July 2010 so the ADRs will be made next April!

 

[Hootch]

Disney's site:

Children under 9 may dine on a fruit and cheese platter, chicken noodle soup, chicken strips, mini hot dogs and, for dessert, an ice cream sundae. Beverages include milk, juice and water.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/dining/dreams-come-true-dinner/

 

[newtodis]

Another vote for doing it!!!

My boys were 4 and 2 in Dec (the little one JUST turned two at the end of Nov) and they had an AWESOME time! DS4 LOVED teasing Daddy about seeing his "favorite princess" (Jasmine) throughout the meal!

We were there for breakfast and both ate well.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Do they offer child-friendly entrees at dinner? I saw the menu and recall not seeing a children's section. I thought the breakfast would be nice since I know we would all enjoy the food and get into the park early before it opens. As I said, it would replace a different OOP breakfast, probably 1900 Park Fare or maybe Chef Mickey's and we would do that for dinner one evening instead, as 1 TS credit on the DDP. If doing the CRT dinner we may consider using the 2 TS credits is costs from the DDP, but not for the breakfast since it would be a better bang for our buck to pay OOP for that and use the 2 credits on 2 dinners (we always have a TS dinner every night on vacation).

I think we should do the castle on the next trip, even if it is the only time we end up doing it. The boys will still be little (3 and 5), and I know at least my older one talks about eating in the castle. He loves the Cinderella movie too. Only problem is, convincing DH to do it. He doesn't think the castle is necessary with boys. He also is not that into dining, and pretty much likes every kind of food. He doesn't get too impressed by food, not like I do. So I will be dealing with DH telling me that we could have good breakfast food at any of the WDW restaurants, so questioning me as to why we HAVE TO go to the castle and not to another place. Any suggestions how to convince him? LOL...I have about a year to convince him, because our trip will be in July 2010 so the ADRs will be made next April!

Tell him YOU want to do it!!!!!!! It is your vacation too!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

As luck would have it my DD brought her kid's menu home with her (it is only paper with puzzles on oneside and she is the scrapbooking queen) so here goes.

For guests ages 9 and under, all meals served with choice of milk, bottled water or juice, soft drinks available upon request.

Either Choice of kids' complete meal, Mickey's favorite meals served on a Mickey Plate.

Grilled Fish of the Day served with whole-grain pilaf, veggies and yogurt parfait

or

Grilled chicken strips served with macaroni topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella served with veggies and fruit salad.

OR Cinderella's Royal table kids' picks - choice of one appetizer, one entree and one dessert

Appetizers gardan salad or chicken noodle soup
Entrees chicken breast nuggets or hot dog
Desserts Raspberry sorbet or ice-cream sundae

Now DD is more than a little picky. Let's just say the Atkins diet was invented for her. Loves fruit and veg loves meat doesn't do carbs except chocolate and ice-cream

She asked for the kids' complete chicken meal without macaroni. They offered her mash or potatoes instead but no she just wanted chicken with veggies and fruit. They brought her a stack of both.

She was also offered an ice-cream sundae which come with cute little chocolate crowns on top and mickey sprinkles but we declined as her brother had ordered her a Cinderella slipper dessert as a surprise.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

There is nothing like eating in the castle. We have done it jsut about every trip. And wile I have girls, I have seen lots of boys there having lots of fun.

As for the food. It is one of our favorite meals. I am not a breakfast person but love the food there so I eat (too much!!!) The potatoes there are sooooo good. We order a big extra bowl of them each time. We have not been otehr then breakfast because we like to see the princesses and completly love the food at breakfast time!!! GREAT!!! Now I am hungry...

 

[bangzoom6877]

Okay, I am sure we will end up doing the CRT breakfast! It also comes with the photo package, which we had to pay extra for at Chef Mickey's, but this will be very nice, with the scenery of the castle! Nothing like that I'm sure!

The food looks great for breakfast, and the fact that they serve you and it is not buffet is VERY appealing! Well worth the extra cost (over other character breakfasts) for the photo package, the fact that I don't have to get up to get my food, and the fact that we will be dining in the castle!

 

[WVParkfan]

Only problem is, convincing DH to do it.

Remind him that not-every part of this vacation is about "the boys." If it's your dream to eat in the castle, then by all means you should tell him that. Explain that it is for YOU.

My wife rarely (if ever) asks for anything for herself. If she told me that SHE wanted to do something in particular, I would bend over backwards to make sure my queen got what she wanted.

P.S. Our son was 11 when we had breakfast at CRT. He loved it (and so did his little sister). He was 14 last year when we all went to the Princess breakfast at Akershus. I think your husband will understand that it isn't just "for girls" once he goes.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Remind him that not-every part of this vacation is about "the boys." If it's your dream to eat in the castle, then by all means you should tell him that. Explain that it is for YOU.

My wife rarely (if ever) asks for anything for herself. If she told me that SHE wanted to do something in particular, I would bend over backwards to make sure my queen got what she wanted.

P.S. Our son was 11 when we had breakfast at CRT. He loved it (and so did his little sister). He was 14 last year when we all went to the Princess breakfast at Akershus. I think your husband will understand that it isn't just "for girls" once he goes.

Everything you are saying is true...and sounds like something my husband would say too. We did the dinner at 1900 Park Fare last summer, and I thought he would not be up for it, but when I told him I really wanted to eat dinner with Cinderella, he completely understood. His favorite is Dale (though I think this is tied with Donald Duck), and even though we don't stop in the parks for characters (HOT in July! and we want to do attractions instead!), we stopped in Epcot when we saw Chip & Dale for a photo op, since there was no line at all. Of course this was near the WS and after we had seen all the attractions we wanted to see, but we still stopped. I knew it was important to him! So I am sure he will understand. I'm sure he will also like the fact that they serve you the food and it is not buffet!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I spoke to DH a little while ago and we got to talking about our next Disney trip (as we always seem to do!). I mentioned that I want to eat breakfast in the castle next time, and make an ADR for the time before the park opens (we like to do this with park breakfasts). I told him that I just have to experience the castle, that our older son wants to eat there, that they include a photo package (which impressed him since we paid a lot for the one at Chef Mickey's last summer), and that they bring the food to you and it is not buffet. He actually seemed pretty excited about all of that! So I am sure it is a go!

Now, how difficult is it to get a reservation there? That is the question. Our trip is in the middle of July 2010. We're planning to arrive July 18, 2010 and stay for 10 nights, so no worried about 4th of July crowds. I know this is far far away, but we are DVC members, are booking our trip in August at the 11-month mark and we always travel at that time in July (we are both teachers). I will be the person on the phone at EXACTLY the 90-day mark at 7AM when dining lines open! That is just the way I do things...I am a planner when it comes to vacations! So, how difficult is it at that time of year to get an ADR for the breakfast for a non-EMH morning BEFORE the park opens?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I spoke to DH a little while ago and we got to talking about our next Disney trip (as we always seem to do!). I mentioned that I want to eat breakfast in the castle next time, and make an ADR for the time before the park opens (we like to do this with park breakfasts). I told him that I just have to experience the castle, that our older son wants to eat there, that they include a photo package (which impressed him since we paid a lot for the one at Chef Mickey's last summer), and that they bring the food to you and it is not buffet. He actually seemed pretty excited about all of that! So I am sure it is a go!

Now, how difficult is it to get a reservation there? That is the question. Our trip is in the middle of July 2010. We're planning to arrive July 18, 2010 and stay for 10 nights, so no worried about 4th of July crowds. I know this is far far away, but we are DVC members, are booking our trip in August at the 11-month mark and we always travel at that time in July (we are both teachers). I will be the person on the phone at EXACTLY the 90-day mark at 7AM when dining lines open! That is just the way I do things...I am a planner when it comes to vacations! So, how difficult is it at that time of year to get an ADR for the breakfast for a non-EMH morning BEFORE the park opens?

Call at exactly your 90 day mark!! I did for my last trip in March and got what I wanted. I even called a few weeks after that to change it and got what I wanted again.