1st Trip to Disney! Help!

[dprynces1]

This is my first time posting. I sure hope you guys can help!

So we'll be going to Disney for on 5/30/08. This will be a first time for my husband and I in addition to my 3 1/2 year old daughter and 9 year old godson (YEAH). We are all very excited to say the least.

I am such a planner by nature, but this is so overwhelming! I want to make the most out of our 5 days there without driving myself (or my family )crazy. I thought I would seek some advise !

Question 1:

Is CRT really worth the 2 table service meals?

We have the Dining Plan (1 table service meal, 1 quick service, and 1 snack per day). I have made about 5 table service dinner reservations, and was able to obtain a breakfast reservation for 4 for Cinderellas royal table. I was suprised that I got it, as I've heard that they are highly sought after. But after reading some of the reviews on Allearsnet.com, I'm a little skeptical. My daughter loves all the princesses, so I'm wondering if I should just try to get reservations @ Akerhaus or 1900 @ the Floridian?

Question 2:
Is the food at the Character dining really that terrible? I guess there are some people that dont like anything, but I've read a number of negative reviews about the food.

Question 3:
What are the best character dining experiences?

We currently have CRT, Crystal Palace, Donalds Safari Breakfast, Play and Dine @ Hollywood & Vine and Chef Mickeys. Is this too much? I want the kids to have a nice time, but I'm wondering if these are too many character experiences?

I'm sure I will have a ton more questions, but I will post later

Thanks in advance!

 

[RiversideBunny]

Just my humble opinion on Question 3, but since you have CRT and the others you may not also need Hollywood&Vine and Donald's.

You will see characters at places other than meals.

BTW- I have found that the food is good at character meals and you can pick and choose because it's a buffet.

Good luck.

 

[happymom52003]

1. CRT is worth it to some people, and not to others. You are paying for the experience more than the food. We love it. I did not care for the food at dinner there, but I loved lunch and breakfast. It is a must do on every trip for us, especially since we have a daughter.

2. I have had very few meals at Disney that I would consider bad. Sure, some meals are better than others...but this also comes down to personal taste. I think all of the ones you are going to are great.

3. I do not think that is too many character meals. The only two you have that will have some repeat characters are Donald's and Chef Mickeys. If you choose to cancel one character meal, in my opinon you should cancel Donald's. But character meals are the perfect way to spend time with the characters....it is so much better than waiting in long lines at the parks to see them (especially with a 3 1/2 year old). I say do as many character meals as you can. I can't imagine any kid getting tired of them. Our favorite character meal is the Garden Grill at Epcot, and we also really like Liberty Tree Tavern in the MK.

Have fun!!

 

[bradandsarabr]

My kids (photos in avatar above) enjoyed the character breakfasts more than anything else at WDW. They really likes Ohana because of the Ohana parade & because at the time they loved Stitch.

That said, after about three character meals, my kids were ready for PB&J sandwiches. Remember you are paying for the characters. The food is an added bonus.

So to answer your question, I think that you know the kids best & know how they will do. Years ago (pre-kids), I likes CRT & my wife hated it.

 

[charatijennings]

We've done lots of character meals over the past several years with our son. The only thing I would add to everyone else's comments is that you may be pushing yourself to have a reservation for five different meals with your family while on vacation. I did this the first or second time when my son was five and it was a struggle to visit the parks and make the dinner reservations on time in between naps, the pool, and shopping. I would keep CRT (my favorite) though it costs about $100 for three which is why people complain. We loved Crystal Palace for Pooh and friends and Chef Mickeys for the fab five. My son loved the Donald breakfast because it was the only place he got to be with Donald. If you want to cancel something, maybe the Crystal Palace since you can usually see all the Pooh characters at the County Fair in Toon Town for free and the lines aren't that long. Besides the schedule, the cost for five different character meals will run you a couple hundred dollars and you have to evaluate if it is really worth that expense. The first visit is always the most memorable.

 

[Hakunamatata]

This is my first time posting. I sure hope you guys can help!

So we'll be going to Disney for on 5/30/08. This will be a first time for my husband and I in addition to my 3 1/2 year old daughter and 9 year old godson (YEAH). We are all very excited to say the least.

I am such a planner by nature, but this is so overwhelming! I want to make the most out of our 5 days there without driving myself (or my family )crazy. I thought I would seek some advise !

Question 1:

Is CRT really worth the 2 table service meals?

We have the Dining Plan (1 table service meal, 1 quick service, and 1 snack per day). I have made about 5 table service dinner reservations, and was able to obtain a breakfast reservation for 4 for Cinderellas royal table. I was suprised that I got it, as I've heard that they are highly sought after. But after reading some of the reviews on Allearsnet.com, I'm a little skeptical. My daughter loves all the princesses, so I'm wondering if I should just try to get reservations @ Akerhaus or 1900 @ the Floridian?

Question 2:
Is the food at the Character dining really that terrible? I guess there are some people that dont like anything, but I've read a number of negative reviews about the food.

Question 3:
What are the best character dining experiences?

We currently have CRT, Crystal Palace, Donalds Safari Breakfast, Play and Dine @ Hollywood & Vine and Chef Mickeys. Is this too much? I want the kids to have a nice time, but I'm wondering if these are too many character experiences?

I'm sure I will have a ton more questions, but I will post later

Thanks in advance!

Question 1: I would say go for Akerhaus over CRT for both the characters and the fact the food is better. We have been to CRT a number of times and the food is just not all that good in my opinion. Its a nice experience, so if you go into it for the experience of eating in the castle, you should be ok.

Question 2: I think the food at Akerhaus, Chef Mickeys, and Crystal Palace is very good. Better than some of the other sit downs. Also very good is Liberty Tree Tavern.

Question 3: In my opinion:
For Princesses - Akerhaus.
For Fab Five - Chef Mickeys (with a close second Liberty Tree, but they dont have all the five).

 

[mro415]

here my opinion.

i LOVE donalds breakfast at the tusker house and the characters are in different outfits than at chef mickeys and such. good pick!!!

Chef Mickeys is great and i Would do that for the experience. great selection for breakfast.


If your children are really young and will get up and dance with the CM's at hollywood and vine breakfast than i think that it is worth it, otherwise the breakfast and lunch.. is just okay. There are a lot of selections but not my favorite.

The princess lunch and dinner at akershus has a different menu than cinderellas royal table. You might find that you and your family would rather dine inside the castle with all of the princesses with a more normal palatable breakfast. The akershus lunch/dinner.. if you check out the menu has a more acquired taste, things that might be unfamiliar for your family.

Check out the menus!

 

[smk]

We are fly by the seat of pants kinda Disney people so we have never eaten a character meal but....I wanted to say to you, have a great trip and try to relax and enjoy the experience! If you pack too much into any one day you will all pay for it the next day by being too tired or too cranky (kids). It is good to plans some things in advance but for your first visit you are going to find some things really matter more than others (at least we did on our first trip many moons ago). Have a great time and make memories, in the end that is all that matters! You can always go back, we all do as often as we can!

 

[popsicletrees]

Welcome to the boards!

I'm also putting a vote in for Liberty Tree Tavern. I went for the first time last year with three other adults. We all really enjoyed the food and it was a good character dining experience that was a lot less chaotic since the food was brought to your table.

I haven't been to Akershus since it changed to the princesses. I have always loved the food there though. My mom took my cousin there last year, and my cousin really enjoyed meeting and getting her picture with all of the princesses.

 

[dprynces1]

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much for all the input! It has helped so much!

I am going to try to relax a bit and reconsider having so many reservations. i dont want to feel rushed during our stay.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[trixie21]

Welcome to the boards!

I'm also putting a vote in for Liberty Tree Tavern. I went for the first time last year with three other adults. We all really enjoyed the food and it was a good character dining experience that was a lot less chaotic since the food was brought to your table.

I haven't been to Akershus since it changed to the princesses. I have always loved the food there though. My mom took my cousin there last year, and my cousin really enjoyed meeting and getting her picture with all of the princesses.

All of everyone's opinion is great but I have a question. I have one boy and one girl. I would like to do 1 character dining but don't want to do just princess as my son won't be thrilled (he is the eldest). Any suggestions to please both (5 & 7 yrs)

 

[mickeypal1]

Chef Mickey's is always a good time with the fab five...and I hear the breakfest at the Beach Club is very good also...

 

[MaxsDad]

All of everyone's opinion is great but I have a question. I have one boy and one girl. I would like to do 1 character dining but don't want to do just princess as my son won't be thrilled (he is the eldest). Any suggestions to please both (5 & 7 yrs)

Crystal Palace has great food, esp. breakfast, and the Pooh family of characters appeal to both genders.

I haven't been to the others(Chef Mickey's, Donald's, etc.) but it seems they are well received, and the characters are not princesses.

 

[Hakunamatata]

All of everyone's opinion is great but I have a question. I have one boy and one girl. I would like to do 1 character dining but don't want to do just princess as my son won't be thrilled (he is the eldest). Any suggestions to please both (5 & 7 yrs)

1900 Park Fair. Has a mix of Mary Poppins, Alice and the Hatter, and Tigger and Pooh I think. Its been a while since we have been there.

 

[erstwo]

Crt

I've never been to CRT, but I have been told by several people (correct me if I'm wrong guys!) that you should only go for Breakfast or Lunch.

I've been told you only get the Fairygodmother at dinner (and maybe if you are very lucky you'll see Cinderella.)

 

[MaxsDad]

Thanks so much for all the input! It has helped so much!

I am going to try to relax a bit and reconsider having so many reservations. i dont want to feel rushed during our stay.

Thanks a bunch!

Relax. Absolutely! And yes, Don't feel rushed. But...

You want to have at least as many reservations as your Table Service Credits will cover. If you cancel them, and don't make others to replace them, you could end up having to search around for a place to eat. The idea of not being able to use TS credits I have already paid for would disturb me personally.

You should check the cancellation/no-show policies of the reservations you made. I believe CRT has a cancellation penalty, but I am unsure of the rest. If there is no penalty (you didn't give a Credit Card), I wouldn't cancel until I knew for sure that I wasn't going.

As for the Character meals I've been to, I would recommend CRT and Crystal Palace without hesitation to any Parent of a 3-4 yr old girl. CRT will be a memory you will not soon forget.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I've never been to CRT, but I have been told by several people (correct me if I'm wrong guys!) that you should only go for Breakfast or Lunch.

I've been told you only get the Fairygodmother at dinner (and maybe if you are very lucky you'll see Cinderella.)

I would tend to agree with that statement.

 

[MaxsDad]

I've never been to CRT, but I have been told by several people (correct me if I'm wrong guys!) that you should only go for Breakfast or Lunch.

I've been told you only get the Fairygodmother at dinner (and maybe if you are very lucky you'll see Cinderella.)

Everyone now sees Cinderella on the way in for a photo op, which is included.

 

[MaeMaesMagic]

I booked 4 character meals & 1 dinner show for our 7 days stay and for us it was fine!!

best meals were donalds & ohana
worst was chip & dale @ garden grill (xtra loud & food medium)
CRT was fun 1st time experience!!


over all i planned like crazy and think we got a great experience from it :king:

 

[daliseurat]

1. CRT is not worth 2 credits. Not by a long shot. The food is mediocre. It IS a cool environment, but your son probably won't like it, and your three year old might not remember it in a couple years. I also NEVER do character breakfasts as I don't think they are a very good value for the food you get, and they take up time that is better spent in the parks. Morning is the least busy time. I recommend going for ASKERHAUS highly. We did lunch. The food was really good, and you got to meet all the princesses. And it still has that CASTLE atmosphere.

2. The food is not 5 star at character dining, but it is generally pretty good. Chef Mickey's has something for everyone. Askerhaus is good, and the rest are mixed. It's the characters you're there for, so the food isn't going to be as good as you are paying for. But it's not terrible.

3. I think you have too many character meals. Your kids are likely to get tired of them, and you will definitely be sick of them. Some people can't get enough, but I'm not one of them. You should really talk to your godson about it. He's the one who will get tired of it first. And you would have much more interesting dining experiences if you eat somewhere other than character meals. I recommend BOMA highly. I would stick with two character meals. One Princess, one Fab Five.

Try to relax. You can't do it all. You'll have a wonderful time and want to plan your next visit right away! Enjoy!