Royal Table vs. 1900 Park Fare

[fishacura]

Trying to decide on Cinderella's Royal Table and 1900 Park Fare. I see princesses are at both. Am I missing anything substantial (with the exeption of a lot of money lol) by not choosing Royal Table. Everyone says it's a must but if it's a similar experience I am all for choosing the less costly option on this one.

 

[Eddie75]

To be honest we prefer 1900 Park Fare. The food is better there, you just don't get to eat in the castle. We are on the Deluxe Dining Plan so we do both, but if I had to choose only one 1900 Park Fare would be my choice hands down.

 

[Eddie75]

You also seem to get better character interaction at 1900 Park Fare as well.

 

[3pletprincesses]

1900 only has Cinderella, the Prince CHarming, eveil step sisters and Lady Tremaine only for dinner. That being said, we enjoyed dinner there very much. We found the food to be tasty and lots of choice compare to most buffets at Disney. If you want another mulit princess experience, check for Akershus. last May they had the same princesses then CRT and it was only 1 ts and we much prefer Akershus over CRT and 1900 PF.

CRT is more expensive as you pay to eat at the Castle more then anything. The kids do get a wishing start there and a sword/wand too. Akershus and CRT both includ a photo with a princess in the price.

 

[willowsnn3]

We've done 1900 twice for bkfst & really liked it. Only once for dinner & while the characters were very good, we didn't care for the food selection at dinner. I am not a picky eater but I ate mostly off the kid's buffet section that night. Have had both bkfst & dinner at CRT & really enjoyed both times. Food & princesses.

 

[Millie12591]

We did the Akershus breakfast and loved it!! I gave my daughter the choice, had the reservations for both just incase and she picked Akershus over CRT, hands down. I canceled CRT and was sooooo glad we did.
We kept hearing in review after review how the princesses just aren't able to give the extra time at CRT, in fact most people felt very rushed (for that kind of money, no thank you!).
As for the reviews at Akershus, the reviews kept telling us it was a hit when it came to character interaction. Boy were they right!! Akershus was probably one of the best character interactions we had while there last May. We even had Snow White come up and tap me on my shoulder on one side and then surprised me on the other, (sneaky little Snow White) just to tell me that she was getting close and would be there shortly. Ariel and Alice were total hoots, they had great interaction with my soon to be 18 yr. old son! It was a great time at Akershus.

As for 1900 Park Fare..... I have a real love affair with the Grand Floridian any way, so any time I can see it and then eat at 1900 Park Fare...I'm a happy girl. I loved eating at 1900 Park Fare, great food choices, great character interaction! This is the only place I know of where you can see and talk with Prince Charming, Cindy is there of course and Lady Tremaine along with her horrid daughters. If you eat there be sure to call them The Ugly Step Sisters, and see what happens.
If your looking for a good time to eat at either of these places, I suggest not getting up at the crack of dawn just to get to the parks/hotel and eat, make rope drop for the park have a few rides then eat at either of these places, it goes a lot more smoothly if you do.

 

[squirrel]

I've only been to CRT twice. Both times I felt rushed.

I've been to Akershus twice and will be back again this year. I only go for breakfast, I'm picky.

1900 Park Fare was good. Did not like the wait last year so we are doing breakfast this year. We waited almost 1 hr to be seated.

 

[butterfly71076]

We did Akershus for lunch last May and thought the food was awful, IMO. Salad bar (buffet table), was OK, nothing great, some cheeses, fruit, fresh veggies. Would have preferred just getting that. But, there are multiple princesses there, if that is what you are looking for. We also have been to PF, for dinner, and really enjoyed it. Character interaction was awesome and we did not feel rushed at all.
Pic of DS with Cinderella at PF, May 2009.

 

[Catie.Hiltz]

I would say go with 1900 Park Fare, the price difference is obviously huge, and the food options are more plentiful.

However, I def agree that CRT is a must do-but its only a special occasion type thing-I went on my honeymoon and we loved it, but we won't do it again probably.

Haven't done 1900 park fare in a few years, but loved it and would highly recommend it!

 

[iloveeeyore]

I'm so sorry to say this, but we have done both CRT and Akershus, and we thought that Akershus didn't even come close to being a substitute for CRT. Now I'm willing to accept that perhaps we hit Akershus on a bad night, because others rave about it, but our experience there just wasn't super-special.

Nothing compares to dining in the castle, and while the food is mediocre, we have always had spectacular character interaction. My daughter, who loves the princesses, especially Belle, begged to go back to CRT for her Sweet 16; we did lunch for the first time last trip and thought it was just wonderful! I might give Akershus a very small edge where food is concerned just for a larger variety...but nothing was particularly great there either.

We are looking forward to trying 1900 PF this time for a little bit of stepsister mischief.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

As pps have noted, 1900 PF only has Cinderella and other Cinderella characters. THat being said, I've heard it's a very fun meal- but only an option if you're OK with just Cindy- as far as princesses go. The thoughts on the food are mixed as well. 1900 PF's dinner menu does nothing for me- some people think it's great while others think it's pure swill. Of course, you hear the same things on CRT, but it's sparked more by it being a signature spot. i.e. food expectations are higher.

I've eaten breakfast at 1900 PF, lunch at CRT and lunch at Akershus (doing breakfast again at 1900PF, dinner at CRT, and dinner at Akershus this trip)... the atmosphere at 1900PF does not even come close to the castle. We felt the princess interaction at Akershus and CRT were comparable HOWEVER, as pretty as Akershus is- being inside Cinderella Castle trumps it by a long shot. I remember going up the stairs with my family feeling those giddy "OMG I'm inside the castle" thoughts. I also actually really enjoyed my food at CRT. So, CRT wins this battle IMHO.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . choosing Royal Table. Everyone says it's a must . . .

1) Not sure this is true, at all.
2) Not everyone believes CRT is best.
3) Or even that good.
4) Leave the gun and take the cannoli. *
5) Oops, I mean leave the CRT and take the 1900.

* A guy thing.

 

[fishacura]

1) Not sure this is true, at all.
2) Not everyone believes CRT is best.
3) Or even that good.
4) Leave the gun and take the cannoli. *
5) Oops, I mean leave the CRT and take the 1900.

* A guy thing.

First of all, you are my #1 forum friend now based on the fact that you are quoting the best movie of all time. GREAT JOB!

As for the statement being true...it's just one of those things you hear quite often..."you must do it". I'm sure not EVERYONE believes it but you know what I'm saying.

 

[Kevin_W]

Cindy is DD's favorite so we've done 1900 PF twice and really enjoyed it. But we did CRT last time as well. The price difference is tough to weigh, but CRT was hand's down the better experience, IMO. We liked the food better, and the setting was spectacular (1900 PF feels like an old MCL cafeteria in side to me).

We had very good character interaction at both places. Prince Charming was truly charming to my DD.

 

[JiminyandTink]

You definitely do feel a little rushed at CRT and it is pricey for the quality of what you get, but in my opinion every Dis fanatic has to eat in the Castle at least once, it is a special thing.

If it's just about princesses, I was going to suggest Akershus as others have.

Good Luck!

 

[starousse]

I haven't done CRT yet (doing this December), but from previous experience at 1900 Park Fare, I wasn't wild about it. The food was very typical buffet style cafeteria food and the atmosphere was just blah. Reminded me of a standard dining room in a Senior Home. Even if the food in nothing to write home about at CRT, at least your in the castle.

 

[fishacura]

Sold (I think) on Akerhus. The way I see it, we don't want only Cindy so 1900 OF is off the table. And for us, the "castle" is not a big a deal. The way I look at it, once you're inside, you're inside....for us, the beauty of the castle is the outside. Given the price differential, the fact that you are rushed and that there is less character interaction (basing this on what others have said) I think Akerhus is the right choice for us.

I sincerely would like to thank you all as this one wasn't even on my radar. Man am I learning a lot!