Princess Dining Question

[Kallierollo]

Can I get some recommendations and comparisons with between dining at the Castle with Cinderella versus Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

Were taking our 4 year old daughter so I just want to get the best because I don't want to overload and do both of them.

Thanks!!!

 

[ljcrochet]

I have done breakfast at both CRT and Akershus with my girls who will be 4 next month. Last trip we didn't do CRT and the girls kept on asking us when are we going to the castle to see the princess.
If you are doing the dining plan, Akershus is only one TS while CRT is 2.

 

[abc999]

You are guaranteed Cinderella at the Castle, not at Akershus.

 

[BLAN99]

We went to the Princess lunch at Epcot last June and Cinderella was there. What a surprise. We weren't crazy about the food. There wasn't a lot at the salad bar for our 3 & 5 yrs olds. Our girls had a blast though because Belle greets you and you are eating in a castle. Sometimes I think its about the atmosphere, not the meal. This year we are trying the castle for lunch.

 

[ShannonMB]

I've only been to the castle, and it was great, but I've heard nothing but great things about Akershaus, too! Maybe you could go with who your DD likes the best -- Belle or Cinderella? Also, we've been to the castle twice and never seen Ariel, but I've seen lots of reports of her being at Akershaus. They both seem to have Jasmine, Snow White, and Aurora a lot.

Then take into acct how many TS credits you want to use!

 

[food4me]

That's a tough call! I've heard better things about the atmosphere at the castle, but then again I haven't heard much either way about Akershaus. If you're on the meal plan and running low on points, Akershaus might be the better deal. I wouldn't choose based on food. You know a 4 year old will be more excited about the princesses than about what's on her plate. If she's very into Cinderella, pick the castle for sure.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We've had breakfast at both places - and it was our 2nd time at Akershus. Both were wonderful for breakfast!

The main differences are that you will definitely see Cinderella at the castle and you get the experience of eating in the castle. It's also more expensive to eat in the castle.

The atmosphere at Akershus was very "castle-like", very royal. On our visit, I felt a little more rushed at CRT than Akershus - mainly by the wait staff, not the princesses. The princesses were charming at both. (The wait staff wasn't rude at CRT, but you could tell they wanted you to move along).

We saw 5 princesses at each place - at the castle, Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Belle (blue dress), Jasmine. At Akershus - Belle (yellow dress), Aurora, Snow White, Jasmine and Mary Poppins. The princesses can change.

You get a photo package included in your price at both places.

Akershus is a wonderful alternative to CRT if you can't get CRT or want to pay less.

 

[Dianatlol]

We did Akershaus last year.... The princesses rushed around to each table... Not like when we were at the Grand Floridian. We loved the Grand Floridian

 

[dawnbu40]

In Dec. we had breakfast at both Akerhaus and CRT. We much preferred Akerhaus. We found both the food and character interaction better in Norway. CRT is all about the castle. If you want the experience of eating in the castle and seeing Cinderella then you should go there otherwise choose Norway. IMO CRT just isn't worth 2 ts credits.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

There is no such thing as princess overload to a 4 year old!

We just came back and I did all 3 princess meals. DD was in heaven!

Akershus breakfast was great! The food was delicious and we were surprised to have Cinderella there.

1900 PF was lots of fun but the food wasn't good.

The castle...well it's THE castle! You can NOT beat that!

Next trip we will stick to the castle because we are guaranteed Cinderella. I keep saying no Akershus but I may change my mind.

 

[abbadabbadoo]

I have been to both places, too! And it is a tough call. Here are my experiences:

Last year, my daughter and I had a FANTASTIC lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table. We had the most amazing view and the princesses spent a good bit of time with her. It was just she and I (my DH preferred to check out Adventureland and Frontierland while we played princess ). I had the major domo pie - it was sooo good! Dessert was awesome (chocolate buckle) - I'd be willing to go back just for that! LOL! DD had chicken strips, but she didn'e eat much anyway in anticipation of the princesses. Great service - in fact, some of the best we had the whole week. The picture included in the cost of the meal was very nice, too. At this meal we saw Cinderella (in the lobby), Jasmine, Aurora, Belle (blue dress), and Snow White.

We all went to Akershus for dinner one night pretty early on in our trip. We had a great time, and the picture that the photographer took was beautiful. I had heard from friends who'd been there before that the service was spotty, but we had very good service from a young man that was still training. I liked my meal, but my DH wasn't as thrilled with his. My DD ordered pizza, but again didn't eat much in anticipation of seeing the princesses. At this meal we saw Belle (yellow dress - she was the one you had your pics taken with), Aurora, Ariel in her ballgown (my DD's favorite), Jasmine, and Cinderella. I have heard numerous times though that Cinderella isn't usually there, so if you want to see her you should pick the castle.

I liked both places, but the setting at CRT can't be beat. My little girl and I will never forget our experience there. In fact, we are hoping to get that coveted breakfast reservation for our upcoming trip in September. My best friend is going with us and she wants to go to Akershus, so I may try to get a breakfast ressie there as well. Have a great trip!

 

[Kallierollo]

We did Akershaus last year.... The princesses rushed around to each table... Not like when we were at the Grand Floridian. We loved the Grand Floridian

Do they have Princess meals at the Grand Floridian? I hadn't heard about that.

 

[Kallierollo]

Thank you so much for all the input! I knew I had come to the right place. I'm not really sure that she would care who she saw honestly. She doesn't have a particular favorite but she does lean more towards Belle and Ariel....Cinderella is my fav but I'm thinking I don't get a say in that part. LOL I would rather have her see who she likes the most. Honestly since she is just 4 and also incredibly shy...she most likely would never be the kid dying to talk to a princess. She'd be happy to just see them from afar we could save the dining credit and go with Akershaus this time. Wait a few years until she can fully appreciate the castle and go then.

 

[disneyderns]

We ate at the Askerhus breakfast a couple of years ago with DD 6. We loved it! It felt like you were in a quaint castle dinning room (if there is such a thing) We were surprised at the number of princesses that were there. We ended up buying the picture of Belle and DD (even though it was super expensive). We saw Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Mulan, Jasmine, and Cinderella! DD ate almost nothing as she was too busy gazing at all the princess roaming around - it was priceless. Well worth the one table service - I just can't justify using 2 TS credits for CRT.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

1900 Park Fare is at the GF. It's Cinderella, her prince, stepmother and stepsisters. It's a LOT of fun!

 

[Sandy321]

Thank you so much for all the input! I knew I had come to the right place. I'm not really sure that she would care who she saw honestly. She doesn't have a particular favorite but she does lean more towards Belle and Ariel....Cinderella is my fav but I'm thinking I don't get a say in that part. LOL I would rather have her see who she likes the most. Honestly since she is just 4 and also incredibly shy...she most likely would never be the kid dying to talk to a princess. She'd be happy to just see them from afar we could save the dining credit and go with Akershaus this time. Wait a few years until she can fully appreciate the castle and go then.

Another mom that has done all 3 - but my baby is now 12!!

*I* wanted (ok still want ) the Castle atmosphere - and I loved it! So here, its all about the castle and Cinderella... the other princesses rotate - reports here was Aurora does come - not guarenteed, and at 10 - Aurora was a "must"

Epcot - Belle in the gold dress for Breakfast (and I think I remember posts that have Ariel in a dress - not sure if that's still happening!) And of course Aurora comes out - the breakfast food is one of our favorite!! (lunch and dinner menus - not so much!!)

1900 Park Fare - Dinner Buffet (ok the Strawberry Soup and Prime Rib are our draws!! lol) Great character interaction - the Prince dances with the kids, Cinderella doesnt seem as rushed... and the step girls are a hoot!!

So, your babies are 4 - and will have a ball no matter what or where! I think the buffets are harder with parents with small children, since you have to get up and help them with food choices, etc, but one or two buffets are certainly worth it!! (pooh and company at Crystal Palace)