To castle or not to castle...?

[Andrea from PA]

We did Lunch at the castle in 2005 & will be doing again this trip.

We LOVED the food! And that says a lot since we have 2 boys who did not want to see princess.

My oldest DS & I loved the Salmon.

The atmosphere was beautiful! We thought the characters were very attentive & spent more time than we expected. I guess it just depends on expectations...

 

[solferino]

DD turns 9 during our trip in January. We've never eaten in the castle and I've decided that we'll do it for her birthday just to say we've tried it. None of the dinner food on the menu appeals to me, so we'll do lunch. I doubt we'll go back, unless we're bowled over with enthusiasm. But I think it's one of those things I'd like to say we've at least tried.

 

[Lewanc]

Hello Everyone -- In my opinion, regardless of cost, menu options, etc. everyone with a "darling little princess", wife or sweetheart that loves the "magic" of Disney, should experience at least one trip to Cinderella's Royal Table . Of all the dining opportunities at Disney, castle dining, in my opinion, is a must (maybe it's just the thought of actually being in the castle). After all, the castle is the most recognized sign of being in the "World", of course, other than meeting or seeing the "Mouse" up close and personal .

Happy Dining.

 

[ashleypmo]

We've done CRT breakfast 2X and loved it both times. Most of the food is basic, but if they still serve the stuffed french toast--well, it's always a good thing when you can get away with eating cheesecake for breakfast, that's all I'm saying!

We found all the princesses attentive at CRT. DS3 hid under the table ("I'm only coming out for Cinderella!") most of the morning, and several of the CMs squatted down so that I could get pics of him under the table with them behind him. Practically every princess was there (except Ariel. It's a fin thing, you know).

We'll be going back to CRT w/ DD4 in May2008. I thought we'd save the $$ and just take me, DM, DD4, & DS2, and DH could go do rides w/ DD12 and DS8, who've both been to the castle before, but DH wants to be there for DD4's castle experience. Whoodathunk?

 

[futreWDI]

hey, you will probably get good food and have a good time but i just want to be completely honest, if you are doing this for a DD3 so that she will have the memories it is pointless. she will probably enjoy eating in cinderella's home when she is there but 10 yrs from now she won't remember it.

i am only saying this because my first trip to WDW, i was 4 and yes we have tons and tons of pictures but my only memory of my trip was riding the dumbo ride with my father. i do not know why this is my memory but that is it and we were there for 4 days and went on a 3 day disney cruise (then it was a big red boat cruise). so yea, she may have fun and remember it a couple years but long term, it probably won't happen.

i am not saying that you shouldn't do it, i am just making sure that the memory and experience of eating in the castle is not the only reason you are doing this.

erin

 

[Nwfdrool]

We could only get an ADR for dinner at CRT. From what I understand, none of the princesses will be there, only the Fairy Godmother. My 3yr old DD is ALL about the princesses. We really haven't let her watch much of the Disney movies since many of them have scary parts (she can be sensitive), but she does know who many of the princesses are. So, needless to say, she doesn't really know of the Fairy Godmother. Anyhoo, which characters show up for the following? How is the atmosphere? Food?

Princess meal at Norway
CRT for breakfast/lunch
CRT for dinner
1900 Park Faire

Any others with princesses???? I would love to get that "castle" experience, but want DD to have the experience as well.

 

[HLAuburn]

Thank you all for the responses. We decided to go ahead and do the CRT breakfast we have booked. Honestly, DH really wants to go! This won't be the one and only time DD will have a chance to go to CRT, so even if she's only 3 and won't remember, I don't think that's a reason not to go.

We could only get an ADR for dinner at CRT. From what I understand, none of the princesses will be there, only the Fairy Godmother. My 3yr old DD is ALL about the princesses. We really haven't let her watch much of the Disney movies since many of them have scary parts (she can be sensitive), but she does know who many of the princesses are. So, needless to say, she doesn't really know of the Fairy Godmother. Anyhoo, which characters show up for the following? How is the atmosphere? Food?

Princess meal at Norway
CRT for breakfast/lunch
CRT for dinner
1900 Park Faire

Any others with princesses???? I would love to get that "castle" experience, but want DD to have the experience as well.

As for other princess meals, a lot of people say that Norway has the best interaction. If DD was really nto princesses, I think we would do that. We aren't at all interested in the food and DD isn't quite that into princesses yet, but I think it would be a good choice for your DD since she loves princesses.

 

[carrieannie]

We did CRT for breakfast last Sept, with 2 boys 8&13 1 girl 3,,The food was great! The atmosphere was great! ITS THE CASTLE!!! My DH laughed at me because I just had to pee in the ladies room before we left just so I could say I "went" in the castle We are going back this Sept for lunch,, Carrie

 

[carrieannie]

P.S Jeepgirl30,,,,I`m a jeep girl also!!!( 40 not 30 though) Its a jeep thing!

 

[LISAMWDW]

I'm a jeep girl too!

 

[MommySiobhan]

We ate there last year for dinner and the experience was great for our princess lover aged 5. It was a really neat atmosphere and I loved the picture opportunity beforehand.

However, wasn't overly impressed with the menu and it's one I did not opt back to this year, even with my princess fanatic.

I did make ressies at Akershus & 1900 park faire to substitute. These are both new for us, so I hope they work as well!

We also paid OOP for CRT last year as I did not want to use the 2 TS.

 

[Mom2Evie]

I added this to my original post, too...


Thanks for your responses so far...I wanted to add that Norway isn't really an option for us. It sounds like a great princess experience, but since DD isn't quite "there" yet w/ the princess obsession, I think we'll wait a year or so on that. CRT would really be for the "castle experience" and the atmosphere only (not the princesses as much) - that's why we would be going this time around.

We took our daughter to Cinderella's castle at 4 years old (April 2006). We also did both the Breakfast (April 2007), dinner (April 2006) at Akerhaus in Epcot and the 1900 Park Fare dinner (April 2007). All are really great experiences, since Disney really knows how to make it an event and not just a meal. The castle, however, is really something to behold. We found the princesses very attentive in all locations. My daughter was just smitten with meeting Cinderella AT THE CASTLE. The interior is just beautiful and there's a little bit of magic that happens once you're there. Those reservations are practically impossible to get, so I'd hang onto them if I were you.
We managed to get reservations to CRT for our upcoming September trip. Unlike last time, we're going to pay for the dinner instead of using two dining plan meals. That is the only think I wish I'd done differently in 2006.