Is a CRT dinner a mistake?

[Birdie757]

We were very pleased with having dinner for my daughter's birthday at CRT. I am aware that the characters aren't around and that is ok. The menu looks great and everyone has already picked out what they plan on ordering...lol. We are having a special cake ordered for the dinner and my daughter will be fully decked out in her princess gear...she will be 4.

Someone today who just returned from a trip last week said that we should change our reservation because it was a horrible disaster. They said it was the worst service they have ever had on property, it was overly crowded and sweaty, and that the food was horrible.

I wouldn't usually let one report get to me but my daughter is so excited and looking forward to this meal and if I should change I want to do it now while I still might have a chance of going somewhere else. Has anyone been recently and experienced something similar for dinner?

Thanks!

 

[corey154]

I wouldn't change your ressie if your daughter is really excited about trying it. I've read so much good about it...maybe your friends were just there on a bad day. As far as the food, I've never eaten there but from what I understand you're more there for the atmosphere than the food. Hopefully someone else that has been there recently can help you out better than me! Good luck!

 

[nolatron]

Stick it out and try it for yourself. You might really enjoy it.

 

[njDizFan]

I had dinner there last December and I thought it was just okay. The food was average and the service was kinda slow. Our server was trying really hard and was running around like crazy trying to help us but he was just swamped with other tables. The food came out and it was certainly not up to signature dining quality. As you know it is also quite pricey, for that you get 2 minutes with Cinderella downstairs for a picture(2-5X7's and 8X10), a sword or magic wand and a dinner show with fairie godmother.

On a positive note the experience of being in the castle alone might be worth it. I wouldn't neccesarily change my rezzies but from what I heard breakfast there is a better experience, although almost impossible to get.

Enjoy yourself but don't expect first class dining and a whole lot of character interaction. I'm glad I did it that once but wouldnt go ther again for dinner.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

I also vote for you to keep the reservation. I personally have never been there so I can't comment on the food/service. If your number one reason for going there is for your daughter to have a magical birthday, then you should defintely go. A four year old will not notice if the food is bad or if the service is slow. As long as you guys stay happy and positive even if things aren't going so great, she is sure to have the best birthday ever

Oh, and I believe there are characters on hand for dinner. My friend recently went there for dinner on her birthday (she's a bit older than your daughter, 27) She met Cinderella on her way in- they had a meet and greet set up, and then the Fairy Godmother was present for dinner. My friend had on a birthday button and the waitress brought her out a cupcake with a candle and the Fairy Godmother sang happy birthday to her! She had an awesome time and had no complaints about either the food or the service.

Have fun!

 

[coltow]

WHAT? I think the service there is top notch. We just ate there for dinner on 9/8. Our server was the best server we ever had on property. I got Prime Rib and Dh got Pork Chops. They were good, wouldn't say great. There's just something so special about eating there. I have 2 boys and they had a great time and good food too.

 

[Phonedave]

I don't think it's worth it. However I would keep your reservation. It's all about the kids.

The food is generic slab of prime rib and a potato fare - It's Sizzler in a Castle.

You may come out of it saying to yourself "what did I spend all that money on?" and then you will look at your kids face and understand.

However, i would not go there expecting a great meal. Edible food yes, but nothing thats going to be memorable as far as food is concerned.

-dave

 

[Birdie757]

Thanks for all your input! I will definitely be keeping the reservation. Every time we have been to Disney my dd has wanted to go inside the castle and we can't even walk through due to a stage set up or something. She also "thinks" that Cinderella has invited her there for her birthday. I am hoping with the special personalized cake and the little bit of attention she will get for it being a special day we will forget about the money we spent 3 months earlier paying for it. Besides, her kids chicken fingers will taste the same no matter where we eat, right?

 

[Phonedave]

Thanks for all your input! I will definitely be keeping the reservation. Every time we have been to Disney my dd has wanted to go inside the castle and we can't even walk through due to a stage set up or something. She also "thinks" that Cinderella has invited her there for her birthday. I am hoping with the special personalized cake and the little bit of attention she will get for it being a special day we will forget about the money we spent 3 months earlier paying for it. Besides, her kids chicken fingers will taste the same no matter where we eat, right?

If she is that worked up over it, then its a must do.

I can't begin to count the amount of coin I have dropped to do things that were special to my kids, and to me were way overpriced.

And before this thread heads South. No, its not because they begged or pleaded. If I say no to somthing, there is no argument. But I end up saying yes quite a bit because I like to see the big smiles on my kids faces, and the big hugs and "thank you Dad". All too soon they will be teenagers, then nothing I do will please them

-dave

 

[WDW 3]

We had lunch and thought the service was great, the food was great and the princesses we great! Our server recommended something not on the menu for dd because he was able to get it and it was a hit. Each Princess stopped at each table, we have pics of dd with Jasmine, Snow, Belle & Aurora. Snow White was kind enough to insist that I was in the picture too. She was so nice about it saying something like "me taking all the photos and not being in any". Sweet!

 

[corey154]

if she is that worked up over it, then its a must do.

I can't begin to count the amount of coin i have dropped to do things that were special to my kids, and to me were way overpriced.

And before this thread heads south. No, its not because they begged or pleaded. If i say no to somthing, there is no argument. But i end of saying yes quite a bit because i like to see the big smiles on my kids faces, and the big hugs and "thank you dad". All too soon they will be teenagers, then nothing i do will please them

-dave

amen dave!!!

 

[stitchsMom]

^ I know that feeling all too well! Now it takes Shula's to make my "kid" happy! Enjoy Cindy's! We were there for the dinner in June, and yes as the others said the food is average, but it is great for atmosphere, service, and entertainment.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Don't worry too much. Like everyone else has said it's about the experience more than the food or the service. A 4 year old doesn't notice those things on their own. If you are put off by anything in front of her she may pick up the vibe but otherwise will be too dazzled to notice anything wrong.

I've had CRT for breakfast & dinner. Breakfast was good character time but horrendous service so the whole meal left a bad impression. I've done dinner 3 times now and enjoy it every time. We generally schedule during Wishes or later in the evening so it's not uncomfortably packed and I don't feel like I'm being herded out the door. I love the little skit Fairy Godmother & the mice do. I'm always one to sing along and clap and get totally into it. The food isn't LeCellier but it isn't counter-service quality either. I looove the castle salad with the berry vinaigrette. The most recent dinner I tried the pork chop which was actually pretty good. I'm 3 for 3 on good service at dinner but, again, I schedule a time so it's not as insanely busy.

And like Dave said, they're only little and get into these types of things for a limited amount of time. I'm not one to spoil my kids rotten either but it's about the memories. When you get 10, 15, 20 years down the road it won't be the crazy prices or bad service that you remember. It's all about the smiles and the memories of times spent together.

Enjoy! :wave:

 

[Phonedave]

^ I know that feeling all too well! Now it takes Shula's to make my "kid" happy! Enjoy Cindy's! We were there for the dinner in June, and yes as the others said the food is average, but it is great for atmosphere, service, and entertainment.

I am waiting for that to happen with my 10 y/o. The other night she killed a Porterhouse steak by herself, and after dinner promptly asked when I could make them again.

-dave

 

[mickhyperion]

Personally, I wouldn't eat a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). Too much lead, arsenic, and mercury. Flat panel LED screens taste much better.

Oops, wrong acronym...

 

[SleepingMonk]

CRT wins as the worst dining experience we've ever had at any Disney park.

I would do it if my child was that excited about it but I would be suffering the entire time.

 

[kungfoosally]

Flat panel LED screens taste much better.

i totally agree.

 

[marcriss]

We did CRT's for dinner last December and have it booked for dinner this December (xmas party night).

The food is good, not great. We weren't crazy about the breakfast, dinner gives you choices. We love the pretzel rolls and dijon butter. We've always had great service. Being in the castle is worth it.

Your daughter will love it, the experience is great! Have a great time!

 

[wdwwdeagle]

Here's my take....

If you were invited to dine with the dalai lama at his home, or with the president at the white house (current or past, whichever you would prefer), or, say, George Clooney (sigh) at his home.... you probably wouldn't care if they served you cat food.

This is what a 4 year old has going on in her head.... To her, it is THE Cinderella, and THE Fairy Godmother, and you're going to Cindy's CASTLE, her HOUSE, for gosh sakes! And who cares about anything else?

I wouldn't trade our CRT bfst. when my daughter was 4 for anything in the world, because it really was magical. When we went back two years later, her 6 yr. old brain was savvy enough to realize it was all make believe (still fun, but suddenly, it was just an actress in a costume) and not the real thing after all.

In fact, I probably would have gladly eaten cat food if that's what it took to allow her to have that experience at the age of 4... and I'll bet you would too.
BTW: the food is fine.

 

[eagles]

i really am in the minority now, but i would prefer the castle over lecellier. i must not get out much, but i really enjoyed my food and everyone at our table did too.

i vote to go for it and judge for yourself. also like others say, its all what you make of it, if by some chance your service is horrible (which i have never had at disney world), but if you get terrible service and you let it bother you, your dd will pick up on it.

go with the flow, and if you do that its all good. your dd will love every minute of eating dinner inside of cinderella's house!