Help with Princess meal!

[Chrissykees]

So, you know I have two boys and thus have never been to a Princess meal.... BUT, I am going to WDW this fall with a sweet girl and I need to make this one, and probably only, Princess character meal the BEST! So, please give me your feedback! We are not doing Park Hopper tickets, so I may be limited that way.


My choices, I think, are 1900 Park Fare, Akershus and Cinderella's Royal Table? Seems like there are more characters at Akershus? But two dining credits for CRT??? What about the atmosphere at CRT? Do I just have to bite the bullet and go there because it is the castle?

And please let me know which meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) you feel is the best, too!

Thank you so much!!

[Marymouse2003]

Haven't been to the world since '08, but we ALWAYS did crt for brkfst. Awesome characters and well, it's the castle too. I'm sure some1 will chime in after me with more updated news. oh, we weren't on meal plan either. By the way, to Intercot. You've come to the right place. Enjoy!!

[AgentC]

to Intercot.

I have done both 1900 Park Fare and Akershus with my daughter who is currently 4. I have done Akershus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have not done CRT yet simply for two reasons- it is significantly more expensive and since we do not use the dining plan I would have to pay in advance. I don't mind making ADRs but really dislike the idea of paying months in advance for a meal. It is on our list to eventually do, but it is not a huge priority.

I'm sure someone will be able to give you more information on whether they think CRT is worth it. I can tell you my daughter has never minded going to Akershus instead. It may be different with an older child who really wants to eat in the Castle.

If your goal is to meet a lot of princesses, I would eliminate 1900 Park Fare. The only princess is Cinderella. Her prince and the step sisters also attend. I thought the step sister interaction was better than Cinderella and the prince, though Cinderella and the prince do dance with the guests.

At Akershus the guests meet with Belle and have a picture taken with her (included in the price). She does not come around to the tables. At CRT the photo is with Cinderella. At Akershus, four princesses will come to the tables. It can be any assortment. Sleeping Beauty is usually always there. You can also get Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Mulan, Jasmine or Mary Poppins. Our our visits we have always had Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and Snow White. The fourth has been Jasmine or Mulan. Every time we have gone the character interaction has been excellent and there is a parade the children can participate in.

Akershus is a nice meal and has the cold buffet in addition to the plated service. Meal wise I prefer breakfast or lunch. Early breakfast gets you in the park before it opens which is cool. Lunch can be a better value than dinner because the menu is similar but the cost is less.

You will have a great time no matter which you choose.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We've done all three.

DD's favourite has always been Akershus, and even know (at 14) she requests it as part of our Disney trip.

1900 Park Fare is great, we love it, but there is just Cinderella. The Stepsisters are great fun, as is Lady Tremaine, but it isn't really a "princess" meal.

CRT is fine. We find it rushed and crowded.

Akershus has been the winner for us, it is a beautiful restaurant, the food is good (we love the breakfast potato/cheese thing), you meet a good number of princesses, and we've never felt rushed at all.

[BuffaloJason]

We did Akershus and CRT with my daughters (4 and 1) earlier this month. I've been to CRT several times, first time at Akershus since it became princess dinning. CRT is definitely a special experience and if you want to dine in the castle there is obviously no substitute. That said, if eating inside the castle isn't a must, I think Akershus is a better experience in every respect. Its less expensive, easier to get a reservation, the food is better, more plentiful and more varied, the service is better, and the princesses spend more time at each table. At our most recent CRT experience, we had to hang around for over 30 minutes after we finished our meal before the first princess made it to our table... easier said than done with a 1 year old. One thing I definitely wouldn't do again is both in one trip. Akershus and CRT are very much the same experience, Akershus just being a better version in IMO; CRT having the advantage of being inside the castle.

[BuffaloJason]

One other thought that came to mind along this subject... once princess fairytale hall opens and with princess meet and greets abounding all over the resort, do you suppose they will ever phase out the "princess dinning" phenomenon? At one time it was the only way to meet all the princesses in one place but its not going to be necessary for that anymore. It keeps restaurants booked 100% of the time but that doesn't seem to be an issue really either in this day of ubiquitous dinning plan.

[Cass&KenziesMom]

We loved both 1900 Park and Akershus. However Akershus will give you more Princess bang for your buck. We got to meet Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel.

[DizNut42]

We've done CRT twice, '03 and '11. In '03 reservations were very difficult for a party of 8. Started trying at the first booking window and did not get anything until three days prior to the start of the trip. Food choice was meh, but princesses were good. Very crowded and somewhat rushed.

'11 was much better. Having to pay up front, made geting reservations much easier, got them at the 180 day window and was able to change them later on. Since we had a party of seven, it included two pictures with Cinderella; she was terrific! The food was much better. Still a bit crowded but not rushed. Belle and Snow White were so-so, seemed like they did not want to be there. Ariel and Aurora were fantastic! Aurora spent some extra time with us as DGD6 was dressed up as Aurora (her favorite Princess) and they posed for lots of pics. Definitely a great experience for her.

After reading about the Akershaus, we will definitely give that at try, but I think you have to do CRT at least once to eat in the castle...

[Chrissykees]

Thank you all so much! This information is so great! Is Cinderella basically a sure thing at Akershus or not?

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

Cinderella isn't guaranteed (they say that no princess are guaranteed), but we've seen her every time we've been - so it is a good bet.

But, if Cinderella is a must at the meal, then CRT or 1900 Park Fare are better bets.

[Dulcee]

We did both Akr and CRT this December and enjoyed CRT so much more. Both were breakfast reservations and we just didn't care for Norway's food selection. I also think the atmosphere in CRT is hard to beat. Depending upon the age of your child the "show" in CRT that the kids participate seemed more accessible and what little girl doesn't love receiving a wand at breakfast?

[Chrissykees]

Thank you, so much, friends! Life savers, all of you!!