While I wouldn’t normally recommend a big character meal on the day of arrival, when it’s Cinderella’s Royal Table, you’ve gotta take what you can get. We were all in need of a shower and could use an outfit change, but since we couldn’t wait around for the Magical Express to deliver our luggage before our reservation, we rolled in as is.
Normally when meeting royalty, we like to shower first.
We have walked past Cinderella’s Castle many times but had never gone inside. The only way to enter is as a guest at Cinderella’s Royal Table (CRT). Our trip was arranged on New Year’s Eve so we were lucky to find this 4:15 dinner reservation in February as this is one the most sought after dining options in Magic Kingdom second only to Be Our Guest.
After checking in, we waited in line for a photo op with Cinderella. We hadn’t had a chance to pick up an autograph book, so we asked one of the cast members for help and minutes later we were provided with an autograph book. (They added the charge to our dining bill).
I have looked worse in photos before, so we were actually pretty pleased with this family photo. The photo package is included with this meal and is presented in a folder with a photo of the castle and royal bookmarks.
I loved the stained glass details and decor in the castle. The only thing that I think could be improved on with better theming is the bathrooms.
It was awesome being inside the castle! After snapping photos with Cin, we were escorted upstairs to the dining room where we met Snow White, Ariel, Rapunzel, and Aurora. Rapunzel was especially charming and very into character – she was chattering away, energetic and enthusiastic!
This meal, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner is all about the experience and not so much about the food but the food was actually very good. At CRT you get an appetizer, main meal, dessert and a beverage. Children under three are not included on the dining plan and therefore have to be paid for separately at table service restaurants but CRT offered us a complimentary meal for Ryan which was really nice. The kids were served cheese and grapes as an appetizer, Kevin ordered the crawfish with shrimp and grits and I enjoyed the castle salad.
For Emma I ordered the healthier “Mickey Check” drumstick meal and for Ryan the chicken nuggets. My husband ordered salmon and I went with the waitress’s recommendation, beef tenderloin. Everything was delicious. If only these kids of mine ate their food! But the highlight of the meal was The Clock Strikes 12 for dessert! It was yummy and it gets an A+ for presentation. I almost didn’t want to eat it!
Kids get gifts during this meal. We received a wishing star, a sword for Ryan and a wand for Emma. Of course they’ve both been broken since returning home after one too many sword fights.
If you’re on the dining plan, this meal will cost you 2 table service credits for each person. We decided to pay for the meal using our Disney Rewards gift card and it worked out perfectly.
I’ve done many of the character meals there, but not that one. Stinky or not, I’m glad you went!
I ate there years ago with my ex husband, actually. My boys refuse to go there now, though. LOL, They are typical boys I guess.