Techtite TV reviews

Note: this is an archived review of a restaurant/attraction that has since been updated. Check this site's Shows & Parks section for the "new" review of the revised Cinderella restaurant.

It's always intriguing to note that Walt Disney had originally planned to have a vacation home of sorts...in the Magic Kingdom Castle itself! Set in the upper floors, its majestic windows would overlook Fantasy Land, right above the carousel, where he could see kids having fun in his park every day. It's sad that Walt did not live long enough to see this dream become a reality. However, park patrons can get a feel of what he would have seen, thanks to a theme park restaurant right inside Cinderella's Castle!

Once called "King Stefan's Banquet Hall," it became apparent that only trivia buffs understood the fairy tale reference, so "Cinderella's Royal Table" is the new moniker. In case you were wondering, this is the area beyond the reservation desk, just to the back-right of the castle's big inner hallway. Getting a seat in this "Royal Court" often requires you either getting a reservation days in advance, or being royalty yourself. However, if I was to be asked if it was worth it, I'd say yes, and not just for fans of fairy tales. All fans of medieval stories of "castle life" should love the experience as well, with an atmosphere --and experience-- unlike any other restaurant in the entire Magic Kingdom.

Upon getting in, you're asked to wait for your table in a spectacular first floor that is, in essence, Cinderella's throne room. Suits of Armor, "candle" chandeliers, and a fireplace adorned with a family coat-of-arms (that is, from what I'm told, from Walt Disney's own ancestry) all enhance the mood. Talk about attention to detail: look way up above, near the ceiling, to the left of the fireplace, and Cinderella's mice friends are visible (Gus and Jack). They are mice-size, so look closely; it's a nice added detail, as is the fact that their view is of the throne, where "Cinderella" usually sits. It depends on the time of day if Cinderella is there or not, though if she isn't, no daughter should be denied the chance to sit there herself, for a picture!

As for the restaurant itself --on the second floor-- the need to eat there is mostly due to the setting

provided, not the food served. Flags, decor, and costumed waiters and waitresses all enhance the medieval feel of the experience. True, the menu is one side of a page(!), though I would imagine royal courts of the old days had limited food selections as well. Actually, upon last visit there, this menu did include a variety of entrée choices. These listings change too regularly to list here, though though they have always included at least one beef, chicken, fish, pork, and "healthy-choice" option. Drinks include mostly soda, though I recommend the "Court Jester's Punch," which is sort of like Sprite mixed with Hawaiian Punch. Any drink can be put in a souvenir glass, for a slight added fee, which has the Cinderella Royal Court logo right on it.

There are some gripes, however. The best view to be had is, of course, the window view overlooking FantasyLand, though lots of luck getting seated there. I suspect that hundreds of people call in advance for a window seat, yet through luck-of-the-draw get put near the elevator instead. Expect rude reactions if you even ask to be moved to a window table, if not given the privilege. Many waitresses I've met at Disney World are very sociable, courteous, and often-smiling. Not so for some of the cast members I've experienced at the Cinderella's Royal Court. Last time I went there, I had reserved such a table --and was told I was going to get one-- weeks in advance, yet when the moment came, was about to be seated at an alternate table. When asking politely why I couldn't sit at an empty, vacant window table nearby, the server-lady banged her hand on the table I was to receive instead, saying, "You're seated RIGHT HERE. <Slam!> <Slam!>" If I was with young kids at the time, how would I explain such a rude reply, to an understandable question? Jiminy Crickets, woman; you're working in what was intended to be Walt Disney's own home! Lighten up!

The final gripe is the one that drops the rating a whole notch (which is quite upsetting, since this is, still, the best-looking place to eat in the whole park!). Little kids should be told, in advance, that eating in a restaurant with "Cinderella" in its title, does not guarantee a Cinderella appearance. "Cinderella" is there on occasion, though the scheduled visits are not the full duration of the restaurant's opening hours. No, just because you're paying "dinner time prices" at night, does not "up" your chances of seeing her. One such family at dinnertime was quite miffed that they were there for dinner --with admittedly hefty dinner prices-- only to have a server tell their daughter with a saccharine smile that Cinderella "is with Prince Charming." What this meant in the real world is that the cast member playing Cinderella left early, and would not appear for the rest of the day. I always wonder how the little girl felt about being told the "she's with Prince Charming" excuse.

Regardless, this is a great restaurant, if only to be able to tell your friends back home that you got to eat inside the Disney World Cinderella Castle itself. Who knows; you may even get a window seat. Yet even without one, the decor is exceptional, and while the menu selection is limited, the food served is great. As long as you know the precautions about Cinderella appearances, and are not looking too forward to a window seat, this is definitely a reservation you should add to your DisneyWorld vacation right away.

	Final Rating : Large Crater. Selections are only via a one-page menu. Cinderella may also not appear! However, the setting is exceptional.
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