Questions about Cinderella's Castle Dinner

[theparsons]

Ok, we have our ADR's for January's Cinderella Dinner.....6:40pm. Does that mean that we are scheduled for our PHOTOS at 6:40, or that we should be planning to get the photos done before and ready to be seated at 6:40???

Next question....my girls wanted the nighttime experience in the Castle, even though we've read that you can't see the fireworks.....but I'm guessing that we'll be getting done with dinner just about the time the fireworks start....so as we leave the Castle are we going to be unable to get out because the crowds will have all gathered to wait for fireworks around the castle while we're eating? Or is there a special way you leave that won't run into a wall of people? Or....better yet...will we be able to leave, step outside and look up and watch the fireworks from a really great vantage point? (Hey, a girl can dream can't she?)

Anyway it works this is going to be the height of our trip for my daughters I think, lol.....they are paying for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to do their hair and makeup earlier that afternoon, so they'll be all dolled up for the photos with Cinderella and to eat in her castle. They just turned 11, so you'd think this would be fun but not the "be all" of their visit, but gosh it sure sounds like it is the way they got so excited this morning when the ADR's went through! Me....I'm gonna be in nice comfy jeans and T-shirt....not in the photos (thank heavens) and then not worry when I spill my dinner, lol. I'm happy.

 

[RooFull2]

Considering it's going to be the highlight of your daughters' experience, it's worth doing the homework.
If you've got free long distance on a cell phone, call Disney Dining back to inquire about the timing for photos and best placement to exit to see fireworks after dinner in the castle. If you get an agent that doesn't seem to know much, just keep calling back. Many times you'll find agents who've "done things themselves" and can tell you firsthand what to expect.
Yes it will be crowded, but you'll all be sharing the same splendor.
Your trip sounds SO nice!!!

 

[ReggieB]

I went last October and arrived in plenty of time, thinking I would get my photos done first and all that. We probably waited about 15 minutes beyond our ADR time before we were seated. They seemed to sit several families in one go, rather than when one table became available.

 

[mikymouse]

My Family did dinner at the Castle. I don't believe you have to arrive early for your ADR, they call your family when they are ready and then you go into the lobby of the castle to have your pictures with Cinderella. When we went the princesses were involved in a show in the front of the castle which seemed to intefere with the photo ops for others but we had lots of Cinderella time. She was terriffic. We were seated towards the middle of the room and could not see outside. We had to leave out the back of the castle towards fantasyland since the stage show had the front entrance blocked. Have a great time!

PS I really enjoyed the berry sorbet!

 

[theparsons]

Considering it's going to be the highlight of your daughters' experience, it's worth doing the homework.
If you've got free long distance on a cell phone, call Disney Dining back to inquire about the timing for photos and best placement to exit to see fireworks after dinner in the castle. If you get an agent that doesn't seem to know much, just keep calling back. Many times you'll find agents who've "done things themselves" and can tell you firsthand what to expect.
Yes it will be crowded, but you'll all be sharing the same splendor.
Your trip sounds SO nice!!!

Thank you...I did ask...and didn't get a real answer....on the question about the photos, all I got was "you're scheduled for x time"......ummm, is that for photos or dinner....."your photos are included and will happen before you are seated"......really helpful, not. On the question about how to get out, she told me the CM's would direct us if there was a problem. Equally as not helpful. Yes, I could keep calling back to try to find some CM with a helpful answer...but why.....when this board has thousands with hands on experience!

SO...I AM doing my research...HERE...with the "been there done that" people of this board. I'd bet there are many more people who have actually done this themselves on this board then there are in the reservations office.


As for long distance calls....why would I use long distance when there is a toll free number for ADR's and reservations?? Me thinks you need some research too, (just teasing ya).

 

[theparsons]

My Family did dinner at the Castle. I don't believe you have to arrive early for your ADR, they call your family when they are ready and then you go into the lobby of the castle to have your pictures with Cinderella. When we went the princesses were involved in a show in the front of the castle which seemed to intefere with the photo ops for others but we had lots of Cinderella time. She was terriffic. We were seated towards the middle of the room and could not see outside. We had to leave out the back of the castle towards fantasyland since the stage show had the front entrance blocked. Have a great time!

PS I really enjoyed the berry sorbet!

Oooo...a stage show....more princesses....my girls will be in 7th heaven, lol. Thanks...I'll make a note in my tips about the berry sorbet. Sounds yummy!

 

[theparsons]

I went last October and arrived in plenty of time, thinking I would get my photos done first and all that. We probably waited about 15 minutes beyond our ADR time before we were seated. They seemed to sit several families in one go, rather than when one table became available.

Thanks! Good info to know.

 

[RooFull2]

Nice condescending response to well-intentioned post. Noted.

 

[New_DIS]

You should get there 10-15 minutes before your time, just like any other ADR. At this point they will take you back to the room where the pictures are done. There are benches in there to sit and wait. Cinderella is not in there at all times. She comes out and everyone lines up for pictures. They call out a few names at a time and give you your ticket which is given to the hostess upstairs. If your picture is already done when they call your name, you can go straight up. If not, stay in line, get your picture and then go up. Also, the show with the fairy godmother only happens once an hour so it may not be at the beginning of your meal.

This is what my experience was like:
I got there about 25 minutes early (I am an early person in general and I was not going to be late for dinner at the castle!)
We were taken to the picture room right away.
We waited there for about 15 minutes for Cinderella came in. We took some of our own pictures in this room. There are some great touches. Standing at the door to the entrance, the left wall has mice very high up on a ledge. Point them out to your daughters.
When Cinderella came in, we got in line with about 15-20 other families. We were maybe 5th or 6th.
Our name was one of the first called and we got our ticket. We stayed in line and had our picture done and then went upstairs. We gave our ticket to the hostess and were seated at a table right in front of the windows! Our waitress told us we could place our orders for our entire meal at that time, or just order the entrees and appetizers and she would come back for our desert orders after we had eaten. We ordered everything.
During our main course our photo package came to our table. As we were finishing our dessert, the fairy godmother and mice came. We stayed for the show and then left the castle through the back because we were headed to fantasyland. I can't answer the fireworks question because our dinner started at 6:40, we left the castle around 7:45 and fireworks were at 10 that night.

 

[bradk]

Nice condescending response to well-intentioned post. Noted.

? OP was relating an experience with a dining CM, not making comments about your initial response.

 

[theparsons]

You should get there 10-15 minutes before your time, just like any other ADR. At this point they will take you back to the room where the pictures are done. There are benches in there to sit and wait. Cinderella is not in there at all times. She comes out and everyone lines up for pictures. They call out a few names at a time and give you your ticket which is given to the hostess upstairs. If your picture is already done when they call your name, you can go straight up. If not, stay in line, get your picture and then go up. Also, the show with the fairy godmother only happens once an hour so it may not be at the beginning of your meal.

This is what my experience was like:
I got there about 25 minutes early (I am an early person in general and I was not going to be late for dinner at the castle!)
We were taken to the picture room right away.
We waited there for about 15 minutes for Cinderella came in. We took some of our own pictures in this room. There are some great touches. Standing at the door to the entrance, the left wall has mice very high up on a ledge. Point them out to your daughters.
When Cinderella came in, we got in line with about 15-20 other families. We were maybe 5th or 6th.
Our name was one of the first called and we got our ticket. We stayed in line and had our picture done and then went upstairs. We gave our ticket to the hostess and were seated at a table right in front of the windows! Our waitress told us we could place our orders for our entire meal at that time, or just order the entrees and appetizers and she would come back for our desert orders after we had eaten. We ordered everything.
During our main course our photo package came to our table. As we were finishing our dessert, the fairy godmother and mice came. We stayed for the show and then left the castle through the back because we were headed to fantasyland. I can't answer the fireworks question because our dinner started at 6:40, we left the castle around 7:45 and fireworks were at 10 that night.

Wow, thanks! Great information and I'll definitely watch for the mice. I'm so glad I'll have a phone with a PDA in it...I'm gonna need it for all these little "don't forget" details these boards give me!