Food Views – Cinderella’s Royal Table (Breakfast)

source: opus2008

As soon as you step foot onto Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom, your eyes are instantly drawn down the middle of the street to feast upon the most wonderful sight…Cinderella’s Castle! You make your way towards the Castle, snapping pictures, seeing the delight on your little Princess’ face as it dawns on her that this mythical place really is a reality. So why not take it one step further? Why stand outside when you’ve got the chance to step up the spiral staircase and discover the magic within?

Cinderella’s Royal Table offers three sittings, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I haven’t had the chance to try out all the menus, but I have been lucky enough to get a breakfast reservation. Breakfast is served between 8am – 11.15am and park admission is required.

A note on reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table – you need to book this in advance! When you hit the 180 day window of your desired reservation be sure to be on that phone as early as possible, especially if you’re travelling during the busier seasons! They have a very limited capacity for each seating and being what it is, you can understand why it’s so popular 365 days a year! You can also dine here using your Disney Dining Plan; it’s a signature dining spot so that means it will use two table service credits per guest dining.

The entrance is located under the Castle towards the back and there is stroller parking near the reservations desk. Once inside the Castle you will get a private audience with Cinderella herself, pose for a picture and then be shown the way to the dining room. Be sure to look up into the rafters and see if you can spot any of Cinderella’s ‘little’ friends! The photos you have taken will be presented to you at your table as a gift, yay for freebies! You can also have these photos added onto your photo pass account. The photos themselves come in a golden Cinderella themed photo-holder which doubles up as a great display frame.

Your little Princes and Princesses will also get a special treat upon entering the dining room, a magical wand for the girls and princes’ sword for the boys. They will both receive a special Wishing Star – hold onto these, you’ll need them during your stay!

The dining room itself is at the back of the Castle, overlooking Fantasyland. If you get a table near the windows you will have an amazing view! The room itself is not overly large and the tables feel a little on top of each other but it’s not too bad, there is space enough for the characters to move around the tables and for you to stand and pose for pictures with them.

Not only will you meet Cinderella over breakfast, you will also get to meet Belle, Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine and Fair Godmother. Characters vary and you may not always get these same ones or you may even get a surprise character!

The breakfast is a plated all you care to eat set menu with two options; traditional and healthy as well as a set children’s menu. All guests receive a pastry basket and fruit medley on the side. Soft drinks, fresh juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate are all included too. There is an additional charge for cappuccinos, espressos and bottled water (still and sparkling).

So how does it all taste?

I had the traditional breakfast option which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, cheese danish and french toast. I’ve got to admit I’m not a huge fan of American breakfast fare and nothing here changed my mind about that, it was all the same as what you’d get in the resort grab-and-go with a much higher price tag! The fruit and pastries where nice enough, nothing fancy but tasty. Most of the reviews I’ve read before and after my experience have all said the same thing with regards to the food, it’s nothing special and when you’re travelling as an older family, you do expect something a little fancier for your location/what you’ve paid.

source: ~* Kylie *~'

This breakfast is an all you can eat plated affair, so if you want more sausage or potatoes just let your waiter/waitress know and they will bring it over to you. The staff where really friendly and helpful, our drinks where filled often and we were asked several times if we fancied more of anything in particular. The staff did seem rushed though and moved quickly, I’m not sure what the guest turn around time is here but they where kept right on their toes.

source: marada

The atmosphere is grand! Everyone is sharing the same ‘buzz’ from being inside the Castle. As I’ve said before, we’re an older family and there where many adult couples and groups without young children there that morning and nobody felt awkward or out of place. The characters where just as interactive with the childless groups as they were with those who had children.

Would I dine here again? I doubt it. Getting it on the dining plan was the only reason we ate here, paying out of pocket we could never have justified the cost. I would say it’s one of those things that everyone should attempt at least once just for the novelty of saying you have dined in the Castle, but don’t expect much from the food – you’re paying for the location, experience and characters not the breakfast fare in my opinion.

As an alternative to those who want to dine with Cinderella but avoid the Royal Tables price tag, check out the evening buffet at 1900 Park Fare over at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It too is available on the dining plan but only costs 1 table credit per guest. You’ll get to dine with Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Ugly Sisters who are a riot!

Have you ever dined at Cinderella’s Royal Table?

Until next time,

Sarah