Wondering how Cinderella’s Royal Table stacks up against the other Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants? Check out The Best Magic Kingdom Sit Down Restaurants for a comparison of the five Magic Kingdom restaurants in a variety of categories including Most Unique Menu, Best Value on the Disney Dining Plan, Best Value Out of Pocket, Best Atmosphere, Best Food, and Best Overall Restaurant.
Food Type: Breakfast is “all-you-care-to-eat,” but it comes out pre-plated, meaning the food is served to you rather than having a buffet line. Lunch and dinner are like any other table service restaurant with a menu and several choices for an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.
Dining Plan: Two Table Service Credits
Cost: All prices include tax and tip.
Breakfast: $47.23 for adults and $31.05 for children 3-9
Lunch: $50.96 for adults and $32.29 for children 3-9
Dinner: $57.19 for adults and $34.78 for children 3-9
Photos and Gifts: When you enter the Castle your group will have a photo taken with Cinderella. According to Disney, “Guests at Cinderella’s Royal Table receive one professional Imaging Package per group of 4 paying Guests, 2 packages for groups of 5 to 8 Guests, and 3 packages for groups of 9 to 12 Guests. Each Imaging Package includes one 6″ x 8″ and four 4″ x 6″ prints, and one 6″ x 8″ print of Cinderella Castle, all in a Cinderella-themed photo holder.”
On top of that, all girls between the ages of 3-9 will receive a princess wand and all boys between the ages of 3-9 will receive a prince’s sword.
Setting: A question that every young child will ask at some point is, “Mommy, can we go inside the Castle?” Normally, the answer to this question is, “No hunny, that would get us arrested.” However, if you have one of the coveted reservations to dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table then you can not only enter the Castle, but dine there too. Cinderella’s Castle is Disney magic at its finest. The princesses that should be in attendance include Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Snow White, and Jasmine. The only characters at dinner used to be the Fairy Godmother and her mice, but now the princesses attend dinner as well.
Advantages: Cinderella is a busy woman and this may be your only opportunity to see her up close. Price includes the imaging package which can cost as much as $30 if purchased separately at another character meal. The setting can’t be beat. If you have a reservation during the evening fireworks show you may be able to see them from your table. There are many special surprises throughout the meal. This is a unique and special experience that cannot be replicated.
Disadvantages: The process to check in, get photographed, and be seated is often confusing and hectic. Service and food can be spotty, especially considering the price. Since the gratuity is already paid, some servers won’t take as much care as they would otherwise. The princesses come to each table for autographs, photographs, and a few comments, but don’t stay for much more than that. Most of the little girls will be dressed up like princesses, so you may feel pressure to either visit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or purchase a similar dress on eBay which adds additional cost.
Value: A family of four for dinner will run about $185, not including the cost of autograph books, princess dresses, and primping. Since this is a Signature Dining Experience, it also costs two table service credits per person. It’s difficult to say whether or not it’s worth the price for any particular group. A meal at the Castle is a fantastic experience, but whether or not it makes sense for you depends on your budget and how you want to spend your money. Be aware that the food will not justify the prices, so your enjoyment will come from the experience of being in the castle and the character interaction.
Reputation: Cinderella’s Castle is the most magical place at Disney World. It is certainly expensive and the food does not justify the price, but the experience of being in the Castle . It’s difficult to get a reservation, even 180 days out, but people do cancel and persistence should pay off. Flexibility also pays off, but try to get in for breakfast or dinner as the food is better during those meals.
Overall Rank on The Best Magic Kingdom Sit Down Restaurants: 1st out of 5
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Do the princesses come out for breakfast and lunch or just dinner?