By Guest Blogger, Christina of the blog “Disney in our Blood.”
Like last week’s guest writer, Christina is new to blogging and has recently created her blog Disney in our Blood–a blog dedicated to all things Disney and Disney parks. Growing up in California, Christina was a frequent Disneyland visitor. For the last four years, Christina has been living in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with her Navy husband, Aaron and taking advantage of her proximety to Walt Disney World. She is a stay-at-home mom to her 23-month old little girl, Ashlyn. Please show Christina some love with your comments and by stopping by her blog.
When you first walk into the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and look down Main Street, USA, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the size and majesty of Cinderella’s Castle. You can look at pictures of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and compare them to Cinderella’s, but it is hard to fathom the difference until you see it first hand. Cinderella’s Castle is big enough to fit a beautiful restaurant (as well as the Disney Dream Suite called Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Cinderella’s Royal Table is pricey (ranges from $32 for an adult breakfast to $58 for an adult dinner), but a real treat for any child (or child at heart, for that matter) who loves the princesses. Plus the atmosphere is absolutely incredible. Who wouldn’t want to dine inside a beautiful castle? When you check in, you get in line for a meet and greet with the princess of this castle… Cinderella herself.
You can get an autograph and take pictures. There will also be a photographer there to take your picture for the photo package that comes with the price of your meal. It comes in a themed photo holder with one 6″X8″ and four 4″X6″ prints (for groups of up to 4 paying people… more packages for bigger groups) of your picture as well as a 6″X8″ picture of the castle. Make sure to keep your eyes open for all the gorgeous details throughout your entry. Don’t miss Jaq and Gus watching over Cinderella from the rafters!
After meeting Cindy and getting your “royal invitation,” you’ll head up a spiraling staircase leading you to the dining room.
The view of Fantasyland out the stained glass windows is not to be missed!
We’ve always had wonderful food and service at the restaurant. Your waiter or waitress will call you Lord/Lady. The little princes and princesses in your party will receive a Wishing Star. The princesses will get a wand and princes, a plastic sword. During breakfast, lunch, and dinner, some of the princesses come around to greet you. They are introduced individually (in about 10 minute increments) with music and fanfare when entering the dining area. The princesses available vary. Our first time, during lunch, we met Snow White, Ariel, Belle, and Aurora. Our second time, during dinner, we met most of the same princesses except Ariel was replaced with Jasmine.
I have heard mixed reviews on the food, some saying it was only okay but the atmosphere made up for it, but we have always enjoyed the food. Breakfast is pre-plated and all-you-can-eat. You can get the lunch menu and the dinner menu from the Walt Disney World website. A personal favorite at lunch is the Pork Tenderloin with Vegetable Couscous and Cabernet Sauce. Children under 3 (but old enough to eat solid food, of course) get a complimentary plate of buttered noodles. And for dessert, I highly recommend the Chocolate Cream Cheese Buckle!
Cinderella’s Royal Table is a very popular dining experience and it is highly recommended that you call 180 days before your stay to make a reservation (407-WDW-DINE). However, please do not underestimate the power of Disney magic. If you cannot get a reservation, keep trying. You never know if there is going to be a cancellation. Three months before our second trip to Walt Disney World my husband said that I should go ahead and try to make a reservation. Of course it was all booked up. When we arrived at the Magic Kingdom, we were headed straight to Fantasyland. My husband said he wanted to walk through the castle so we could make a last ditch effort at getting to eat there. He walked up to where you check in and there had been a couple of last minute cancellations so we were able to have lunch there! This is not at all a guarantee, or even the norm, but it is a slight possibility. I actually would recommend doing this with any dining experience you are interested in that is booked. It only takes a minute to ask and you never know if you’ll encounter a little bit of pixie dust!
