Please help me? CRT for DD4?? Worth it??

[onejellyshelly]

Please share all you know about CRT for breakfast. I have a princess lovin 4 year old. Would you do CRT or Norway breakfast. If it is CRT what time should I try and get my ADR??? Going in Sept. just waiting for June 30th at 7:00 am to get my ressies.

 

[brendaziz]

Well I've never been to either but if my son were a girl I'd DEF be getting a CRT adr- just b/c it's in the castle and there isn't anything more magical than that!
For us I would get the 8 or 8:05 breakfast adr so you're in magic kingdom nice and early- and be sure it's not on a extra magic hour day.
Either that or I would go on an extra magic hour day and then get like a 10:30 breakfast after riding a bunch of rides.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

We went when DD was 4, was disapointed The princesses barely stopped for a photo, and this was the third time they came around when I stopped them, they skipped our table the first 2 times. Was glad we went to see the inside of the castle, but will never go again. Was my most disapointing "experience", especially for 2 table service credits, but we did have many great experiences to make up for it!!!

 

[RMAMom]

I would do Akershus. I think the food is good and the interaction with the Princesses is better. I would also do lunch or dinner instead of breakfast, I think the characters are better. JMO

CRT isn't a great experience. The Princesses are rushed and so are the servers. As for being inside a castle I don't think the kids really care, once they are there they will remember the Princesses.

 

[perriwinkleblue]

We have done CRT and Akershus and my vote would be for Akershus. We have done dinner there a few times and the princess interaction was great each time. The dining room is very castle-like and the servers always seem nice. I'm not sure if it's true at breakfast, but at dinner a princess photo package is included.

I don't know if Cinderella a guaranteed to be there at every meal, so if that's the deal-breaker, do CRT. Also if "The Castle" is a big deal to DD, do CRT. My DD at 4 really didn't care if she was inside or outside of the castle.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare is also great for Cinderella fans. She stops to chat and pose for pictures at each table - as do the stepmother, stepsisters and Prince Charming. They do a fantastic job. The GF is also very grand looking and the ride to and from MK is fun.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

I suppose everyone has a different experience! We absolutely loved CRT! We had a 8:10am ADR on a non EMH day. The castle is gorgeous, the food was sooo yummy and the princesses were GREAT! True, you don't get a TONNE of time, but enough to say hi, have a hug, get an autograph and snap a pic! My 2 girls loved it! The only drawback is that it is so costly! I think that is the only thing holding us back from doing it again! The other thing we loved was being 1st in line to ride Dumbo as soon as the 9am rope dropped for Fantasyland!

 

[Elmo888]

We've done both, CRT the first time and Akershus the second. CRT is very orchestrated - well done, but contrived. If you do go here, go for an early ADR. I think that ours was 8:15 or 8:20, we were there early, and done befor 9 am when Fantasyland (and the rest of MK) opened. It was perfect timing!

Here's my other theory - don't set the bar high by going to CRT if you are planning other trips. After that, my older DD was disappointed that we weren't going to the castle again (we did Akershus instead). (I am afraid that we will still have to go to CRT on a future trip because younger DD was only 2 at the time and doesn't remember!) I had wanted to try both, and I found the princess experience similar. So, if you can't get CRT, I would be happy with Akershus.

 

[onejellyshelly]

Well I've never been to either but if my son were a girl I'd DEF be getting a CRT adr- just b/c it's in the castle and there isn't anything more magical than that!
For us I would get the 8 or 8:05 breakfast adr so you're in magic kingdom nice and early- and be sure it's not on a extra magic hour day.
Either that or I would go on an extra magic hour day and then get like a 10:30 breakfast after riding a bunch of rides.

Thank you so much for the tip, I did not even think about the extra magic hours. I wonder when they will be posting those?? Thanks again!

 

[onejellyshelly]

We went when DD was 4, was disapointed The princesses barely stopped for a photo, and this was the third time they came around when I stopped them, they skipped our table the first 2 times. Was glad we went to see the inside of the castle, but will never go again. Was my most disapointing "experience", especially for 2 table service credits, but we did have many great experiences to make up for it!!!

I am sorry that you did not enjoy it The price is steep. I am thinking about paying out of pocket instead of two ts, I know that it probably comes out the same, just does not seem right.

 

[onejellyshelly]

I would do Akershus. I think the food is good and the interaction with the Princesses is better. I would also do lunch or dinner instead of breakfast, I think the characters are better. JMO

CRT isn't a great experience. The Princesses are rushed and so are the servers. As for being inside a castle I don't think the kids really care, once they are there they will remember the Princesses.

We have done CRT and Akershus and my vote would be for Akershus. We have done dinner there a few times and the princess interaction was great each time. The dining room is very castle-like and the servers always seem nice. I'm not sure if it's true at breakfast, but at dinner a princess photo package is included.

I don't know if Cinderella a guaranteed to be there at every meal, so if that's the deal-breaker, do CRT. Also if "The Castle" is a big deal to DD, do CRT. My DD at 4 really didn't care if she was inside or outside of the castle.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare is also great for Cinderella fans. She stops to chat and pose for pictures at each table - as do the stepmother, stepsisters and Prince Charming. They do a fantastic job. The GF is also very grand looking and the ride to and from MK is fun.

Thanks for the help. I don't know what to do. This trip is a secret from DD4. I wish she could decide. Maybe I can do some secret service work and try and get it out of her without her knowing. She is pretty smart for her age, what to do??

I suppose everyone has a different experience! We absolutely loved CRT! We had a 8:10am ADR on a non EMH day. The castle is gorgeous, the food was sooo yummy and the princesses were GREAT! True, you don't get a TONNE of time, but enough to say hi, have a hug, get an autograph and snap a pic! My 2 girls loved it! The only drawback is that it is so costly! I think that is the only thing holding us back from doing it again! The other thing we loved was being 1st in line to ride Dumbo as soon as the 9am rope dropped for Fantasyland!

That is what I was hoping someone would say. You nailed my thought process, hopefully there will be more good responces.

We've done both, CRT the first time and Akershus the second. CRT is very orchestrated - well done, but contrived. If you do go here, go for an early ADR. I think that ours was 8:15 or 8:20, we were there early, and done befor 9 am when Fantasyland (and the rest of MK) opened. It was perfect timing!

Here's my other theory - don't set the bar high by going to CRT if you are planning other trips. After that, my older DD was disappointed that we weren't going to the castle again (we did Akershus instead). (I am afraid that we will still have to go to CRT on a future trip because younger DD was only 2 at the time and doesn't remember!) I had wanted to try both, and I found the princess experience similar. So, if you can't get CRT, I would be happy with Akershus.

Thanks, Akershus sounds great too.

 

[Hootch]

doing CRT, but for lunch. This year our daughter will go to BBB before the meal and be dressed in a gown. A stop at Ariel's Grotto before lunch will give her another princess visit and she'll be in an Ariel gown.

Some people worry about younger kids not remembering. Our daughter was three the first time and she remembered some of the meal. The second time she was almost four and remembered all of it. Just be prepared to ahve a snack later. My daughter was too excited to eat much.

 

[princessmorgan]

I have not done the Princess breakfast at Norway, but we did do CRT during free dining when DD turned 3. I would say it was our most disappointing meal as well. The other character meals we did (Ohanas, Hollywood and Vine, Chef Mickeys, Garden Grill) were so much fun! CRT was nice in being able to eat in the castle, but in my opinion the inside is not nearly as impressive as the outside. And we went for DD's birthday and no one said anything. I even ordered a special cake for her. They forgot the cake and then I mentioned that I had ordered her one. The server brought it to the table, placed it in front of her and said Happy Birthday. I thought they would bring a candle or something. I'm glad we did it to experience it once; I'm just glad it was "free."

That being said, you know your daughter. If the castle would mean a lot to her, then do it. My DD would just prefer more character interaction and a more fun, laid back environment.

 

[PrincessMomto2]

CRT was so special! My younger one was 3 when we did it. She had a blast! She is turning 5 next month and that is the one meal she wants to do again when we go back in June. There is nothing like the castle. We did CRT or breakfast and got to go in to see the castle without the crowds. It was so special. My 3 yo had a smile so big that lasted the whole meal. The princess were great.

We also did Norway for dinner. We were disappointed in the food and felt very rushed. She liked meeting the princesses again but CRT was her favorite.

We are not returning to Norway but are returning to CRT. There is a reason that it is one of the hardest ADR's to get.

Have a great trip!

 

[onejellyshelly]

doing CRT, but for lunch. This year our daughter will go to BBB before the meal and be dressed in a gown. A stop at Ariel's Grotto before lunch will give her another princess visit and she'll be in an Ariel gown.

Some people worry about younger kids not remembering. Our daughter was three the first time and she remembered some of the meal. The second time she was almost four and remembered all of it. Just be prepared to ahve a snack later. My daughter was too excited to eat much.

That sounds like so much fun. I am thinking about BBB one day. I bet you will have a beautiful Ariel!

 

[onejellyshelly]

I have not done the Princess breakfast at Norway, but we did do CRT during free dining when DD turned 3. I would say it was our most disappointing meal as well. The other character meals we did (Ohanas, Hollywood and Vine, Chef Mickeys, Garden Grill) were so much fun! CRT was nice in being able to eat in the castle, but in my opinion the inside is not nearly as impressive as the outside. And we went for DD's birthday and no one said anything. I even ordered a special cake for her. They forgot the cake and then I mentioned that I had ordered her one. The server brought it to the table, placed it in front of her and said Happy Birthday. I thought they would bring a candle or something. I'm glad we did it to experience it once; I'm just glad it was "free."

That being said, you know your daughter. If the castle would mean a lot to her, then do it. My DD would just prefer more character interaction and a more fun, laid back environment.

It would have made you feel som much better if they would have paid more attention to DD BDay. I would have been pretty upset

Have fun at the Poly. Wish I was there.

 

[onejellyshelly]

CRT was so special! My younger one was 3 when we did it. She had a blast! She is turning 5 next month and that is the one meal she wants to do again when we go back in June. There is nothing like the castle. We did CRT or breakfast and got to go in to see the castle without the crowds. It was so special. My 3 yo had a smile so big that lasted the whole meal. The princess were great.

We also did Norway for dinner. We were disappointed in the food and felt very rushed. She liked meeting the princesses again but CRT was her favorite.

We are not returning to Norway but are returning to CRT. There is a reason that it is one of the hardest ADR's to get.

Have a great trip!

Your DD is beautiful! I am glad she had a good time!

 

[kstatefamily]

We did both CRT and Norway. Our then 5 year old loved both. We made an early ADR for CRT and I agree with another poster, that it was wonderful to be able to walk out of the Castle and walk right on to Dumbo. DD loved dthe castle and the Princesses. Food was good...but we are not picky. I just loved having someone fix, bring and take my plate away. The photo that we have with DD is priceless too. She will only be a for such a short time...then it's the teenage thing

 

[onejellyshelly]

We did both CRT and Norway. Our then 5 year old loved both. We made an early ADR for CRT and I agree with another poster, that it was wonderful to be able to walk out of the Castle and walk right on to Dumbo. DD loved dthe castle and the Princesses. Food was good...but we are not picky. I just loved having someone fix, bring and take my plate away. The photo that we have with DD is priceless too. She will only be a for such a short time...then it's the teenage thing

Thank you for your thoughts! You are so true about the little time we have with our princesses. It makes me sad.