Is CRT worth it?

[tinkgurl]

We are deciding if we want to try CRT for the first time this trip or not. I'd love to hear anyone's experience, what food they liked, etc. Thanks!

 

[morgy827]

My response to this question is always the same...

Is eating in Cinderella's castle going to be a memorable experience for you??

If you're like me and you answered "yes" to the above question than it won't matter what the food is like.

 

[phisigprincess]

If you've never done it, it's worth it for the experience of eating in the castle. We did the breakfast, and the food wasn't outstanding, but it wasn't bad either. It's expensive, but certainly something to try at least once. I don't feel a need to go back until we have little ones, but I enjoyed our time there.

 

[fottafamily05]

We have been on numerous trips and so far have had no luck getting into this I have heard the food isnt the greatest but the experience is probably well worth it!

 

[princessmom29]

We thought the food was pretty good, but nothing we would pay that price elsewhere for. The experience of eating in the castle however was pricelss. It something that for us was a one time deal. Well worth it, but not something we ned to do agian.

 

[TxRabbit]

Tinkgurl! After all the talk of all the attractions on your PTR, I can't believe that I have done something in Fantasyland that you haven't done!

I LOVED eating in the castle. I got the ressie for our first trip to WDW. I pretty much took the only thing that was available, and I was pumped about it. We had lunch there, and we really enjoyed our food actually. The characters were wonderful. It was the highlight of our trip. Here's a link to my review with pics.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18423890&postcount=1

I make a similar comment all over the place...but value is really subjective. It's hard to make comparisons between restaurants and talk about whether or not CRT is worth 2 TS credits. I tend to think of TS in terms of an overall dining experience. That would combine atmosphere, location, food, and characters if any. IMHO, CRT is worth it, at least once. It's a uniquely Disney experience. I think you should give it a try!

 

[Justsyd2]

We think it's going to be worth it. My DH is very frugal -- he always teases me that I can't buy anything if it costs more than $5.00. While planning this trip, I casually asked, "so...how about eating at the Castle?" I was waiting for the, "if it's less than 5 dollars," answer when he said, "are you kidding me? Book it, it's the CASTLE. We have to eat there!" I then told him how much it costs, and he replied, "book it."

 

[madalex]

You are paying for the experience of eating in the castle and meeting the princesses. The food is mediocre at best and in way justifies the cost of the meal.

 

[LovinPooh]

My DH still doesnt know I paid $155 for this breakfast He did love our DD9's smile when she walked down Main St empty and met all the princesses. I was up on the 180th day at 7am for this ADR dialing away.
The food wasnt anything I would write home about. But I dont think anyone is there for the food. It was our anniversary adn our waiter brought over a card signed by all the princesses. I almost cried... in the castle, a card from princesses, princesses at your table.... totally magical! And how they carry on like princesses... DS got a kick out of when Aurora asked him if he got to the castle by horse and carraige
I could go on and on. I think next time we are going to try dinner. I know there are no princesses, but I have to have atleast one meal in that castle lol.

 

[ILoveMK2008]

We had a really horrible experience with inedible food and pathetic service (I mean really bad, the worst I've probably ever had). So for me, the experience of dining in the castle did not overcome these disappointments. But if someone had said the same thing to me before I went, I probably would have ignored them.

 

[tinkgurl]

Wow, thanks for everyone's responses.

 

[ShannonMB]

We did the breakfast on our first trip, and even though it was very expensive, it was worth it "for the experience". I also thought the food was really good, especially that french toast thingy. This time we went for lunch, and it was a let-down for me. I like all kinds of food, but it was just blech (what I ordered -- the Major Domo's favorite pie. I expected to really like it, but it had this sauce on it that was REALLY, I mean REALLY garlicky). And the appetizer plate was a little weird, too IMO.

I will go again sometime, but only for breakfast. And probably not for a while. Definitely worth a try though!!!!

On a side note, I thought it was really weird that the server on our second trip kept calling me and my mom "Princess", like 3-4 times every time she came to the table. I love when they call DD that, but I would prefer something a little more regal, perhaps "M'Lady"

 

[disneypolybride2008]

MY WORST wdw experience! they overbooked so we didnt get seated until very late, missed the 'show' and the food was terrible. The prime rib was sooo salty, the dessert had a grainy texture.

GO ELSEWHERE, i'm sure i'm not the only one they 'overbooked' you'd think after making reservations the second they're available that you would be able to be seated. very dissapointing. extremely rude staff!

 

[mickeymommy3]

We did it strictly for the experience, so we were not disappointed. I am a Mom to two little Cinderella's in training. So for that reason I would not of missed it. Was I slightly disappointed in the price of food and what they actually ate, due to distraction of being in castle, lol. Yes, but like I said, all worth it.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We went for lunch in August and it was fabulous! Our server was fantastic and the food was so much better than we expected. Two big thumbs up to the Major Domo's Pie, kids' fish of the day (salmon), Chocolate Buckle dessert and the sorbet dessert. We thought the appy plate was yummy and ate it all, but the people next to us looked at it like it was a plate of live eels (not chicken, cheese, salad and fruit) and quickly moved it away from them. Add in dining in a castle and meeting princesses and for us it was so worth it.

 

[IndyClown]

Did it once....enjoyed it....don't need to do it again though.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I think everyone should do it once. We did breakfast. The food was not bad, nothing extraordinary, but we loved the experience! Even DS loved it, it probably helped he got a sword!

 

[Lynn5700]

We ate there like 2 years ago and I really enjoyed it. I liked my food and I loved the atmosphere. So much fun.

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

Went for lunch in Dec. with DGD (2), DD and DSIL. DGD was chosen as Princess of the Day. She had a one-on-one meet with Cinderella before anyone else was allowed in!! When we were called in the CM said do you know why we brought your family in first. I replied No I did not. He said that DGD was chosen as princess of the day. Oh my gosh! Not sure how it happened but it was worth every penny for those moments. I realize we just got lucky, but it was wonderful. She was announced after a significant amount of diners had come in to meet Cinderella. They announced her as Princess Giannah and that she would be escorting us all to lunch. Where the heck is a video camera when you need one!? So she led us all up the stairs (have pictures of that) and she was the first person to be seated. She did not eat much but who would eat a plate of plain elbow macaroni with nothing on it? We were told that she was 2 and that is what she got for being "free". Okay, so she loved the cheese from the appy plate and ate some of our food. She also got the little ice cream sundae with the chocolate crown on top. The Major Domo's pie was very good. Was DSIL's second favorite meal of the trip (first was Coral Reef). Would we do it again? Absolutely! They are only little once and those memories will be part of our forever magic. I would not do it strictly for the food though so keep that in mind. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Jennifer in WA]

We are booked there for my DD 12th birthday....so happy! The only thing we are questioning is using two of our table service credits for it. We have 7 available to us, and have booked 7 different restaurants. So, as it stands right now, we would need to pay OOP for one of them....which is fine. DH just said, "why don't we pay for CRT, and then we can make another ADR and have two more."

If anyone can give their opinion, we would appreciate it. There are 4 adults (not really, but have to pay for 2 of my kids as adults) and 2 kids....so it comes to just under $190. We have figured the other table services to be about $135-150.

I'm a number cruncher....so just trying to get our moneys worth! Any thoughts???