I can't comment on 1900 Park Fare because we've never eaten there.
However, last year we had a Princess Storybook dinner at Akershus, and we weren't impressed with the food at all. It's not that we don't like different kinds of food - we just didn't think it was that good. I will say, though, that the dessert sampler plate was wonderful!
We had the Dining Plan, but, had we paid out of pocket for our 2 children's meals, I would have been even more disappointed. The choices on the kids' menu are very limited, we thought. Our DS had a $13.00 hot dog, and our DD had a $13.00 PB & J "Uncrustable".
We still laugh about it! $13.00 for a PB & J sandwich!
I had the chicken pasta dish which was okay - the pasta was sticky & the marinara sauce tasted overdone to me. I can't remember what DH had - some sort of fish which he also thought was just "okay". The cold-dish appetizer plate was okay as well. That was probably the 2nd best part (dessert being the first); it was neat trying the different things. They have a separate appetizer plate for children w/ more child-friendly selections. Our DS has a peanut allergy, and the chef personally came to our table to talk about the food & what our DS could eat. He even prepared him a special, nut-free, dessert.
I will say that the character interaction at our PSB dinner was very good! We saw the following princesses:
Ariel (the whole reason we scheduled a dinner because I had read that Ariel only shows up at dinner, but I don't know if this is still true or not),
Belle (in her blue & white dress),
Jasmine (my DH's favorite!
), and
Sleeping Beauty.
Snow White was not there; however,
Cinderella was. I don't think Cinderella is normally there - I think she was "subbing" for Snow White. Each princess came to our table & spent what I thought was adequate time, & they interacted well w/ my rather shy children too. The Cinderella at PSB was actually better than the Cinderella we saw later in the week at CRT. DD was dressed as Tinkerbell, & DS was dressed as Peter Pan. Cinderella played w/ them a little, and I have a really cute picture of all 3 of them pointing to the "2nd star to the right". She also treated our DS like a prince - having him "escort" her to our DD. Ariel had fun showing off her feet to them. Both our DD & DS were enchanted w/ the princesses. The princesses move quickly from table to table, but you don't feel rushed.
The atmosphere of Akershus was lovely, I thought. Very spacious & "country royalty". We had a table by a window in a little alcove, and it was very nice - relaxing & serene.
I had no complaints w/ the service at all. We were seated right away - early in fact. Our waiter was very attentive, and he did a good job explaining the different dishes to us. Toward the end of the meal, he somewhat "disappeared", but, since we were done, it really wasn't a problem.
This year, we currently have a breakfast ADR scheduled. I just think our family will enjoy the breakfast foods much better.
Like I said, we've never eaten at 1900 Park Fare, but it's on my "to be tried" list. The Grand Floridian is gorgeous, so I'm sure you can't go wrong w/ the setting and atmosphere there. And I've read really good things regarding the food too!
If you're interested in seeing all the princesses, however, I think Cinderella is the only princess at the 1900 Park Fare dinner (along w/ Prince Charming & Suzy & Perla & sometimes the Fairy Godmother) - whereas, at PSB, there are a variety of princesses (but not normally Cinderella).
Oops! I just re-read your original post. Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare has Mary Poppins & Alice in Wonderland, I think - no princesses, if this makes a difference.
Hope this helps!
we will have 4 girls 12-15 and 1 son 10. I too would love any help with this dilemma
