Princess Storybook, CRT, or both?

[IndayMichelle]

Is Cinderella the only one at CRT? Does she come around to the tables, or do I only get a photo op with her in the lobby?

I'm thinking of cancelling the Akershus one if I have lots of Princess opportunites at CRT. Should I do both? Or just one?

 

[02AggieGirl]

We did breakfast at CRT in Dec . Cinderella was in the lobby for pics. But you do get the picture b/c it's included with the price. And of course, you can take pics of her with your own camera. She doesn't come around to the tables. While we were eating, the other princesses (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Belle) came around. We really enjoyed the food and character interaction there.

I've never done the Storybook character meal, so I can't tell you anything about that, but the menu there doesn't appeal to me. I also had friends that did this and were not impressed, but I know a lot of people like it.

HTH!

 

[distherapy]

Your CRT experience will depend on the meal you do. Breakfast/lunch has Cinderella downstairs for a quick chat & photo op. Upstairs in the dining room, others come around - we had Aurora, Snow White, Mary Poppins and Belle in the peasant dress.
Dinner at CRT is just the Fairy Godmother.

We did Akershus too - had the quick chat & photo op with Belle (in yellow dress) and then the table-visiting princesses were Ariel, Jasmine, Cinderella and Aurora. It felt more claustrophobic and hectic there, though, and we didn't enjoy it nearly as much as CRT. We don't plan on doing it again.

It was easier to get reservations at Akershus and it is cheaper - one TS credit as opposed to two, but it doesn't include the photos or the "gift" - wand for girls and sword for boys.

 

[divawife]

It all depends on how much into the Princess thing you are and how much you are into the castle. But I found they were very different experiences.

In CRT you see Cindy only downstairs for a photo op. Upstairs in the actual dining area you see princess for breakfast and lunch only. The princess are not guaranteed but they walk around, talk to you, sign autographs and pose for pics. They go to each table. Dinner you get the Fairy Godmother and 2 of the mice for a "show". They do not pose or sign autographs or go around to each table. The photo package is included in the price.

The princesses in CRT could be most any of them depending on the day or time. We went for a very, very late lunch ADR at 2:45 pm. It worked out better than I expected, not crowded and lots of princess time. We saw Mary Poppins (kind of a princess stretch but she was very cute), Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Belle in blue casual dress.

The food is fine but the castle itself is truly fabulous!!!! It is the icon of MK and you really need to see the inside once.

As for Norway, this time we had early, early lunch instead of late, late lunch! LOL! At 11:20 am. This was great also because we didn't have to wait long at all. Belle in yellow gown was the photo op and the photo package is included. Same stuph about which princess you will see-we saw Ariel in her gown, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Cindy herself showed up and this time she went table to table just like the other princesses!

I happen to enjoy tasting different foods esp from other countries and I also love fish. So I thoroughly enjoyed Norway food appetizer bar, my entree not so much but that is because I simply didn't care for that entree not because I felt it was wierd or odd food.

I read a lot on the boards that Norway has yucky or wierd or odd food but it is a matter of taste, how adventurous you are, how much of a foodie you might be. So the food choices may be a factor for you.

Another factor is if you are on the DPP-CRT is 2 but Norway is only 1 credit.

If you are really into the princess go for both. But nothing beats the MK castle IMHO

 

[IndayMichelle]

We're scheduled for lunch at CRT. We're going with my best friend and her fiance. My big concern was I'd miss out on the other princesses. I think I'll keep the CRT and cancel the other.

Does anyone know if we can take separate pictures with Cinderella, and pay for the other photo package?

 

[Hootch]

for separate pictures. There are generally several pictures taken. When we went last summer the photopass number was printed in the corner of the larger photo. We attached it our photopass account and ordered a different picture to put up on our daughter's room.

I'd check with the photographer on the photopass number while you're there.

 

[IndayMichelle]

Thanks guys. These boards have made it easier to make decisions...

 

[ms*mountaineer]

I've been to breakfast at Akershus - we really enjoyed it. We did not feel that it was hectic or claustrophobic at all. We thought it was a very relaxed meal and the princesses were wonderful.

We have Akershus and CRT booked for our next trip - so I'll be able to compare then.

 

[divawife]

I think you made the right decision, the castle is so beautiful! What time is your ADR?

The photo package is included but you get one per party of 4 so with 3 you will only get one package. I am sure you can purchase another one this way you and your friends can take one photo and the engaged couple can get their own with Cindy.

People will write that they weren't crazy about the food itself. I thought it was fine at lunch. I had the major domo pie and it was very good. Just a suggestion: the dessert is this chocolate buckle, don't ask me why they call it a buckle but it is a very fancy muffin. I ordered the children's ice cream sundae because...it come with a chocolate crown! They actually gave me a larger bowl with more ice cream (even though I certainly didn't ask for that I just asked for the kids dessert) but the chocolate crown was the same size. It was great!

 

[divawife]

I forgot to add-you are adults but have some fun with it-wear a tiara to lunch and really talk to the princesses they never lose character.

 

[IndayMichelle]

Our ADR is for lunch at 1:10PM. I don't want to over princess my poor DBF. Although I know he wouldn't mind seeing Aurora. We're also going to MNSSHP and I plan on dragging him to see the princesses in the tent. So I think CRT will be sufficient for Princess meals.

I'm going to ask about separate picture packages. I think my DBFF and her DF would like their own, and my DBF and I would like our own photos.

And I would be more than happy to wear a tiara! That's a great idea!

As I am typing this, my DBF just said that I have my business face on. Then he saw I was on the Disboards, and he said it was my "dis-ness" face hahaha.

 

[divawife]

All the females in our party wore the tiaras (in the photo and for lunch!). Take your time there, it will be hectic downstairs waiting for the photo and be prepared to wait a bit. The more you get into the royalty thing (including you) the better the time will pass to go upstairs.
May I suggest you ask to sit in the main area it is about 3-4 steps down from other tables which surround it. Both areas are fine, in fact we ate in the upper (remember its just about 3 steps) area and it worked out but just sayin'.
Go for the full experience-get a princess autograph book that has photo space next to the autograph (Main Street shops) and pen, have the princesses wish your friend a happy marriage, take the pic and put that into the autograph book for her.
Pack patience because your ADR is at the height of lunch time excitment.
If you all are into it-you will have a very magical time.
BTW-they have one of the cleanest bathrooms ever inside!
LOL-the information we look for in a Disney vacation!
Best of Luck and don't worry about your friend's fiance'-he will be totally in love with Jasmine-all the guys were. She wears quite the hottie costume!

 

[ms_mckenna]

You may be surprised how much the men in your party like CRT. My husband and son requested that we eat breakfast there twice this coming trip lol. The food is pretty good.

Now Akershus I think you did a good thing by skipping. The only reason to go in my book and the only reason we are going in Dec. is to see Ariel in the blue dress. If she were anywhere else on property we would skip it. I am just hoping she will be there when we are.