Princess Meal Dilemma

[bonobo]

Taking my wife and 4yo daughter to WDW next week. It is DD's first visit (and last for quite a while likely), and I've done quite a bit of planning in order to maximize Princess contact. Unfortunately, when we booked this 3 1/2 months ago, there were no open slots at the Royal Table anytime during our stay, and limited slots at Akershus. I got us a lunch table at Akershus, and kept checking back on the CRT.

Today, somewhat miraculously, a dinner slot at CRT opened up, and I, of course, grabbed it. The problem is that it is on the same day as the Akershus ADR, and we do not currently have Parkhopper tix. We are on the deluxe dining plan, so the cost difference is pretty unimportant (we can make up the extra credit with an OOP counter service breakfast).

So, do I
1) Keep the Dinner at CRT, and cancel lunch at Akershus?
2) Keep lunch at Akershus, and forget about CRT?
3) Spend $162 to upgrade to parkhopper, primarily for this one dinner?

thanks from a newbie.

 

[TDC Nala]

Personally I would not consider buying a parkhopper just for this.

How about trying to move the Akershus reservation, maybe try for a breakfast?

 

[mzozzietj]

I would keep CRT and Cancel Akershus personally unless you have your whole itinerary planned around going to Epcot that day. I would not upgrade to park hoppers only for a meal though.

 

[bonobo]

Because of the free dining promotion going on, ADRs are at a real premium. There are no breakfasts, lunches, or dinners currently available at Akershus during our 5 days at WDW.

 

[mom2val]

We have done both meals. Our experience was DD got much more Princess face time at Akurshus. Have you considered a dinner at 1900 Park Fare? We have doen this meal 3 times and the character interaction is wonderful.

 

[bonobo]

We're doing the 1900 PF dinner as well (like I said, maximal princesses!)

 

[eastcoastcan]

I'd keep the CRT as that is hard to get and keep trying for Akerhaus another day. Akerhaus is an amazing princess experience. We've gone for 4 years in a row and always comment on how gracious and patient the princesses are

 

[divawife]

I don't know for certain that CRT actually has the princesses (besides Cindy downstairs for photo opp) but only the Fairy Godmother and the mice. It was that way in 2008 the last time we went. So...if no princesses stick with Askerhous.

We did lunch at both (diff days of course!) Lots of princesses at both. Keep trying and calling.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I don't know for certain that CRT actually has the princesses (besides Cindy downstairs for photo opp) but only the Fairy Godmother and the mice. It was that way in 2008 the last time we went. So...if no princesses stick with Askerhous.

We did lunch at both (diff days of course!) Lots of princesses at both. Keep trying and calling.

This changed early this year (maybe February?). When we dined at CRT last December it was still the FGM and mice but it changes shortly after that. The princesses are now at every meal.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

I love having park hoppers so I would spring for the upgraded tickets and maybe you'll actually use them. We took DD5 in Jan and the hoppers were great because we often went to a different park after an afternoon break.

 

[bonobo]

Well, at least I feel better about not knowing which to do

 

[lucyem]

I hear better things about Askershus - food, interaction etc. Though I have also been told to eat in the castle at least once. Considering you do no have hoppers I would say to keep the meal that fits into your plans the best.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

The "free photo" is with Cindy at CRT and Belle at Aker. Of course you can take your own also. The CRT photo with Cindy in the castle is really pretty and would make a special keepsake if she loves Cinderella. Not sure what the kids menu is at Aker. but the adult one has some strange stuff on it.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

1) Keep the Dinner at CRT, and cancel lunch at Akershus?


thanks from a newbie.

Hi- This is my vote. I am not a fan of Akerhaus's food, except for breakfast. CRT has better food and it is so magical eating at the castle. It is really hard to hop with a 4yr old at least it was tiring when we tried to do it when DD was 3. This is the first year we are hoping and DD is almost 7 and I have a back up if it starts to wear her out.

We are there next week too! Let's hope for low crowds and cool temps
Have fun!

 

[RMulieri]

We prefer the breakfast at Akershuhs.CRT food was not all the wonderful, we felt rushed to get in and get out ,and the interaction was not as great.We did both during Free Dining times as well.

 

[DISNEMOM]

I would do the castle. It's a very difficult adr to get, and like the op said, you should eat at the castle at least once! But, I feel it's really special to eat in cinderella's castle. I think your daughter would love it! Have fun!

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd keep CRT dinner - and cancel akershus lunch.

Keep trying for an akershus adr on a different day. Akershus is a cc hold and has to be cancelled in advance - i'm sure there will be cancellations.

 

[DW2010]

I would keep CRT if you can.

 

[dawnmommy]

I would keep CRT, cancel Akershus (so I guess that makes it an MK day for you, I wouldn't buy Park Hoppers just for this)

I suspect Akershus will be easier to add later, just keep trying each day while you are there, to add it on your Epcot days.

I normally think Akershus is a better deal but if you already have DxDDP, then that doesn't matter as much.

good luck, and enjoy your trip!

 

[baler31]

I would keep CRT and keep trying for breakfast at Akershus. We particularly like a late breakfast there and treat it as lunch quite often. I have made tons of ressies this week for our Oct. trip (many very hard to get ones) as people cancel and things open up all the time. What are your dates ? At the 45 out day mark there are typically lots of cancellations and this is a great time to snag ressies.