Is It Really Worth It?

[kcork1026]

I was told that eating at the castle is AMAZING. Ok, so here is my question. My kids will be 14 and 9 1/2 when we go in June, they do not care the least bit about a character meal, however, is the "experience" worth the price of either character meal or just dinner there? What do you think? I can start booking adr's on Dec. 16th, looking for all opinions!

 

[tinagirl]

From what I understand, even dinner will be character dining by the time you go.

I'm 25, and think the experience is unforgettable.

MUST DO!



I know some folks have really complained about the price hike, and I understand. However if you have NEVER gone, it's pretty much priceless, especially if you have daughters.
-Tina.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

OK, I'm going to say no.

We did lunch in the castle last month and it was fine. It wasn't amazing or mind boggling. It was me, DH, and DS9. DS has no use for princesses, but we were doing it just because we had never been there before.

The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best I've ever tasted. The atmosphere is nice - the castle is lovely - but it isn't THAT big of a deal. Our server was very, very nice but the meal goes in fast forward.

Considering that they are upping the castle to two credits per person after Feb. 1 (or just raising prices if you are paying cash) I think your money is better spent going somewhere else. Ask your kids where they would really like to eat, or ask them if there is another activity they really want to add on instead of eating in the castle.

For us, we can say "been there, done that" and see no reason to have to do it again.

On the other hand, if you really want to go to the castle, do it once just to say you've done it.

 

[Savin4Disney]

WOW no character meals! My DS 14 acted like he did not care until I was going to cancel one. Then he said no I want to do that. He is so looking forward to eating at both of them. We are doing Crystal Palace for Breakfast and Thanksgiving Dinner at Liberty Tree.

 

[GailT]

Its hard getting an PS in the castle, I had it but cancelled it, guess it was no big deal, now that they are going to use to credit in the dining plan I will never go there

 

[snowwhitemom]

Its good but I think it s over rated. The food is ok, you pay for the location. If you have never done it.....go for it but it is not one of those things that you just cant wait to do again....well at least thats my feelings.

 

[kimisabella]

We've been lucky enough to go to CRT breakfast twice. The last time being last month - both times it was magical, beautiful, and exciting, but, I also have 2 young dd's who LOVE princesses. That being said, I would not go back due to the big price hike, I think that there are many other choices out there for you that your family would like a lot better.

 

[fabumouse]

I would say it's not really worth it. I think the hype really is for princess lovers - especially if there is some special connection to Cindy. I mean, you walk into a foyer that is a bit medievel, and the room where you eat is just a room decorated in a castle fashion but nothing remarkable. You don't really even see much of the castle except for the foyer, a stairwell and the room where you eat, which is not that big. The food was okay but overpriced and the view is only good if you are right next to the window, and most people are not. My DD4 just isn't all that into princesses and she liked it, but was over it as soon as we walked out the door.

 

[Stitch1404]

kimisabella: just wondering....did you get that wonderful picture on Main Street with no one else around by going to an early character meal? That alone could be worth the price of a CRT breakfast!

 

[phyllis1966]

Well, we've only been there once (last November), but not because DD(6) loves princesses (she can take them or leave them ) - just because we'd never done it. We really enjoyed our breakfast there. We sat away from the window, but we faced it, so we had a lovely view. We thought the breakfast food was pretty good (DH especially loved the blueberry-stuffed French toast!). DD was a little under the weather that day, so she didn't enjoy herself as much as we had hoped she would.

Imagine my surprise, then, when she siad that next time we go to WDW (she doesn't know about our next trip yet) she wants to eat in the castle again! Huh? Weren't you trying to stay as far from the princesses as possible when we were there last year? Her reply was that it was because she wasn't feeling well, and the princesses may have felt bad that she didn't want to talk to them, so we have to go back to make it up to them!

Back on-topic - we think it's worth the expense if you've never tried it before and it's within your budget. After this time, we won't be returning.

 

[DawnaJean]

The castle is one of the places "I" still like now that my DDs 11 and 10 really aren't interested and DS 2 doesn't care either way. If your kids want to do it and you really want to do it, then go for it. If you're questioning the "worth" of the experience compared to the new higher prices, keep in mind its not the food you are paying that much for. You're paying to eat in the castle with quick visits from the princesses. The food is okay but doesn't warrant the prices.

That being said, we won't be eating there on our next trip - We've been there a couple times and I just can't pay the $ for my DS who will have just turned 3 (yikes ...there go the prices) to not eat the food....would drive me batty. (All it would take though is one of the kids to say she/he wanted to eat there and Mom would be sold on the idea!!!) I'll miss the fun....it is magical!!!

Good luck with your decision.

Dawna

 

[kimisabella]

kimisabella: just wondering....did you get that wonderful picture on Main Street with no one else around by going to an early character meal? That alone could be worth the price of a CRT breakfast!

Yes, that's exactly what we did!! We had an early adr for CRT and crystal palace before the park opened (on two different days ) There is no one else around, and you can take as many pics as you want. It's definatley worth going early to get the great pics!

 

[jann1033]

i think for younger princess crazed girls or older disney fanatics it's important, probably not so much for anyone else

the food is ok, the atmosphere is ok...definitly a "glad we did it one time but don't need to run back" thing for us.

 

[DisneyKidds]

If you don't have anybody in your party who is gaga over the princesses I'd say the "experience" of eating in the castle isn't worth the new prices. Of course that may be easy for me to say because I've already done it.

The atmosphere in the castle is very nice, but it isn't some hugely impressive, have to see before I die, once in a lifetime kind of atmosphere. Maybe, let me emphasize MAYBE, it's something you would enjoy doing once if you've never done it before, but you will come away feeling like you overpaid for the "experience". Sometimes it's ok to overpay for an experience once in a while.

Or you could just walk in, take a look around and leave, and save you money for something else.

 

[tinker*dust]

We have only eaten at the castle once, but IMO it is not worth the price increase. We opted for a princess meal at Park Fare for our upcoming trip.

 

[scrump]

I'm past my 20s, female and not really into princesses or character meals. I think the experience is definitely neat and am glad I have done it. Not sure if I'd want to do it when the new pricing plan takes over. If you're looking to experience it, I'd do it now rather than next year with the higher prices.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think this is one of those times that, if you think to ask the question, the answer is "no it isn't."

There isn't really any rational reason to pay $30 for breakfast, no matter where it is. However, $30 for magic seems pretty cheap.

So, if you are going for the magic of it all, then sure, go for it. But, if you are going for breakfast---or even "breakfast with princesses" or "breakfast in the castle", then there are a dozen places in WDW alone I'd recommend first.

 

[Mulan'sMom]

We did it for lunch - and for the chance for DD5 to dress up like Cinderella - but I wouldn't do it again. The food was lousy, the service was rushed, and if we hadn't had the dining plan the cost alone would have spoiled my meal. If you want to see princesses, we had a great time and a great meal at the Princess Storybook Breakfast at Epcot.

 

[Stitch1404]

I keep hearing people say that the service is rushed. We like to eat a liesurely meal. If you are eating slower, will they slow down the service to compensate? Or since I am a slow eater will I be getting my entree before I have even finished the appetizer? Do you feel rushed to leave at the end, or can you sit there and enjoy the atmosphere? Just trying to justify the price...and I am going pre price increase!

 

[vsimeone]

I didn't read all the responses but don't let your kids tell you they don't want a character meal! We have never eaten in the castle but our last trip (last Christmas) our kids were 13 and 16 and we did the character meal at LTT and we joined my parents and brother at the ice cream social! My kids love interacting with the characters and the meals are a way to get a few minutes of a "private" audience! I hope you decide to give it a try SOMEWHERE if not at the castle!!!