Princess Dining?

[Laura Foy]

Hi all! I'm taking my 4 year old to DisneyWorld in January and we want to have the best Princess interaction possible. We've heard about dining with the Princesses and from what I can find the 2 best options are Cinderalla's Round Table and the one at Akershus. Which is better and do I have to have a ticket to Epcot to go to Akershus? We weren't planning on going to Epcot at all. Also I've seen some stuff online about a Frozen sing-a-long spectacular but it has no dates in January. Does that show end at the end of this year? Should we skip the Princess dining and just see them roaming the parK? Any help is appreciated!!

 

[Hopefully]

Yes. You need a ticket to eat at ANY in Park Restaurant, Epcot included
NO character, including Princesses roam the parks

 

[hlm2007]

We love Cinderella's Royal Table at MK. We haven't tried Akershus but you will need a ticket to the park(Epcot) if you plan to eat there. You could also go to 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian without a park ticket. That dinner features Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the stepmother and stepsisters. It's a good time as the stepmother and stepsisters really stay in character. The Frozen sing-a-long sounds like what they have going on all the time at Hollywood Studios. You can reserve a fastpass for it or just show up. There are several showtimes throughout the day and it's indoors. It's worth going to for sure and lasts about 30-45 min if I remember correctly.

Edited to add: I say go for the princess dinner and don't rely on seeing them in the parks. Waiting in line for the meet and greets can get really long and time consuming depending on when you are going. You won't ever just run into a princess strolling through the park. You would have to look at the daily schedule for meet and greets and show up during those times to stand in a line - and then do it all over again for the next princess. With the character meals you get to meet several in a short window of time.

 

[NC Disney Dad]

Another thing to consider when you look at CRT and Akershus is whether or not you’re using the dining plan. CRT will cost two meal credits where Akershus will only cost one. Akershus is also generally a little cheaper coming out of pocket, but there’s options at CRT that bring it closer.

 

[hlm2007]

Agree with above poster. Also consider breakfast or lunch reservations to bring cost down. Dinner will be the most expensive meal.

 

[Princess Madeleine]

I'm a bigger fan of CRT than I am of Akershus, probably because of the food, and I think the price is fair for the experience of eating in the castle. I do know that the price might be far more than it's worth for a family to eat at CRT, and the menu at Akershus might not appeal to younger kids. I'd be sure to look at the menu at both if you haven't done so already.

If your child is a fan of either Ariel or Rapunzel, I think you should look into the breakfast at Trattoria al Forno. Characters include Ariel, Eric, Rapunzel, and Flynn, and I've heard really great things about the food (Jackie Gailey had wonderful things to say about it on the latest Disney Dining Show, and the online reviews seem extremely positive). A quick google search says that TaF runs approximately $10 cheaper a person than Akershus. Additionally, you wouldn't need a park ticket for this one because the restaurant is at the Boardwalk.

 

[sanapp]

We have always preferred Akershus for breakfast. We have done CRT and glad we did, but it just isn’t really worth the cost or 2 dining credits. I would do a pre park breakfast at Akershus

 

[Nancyg56]

We have always preferred Akershus for breakfast. We have done CRT and glad we did, but it just isn’t really worth the cost or 2 dining credits. I would do a pre park breakfast at Akershus

I would as well. I do enjoy CRT and think if possible a meal in the Castle is pretty darn special, however I likes Akershus breakfast aa lot.

OP- we like Epcot with young ones. There is a lot to entertain a 4 YO. Nemo in the Living Seas, Turtle Talk, living with the Land and Soarin in The LAnd, the Frozen ride in Norway, The Three Cabareros in Mexico. ENtertainment int eh WOrld SHowcase that is engaging for youngsters.