The "Castle" experience

[mom2grace]

Is dining in the castle worth it for the experience of "dining in the castle"??? Ignoring all of the other debates, is it just really cool to eat in the castle?

Is this the only way to go "up" in the castle?

 

[luvmyfam444]

YES YES YES! It really is beautiful in the castle. The view is nice of the park - we were near the window. And of course the food & princesses is worth it.
DD#2 is still talking about eating there back in May ---she doesnt mention eating at CP or Ohan's or WCC or Liberty Tavern --just the castle...which is why it's worth every moment to us & we'll surely go again!

 

[Puffy2]

Yes it was kind of neat, but have you seen the price increase for these meals? All adult meals are over $30.00 including the breakfast. For that, it's a rip off. Chrystal Palace was just as good food wise (with more variety) and a lot of fun too ( the best reservation is the first one - 8 am - because you will get better character interaction)

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yes, I think you *need* to eat in the castle at least once. Do breakfast, as it is a bit cheaper. The characters are only there for breakfast and lunch. The food is nothing to rave about, but it was good. You really are paying to eat inside the castle, I think.

I agree with the poster who mention CP. I love that place. Great value and great character interaction.

We have only done the castle one time but that was a few years ago, so I am sure we will do it on our next trip (if we can get an ADR, that is!)

 

[LiteBrite]

We had dinner in the castle early in October. It was the first time in all our many trips to WDW we had ever set foot in the place - free dining got us in the door.

It was attractive in there, and certainly there was an element of fun involved in just being allowed up into the "inner sanctum", but (and I know this isn't what you were asking), to me it's just not worth the new price structure. Even though the setting was pretty, the service was rushed and only so-so, and the food was good, but not nearly *that* good.

If money's not an object, go ahead and go - the atmosphere is cool, and you'll enjoy having experienced it. If money is an object, you can live without it.

 

[phyllis1966]

If money's not an object, go ahead and go - the atmosphere is cool, and you'll enjoy having experienced it. If money is an object, you can live without it.

I agree with this statement. We had breakfast in the castle last November, and we really enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and the view (and I personally liked being addressed as "M'lady" ). That being said, with the $10 price increase for breakfast (up to $32.99 for adults and $22.99 for my DD(6) who will pick at her food because of the characters), I probably would have skipped it for my next trip, but DH wants to go back!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We did it once for lunch. And my dh picked it out. He said he wanted to be the king for his b day and eat in a castle. It was nice to see what was in there but it was really expensive and we had a horrible view, we were a family of 5 and my view was looking at the elevator door. I dont think I would ever do it again unless it was a special occasion. They also seemed to rush us in and out etc.

 

[Noah122898]

We ate there for dinner and the castle atmosphere was nice but not spectacular. The food and service were mediocre. I was really looking forward to eating here but it was a disapointment! No need to return for us.

 

[lisamomof3]

We were there in 2004. I was all excited because I got the ressie the first time I called for 8:05 am. I don't know if I was expecting more, but it wasn't the best meal we had. The princesses seemed rushed, although we really liked Mary Poppins. The food wasn't all that great, and the room seemed dark and crowded. The best part was talking with The Fairy Godmother after our breakfast. I felt she was the best part of the morning. She really gave lots of attention to each of our daughters and gave me some inside tips. It was neat to see the inside of the Castle, but I wouldn't pay the new price or use 2 TS credits to eat there again.

 

[scrump]

The food is good (not great) and keep in mind it is theme park pricing, but all in all, worth it to go at least once, if budget is not a concern.

However, I'd try and go before the new prices take effect. I'm a fan of eating in the castle, but not at those prices.

 

[goofy4tink]

WE have had...two breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner there. The lunch and dinner were both wonderful. The breakfasts were okay. We loved the atmosphere there. And dd wanted to have her 13th birthday lunch there in '06. But that's not going to happen now. She isn't a huge eater and it would be a complete waste of money to go there. She has extremely simple taste in food. Nothing she would want on the menu anymore. So, looks like we won't be eating in the Castle anymore. If they had an open menu, it would be different. I wouldn't even mind paying the price if she could get a cheeseburger but that isn't an option.

 

[lovmy2girls]

I think it is a must to try at least once !!
It is one of those things you have to try it for yourself to know. Everyone is different.

It's the Castle !

 

[twojo21]

with the new pricing & prepay im not sure if we'll be eating there every trip like in the past. but its a worthwhile experience it least once to be in the castle & yes dining at cinderellas royal table is the only way to go up in the castle.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Is dining in the castle worth it for the experience of "dining in the castle"??? Ignoring all of the other debates, is it just really cool to eat in the castle?

Is this the only way to go "up" in the castle?

Yes, Yes and Yes! It's a must do at least once!

 

[phisigprincess]

I am so in for my birthday next year!! But I wanted to agree with the PPs who said the CP is a great place too. We had a wonderful experience there. If you don't want to do CRT, I'd opt for the CP.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Breakfast in the castle was never cheap, but it was worth the price under the old pricing structure. We won't pay $150 for breakfast for our family of 5 to eat there in the future under the new pricing structure. The food is decent (but not great) and the atmosphere is pretty cool.....but the princesses come and go pretty quickly and the experience just doesn't justify the new price for us. Of course that is easy to say since we've eaten there already. Maybe.....maybe......I could see someone who has never been doing a meal there once, but I doubt they'd ever be compelled to spend that kind of money a second time.

CRT used to be a pretty decent meal in a nice atmosphere that we were willing to do again and again. I suspect it will become a been there, done that, won't spend that kind of money again kind of place come February 1.

 

[CinRell]

A completely different take on the food....
We were on the dining plan (we paid for it but still saved us a BUNDLE).. and ate in the castle at 9:15 p.m. this september. We were there during wishes. THere were only about. .maybe.. 5 other families there. CM was GREAT. they dimmed the lights and piped in Wishes and the entire restraunt lit up. On the food? It honestly, in my opinion and maybe it was because they were so slow and we were NOT rushed at ALL nor were they.. was the best meal I had while at WDW and we ate at all of "the" places to eat.

 

[DisFlan]

We (4 adults) ate dinner last week prior to MNSSHP. (We had the DDE discount.) The food and service were both good, but not great. The dinner menu offerings are quite limited in number, and I felt it was overpriced for what we got. I had the lamb shank. It was good, but the lamb at Marrakesh is better. We really didn't find it a "fun" place to eat.

The castle is one of those "you ought to do it at least once" type restaurants, just for the experience. The cost is mostly for the location. I'm not in any big hurry to go back.

DisFlan

 

[Mulan'sMom]

We ate at CRT for lunch and it was my least favorite meal at Disney. Service was rushed, the food was lousy, but we are there for DD5 to meet Cinderella, so on that count it was a success. We had a MUCH better experience at the Princess Storybook Breakfast at Epcot. The food was great, as was the princess interaction, and we could have sat there all day if we had wanted. If you need to meet Cindy, do the Castle. If not, do the Princess Breakfast.

 

[egoldber]

My DD4 STILL talks excitedly about having breakfast in the castle with the princesses and its been a year since we did it. We're doing it again in a few weeks, and I'm honestly not sure when we'll do it again given the new pricing. I'm glad we had the chance to do it before the price increase.

But honestly, if the money will not be a hardship, I think the castle experience is worth it at least once.