Should we book Akershus?

[SwanVT2]

We had a fabulous time at CRT this past trip with DD, 3. Next February we are traveling again to the world and she will be 4, almost 5. This past trip was only MK, and next year's will be Epcot and HS as well. Akershus looks like a nice way to get our princess fix, but it is awfully expensive. Do you think we should just aim for a few meet and greets in Epcot, MK and call it a day, or should we book Akershus? DH likes that the lunch menu includes beer, ha ha. Thanks!

 

[DWillowBay]

We like CRT, but we LOVE Akershus! Better princess interaction, and for me the food is wonderful! I could just eat from the appetizer buffet and never need the menu items. Just my opinion, but I recommend it!

 

[kastoney]

I know I'm in the minority on this one, but we had a horrible Akershus experience. Had to wait forever to get in (in the rain to boo), food was nothing special, and while seeing the princesses is nice they can all be met inside the parks. Add in the huge price tag and its just not worth it for us. We stick to restaurants where we know we'll enjoy the food (which with the exception of Tusker House is rarely a character buffet) and see the characters in the parks.

 

[jodywgirl]

Haven't been for years since my girls are grown up but had very good food and interaction for breakfast. New also did a dinner once but didn't enjoy the food at dinner. It is cheaper than CRT.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We love Akershus. We try to go every time. We didn't like the food at CRT but do at Akershus.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We have only done breakfast at Akershus and it is one of our favorites. We actually enjoyed it so much more than CRT. We really enjoyed the food and the princesses were really great and took their time at each table and the parade was so cute for the kids. CRT, the princesses were quite rushed and we did not care for the food, especially with those prices. We always do an early breakfast, before the park opens.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For breakfast, Akershus is superior to CRT. The rest of the day, the food is kind of meh.

 

[AshleeH]

We had a bad Akershus experience, but it was because of the princesses that day (and it's a roll of the dice if you get good characters). I'm going to try it again next year with my daughter, but it will never be a must-do for each trip.

 

[lubob]

We get the dinning plan so you don't have to worry about the price for charter meet and greets. Or any other restaurants

 

[alliecat523]

The interactions are great. Some of the best in my opinion. Other than that, meh. They are always running behind (maybe because the interactions are so good) and the food is just ok.

 

[hjvigz72]

We've done both. CRT once and Akershus twice.

For us, CRT was very over rated. Food was just meh, interactions felt rushed, and certainly not really worth the 2 TS meals. (We did breakfast because that's all we could get - probably should have just paid out of pocket - live and learn.)

The first visit to Akershus we waited a bit to get in, but like mentioned above, much better interactions with the princesses. At the time, Ariel was my daughter's favorite and OMG... she was beautiful and absolutely perfect!!! The pictures we got were amazing! Second visit I forgot the camera. Food is a little different than we are used to, but we thought it was good. For me, as long as the kid is happy - I don't really care.

 

[Mrspeaks]

What is the food like for lunch? I've read it is Norwegian food and not sure if everyone in our party would like it. Thanks

 

[kastoney]

What is the food like for lunch? I've read it is Norwegian food and not sure if everyone in our party would like it. Thanks

It is Norweign with some options like "sweedish" meatballs and some smoked fish, but they have plenty of Americanized options too. Everyone picks their own entree and then some appetizers (with cheeses, meats, and aforementioned fish to a name a few) and dessert is served family style. Even picky eaters should find something they can eat.

 

[mzsarah10]

Askerus is a must do breakfast for us. My picky eaters love the buffet and enjoy the princess parade.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Akershus was by far the worst dining experience we have ever had on property. From the service, to the food, to the princesses... just bad all around. Yet that was our experience and I would never tell someone not to try it something if it looks appealing to you. So if it looks good and feels like it something you would enjoy for the $ go for it!

I will say though if you time it right there are loads of princesses around the showcase and I personally have always enjoyed those pictures more than the ones with characters and tables full of people along with plates of half eaten food all around but it does make for a quick get them all in experience.

 

[DisneyADottie]

I've been to Akershus twice, am going for a third time in May, and I totally recommend it! I went for my 16th and 17th birthday a few years ago and I felt like the character interaction was really great! I think it's better than waiting in multiple lines to meet the princesses. Also in my experience I spent more time with the princesses at Akershus then when I visit them at their meet and great locations! I am a picky eater and I enjoyed what I ate.

 

[Misha72683]

We like CRT, but we LOVE Akershus! Better princess interaction, and for me the food is wonderful! I could just eat from the appetizer buffet and never need the menu items. Just my opinion, but I recommend it!

This. We really liked Akershus and would eat there again just for the cold buffet. I still think about the smoked salmon and dill cream sauce. My boys had a great character experience there. All the princesses fussed over them.

I know I'm in the minority on this one, but we had a horrible Akershus experience. Had to wait forever to get in (in the rain to boo), food was nothing special, and while seeing the princesses is nice they can all be met inside the parks. Add in the huge price tag and its just not worth it for us. We stick to restaurants where we know we'll enjoy the food (which with the exception of Tusker House is rarely a character buffet) and see the characters in the parks.

I was actually just re-reading your Akershus review. I feel like unlike H&V where breakfast is safer, Akershus is one where lunch/dinner is a better choice. There are more individualized options (because you order from a menu) and we really liked the food, whereas breakfast just looks like your standard boring breakfast.

 

[JZCubed]

We had a fabulous time at CRT this past trip with DD, 3. Next February we are traveling again to the world and she will be 4, almost 5. This past trip was only MK, and next year's will be Epcot and HS as well. Akershus looks like a nice way to get our princess fix, but it is awfully expensive. Do you think we should just aim for a few meet and greets in Epcot, MK and call it a day, or should we book Akershus? DH likes that the lunch menu includes beer, ha ha. Thanks!

We very much enjoy CRT. The room is lovely.

Akershus is a bit more stark, but still a nice atmosphere. What makes this another 'winner' is that the interaction with the Princesses is a bit more than just coming to the table - princesses and children do a Conga-line through the restaurant. The food includes your appetizer course coming from a buffet (which keeps some children occupied).

And in the coming weeks, the new Meet-n-Greet with sisters Anna & Elsa from Frozen opens along side the newly designed boat ride through Arendelle (that was a ride formerly known as Malestrom sp?). Akershus can be incorporated into not only meeting princesses inside the restaurant, but also by utilizing a FastPass+ to meet Anna & Elsa or having an early breakfast that would allow you to beat rope drop into Epcot - giving you something extra in return for that expensive meal, depending on your personal calculus.

Also, at 5 years old, some kids reach a height to do 'adult' rides...this was about the time that princesses were no longer worth the same time commitment....but that the personal calculus of the children...my little princess will take Soarin' over utilizing a FP+ for princesses....but you can see many princesses between the soon to open attraction and existing restaurant in Norway.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We did Akershus and CRT last year, and while eating in the Castle in MK was amazing, we prefer Akershus over CRT. Its only 1 credit on the dining plan while CRT is 2 credits...my kids had a better experience with the princesses there than they did at CRT. I have 2 young boys who only do Princess meals bc mommy is a princess at heart LOL, anyways even though they are boys they still love seeing Belle in her yellow dress as the greeter. We usually do Akershus for a pre park opening ADR though so we can get in early to Epcot. We love their breakfast and my kids love the food there for breakfast. We have never eaten lunch or dinner there so I couldn't tell you about that. We have always enjoyed Akershus and its 1 of our must dos for each trip!