Opinions on Breakfast at Akershus (Princess Storybook) vs. Cinderella's Castle (CRT)

[mom2babesin05n08]

Hello everyone,

Fairly new to these boards, but I did some searching on here for my topic and couldn't find any recent info. on this.

My DH and I just booked our trip this weekend for Disney. We are taking our 3 y/o DD and 1 y/o DD for the first family trip. We are staying off resort and only planning on going to the parks for two days since that is probably how much the kiddos will be able to handle.

So far, I have been unable to get an ADR for CRT for breakfast any day during our trip (we are flexible) from April 26 to May 3. I was able to get an ADR for Akershus at Epcot for the Princess Storybook breakfast.

We have tickets already but they are not park hoppers so we are not sure that we are willing to spend an entire day at Epcot with two little ones.

Please give me your opinions on which you like better and why. Thanks!


Christine & 2 DDs

 

[Hootch]

lunch at CRT. It's mostly due to the castle. It's also a better set up for kids. My daughter has gotten into a routine of riding the carousel and getting off to walk over to our ADR. There's plenty around to entertain the kids if you arrive early.

 

[brianm27]

CRT a great experience, but Akershus is also worthwhile.

Our 6 year old has been visiting the princesses there for the last three years. She has made one trip to CRT. For the child, you could be at McDonald's as long as the princesses were there and they would be happy.

As for a day at Epcot, we have annual passes, so I can't say we ever really spend a full day anywhere. My daughter has always enjoyed Epcot. Making masks in World Showcase and lanyards in Future World are still favorites. The living seas also is a big pleaser. We also go to the character greeting there. The absence of a parade or smaller attractions may be problematic. If you are only two days with the little ones, I would be more inclined to stay with MK and AK and do breakfast at Crystal Palace with Pooh or Donalds breakfast at Tusker house.

 

[GatorLady]

We love Akershus, but with your touring issues, it's probably not a good fit. You could do 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian for dinner and see Cinderella & Company, or at breakfast they have Alice, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins and I think maybe one of the Pooh characters. That way you wouldn't have to worry about park tickets.

Also continue to try for CRT. Try calling about 45 days before your trip. People who have booked packages have until 45 days from their trip to pay for it, some might have the need to cancel.

Oh, and welcome to the DISBoards!

 

[goofygal531]

The deciding factor for us is the menu options at Akershus. My DS5 will not eat anything they serve for breakfast. They will prepare pancakes for you if you request them, but honestly they don't look to appetizing.

My sons loved dining in the castle and they had french toast sticks for my picky eater.

 

[mom2babesin05n08]

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the great opinions and ideas!

I really appreciate it!

The one thing is that we really want to do a Princess character meal (DH really didn't like the menus for lunch or dinner, so leaning toward breakfast) since DD is obsessed with them, her fave is Sleeping Beauty, followed by Belle and Cinderella.

What are the differences between the two? Photo packages are included with both, right? Do they get anything like the wand/sword and wishing star at Akershus?

We could always do three days at the parks??!! So many decisions...

Looking forward to more feedback!

 

[Nikisha421]

my dd5 and i both think the food at akershus is grossly horrible...so of course CRT is the next best thing...the photo package is not included at Akershus you have to purchase it separately...there are no wands or wishing stars there either...i believe you want to go all out got to go to CRT

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We have eaten breakfast at both - and both were wonderful. I would give Akershus a slight edge because we felt a bit rushed at CRT. But we met lots of princesses at both places, and we really enjoyed the food at both places.

A photo package is included in the price of BOTH now.

At Akershus, you will meet 5 princesses at all 3 meals. At CRT, you will meet 5 princesses at breakfast and lunch. Dinner only has a short show by the fairy godmother. At CRT you are guaranteed to meet Cinderella. All the other princesses can change and they don't guarantee anyone. There are wands/swords at CRT, but not at Akershus

We've met Aurora and Belle at both! Akershus is less expensive than CRT - it's a great alternative if you can't get the castle.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

my dd5 and i both think the food at akershus is grossly horrible...so of course CRT is the next best thing...the photo package is not included at Akershus you have to purchase it separately...there are no wands or wishing stars there either...i believe you want to go all out got to go to CRT

We had similar experience.
I would also reccomend 1900 PF.

 

[dato63]

I voted Akershush.

We did Akershush for breakfast & CRT for lunch. I think my family enjoyed the food & the character interaction at Akershush more. My DH couldn't get enough of the potato casserole. But, they were different meals/food items so not exactly comparing apples to apples.

We will be going back to CRT - not for the food though. For the atmosphere. My DDs just couldn't get over the specialness of being IN the castle. When they see the castle at the beginning of a Disney movie they still get excited and talk about having been IN there.

1900 Park Fare for dinner is another great choice. Good food & great character interaction. Cinderella, Drizella, Anastacia, Prince Charming.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

We have eaten breakfast at both - and both were wonderful. I would give Akershus a slight edge because we felt a bit rushed at CRT. But we met lots of princesses at both places, and we really enjoyed the food at both places.

A photo package is included in the price of BOTH now.

At Akershus, you will meet 5 princesses at all 3 meals. At CRT, you will meet 5 princesses at breakfast and lunch. Dinner only has a short show by the fairy godmother. At CRT you are guaranteed to meet Cinderella. All the other princesses can change and they don't guarantee anyone. There are wands/swords at CRT, but not at Akershus

We've met Aurora and Belle at both! Akershus is less expensive than CRT - it's a great alternative if you can't get the castle.

Hi, I am being nosy!!! I thought that the Dinner at CRT had the same characters as breakfast and lunch?

 

[PoohsFan1]

We loved both our times at Akershus and CRT. The only reason why I chose Akershus is because their is a big price difference. CRT has wonderful food and wonderful character interaction and also who doesn't want to eat in Cinderella's Castle? However Akershus is just as lovely and, we all think that they have a slightly better menu then CRT. We went there 2 years ago and my DH loved it so much that he suggested that we do this again for our upcoming trip....he NEVER suggests any of the restaurants either

 

[mom2babesin05n08]

Thanks everyone for your input!

I have decided that if you read enough on this board, you will find about 50/50 that like the experience or not!

I have an ADR for PSD, but will keep trying for CRT.

My DD likes all the princesses, fave is Sleeping Beauty, so need a meal that she can see a lot of them. We may also wait for the castle until they are BOTH old enough to appreciate it!

 

[WeLoveAriel0505]

IMO, you made the right choice. Having been to both multiple times.........we all like Akershus better........both the food, the less stress of it (in our opinion) and the princesses are fun at both. Have a great time!

 

[jngwright]

We really liked Akershus. Greeted by Belle, and then Mulan, Mary Poppins, Aurora, and Jasmine all came to our table.

My friend just got back and her daughter was very disappointed by the character interaction at CRT. Just her opinion.

We are trying 1900 Park Fare this trip!