Let's Help Bring Back The Original CRT!

[MelanieC]

I don't go to CRT anymore. I haven't since our November 2004 trip. I wish it would go back to the way it was.

 

[sugarpie]

Last October when we went to DisneyWorld we didn't go to CRT. My daughter was 3 at the time, it was her first trip to DW. She's 4 now & she still talks about seeing the castle on our last trip & how she couldn't go in because Cinderella was taking a nap. That's what we told her because she wanted to go in.

I haven't told the girls that there is a restaurant inside & we'll be going there this time. I want it to be a surprise. I could care less about the food & so could my girls, although I've ordered glass slipper desserts to be delivered to our table. I want the experience & the pictures. That's it. I'd probably pay double what it is now. My children are not spoiled, but sometimes a splurge is o.k.

I'm sorry for everyone who doesn't like the changes, but it sounds like quite a few of you haven't even been there since, so how can you complain about it? You're in for a lot of disappointment in life if you expect things to always stay the way they are.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am only doing this because there are to many bad reviews going around about CRT. Why do you think you can get a ADR without having to call at 7am? Because of the prices. And some probably because of the changes. We all are here on the DISboards to help each other out. And even though I may havent experienced it myself but others have. Kinda odd how there are more bad reviews then good ones but yet people still wanna take that risk. Its a risk you are free to take. No one is forcing you to cancel and not go. It was a suggestion. A way to help people not make a mistake they could end up making. To help bring back the original CRT instead of this menu and plan that no one seems to like. Why are you even going just for the atmosphere? Thats crazy to spend all that money just so you can say you ate there. If you have a child and one of the reasons why they wanna eat there is so they can meet Cinderella, take ur prince or princess to the 1900 park fare. Where you will have great character interaction, good food, not to mention its cheaper. Would you rather spend the money on a possible bad meal or on a meal you know you will enjoy. The castle isnt going anywhere people. It will still be there the next time u go down. And if people stop going to CRT, Disney will catch on and make a better change. There maybe some people that love the plan now, but the ones who dont, out numbers to those who do.

The reviews of the food and of the service were the same when I made our ADR last January. It was only one TS at the time, but we were very happy with the lunch menu, the service, the atmosphere and the character interaction. Lunch in the castle is one of our favorite memories, and we are planning to enjoy the entire event again in January. I am paying OOP fpor this meal, and will make my own decision regarding the value.

I understand that you may not have a Princess or a Prince who wants to don her gown or finery and enjoy meeting these fairytale legends in the castle, or perhaps you simply choose to spend your money elsewhere, but that is why Disney offers so many choices. We may not choose to have a meal there again for some time, but as long as my family can watch the wonder in my DGD's eyes I will count my blessings I will be having lunch and answering to "my lady".

As always, preferences are very personal, and there will always be reviews both positive and negative for any restaurant in Disney. Just look at the wide range of opinions for Coral Reef, Boma or 'Ohana. I suspect that once people become accustomed to the 180 day ADR change, the castle will once again be difficult to attain because as long as there are parents and grandparents who want to take their little princess and princesses to dine with their own idea of royalty until the novelty wears off, and will do so in spite of price or food that is not spectacular.

 

[Nancyg56]

And I like that they include the picture in the price. It keeps my dh from balking at the price at the time of the meal. Now the cost is safely hidden away on my credit card, and he can enjoy himself (and I fit it into our budget as well).

Me too. My DH will pay any amount of money to capture my DGD's expression with her "friends", but he just can't help himself when he pays for it. It's HOW much?!?!?!?! Now it is all included, already paid for......problem solved.

 

[Noelle]

We went to the Castle for Dinner in 1999 and again for breakfast last Christmas. Truthfully, we were not impressed with the food either time. But I have a 6 year old daughter who wants to eat in Cinderella's castle on our Xmas vacation. My husband and I are aware of the cost and that most likely the food will not be fabulous. But I have no intentions to cancel my ADR because people do not like the way the restaurant is NOW! Disney is not going to change it back. There are ALWAYS going to be people calling to make reservations, no matter what the cost. Trying to form a boycott won't bring back the CRT you had. The amount of Disboard readers couldn't effect Disney. Plus even if you had people cancelling ADRs or not making them in the first place, all the day guests would still just walk-up and dine there at any cost because they're hungry.

 

[shyjade]

Just because things change doesn't make them "bad" and the original state "good/better".

For me, eating at the castle will be a childhood dream which I am finally living out at the age of 35, and a dream I am fulfilling for my 8 year old daughter. Do I expect it to be a gourmet, life-altering meal? No. But do I intend on enjoying the experience? You bet I do. And yes, I know what it's going to cost me. And likely my DD will only eat the potatoes and dessert...I'll still pay $25 for her meal so we can experience it at least once.

Am I a little leary about the food/service based on the reviews I've read? Yes. But I will wait to form my opinion after I eat there next month.

 

[GC&S]

For me, eating at the castle will be a childhood dream which I am finally living out at the age of 35, and a dream I am fulfilling for my 8 year old daughter. Do I expect it to be a gourmet, life-altering meal? No. But do I intend on enjoying the experience? You bet I do. And yes, I know what it's going to cost me. And likely my DD will only eat the potatoes and dessert...I'll still pay $25 for her meal so we can experience it at least once./QUOTE]

I hope you both have a really great time!

 

[Cass]

We are dining there in December - it will be our 3rd time (first with new menu/photo package) Can't wait to try it - I am open to trying new things and think changes can be a positive thing. No way am I cancelling or boycotting.

 

[raidermatt]

I'm not telling anybody they should or shouldn't go. I agree that if you want to give it a try, you most definitely should and then you can makeup your own mind. If enough people eventually feel the way the OP does, changes will be made.

That said, here's my opinion. Take it for what its worth.

We ate there for dinner about 4 weeks ago. The food was ok. Not great, and fairly small servings, but not bad either. Our server was average as Disney waiters go. He was fairly pleasant and attentive, but nothing out of the ordinary, good or bad.

I don't like the photo package. I don't like having to buy them because you have no control over what you are going to get, and you are pretty limited on what you can take. We had a party of 6 and got 2 poses.

I would much prefer the regular format, where they come to the table, or even the format used in the parks, where the character stays in place and guests can approach them. They could essentially do the same thing they do now, with Cinderella downstairs, and ditch the photographer. As I said, I prefer the "at the table format", but ditching the photographer (and the price for the pictures) would be a plus.

I'd also like to have a few more of the princesses, though I understand it wouldn't flow with the dinner show. Speaking of which, the dinner show was rather forgetable. Reminded me of a lounge act at times, with the fairy godmother asking for anniversaries and such. So maybe ditch that in favor of adding Aurora, Belle, etc.

There is something to be said for eating in the castle. That's definitely a neat experience in and of itself.

All in all, it's not that it was "bad". Its just that it wasn't all I think it could be, and the price was a bit much for what we got. We probably won't go back for awhile, until my daughter clamors for it.

But like I said, that's just for anybody who cares to read my opinion. Its not meant to discourage anybody from going. If you want to go, go, and have fun!

 

[heatherlynn444]

um....disney is really great at one thing: having different tastes to fit everyones likes AND budget. apparently, CRT doesn't meet either of those for you (even though you, OP, haven't even HAD the new food) and if you can't afford it, then DON'T GO! There are many things in Disney that are overpriced for what you get....but thats just the way it is, so if you do not like it, don't go. do not try to start a protesters rally and tell people to cancel their dinner reservations b/c some random person on the dis boards told them to?!? um...ok???? there are hundreds of restaurants at disney, so simply go somewhere else. this is not the first time OP has raised a stink about something...

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Sorry - but we won't be cancelling our breakfast at CRT. I have always wanted to eat in the castle and now I get my wish- but it is 10 times better than I ever dreamed because my DD and all of my little nieces will be there too, along with my mom, sister and cousins.

I am not expecting great food. It is SO not about the food for me. If it totally stinks I will write about it in a review or trip report and let people decide for themselves.

 

[lsjones]

um....disney is really great at one thing: having different tastes to fit everyones likes AND budget. apparently, CRT doesn't meet either of those for you (even though you, OP, haven't even HAD the new food) and if you can't afford it, then DON'T GO! There are many things in Disney that are overpriced for what you get....but thats just the way it is, so if you do not like it, don't go. do not try to start a protesters rally and tell people to cancel their dinner reservations b/c some random person on the dis boards told them to?!? um...ok???? there are hundreds of restaurants at disney, so simply go somewhere else. this is not the first time OP has raised a stink about something...

HALLELUJAH!!! AMEN!!! YOU SAID IT!!!!​

COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!!!!!!!​

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We had a great meal there last October for lunch. Window table, first seating, efficient, pleasant waiter, good princess action... The salmon was delicious. It took me 3 eeeeaaaarly mornings to secure the ADR. Kids are 12 and 17 now, so once was plenty... but it remains a favorite memory!

 

[First timer]

I would go even if they served bread & water. My girls want to go & so do I.

Amen! I will be making reservations for our upcoming summer trip. My DDs had a great time in June.

 

[heatherlynn444]

HALLELUJAH!!! AMEN!!! YOU SAID IT!!!!​

COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!!!!!!!​

*takes a bow* thank you!

 

[Grumpy'sMom]

sorry double post

 

[Grumpy'sMom]

um....disney is really great at one thing: having different tastes to fit everyones likes AND budget. apparently, CRT doesn't meet either of those for you (even though you, OP, haven't even HAD the new food) and if you can't afford it, then DON'T GO! There are many things in Disney that are overpriced for what you get....but thats just the way it is, so if you do not like it, don't go. do not try to start a protesters rally and tell people to cancel their dinner reservations b/c some random person on the dis boards told them to?!? um...ok???? there are hundreds of restaurants at disney, so simply go somewhere else. this is not the first time OP has raised a stink about something...

 

[lillygator]

We've enjoyed the breakfast, lunches and dinners we have done there...and OP - the 90% complaints...well that is just on the DIS and people who are willing to write reviews. I've seen quite a few positive posts in this thread myself....

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We liked CRT when we went. From what I've seen, there was no change at all in breakfast and lunch other than the price increase and the photo included. The food was good, not great. The characters were fun. We had a good time. I'd prefer the food at Park Faire myself, but there is something about eating in the castle with Cinderella.
I'm given to understand it's now Cinderella on the throne in the Lobby for the photo? When we went she was upstairs and fairy Godmother was down.
It truly was a once in a lifetime experience eating with Cinderella and the other princesses in the castle. I won't be going back simply because we don't have girls that age and it's a difficult get. So we'll give someone else a chance at it and take Park Faire or Akershus from now on.

I certainly wouldn't like the new dinner and wouldn't go. But I wouldn't go to the old one either. I'd rather it be characters.

Someone said they should make it like Victoria and Alberts at Dinner. They can't. That kind of food takes precise timing and they have no where near the facilities up there to handle that. There's no way they could bring that in from central services and have it be anything like Victoria and Alberts.

As far as a Dis Board boycot of the place we simply do not have the numbers to make a difference. But I do respect your right to try and organize one.

 

[Vickie46]

my friends went in April and loved it... it was there first time and it was a Mother - Daughter brunch with her 4 yr old... too expensive for the entire family..

We skipped it due to the price... we did go in 2005! Loved it!