What to expect at Cindy's?

[donald...really]

Taking my whole family, including my 1 and 3 year old nieces to the World in October. It will be my nieces first trip. Now that I have succesfully made a PS for Cinderella's Royal Table, what should I expect? Where do you go to get into the park before it opens? What do I need to have with me? What characters are there? What do they serve and how is the food? They said they couldn't seat us at one table, but will try to sit us close together at 2. Will that still be enjoyable? What is the atmosphere like. The family doesn't know about the PS yet. I told them about the restaurant and they were very excited, and then a few weeks later I pretended I couldn't get the PS. Any advice on how to get them to the park that early (we have an 8:20 PS) without spilling the surprise, or should I just tell them that morning? Any tips or anything else you Cindy experts would like to share?

I want to be prepared and am looking forward to the experience.

Thanks.

 

[msteddom]

Hi Donald!
I just did Cindy's for the first time a few weeks ago, so let's see if I can't answer some of your questions!

1. Expect to have a wonderful time!

2. To get in to the park bofore it opens head to the left side of the gate. There will be a Cast Member there asking if you have a PS. We were not asked for our name or conf. number, but have both ready just in case. Then enjoy your walk down an empty Main St.

3. When you reach the castle go through to the back, you will see the check in desk on the right. The hostess will give you your "invitiation" and ask you go proceed upstairs. At the top of the stairs another hostess will ask you for your "invitation" and lead you to your table.

4. We were also seated at two tables right next to eachother. It worked out really well for us, we were a party of 7 seated at two large tables for 4, but I really think they could have each seated 6. We enjoyed having the extra room, and it was musch easier for the kids to slide out of the booths on one end to meet the princesses having 2 tables. We were had a corner table, which some might have been unhappy with, but we liked the extra privacy it afforded.

5. At out breakfast we saw Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Belle and Mary Poppins, this seems to be the standard line up, but I have heard that it can change.

6. We took a cab to the Magic Kingdom that morning as we were running a bit late. It was well worth the $10 or so. I also told all of the adults and older children what we were doing, so I wouldn't have any battles on waking up. We did leave it as a suprise for the 5 yo, and we only told her when we were in sight of the castle.


Hope this helps. We had a wonderful time, and I hope you will too!


Melissa

 

[cjb-nc]

We went once, while staying at the boardwalk. We arrived at the transportation and ticket center and showed our park passes and PS reservation to get onto the monorail. They let us walk through the park to the castle, and even got to stop along the way to take photos of the deserted main street. I think if you just quietly bring the PS with you, you can probably get everyone to the gate before letting them know why you are there so early.

There were 4 princesses there: Snow White, Jasmine, Aurora and Cinderella. I think Alladin was wandering around as well. Breakfast was a plate full of assorted goodies. I'm afraid I can't recall exactly what, and we went without kids so I don't know what the kids get. It was all very good anyway.

 

[frannn]

invited them to the castle for breakfast that morning. I would be sure to have your autograph books, fat pens, cameras, and plenty of film ready. Make sure your camera batteries are fresh. You might want to have your niece's parents pack their disney princess costumes if they have any. If I remember correctly, eggs, sausage, and french toast was served. The kids (under 3 are free) get french toast sticks. I also had juice and coffee. Be sure to enjoy Fantasyland right after breakfast- that is the least crowded time of the day! BTW, if there are any birthdays in your party, I would mention it when you check in. We went to celebrate dd1's birthday, and they sprinkled confetti on the table and gave her a cute certificate!

 

[donald...really]

Thanks so much for all of the information! I am always so touched that people take the time to respond to my questions.

Yes, my niece has already made it very clear that she will be wearing her Cinderella dress for most of the trip, so it is on the to be packed list. And my brother (her father) asked if there was anything that they do special at WDW for birthdays because my youngest niece will have just turned one days before the trip, so I will mention her birthday upon check in.

I figured out how I will keep the surprise until we are at the gates. I will just tell them the parks open at 8:00. We are the Disney experts and they will never know the difference until we will be at the gates. I am very excited.

Thanks again.
Donald

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Hi Donald!

We did Cindy's this past November & it worked exactly as msteddom says! She gave excellent step-by-step instructions! We were off-site (using up free travel nights) and our hotel had a bus heading to Disney prior to opening. From TTC we took the monorail to MK. We had also been instructed to head to the left line, though we had some trouble finding it with MANY people milling about - it was separate from the other lines. They checked our PS name off of a list. We had our PS # just in case, but didn't need it. Walking through the park before opening is just fabulous - talk about great kodak moments! Half of our party, coming from a different resort, rode one of those Main Street vehicles to the castle. We walked & took pictures!

After checking in with the reservation desk, we waited for quite some time (about half an hour) before being taken upstairs to the dining room. But the Fairy Godmother was there for pictures, so the kids didn't mind.

We also had a large party - 9 people - and we were placed at 2 adjoining tables with banquettes, against the wall. It was fine. We were as close as if it was one large table - though easier for the kids to slip out for photos. Everyone loved the food. We started with fresh fruit, baskets of breads (my DS discovered the joys of real croissants), then they brought plated meals. My DS only remembers eggs on the kids plate - that's it - because he confiscated my sausage, in addition to stuffing himself with croissants. But I know there were other items. I remember my nephew had seconds on the eggs.

The adult plate was different from the kids. Wait until you taste the french toast - I'd return just for that - and no one else in the World seems to have it. It's stuffed with a sweetened cream cheese & topped with blueberries. I'd return just for that!!! They also had very interesting cheesy breakfast potatoes. Not a breakfast for dieters, but who cares on vacation!

We also saw Cinderella, Mary Poppins (the most fun), Snow White, Aurora & Belle. There was plenty of interaction with the princesses - in fact I would have rather spent more time eating (I am probably the only female who prefers Pooh to princesses). But we had the most extraordinary waiter. He perfectly portrayed the regal yet bored butler - and never broke character! My DS & nephew, both 9, LOVED him. I'm just sorry I didn't get his name - I would have sent a letter to Disney complimenting his excellent work.

We had a wonderful time - even the boys want to return. I hope you have an excellent time as well.

Jessica

 

[daisy112878]

Definitly tell them it is your nieces birthday. My niece turned four in Dec while we were there. We went to CRT and they decorated the table for her. They also sang happy birthday and gave her a certificate and a cupcake. Some of the princesses actually sang to her too.

You'll love walking down main street empty and get there a little early so you can take some pictures on main street. In December we saw Cindy, Mary Poppins, Belle, Snow White and Auora and the fairy godmother was in the lobby.

I think the food is good. When you first get there you'll get some breads. The blueberry muffins are really good. Then you'll get your pre-plated food which is eggs, bacon, sausage, and something else. Ours was hot and good.

Do make sure your camera is ready at all times. The princesses actually have a way of going around the room. And you'll get to see each one. My niece is very much the drama queen and loves to talk. The princesses really talked to her and stuff. It was great.
Enjoy yourselves.

 

[StuartMI]

MMMmmmmmmm. Stuffed french toaaaaaaaaaast! I can taste it now!

 

[gogiant]

The interiors are beautiful and the waiters' costumes are exquisite. They will call you "my lady" and stuff like that. Keep your camera on and ready the whole time and sit opposite the child you want to take the picture of. Bring pen and paper for autographs and the fairy godmother will be in the lobby in her chair when you leave (so don't put the camera away yet). The food was not very good - it started out good with juice, coffee, fuit cup and a basket of pastires, but the hot foods were lousy. Scrambled eggs lukewarm, this cheesy potato thing, bacon and sausage and a cheese danish which they make into french toast. But you don't go there for the food - you go for the magic of which there is plenty of!

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Here's my idea about how to get them there. Tell them it's an early opening day or something and that the park opening is really neat and you want them there to see it. The park opening is really awesome, so you can catch that at some other time - but that might be a good excuse to get them there early.

God bless!
Mark