Princess Meal Recommendation for 2 Adults?

[book_junkie]

Heya-
Starting to tentatively work on our girl's trip in mid-October ( just Mom and myself, now a tradition) and was trying to think of something special we haven't done together before. We are staying in one of the Royal (princess) rooms at Port Orleans, so I was thinking maybe a princess meal?

The last time ( and only) I did CRT it was not a character dinner, and I have no experience with the others. Which one would y'all recommend for two slightly older princesses? We had a blast at The Crystal Palace our first trip, so I think I'm on the right track, but was reading reviews elsewhere and for every positive there was a negative.

Thanks!

 

[Jillinwonderland]

This past Thanksgiving my Mom and I tried Akershus in Epcot for breakfast as our one character meal. We'd never been here before and found the food to be just perfect for us very simple and the princesses came to our table and joked around with us about this being a girls only trip. I believe Snow White even said something along the lines of "Oh you left the men at home I see. I have seven of my own at home I leave them to do the cooking and cleaning." we both got a kick out of it.

 

[DJSMOM]

Askerhaus in Norway at Epcot for lunch was wonderful. The food was awesome. There is a cold appetizer buffet and a plated entree and dessert, if you are on the dining plan which is a good value. I had kids with me so I can't say how interaction will be with just adults but the food alone was worth the trip.

 

[distherapy]

And to prove you right, I'll be the negative to their positives! We eat at CRT each trip, but once at Akershus was more than enough for us. At Akershus, I didn't care for the check-in process (felt absurdly long), the proximity of tables (WAY too close) and the noise (I think the acoustics are terrible and we were having to scream to be heard). I feel like CRT is calmer (but still fun), better spaced out and we had better interactions - plus the castle is so much fun. I would choose it in a second.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I also prefer CRT to PSB. I'm planning to have breakfast at CRT for my birthday. The only way we'll return to PSB is if we have guests who really want to go. To me, PSB was just a character meal. CRT made me feel like a princess.

We've never tried 1900 PF for dinner, but the characters sound hilarious. We'd try it, if it weren't a buffet. We prefer a la carte meals for dinner.

 

[johnnchristi99]

1900 park faire has plenty of choices on the buffet. and you have both cinderella and prince charming. The stepsisters are hilarious. I have seen lots of adults there alone.

I have been to akershsus too and while the princess interaction was great, i didn't care much for the food. The free photo package was nice though.

 

[ElizabethB]

If I felt I had to do a princess meal, I would do the Castle -- even though the food is very disappointing these days and the character interaction and meal are rushed.

Frankly, I would skip it based on our last experience. But, if you must, then at least eat in the Castle.

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

I've done both breakfasts at CRT and Akershus, both times as adults and dining with another adult. Have to say I enjoyed both for different reasons.

CRT: Eating in the castle is a great experience and should happen to anyone that goes to WDW at least once. The breakfast foods weren't amazing and the princesses spent a bit of time interacting with us but we could tell they were more interested in the kids than two ladies in their 20's. We did appreciate the photos were included in the price of the meal, and at $40 per person I wouldn't consider going back if we had to pay for the pictures separately (this was also a June 2008 price. Don't know if I would go again since the price hikes, and it's certainly not worth two dining credits in my opinion. Not for breakfast at least).

Akershus: The dining room did feel a bit cramped. It was just my sister and me and our table was awkwardly placed next to a pillar. Even though the table placement seemed like an afterthought and a way to cram two more bodies into the place, we weren't in anyone's way (although I did knock into Ariel in the buffet area!). I enjoyed the food here more than at CRT. The cold foods (fruit, granola, yogurt, fish) and breakfast pastries (plus bagels and toast) were on a buffet, so it was nice to get up and start eating before the hot foods plate came out. Usually the bring one hot food plate with enough eggs, hash brown casserole, and meat for two people to share. My sis is a vegetarian so they were great at bringing out her own hot food plate with no meat. We felt bad wasting the food because there was enough to feed about six on our little table for two! Not that we didn't try, that potato casserole is worth it's weight in gold! We also got the pictures with Belle included in the price. The princess interaction here was also better than at CRT, but character interactions vary from day to day and place to place.

While both places have similar qualities, I'd go with Akershus

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

DH and I just got back from a trip celebrating our anniversary. We had dinner at both Akershus and CRT. I've heard loads of complaints about both and was a bit nervous, but, dang it, I wanted to be a pretty princess and have dinner in a couple of castles for a special occasion! lol

And you know what? We LOVED both of them!

We had our anniversary noted on our ADRs, so we ended up with the best seat in the house for both meals. At Akershus, we were seated in the "turret" by the middle window. Even though there were two other families seated there, it felt very secluded, quiet and cozy. We both really liked the koltdbord (the appetizer buffet). In particular, DH said the salmon was some of the best he's had. I enjoyed the grilled asparagus, cucumber salad and the shrimp. There was also a nice selection of cheeses and other meats. Our entrees were good, though not stellar. I had the meatballs and asked for the rutabaga mashed potatoes instead of regular potatoes (they were delicious!). DH had the mushroom pasta. Dessert was really fabulous: a mascarpone-berry tart that was buttery and rich; a sinfully dark chocolate mousse; and the traditional light and fluffy rice cream.

At CRT, we turned down the picture package that was included (to much CM consternation). We HATED our pic from Akershus because we both looked rough after a full day in the parks, and we were there for the experience anyway, not the pictures. We were seated at the little two-seat table front and center by the balcony window with a view of the carousel. For our appetizers, I had the cheese plate which was EXCELLENT (white cheddar with apple-raisin chutney, brie with honeycomb and lavender-pepper goat cheese) and DH had the shrimp cocktail which was also wonderful and NOT just your typical tail-on cold shrimp with cocktail sauce. Entrees, again, were good though not spectacular. DH had the pork three ways (he really liked the spoonbread) and I had the Friar's stuffed chicken breast. Dessert was lovely. DH had the chef's platter (mini apple tart, chocolate mousse and almond cheesecake) and I had the almond cheesecake with lingonberry sauce, which was HEAVENLY. So light and fluffy! As we were about to leave to find a spot for Wishes, our server encouraged us to stay and watch from our table. I had read here that the view was not so great, but the CM said, "Trust me!" And THAT'S what made CRT truly magical. We thought the view was amazing! Sure, you didn't see Tink and you didn't have that classic castle view, but we could see nearly everything and it was such a fabulous experience to sit inside the castle and enjoy the spectacle. For that reason, CRT comes out ahead on my list. But both were good!

 

[Angie1027]

I would do 1900 Park Fare for dinner. The Tremaines are hilarious!! If you like that kinda funny interaction, I think that would work for you. Plus you get Cindy & Prince Charming. But it's a buffet. We did all 3-CRT, Askerus, & 1900 Park Fare & PF was our favorite just bc of the interaction. Food was just okay in my opinion.

A mother/daughter trip sounds so great. I have to wait till 2013 to go again & I definately want to take my mother with my self & my daughter. The men just do not appreciate Disney like us gals do!!

Hope you have a great time!!

 

[melodyka]

We did Akershus & CRT this past trip & enjoyed both. However, the menu at Park Fare sounds delish. I think I would choose to hang out at the Grand Floridian a bit if I didn't have little kids with me that are too scared of the step-mother & step-sisters From what I read, that seems to be quite a fun show as well.

enjoy