Seeking opinions on Princess Dining

[homerjay316]

**PLEASE JUMP TO POST #8**

We're going in March with my 2 year old niece, and I was suppossed to book CRT for lunch so we could dine with the princesses. I couldn't get a reservation at CRT for lunch or breakfast.

I booked CRT for dinner (Cinderella, but no princesses), and made an extra reservation at Akershus for the Priness Storybook Dinner the following day. I had the following questions;

First regarding CRT; Besides the difference in the characters, is there anything else that significantly differentiates the lunch and dinner experiences?

Secondly; while I understand that everybody's prefences are different and that there are thousands of different ways to do WDW, do board users think Akershus is a viable substitute for CRT?

 

[AnnetteF]

At dinner at CRT , the fairy godmother and the mice do come in at some point and do a little thing to acknowledge birthdays, anniversaries, etc. but it is short and they do not go table to table like at a character meal. The lunch and dinner menus do vary slightly but it is basically the same experience less the Princesses going around. You will still see Cinderella before being seated, however.

I think Akershus is absolutely a substitute for breakfast or lunch at CRT. It is Princesses (many will be the same) at both and the only thing that CRT has over Akershus is the mystique of dining in the castle, and you will be doing that anyway the previous night. At Akershus, you will have a meet and greet and a picture with Belle before being seated. Then the rest will come around to your table. It's not the castle but it is still very castle-like inside and a very nice atmosphere. The food is pretty typical of all the character meals, but I love the cold bar that you start with. Lots of good things including smoked salmon (I was in heaven)! I actually prefer Princess meals here as opposed to CRT because I think it is a little less hectic.

Relax, it is going to be wonderful and the 2 year old Princess will be in heaven!

By the way, we'll be there in March also, with my 5 year old Princess and will be doing Akershus for dinner, but are skipping CRT.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We are doing both CRT (if we can get an ADR) and Akershus in September. We also did them both last time. When asking my girls which they would prefer to do,they couldn't choose, hence why we are doing both.

 

[GatorLady]

Secondly; while I understand that everybody's prefences are different and that there are thousands of different ways to do WDW, do board users think Akershus is a viable substitute for CRT?

Our family does. From the cost side, we especially like it because on the DDP it is 1TS as opposed to 2TS at CRT and the photo package is included just like CRT. We enjoyed our meal there very much.

My DD will be 7 when we go this year, and Akershus is a must do for us. We are also going to do CRT for breakfast this year. For the price (over $75 for just the two of us) I wanted to wait until she was older so she could appreciate it more, but that's just me. She has actually never asked to go, she loves Akershus and would be fine with just that. I wanted to do the castle with her just once before she gets too old and since she will be Cinderella at BBB earlier that morning I thought it would make for some cute pictures.

 

[homerjay316]

Thanks, everybody. I thought I'd done right, but your assurances make me feel a lot better!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We have done CRT (B & L), Akerhaus (L) and 1900 PF (D). CRT is a once in a lifetime experience to eat in the castle. From a cost perspective, next time we will do Akerhaus (DD loves Ariel) and 1900 PF for the same credits as 1 CRT.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We did both CRT breakfast and Akershus breakfast on our last trip. Akershus is absolutely a good substitute for CRT! It was actually our 2nd time at Akershus. The food is wonderful - lots of princesses - you will have a great time. The place in Norway is very castle-like, especially on the inside. The atmosphere is very regal, you will like the setting.

 

[homerjay316]

Thanks to everybody who replied to this thread last month. I had a few follow up questions, specifically about the photos at CRT and the Princess Story Book Dinner. If anybody can help, it would be greatly appreciated.

First; we are a party of 4 adults and a 2 year old (5 total). Do we receive 1 photo package, or two? I am seeing conflicting info on the DIS menu and the Allears menu. It doesn't make that big a difference either way, but I'd like to know what to expect.

Second; I've seen pics from these meals on these boards and elsewhere on the web. Some people have their whole party in the pic, others just the kid(s). I'm seeking opinions. Which do you do?

 

[uttu]

I think for up to party of 5, they give one pic. If the party is 6 or more, they give two. I know I hate that. They should really give a pic for each paid person

We just let the kids do the pic instead of whole family. We did do our own ones with our camera though.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

I thought it was party of 6 - one picture. More than 6, two pictures. We had 7 people and got 2 pictures. You might want to ask on that.

We just do the kids in the picture - but some people do everyone.

 

[OatsZoo]

At Akershus, you will have a meet and greet and a picture with Belle before being seated.

When we were at Akershus we were greeted and a picture taken with Snow White. I think it varies. We saw Snow White, Ariel, Aurora, Belle and Cinderella when we were there.

Personally, I prefer Akershus over CRT as there is more time with princesses than at CRT.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Thanks to everybody who replied to this thread last month. I had a few follow up questions, specifically about the photos at CRT and the Princess Story Book Dinner. If anybody can help, it would be greatly appreciated.

First; we are a party of 4 adults and a 2 year old (5 total). Do we receive 1 photo package, or two? I am seeing conflicting info on the DIS menu and the Allears menu. It doesn't make that big a difference either way, but I'd like to know what to expect.

Second; I've seen pics from these meals on these boards and elsewhere on the web. Some people have their whole party in the pic, others just the kid(s). I'm seeking opinions. Which do you do?

You will get two picture packages! We got 2 with four of us paying and my two year old. They still counted him as the fifth person. (Unless they have changed something....) I have pictures of the inside of CRT...plus pics of the food....pics of the characters you meet....everything! They are spread throughout my different trip reports. For Princessess go to the one in my link that says Poly/Pop/'08 and the older one 2007 and before. Both have tons of pictures you will enjoy! (We didn't do Princess meals in December) Have fun!!!

 

[minniebeth]

Do the photo packages come with all the princess meals regardless which ones at Akershaus? (Breakfast, lunch?)

 

[GatorLady]

Do the photo packages come with all the princess meals regardless which ones at Akershaus? (Breakfast, lunch?)

Yes, all meals at Akershus (B,L,D) include the photo package.

 

[minniebeth]

Thank you!