[dab]

We decided to treat our daughter to a special breakfast for our first full day at Disney and picked the Storybook Breakfast because our dd is a die-hard Jasmine fan! Our PS was 8:30 (1st time slot). We arrived at Epcot's front entrance around 8:00 and had to wait about 15 min. for a CM to guide us to Norway. We stuck close to the CM on the way hoping to be the first in line once we reached the restaurant and it worked. We were the first to check in a the podium!

While we patiently waited outside the restaruant entrance for our names to be called, a Disney CM (in a suit... looked impt.) walked by and started a conversation with my dd. Our dd was polite and friendly, asking him lots of questions... she could carry on a conversation with a wall. He gave her a lanyard pin for being so sweet and told her to have a wonderful breakfast.

The restaurant manager... may have been Chris, can't remember his name, came outside and began talking to my dd. He was great with all the kids waiting but paid special attention to my dd. He asked her if she would like to be the Princess of the Day. He asked her to spell her name and wrote it down on a note pad and put it in his pocket. A few minutes later, he gave her a special princess hat to wear and keep (purple with gold trim and curly ribbon streaming from the top). Two other girls were also chosen and then with the wave of a a magic wand (didn't get to keep) the doors magically opened. The entire staff was lined up in two parallel rows, dressed in their Norwegian costumes and singing a Norwegian welcome song. Everyone clapped and we were escorted to our table along with all of the others waiting.

A few minutes after we were seated, the manager came to our table with a beautiful 8X10, heavy card stock, Magical Moment certificate presented to Princess Abbey, Princess of the Day at Restaurant Akershaus. He said that some princesses like to use it for autographs so that's just what we did. Mary Poppins came out first and our table was the first stop. She was followed by Belle, Snow White, Jasmine and Aurora. All of the princesses spent the customary time with each table and posed for photos and signed autograph books. Our princess got her certificate signed by them all and even got a few lipstick kisses to keep on the certificate too! It is now framed and sitting proudly on her dresser next to her keep-sake hat!

Oh I guess I forgot about the food... there was a two tiered platter with melon & strawberries on bottom and croissants, muffins sweet bread on top. Our server brought us OJ, milk and coffee and then the skillet breakfast. The skillet had bacon, sausage, eggs, potato casserole, and french toast sticks. The food was fresh, hot and tasty!

We didn't rush breakfast but were still done and at Test Track by 9:15. After 4 TT rides in a row with no wait, we were ready for more fun!

[jwdj4lfe]

Dab-awww. lol. Glad to here you had such a great time! Your daughter must of been bursting at the rims with happyness for all the "special attention" she was getting. Im happy that you made such a great memory that will literally last a lifetime.
Joe:)

[MickeyMac]

Dab! That is so truly wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing with us!!

We had breakfast at CRT in July and we were disappointed in the whole morning (wicked long story) but the gist of it is my daughter did NOT want to go back there for her birthday. We got PS's at Storybook for her Birthday (8:30 as well - we like to get an early start - that's even late for us!! :D :D) After reading your report (and getting goosebumps - how cool, the welcome song!) I can't wait! It sounds much friendlier!

[dab]

MickeyMac, I hope your dd has a wonderful b-day b-fast!! Stick close to the guide and try to be in front of the group!! Make sure you tell them when you check in that it is her b-day and hopefully she'll get to be Princess of the Day too!!

We had an 8:05 PS at CRT later that week and were first to check in there too but didn't get anything special unless you count the shin splints my hubby had from the sprint from the front of the park. After our experience at Epcot, we thought everone who was first got special treatment at the princess b-fasts! We arrived sweaty and out of breath and were just taken to our table. No welcome song or fancy hat! We still had wonderful time at CRT but the special treatment at Akershaus couldn't be beat!! I don't think I can pick a favorite princess breakfast. I guess I'll just have to do them both from now on!

[Scanlonsgirl]

sounds like a lot of fun to me! But we think we will be waiting on these til we have kiddies!! ( can't wait)

Lisa

[ilvminnie]

Hey Lisa, our "kiddie" is 17...& we still do them! Let that "kiddie" in you come out!!! If you can't do it at WDW, where can you?

[Dana]

Dab,

What a wonderful breakfast for your little princess. I am sure it is something you will always remember. You trip was a winner all aournd. Can't wait for more details!

[MickeyMac]

Heheheehee Dab! That's my reasoning - do them both!! :D :D Did you do other Character Breakfasts while you were down?

I made a special t-shirt for Kelly that says "I'm Princess Kelly and Today's My Birthday!!" I've got one for my son, too, but it's very different. I should make one up for us, too. LOL!

[dab]

MickeyMac the shirts sound adorable. Princess Kelly is sure to get the royal treatment! We saw a family at MGM that was picked to be grand marshalls in the Stars & Motorcars parade and they all had matching shirts that said something about Disney Nuts from Georgia and had Georgia peanuts on it. I guess the shirts or matching outfits get lots of attention!

The princess meals were the only character breakfasts we had this trip. We tried to save money eating at the Concierge lounge for b-fast. We did go to Chef Mickey's for dinner one night though and that was great as always. This trip was a bit unexpected as my husband was there for a conference. We had just been there on family vacations in April/May 2002 and before that Oct. 2001 so between the three trips in 11 months, I think there are only 3 character dining locations we haven't tried - Cape May, Liberty Tree Tavern and 1900 Park Fare. So, if you have a question about character meals, I have lots of recent experience!

Oh, Dana... you're down to a little over 8 days!! Goosebumps!! :)
And, ilvminnie... way to nurture the kid in you!!

[CRCrazy]

We've got ressies to try the Princess Storybook Breakfast on our trip in Dec. My six year old DD lives for Jasmine! She was Jasmine last Halloween, and has worn the costume out, she wears it as often as I will let her play dressup!

Is Jasmine always there at the breakfast? My daughter doesn't care much about the European looking princesses - Her favorites are Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan. You would never guess we live in the Great North Woods of NH, we aren't known for our ethnic diversity!
I think she likes that these princesses have a little attitude. Cinderella and Aurora are beautiful, but they are almost too sweet for words, what a difference a few decades makes!

[Goofy1]

Dab

Sounds like it was truely a storybook event. Wish we all could be so lucky. I'm envious!

You mentioned your wealth of experience with the character meals. Did you do the Ice Cream Social? I have a PS for it in December but was wondering on your opinion.
Also, I'm yet undecided whether to get a PS for my 7 yr old daughter and 9 yr old son at the Crystal Palace or the Princess Breakfast. Not sure that my son would be big on the storybook girls so Winnie the Pooh might be better for him .. maybe her too. I'm not sure. But, to eat at the castle .....What is your thought?

Goofy1

[dab]

CRCrazy we were told by the manager that the group we had at the Stoyrbook B-fast is what is usually planned. Cinderella will never be there as she is exclusively at CRT. As for Jasmine she should be there unless something happens and she cannot appear. In her place would probably be Mulan or Esmeralda althought they haven't had to replace anyone yet.

Goofy1 are you referring to the Ice Cream Social at Garden Grill in Epcot? We didn't do the ice cream social but did have dinner there and it was wonderful. Great food, service and atmosphere and Mickey, Chip, Dale & Pluto spent a lot of time at our table! We had planned to do the ice cream social this trip but between meals, mid-day break for a nap and early park closing hours we just couldn't rationalize taking that much time out for ice cream. Beaches & Cream is great for ice cream though... loved that!!
A ninie year old boy might not be into the princesses so maybe Crystal Palace would be better for you. We like that one more so because we enjoy getting the first available time slot and getting into the parks early! The buffet at Crystal Palace is good but not great but the Pooh Characters are really cute! If you want to eat in the castle, you could always try it for lunch or dinner. The princesses aren't there then although I think Cinderella makes occasional appearances and it is much easier to get a PS. Getting a b-fast PS for the castle is a major accomplishement and takes many, many tries of getting up at the crack of dawn!

[CRCrazy]

Dab, thanks for the heads up!

Goofy1, We went to the Ice Cream Social in March. The Characters are Pluto, Mickey, Chip & Dale, and maybe Goofy.
Your son will be sure to enjoy these, as they are dressed in Farmer outfits, and Chip and Dale love to play games on people. No girlie stuff here! The ice cream sundaes were good, and a great bargain for a character meal.

We also did the Crystal Palace for breakfast. My oldest loved the made to order omelet station. The character interaction wasn't as good here for us. Pooh stays in the lobby greeting guests, and Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger make the rounds at the tables. They posed for the requisite picture, and signed autographs, but didn't play around with the kids the way the characters at Chef Mickey's or Garden Grill did. It is a very large restaurant, so they probably don't have time. It was still worth it for us, as our middle daughter is a HUGE Eeyore fan! If your daughter enjoys the princesses, Cinderella's would be wonderful, and your son might enjoy the ambiance of eating in the castle just as much as the Pooh characters. I believe Cinderella's usually has one male character as well. Peter Pan has been there frequently I've heard.

[Goofy1]

Thanks Dab and CRCrazy

I'm looking forward to the Ice Cream Social - we are all big ice cream junkies! I've heard that they have a cookie making session for the kids there or nearby. Do you know anything about this? Sorry I'm short on details as it was a while ago that I had read it.

We'll be at the MVMCP the night before so will sleep in before heading off to Epcot. The ICS will be a nice break to the afternoon as we'll have the rest of the evening to tour the park.

I can see having an itinerary is a good thing but must leave room for flexability!

Goofy1
:)

[dab]

We've done CRT 3 times and only had Peter Pan once. Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Mary Poppins and Aurora were there twice and Peter replaced Aurora once. When Peter was there he stole the show! He played tricks on Belle and was so much fun! I like the Princess b-fast because the princess can talk to you and it is very special!
About the CP (Pooh) b-fast... I think it depends on the time of year and how crowded the restaurant is because when we've been there twice druing off season, Pooh came to the table and they all spent a fair amt. of time at the tables. With all of the character greetings, I kind of think it depends on how much your child interacts with them. If your kid is a big fan, the characters seem to pick up on that and give a little more!

The cookie session is located on the lower level in the food court area at the Nestle counter service shop. If I remember correctly they have a schedule posted but you could inquire at the counter.