princess dining: CRT, Askerhaus and/or Grand Floridian??

[mom-of-twins-2002]

We're going to be on the dining plan with our 4 y.o. girls for their first trip. They're HUGE princess lovers, so I'd like to get them at least one (maybe more?) princess meal. We already have CRT breakfast reservations (at 8:20 though--after we're done eating, will we even get into the park much earlier than everyone else? Almost thinking lunch might be better??).

I'm also thinking about maybe adding Askerhaus at Epcot for their princess breakfast and/or maybe even paying OOP for the Grand Floridian experience (seems so pricey though!). Can anyone share their experiences?

Thanks!

 

[cdrn1]

We did the CRT breakfast in May of last year with a 5 year old. She was in heaven. I had never been in the castle and I had a great time too. We thought the food was very good (especially the French Toast...yum!). We were rushed during the Cinderella photo, but we got lots of great princess pics with the little girl we were with (a friends grandchild) during the breakfast. So, in Sept we have reservations to give our own little grandchild the same experience. We really enjoyed it.

 

[momsoftwins]

from one mom of twins to another, i took my girls to the norway dinner 2 yrs ago and thou the food was soso , the character where great!!! in less than 8 days we are goin to do the breakfast at norway in epcot. for the amount of characters you see it is well worth it. and the breakfast is more their liking. timing it for a later breakfast will make more since for us. good luck and enjoy what ever you decide!!!

 

[momsoftwins]

also i am goin the grand floridian to for the girls..i can let you know if it is worth it when i get back

 

[ldo]

at GF, you don't have to have park admission--so, if you are not going every day, this can be a plus. Food was VERY good, but interaction with cindy, etc. was just so-so. They come by for a photo op, but that's about it. Also, it's in a hotel-style buffet room--nice enough, but no castle. We took parents on an "off" day, so it was perfect for our needs---good food, characters and no park admission required.
But my friend took her 4 yr old to CRT and Norway. She said CRT was great for the castle and photo of her child in her cindy dress with cindy---but she felt Norway was better b/c more princesses and only cost 1 DDP credit.
At 4 yrs old, I would probably opt for Norway--it's in a castle, also, and they get to see more princesses---but if food is important, then Grand Fl probably wins. Also, GF is buffet, and kids can eat at full buffet vs. CRT and Norway where kids have to eat kids meals.
I am debating now between CRT and Norway--I think Norway is going to win.

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

My oldest daughter will be 4 on our first trip to WDW and we're doing all three...CRT, Akershush, and My Disney Girl's perfectly princess tea party at the GF, plus BBB. You don't say in your post, do your daughters have a favorite princess, or is it all of them? We decided to do all three because it seems each has something different to offer.CRT: Eating in the castle and Cinderella(great for the experience), Akershush: lots of princesses, more interaction. Tea party at GF: Very intimate setting, Princess Aurora, and your daughters will get the royal princess treatment plus doll, etc. Do a search and see the reviews and pics from this one! I think we're looking forward to this the most, even with the hefty price tag! I think you're girls will have fun at whichever one(s) you choose! PS-When are you going?

 

[Msslaydbug]

We've done all three and our favorite was the one at the Grand Floridian.

 

[mom-of-twins-2002]

Thanks for all the replies so far! I'm so torn now!!

I think CRT is a must for us in ciderella's castle. Cinderella is their favorite, with princess aurora a close second (hence my wanting to do the princess tea at GF). We're going in September with the free dining. Since the Norway princess breakfast is only 1 dining point, that seems easy enough to squeeze in. Now for the big decision about GF. It really looks like a one-of-a-kind experience. Since we're trying BBBo too, it would be great to continue the "royal treatment." Now if I can convince my dh...

If anyone else has any input to share, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks again!!

 

[mamamary]

Hi. We did the Norway bkfst back in Nov. We had a great time. We got to see the 5 princesses. My daughter had the "official" picture taken with Belle at the entrance. We also had my son with us. There was good interaction with the princesses. We were really surprised how good the food was. You can go onto Allears and get the whole menu but I thought there was a really good selection. All kinds of fruits, cinnamon buns etc. at the buffet part. Then the hot food comes out family style. We had a great waiter which also helped. He kept bringing coffee, juice and milk refills.

We really had a great time!

Enjoy!

 

[MushyMushy]

We preferred the princess interaction at Akershus! They took more time with the kids, and were more hands-on. They all hugged DD and Ariel even kissed her on the cheek. It's smaller there, too.

We also loved 1900 Park Fare. CRT was lowest on our list and we probably wouldn't waste two TS credits on our dining plan for it.

Just my opinion anyway.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We took our 2 nieces (3 and 10) to the Princess Breakfast and they loved it! The princesses were awesome and spent a lot of time with the girls. We saw Belle in her yellow gown in the lobby, Mulan, Aurora and Ariel. I think there was one more princess to come out but once the 3 year old saw Ariel she was done, that is her favorite princess.

The food is very good too

 

[WeemanMom]

When we went in October 2005 - CRT was only one table credit. During that trip we went to CRT, GF, and Askerhaus. By a long shot our favorite was Askerhaus. The service was great and there was much more time with the princesses. They really took the extra moments to it a special time for my childre (DD was 14, DD was 2, and DS was 11). Plus, our reservations were early enough that we were one of the first people in the park from that direction when breakfast was done.

If you have the time and the money/dining credits, all three are worth it. But our favorite was Askerhaus. (our official pic was with Aurora there, at the castle it was the Fairy Godmother, and at GF it was Mary Poppins).

We are going again in September of next year...we are going to skip CRT, it's not worth the aggrevation of getting reservations and it's not worth two credits (in my opinion).

 

[mermaid86]

this is just a quick question in regards to Askerhaus.. i didnt want to make a whole thread asking this...

i am going for the breakfast on my trip, is ariel usually always there or does she just show up occasionally?

 

[mamamary]

I believe she is usually there. I think it's Mary Poppins who makes an occasional appearance.

 

[MrsPMC00]

We have been to Akerhaus and CRT. CRT was good to do once. It was nothing all that special except for the atmosphere of being in the castle. Akerhaus was great. The princesses spent quite a bit of time at each table, and my daughter was just in heaven talking to all her "girls" as she calls them! I would recommend Akerhaus...but we have never gone to GF's. Good luck!

 

[iluvgoofy24]

Truthfully they are all good! CRT is a great place to see Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother, going at 8:20 will be good, because eventhough you will be getting into the park early, you will be the first in line for big rides such as 'dumbo' which is a huge ride for little ones. The resturant in Norway has OK breakfast, but the number of princess is well worth it (as someone stated previous). Grand Flordian, good food and characters spend time at the table. My sister is a HUGE Cinderella fan (even though she is 27) and we go to see her atleast once everytime we go to Disney World. You girls will love any of them because when they see the princesses, they will just sit in awe! Enjoy your trip.

 

[Lindy Loo]

IMHO

CRT was OK, the venue the castle great, the food ok ish, interaction good but very rushed. Did it once, wouldnt do again. Glad we did it though.

Epcot we have booked for this trip. excited to hear we may meet Ariel with LEGS!

1900 Park Fayre, we love, always do this. Great food, close to MK and Epcot on monorail. we love going here after BBB, as its a grand hotel and you can take wonderful photos with DD sitting by piano, sofas, large flower arrangements etc. My Dd loved the fairy godmother here and had lots of time to chat with her.

Have fun what ever you do.

 

[Dsnymouse]

Well, I can speak from experience on CRT and 1900 Park Fare. We just recently did CRT for lunch in March. It was enjoyable and the adult food was good. My dd loves chicken fingers, but was disappointed in having no fries. Was able to get those at Park Fare. I thought the character interaction was a little better at Park Fare - they took there time with my dd. At CRT it seemed rushed. My vote would be to do 1900 Park Fare (at the GF) - it is a buffet though verses a sit down service meal. I have to say, the meals are so much more worth it than trying to get character pictures in the park and standing in line. Hope that helps a little.

 

[quiltymom]

CRT was OK, the venue the castle great, the food ok ish, interaction good but very rushed. Did it once, wouldnt do again. Glad we did it though.

This about sums CRT up for me. Been there, done that, time to move on.

PSB was fantastic, by far our favorite! The food was great, the princess interaction wonderful. This year we're gong to the lunch to eat different food, and to leave the mornings open to hit the big rides.

1900 Park Fare was another favorite. I loved the food, our server was fantastic, and DS loved the fact that Prince Charming was there! I felt that the characters spent plenty of time with our table without being rushed. The mice even came back 2 more times, just for fun!

If it's your first time doing these, then you can't miss. I feel you must do CRT at least once in your lifetime, but it's not worth more than one trip. Do whatever works best in your schedule.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I really liked breakfast at Akershus, better then the lunch. I'm trying dinner there on my next trip.