Cinderella’s Royal Table is a desk service princess character meal inside Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. This Walt Disney World eating assessment options meals images, our ideas on lunch & dinner on the restaurant, and whether or not the expertise is well worth the cash. (Updated December 19, 2022.)
The menu consists of American delicacies that’s nearly fine-dining caliber. Between the menu and the eating contained in the fort, Cinderella’s Royal Table is arguably the flagship restaurant within the Magic Kingdom (solely Be Our Guest Restaurant surpasses it in recognition), and probably the most distinctive eating places in all of Walt Disney World. Aside from spending an evening within the Cinderella Castle Royal Suite, it’s your finest likelihood at getting into the park’s icon.
As Walt Disney World’s extended phased reopening continues, issues proceed getting again to regular. Traditional meet & greets have returned with autographs, hugs, and excessive fives. With this, most character eating has returned from its modified kind. At least, so far as characters are involved–meals is one other story solely. However, issues are a bit completely different at Cinderella’s Royal Table, with good and unhealthy adjustments impacting the restaurant by way of late February 2023…
December 19, 2022 Update: First, the unhealthy. Unlike Breakfast à la Art at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera and Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (our two favourite character meals at Walt Disney World proper now), Cinderella’s Royal Table has not returned to regular. Per Walt Disney World, the “princesses are taking a break from their royal duties greeting guests” and this isn’t technically a personality eating location.
This shall be an enormous blow for a lot of households, who dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table for the princess encounters. However, the excellent news is that Cinderella does greet visitors upon arrival within the foyer earlier than heading as much as your desk (see picture under). Note that since that is unadvertised, it might change or be eliminated at any time–it’s been like this for some time now, so we don’t anticipate that.
Previously, Cinderella greeted visitors downstairs and some different visiting princesses roamed the principle eating room, making the rounds for images. None of the opposite princesses have returned to the eating room, which we’ve heard is as a result of Walt Disney World is at the moment experiencing a pronounced ‘princess shortage.’ (Not to smash the phantasm or something.)
The different excellent news is that Walt Disney World has diminished the worth because of the lack of characters. Pre-closure, the price was $75 per grownup and $45 per little one for each lunch and dinner. Currently, it’s $67 per grownup and $39 per little one–and that’s after a number of value will increase.
The even higher information is that Walt Disney World has introduced that characters will formally return to Cinderella’s Royal Table on February 28, 2023! While full particulars have but to be launched, our expectation is that the setup would be the similar as earlier than for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
One change will undoubtedly be a value enhance. As famous above, the pre-closure price was $75 per grownup and $45 per little one. That made Cinderella’s Royal Table the costliest character meal at Walt Disney World, a crown it will nonetheless maintain at these very same costs.
Upon reopening, Walt Disney World lowered costs considerably, and has since raised them twice. All else being equal (which means there’s no menu overhaul), our guess is that Cinderella’s Royal Table costs will enhance to $89 per grownup and $49 per little one on February 28, 2023. That might sound actually excessive, however Disney has had no hassle filling eating places at absurd value factors.
One factor that has not modified is that Cinderella’s Royal Table requires prepayment in full for safe an Advance Dining Reservation.
It’s a bit shocking that this coverage continues to be in impact, which beforehand discouraged ADR-hoarding, as the recognition of Cinderella’s Royal Table just isn’t what it as soon as was with Be Our Guest Restaurant now being the highest attract Magic Kingdom.
The large query proper now’s whether or not Cinderella’s Royal Table is well worth the diminished price given the ambiance and meals alone for many who are usually not eager about character eating.
We’ll attempt to reply these questions first, after which flip to the conventional “Fairytale Dining Experience” for households contemplating Walt Disney World journeys in 2023, when issues return to regular…
I can nonetheless keep in mind wanting within the Walt Disney World e-book I had as a child and seeing the star-filter enhanced picture of King Stefan’s Banquet Hall, and pondering how superior it will be to eat inside Cinderella Castle. On that foundation alone, we satisfied ourselves to present it a strive anyway.
Suffice to say, we have been downright shocked by Cinderella’s Royal Table…
In phrases of ambiance, Cinderella’s Royal Table is spectacular. It regarded prefer it had been pretty unchanged because it was King Stefan’s Banquet Hall, and I actually suppose that’s in all probability for the very best. The restaurant continues to be in nice situation, from the carpet to the intricate particulars to the flags overhead.
I hope Disney’s Imagineers by no means change the look or really feel of the restaurant, as a result of it feels very regal, superbly designed, and most of all, like an genuine European fort. I belief within the Imagineers, however I actually hope they don’t go for a “modern” refresh, as that’s completely pointless right here.
The visitor ambiance was additionally surprisingly good. Now, this undoubtedly is a ‘your mileage may vary situation’, however there have been no crying youngsters, and the restaurant general was not loud like we anticipated. We’ve been to some chaotic character meals, and this didn’t have that feeling in any respect.
It wasn’t peaceable or subdued like a tremendous eating expertise late at evening will be, however it was shockingly relaxed. Perhaps Disney has utilized materials and different sound-dampening methods, or possibly we simply bought fortunate. Regardless of why, we have been surprised and impressed.
On to the meals. Note that Cinderella’s Royal Table is not all you’ll be able to eat. You order off of a prix fixe menu, with quite a lot of appetizer, entree, and dessert choices. (Note that the menu has modified considerably since our final meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table.)
Dinner began out with bread service. This was quite pedestrian.
I began with the Crawfish and Shrimp with Grits. This consists of crawfish and shrimp in a New Orleans-style barbecue sauce with goat cheese grits.
I beloved this appetizer, which had a very distinctive taste (completely different than normal shrimp and grits). The seafood in it was good, and wasn’t rubbery as is usually the case when it’s combined in a concoction like this.
Sarah had the Strawberry Salad for her appetizer. This consists of strawberries, feta cheese, arugula, almonds, balsamic glaze, and olive oil.
She discovered the standard of the salad to be very excessive with an awesome mixture of complimentary components, and a refreshing style.
We ‘fought’ over who bought to order the Beef Tenderloin. Since we all the time order completely different meals for the sake of opinions, we couldn’t each order it.
I “won” this time, however don’t really feel sorry for Sarah…she often wins.
Wow is all I can say about this.
Cooked medium-rare to perfection, the meat was nearly tender sufficient to chop with a fork, the lower of meat was wonderful, and the glaze gave it a wealthy taste. The potatoes have been equally out of this world.
Sarah as an alternative opted for the Slow-roasted Bone-In Pork, which is served on a couscous medley. She was shocked at how flavorful, tender, and juicy the lower of meat was.
I attempted it, and I used to be equally shocked–particularly in regards to the juciness. I feel Sarah might have gone for a barely leaner lower, however I believed it was the proper quantity of lean meat versus fats.
For dessert, Sarah ordered the ‘Clock Strikes Twelve.’ Awesome presentation, however I can’t say it actually wowed both of us. Really wealthy, and that was actually the dominating “flavor.”
It wasn’t unhealthy–and possibly it simply wasn’t for us.
I had the Chef’s Dessert Trio.
Same deal–superior presentation, kind of ‘meh’ desserts. I actually did just like the pistachio dessert within the center. The others have been kind of lackluster.
Finally, let’s wrap this up with a fast have a look at the princesses for these planning a Walt Disney World trip beginning February 28, 2023 and debating a meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Normally, Cinderella greets visitors downstairs with a devoted picture backdrop whereas Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, and Rapunzel meet visitors upstairs within the eating room.
I’m not an enormous fan of assembly face characters. It additionally looks like a clumsy expertise, and whereas I’m comfy cheesing it up with fur characters, I don’t have that consolation stage assembly actual individuals.
But, that’s my drawback. These characters have been nice, and Sarah had lots of enjoyable with them.
She particularly preferred Snow White, who had a little bit of sharp wit about her, with out breaking character.
In reality, I loved watching her character interactions with every of the princesses. Most did a very good job, and have been fairly good representations of the characters depicted.
The actual “dessert” or glad ending to our meal was the fireworks (one other factor you received’t expertise throughout the phased reopening). In our Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Guide, I wrote that I don’t take care of places outdoors of Main Street for viewing the fireworks.
While I nonetheless desire these places, and would completely suggest these spots for a primary time customer or somebody who will solely see the fireworks as soon as throughout their journey, for us, seeing them from inside Cinderella Castle was fairly particular.
The drawback for viewing the fireworks from inside Cinderella Castle for a primary timer is that you simply’re not even getting near the complete expertise of Disney Enchantment nighttime spectacular. You’re lacking the projections, soundtrack, the close to bursts, and extra.
However, it’s a fairly cool expertise in case you’ve already seen Magic Kingdom’s fireworks a pair–or a pair dozen–occasions. The method the completely different pyro bursts illuminate the within of the restaurant, basking everybody in numerous colours all through the meal is one thing particular. The lovely gothic structure of the inside plus the glow of the fireworks was pure Disney magic. Putting apart the characters and even the higher than anticipated meals, this alone made the excessive value “worth it” for us.
In regular occasions, Walt Disney World considers Cinderella’s Royal Table a “Fairytale Dining Experience.” which I feel simply refers to the truth that you’ll be able to meet Cinderella and different visiting princesses right here. The meal additionally features a picture of your celebration and Cinderella taken by PhotoPass photographers.
Also usually, Cinderella’s Royal Table accepts Tables in Wonderland for a 20% low cost (you obtain a refund if you current your card within the restaurant for the quantity of the low cost), and participates within the Disney Dining Plan as a 2-credit Signature meal. Due to that, it’s not a good selection in case you’re attempting to maximize your worth on the Disney Dining Plan.
Ultimately, I’m of two minds about Cinderella’s Royal Table. While the meals is surprisingly good, it’s overpriced even by Walt Disney World requirements. However, you’re clearly not paying for simply the meals if you dine right here. Just as a lot part of the meal because the meals is the truth that you’re eating inside Cinderella Castle and doubtlessly assembly princesses.
If neither of these items matter to you, there’s merely no motive so that you can dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Even given our reward for the meals on this assessment, you may get higher meals for much less cash elsewhere. However, if princess eating and/or a meal in Cinderella Castle is interesting, it is perhaps simpler so that you can justify this restaurant as a splurge. In the tip, it actually comes down as to if you’re comfy spending this a lot on a meal that I’d peg at only a rung under tremendous eating.
If you’re a household in search of a “fine family dining experience” and are prepared to pay accordingly, Cinderella’s Royal Table is the Walt Disney World restaurant for you. If you’re a pair in search of a romantic restaurant have been delicacies is paramount, you may need to search for one of many Signature Restaurants within the Magic Kingdom resorts.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about resorts on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every thing you might want to know!
Your Thoughts
Have you achieved Cinderella’s Royal Table at Walt Disney World? What did you suppose? Worthwhile for the characters, ambiance, meals, or all the above? Is this meal one thing you’d wish to strive? Any particular suggestions? If you have got any questions or ideas to share, please put up them within the feedback. We love listening to from readers!