So This is What a Dream Tastes Like

[jenseib]

We also didn't have a great experiance at the Castle. We did the breakfast and the food was kinda blah. The only reason we did it was because we had the deluxe dining plan so we were doing one meal a day using 2 TS meals. If I had to pay OOP again for a dining experience I will pick HDDR. We thought the characters weren't that interactive as well, but I did chalk that up to it being we were two adults. For the price you pay you would THINK that they would be more attentive, and they REALLY need to change the menu. We had a better breakfast at 1900 PF than CRT and that was only 1 ts meal.

I think breakfast looks better, but I really don't want to pay tha much money for a basic breakfast either. I think we'll see how the years go (and when we go back) and if the menu changes.

Apart from your mum and dad's dessert the food at CRT looks totally different from what we had last summer. We had a later reservation and the princesses seemed rushed there too, especially since it was all adults at our table and we all got up to have our photos taken with them!

Claire looks adorable in her princess dress!

They changed the menu sometime last fall. I don't know why. It seems everyone is compalining about it, but so far they have kept it.

Jen, sorry you were disappointed in CRT. I think many of the character meals are pretty rushed any more. It just seems to be really hit or miss. What was it like having the windows covered on the back of the castle? For me, much of the appeal of CRT is the view. I'd be really disappointed without it.

Claire looks SO grown up in her Cinderella costume! Did you make it to get the photopass photos?

And did she pick the blonde hair this time or did you? You know, that pink hair from your last trip sort of grew on me!

The window had big drapes on them. Since we were not close to a windo, it wasn't so bad. But if I was next to one, I might've tried peeking to see what they had behind them.

Claire did chose the blonde hair. But we kind of talked about it before. I tolde her she could pick any style she wanted, but if she got the one with the hair, it would be nice to go with a different color this time. She said blonde would be good, and I agreed! We did make it to the photosession as well (you mean after BBB right?) They weren't as anice this time. But htere was aline up and they just took some basic ones.

 

[BellaBaby]

They were all rushed both times we ate there too. We did Akerhaus twice and first time was good, but second time they were rushed. At 1900 Park Fare last year, we did the Cinderella dinner and they were not rushed at all. In fact, we found the step mother and sisters very entertaining! Cinderella and the prince were nice as well. But I guess it's a trade off, you don't get to see several princesses there.

 

[jenseib]

They were all rushed both times we ate there too. We did Akerhaus twice and first time was good, but second time they were rushed. At 1900 Park Fare last year, we did the Cinderella dinner and they were not rushed at all. In fact, we found the step mother and sisters very entertaining! Cinderella and the prince were nice as well. But I guess it's a trade off, you don't get to see several princesses there.

I think 1900 PF dinner has always been one of the best interactions we have had in the past as well.

 

[KarBear]

Hi
I have read your trips reports before and you do a great job.
I have a couple questions for you.
1. What is "dine and play"?
2. Did they make you feel awkard about ordering more than one entree?
My husband is a big eater and usually eats his meal, finishes mine and eats my DD's.
Can you order two apps and two main meals?

Thanks
Karin

 

[KarBear]

Hi Jenn
A Few more questions
1. Can you order just plain pasta with butter from a restaurant for childern even if it is not on the menu. WOuld it be a problem?
2. I notice in your pics that your DD has a braclet on all the time. IS that for the kids club and can you explain what it is?
Thanks

 

[jenseib]

Hi
I have read your trips reports before and you do a great job.
I have a couple questions for you.
1. What is "dine and play"?
2. Did they make you feel awkard about ordering more than one entree?
My husband is a big eater and usually eats his meal, finishes mine and eats my DD's.
Can you order two apps and two main meals?

Thanks
Karin

Thanks for reading.
dine and play is when the kids get their meals fast. Usually the dessert is coming out with the adult meals and then at 9 (for late seating) the kids clubs counselors come to the front of the dining room and you sign the kids in with them and they go off to play. That way you can still enjoy your dinner.

Nope they never even blinked an eye. You can order as much as you want. As you see, one night I got 2 entrees and one night I got 3 appetizers. Order what you want.

Hi Jenn
A Few more questions
1. Can you order just plain pasta with butter from a restaurant for childern even if it is not on the menu. WOuld it be a problem?
2. I notice in your pics that your DD has a braclet on all the time. IS that for the kids club and can you explain what it is?
Thanks

I don't know for a fact about the buttered noodles, but I would say yes. Just tell them you only want noodles with butter and I'm sure they will accomadate you.
The bracelet is for the kids club. Since we only went once, I'm not sure exactly how it all works. She went with dine and play and then when I picked her up later I beleive that they scanned it to let her leave. It is waterproof and she had to wear it all the time basically. It never bothered her though. She is used to going to tractor pulling events where we wear wrist bracelets all week/weelend. I doubt it bothered any children really.

 

[Caretames1]

We have a breakfast ADR for Sept. I hope it still as good as it was last time!

Love Claires' BBB makeover. I'm still debating on this for Kadence. It all comes down to time

 

[jenseib]

We have a breakfast ADR for Sept. I hope it still as good as it was last time!

Love Claires' BBB makeover. I'm still debating on this for Kadence. It all comes down to time

The BBB was actaully kind of a more last minute decision. I booked it maybe 2 weeks or so before going. I never did tel lanyone on my PTR. I was kind of keeping it as a secret, somewhat. Claire kept asking about doing it, so I decided since she's young we should do it if she wants to.

 

[rndmr2]

Enjoying your dining review, I would love to try a Disney Cruise, and it looks like the food is really good.

The ordering more than one thing at dinner is common on all cruises, at least the ones I have been on. It's good they make the portion sizes a little smaller/manageable to be able to do that, also to fit all the courses in and not be too terribly full (especially Dessert!!)

 

[jenseib]

Enjoying your dining review, I would love to try a Disney Cruise, and it looks like the food is really good.

The ordering more than one thing at dinner is common on all cruises, at least the ones I have been on. It's good they make the portion sizes a little smaller/manageable to be able to do that, also to fit all the courses in and not be too terribly full (especially Dessert!!)

Yes, I had no problem ordering more than one thing. I know many years on the first cruise I took, I felt weird about it, but not anymore. Thats now part of the fun!

 

[jenseib]

Day 6 ~ April 4th

Breakfast today was at 1900 Park Fare. I booked this place for ONE main reason……We wanted to see Mary Poppins!
We were kind of rushing to get to the 10:45 ADR. And just so you know, if you drive there and self park, you end up across the street with a long walk. I did not know this. I would’ve valet parked if I knew how far out we had to park. But we still made it on time.
We checked in. Again, this ADR had been made for 3 people and I asked if a 4th could be added. No Problem!
We were given a pager and we walked out to the lobby.

Claire may not be looking at me, but at least Marie is!

I asked Claire to pose for me, but I got a lot of faces like this one.

Finally a nice face.

Our pager buzzed and we walked back. We got a picture of Claire taken. They have never done this at dinner at 1900 PF for us. Not sure if it’s because we have either had very early or late dinners, or because they just don’t do it at dinner? But the lady really liked her costume and took several. I jumped in for a few as well. And yes I bought it. It was really cute and then I could add them to photopass. (which should be coming any day now.

So here is the one we bought.

The photographer mentioned there was another girl in there dressed up at Mary as well. Who would’ve thought that?

We were seated …at the table right next to the other little Mary Poppins….and Claire got her autograph book ready. She was NOT here for food. She was here to see Characters.

I ran up and got Claire a plate of food. I must confess, I did not really take food pictures this day. I was too focused on getting Claire with characters, and of course being extra tired from the long trip, I kind of just plum forgot.

Claire enjoyed some ham, watermelon, bacon and a Mickey waffle.

Finally our first character arrived….Pooh Bear.

Next up was Alice. I could not get Claire to really look up for these pictures.

And then Tigger

Again, I felt like the characters were rushing through somewhat. But still it was better than CRT.

I realized I hadn’t been taking food pictures so I told Claire I wanted one of her Mickey waffle before she ate it.

Surprisingly, Claire was eating very well, and I did go up and get her more watermelon.

Then the moment we had been waiting for….Mary Poppins!!!!!

Mary talked a lot to Claire. Very good interaction. Claire would nod and smile here and there. Before Mary left, she said to us that it was a very nice conversation with Claire, though she didn’t believe Claire even said one word!

Claire was all smiles after her visit with Mary, but we still had one more visitor to come. The Mad Hatter. Claire has seen him before. She went to the Wonderland Tea Party last trip and LOVED him there, but she was a little intimidated by him this time. She said she didn’t want a picture, or if she did, someone had to be in it with her. But by the time he made it to the table, she was a little more open to him.

Ironically, this is probably the best smile she gave for all the characters.

We finished up eating, and some of the characters had even made it around for a 2nd time. We just said hi, but didn’t take more pictures.

Again, I did feel that a lot of the characters didn’t take much time. Mary was excellent though. She took a lot of time with Claire, and that was all that mattered to us.

The meal was good. Great selection of food and we all enjoyed it. I don’t seem to have this receipt anymore. I know it was under $50 with a tip for Claire and I. I do remember thinking it was cheaper than I thought it would be. It was worth every penny for us.
We then made the long trek back out to the van to start the rest of the day!

 

[LilGMom]

I've been a lurker on your TR but I have to say that your DD's Mary Poppins outfit is sooooo adorable!!! And I absolutely love her little boots! Greay TR too.

 

[BellaBaby]

We had an early dinner last year at 1900 PF and they offered the photo back then as well. OMG--Claire is TOO cute in her MP outfit!!

 

[Native NYer]

Claire looks so cute in her Mary Poppins dress!
I 1900 Park Fare. I agree that the character interaction is so much better than at CRT.

 

[jenseib]

I've been a lurker on your TR but I have to say that your DD's Mary Poppins outfit is sooooo adorable!!! And I absolutely love her little boots! Greay TR too.

Thanks. The boots were a mirical to find. Thanks to Janet, Mom2rtk, I was given a style number and then I searched and searched and searched. And finally I think I found one of the last pairs ever made.

We had an early dinner last year at 1900 PF and they offered the photo back then as well. OMG--Claire is TOO cute in her MP outfit!!

I always hear of people getting photos, but they never had it set up both times I went to dinner. Maybe they don't like me.

Claire looks so cute in her Mary Poppins dress!
I 1900 Park Fare. I agree that the character interaction is so much better than at CRT.

Thanks. Yes, we had more fun there I think. Well I did at least.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Even though Claire wasn't looking up in the pictures, they were still so good. The one with Mary Poppins and the Mad Hatter are my favorites.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks. The boots were a mirical to find. Thanks to Janet, Mom2rtk, I was given a style number and then I searched and searched and searched. And finally I think I found one of the last pairs ever made.

I think you did get the last pair! I was on the hunt at that time for the larger size and never found those. And I looked again last year to see if they came back out again,and couldn't find ANY of them. I gave up and made spats for Katie's last costume, but those took forever to get right. Don't think I'll do that again!

LOVE the photos with Mary! You will treasure those I'm sure!

You made me want to go back for this breakfast on our next trip. We've only been once and that's been a while. I think we'll do rope drop, do a few rides, pick up some fastpasses, then do the last breakfast seating at 11:15.

Claire almost looks shy in some of the character photos. Did she seem that way?

 

[Wicket's Mom]

My GDs don't care much for the Princesses so no Cinderella stuff for us. The 7yo likes Indiana Jones & Star Wars, a real big tom boy. The funny thing is that both girls dress real frilly. Their Mom makes for them some cute dresses of Disney fabric. I would love them to wear a princess outfit, maybe if I get busy I could get it made by Sept.

 

[jenseib]

Even though Claire wasn't looking up in the pictures, they were still so good. The one with Mary Poppins and the Mad Hatter are my favorites.

I liked those too. I didn't take any earth shattering wonderful pcitures like I thought I was though. It's funy some of the pictures I thought would be bad were actaully good when I put them on the computer screen, and then some that I thought were good, were really not so good.

I think you did get the last pair! I was on the hunt at that time for the larger size and never found those. And I looked again last year to see if they came back out again,and couldn't find ANY of them. I gave up and made spats for Katie's last costume, but those took forever to get right. Don't think I'll do that again!

LOVE the photos with Mary! You will treasure those I'm sure!

You made me want to go back for this breakfast on our next trip. We've only been once and that's been a while. I think we'll do rope drop, do a few rides, pick up some fastpasses, then do the last breakfast seating at 11:15.

Claire almost looks shy in some of the character photos. Did she seem that way?

I see in the quote that I totally mis spelled "Miracle". I must note, that I do know how to speel (well most words) but my typing is what messes me up! Those boots are great. But I don't think she will wear them much longer. And they were kind of a pain in the but to pull on this time. But she loves them. Thats her favorite part of the costume. After breakfast we went outside and took some more shots. Some came out good, some not so much, some were pretty decent, but she either closed her eyes or someone got in the background.

My GDs don't care much for the Princesses so no Cinderella stuff for us. The 7yo likes Indiana Jones & Star Wars, a real big tom boy. The funny thing is that both girls dress real frilly. Their Mom makes for them some cute dresses of Disney fabric. I would love them to wear a princess outfit, maybe if I get busy I could get it made by Sept.

Paige would visit some of the Princesses if we saw them along the way, but wouldn't make an effort to go see them for the most part. She also had horrible style and dressed more tom boyish too. She now says she wishes she could go back to Claires age and wear some of the stuff Claire wears.

 

[dizneeat]

OMG, Claire looks so cute in her Mary Poppins outfit. No wonder, Mary would chat her up, she's her "mini me"!

The Mad Hatter photo is really sweet - what a cute smile that girl has!

I know what a trek it is from the self parking lot to the GF! For such a hotel they should have some closer self parking.