Newbie with ?'s about princess dining?

[CJmomNC]

Hi all, I was hoping you could all help me with some questions about this princess dining. I have some questions:

1. I know that the CRT is VERY difficult to get a reservation for. Are ALL the princess breakfast/lunch/dinners as difficult?

2. Is the CRT located in the castle?

3. Do you call the central reservation?

4. If I don't get in Cindy's, what is another good recommendation for Character breakfast/lunch/dinner?

5. What is the difference between The Crystal palace and CRT?

6. Dopeygirl posted tips, but my computer won't let me access the link. Can anyone give me some tips on getting a PS?

We are going in September and I need the in's and out's of taking kids and giving them the best experience possible!!

THANKS!
amy

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Here is an 800# first off to use..800-828-0228. CRT is located in the castle. Definately call 90 days out and start calling a bit before 7 a.m. to get into the calling queue. If you cannot get into the castle, try the Princess Storybook in Norway in Epcot. We have done both and like both equally. However, the castle gave me goosebumps and a tear in my eye.

The difference between CRT and Crystal Palace is 1st the character. At CP is Pooh Bear and friends, 2nd its not "the castle". Have been there for breakfast,lunch,and dinner (prefer breakfast) and have liked it.

I do hope that you get the castle. I know for me it took 3 trips to finally get it and I was not let down. My DH and my DS's enjoyed it and would do it again.

Hope this helps..

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Hi and welcome. CRT is difficult to get in but I've been able to do it every year. I start calling about 6:50 and just keep pressing redial. I do a practice run the day before. As soon as they start talking I press 1, 1 and that bypasses several of the cues. If you can't get CRT breakfast try for CRT lunch or PSB breakfast, lunch or dinner or Cindrella's Gala Feast. SInce they opened up CRT for princess lunches and PSB for lunch and dinners I think the PS might be easier to get now. CP is a character meal with Pooh and friends, CRT is Cinderella and assorted princesses in the castle. Good luck.

 

[ellenmiele]

We've done the princess breakfast at CRT and at Akershus in Norway (and we do like to do one or the other on each trip). This trip the deciding factor is which princesses we want to see. CRT has Cinderella and Akershus does not but the 2 times we ate at CRT the only other princesses we saw were Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Mary Poppins (? princess or supernanny) and at Akershus we saw Jasmine and Mulan as well as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and now Ariel can be seen there, too. So while I'd agree that overall, there is something totally magical and special about the castle (see comment below) , if you have a DD who is looking to meet a specific princess you may have a better chance (but NO guarantees) at Akershus.

All that being said, CRT is INSIDE the castle. It is on the second floor so if you are sitting near a window, you can really look out over MK. The decor is VERY classic old castle with the leaded windows, suites of armor, etc. The entrance is right off the main walking area that runs through the center of the castle. After checking in at the podium, we waited in a castle lobby type area and both times when we went, while we were waiting downstairs for our name to be called, The Fairy Godmother was in the waiting area doing her own meet/greet. Eating at CRT is well worth having to get up early and my advice would be, do some "dry runs" so you are familiar with the prompts and make a call off hours so you'll know what the message sounds like when they aren't open yet (i.e. before 7:00). Then, at 6:59 dial all but the last digit of the phone number and on the dot of 7:00, press that last number. (I'm serious -- especially if you are trying to make a PS for a busy time of year). And if you get put on hold just HANG ON (calls are answered in order that they are received, there are lots of operators, and not everyone at 7am is calling for the same thing). If you are on hold for less than 7 or 8 minutes you may still get lucky. And be flexible with your schedule if possible: try for the first morning of your trip so that way if you don't get it you can still try for the next day and so on.

Good Luck!

 

[ellenmiele]

Oh, and when you do get through to a live operator, you really can just say something like "5 for breakfast at the castle, please" - they'll know what you mean and if there is a time open they'll tell you, you say "I'll take it" and then you can chat from there.

 

[CJmomNC]

Thank you all for all your help. We aren't going until September, so I have some time to get ready.

I'll post if I get in or not.

THANKS!

amy