Cinderella’s Royal Desk is a desk service princess character meal inside Cinderella Citadel in Magic Kingdom. This Walt Disney World eating evaluation options meals photographs, our ideas on lunch & dinner on the restaurant, and whether or not the expertise is definitely worth the cash. (Up to date February 28, 2023.)
The menu consists of American delicacies that’s virtually fine-dining caliber. Between the menu and the eating contained in the citadel, Cinderella’s Royal Desk is arguably the flagship restaurant within the Magic Kingdom (solely Be Our Visitor Restaurant surpasses it in reputation), and one of the vital distinctive eating places in all of Walt Disney World. Except for spending an evening within the Cinderella Citadel Royal Suite, it’s your greatest likelihood at getting into the park’s icon.
As Walt Disney World’s extended phased reopening continues, issues proceed getting again to regular. Conventional meet & greets have returned with autographs, hugs, and excessive fives. After a really prolonged delay, that is additionally lastly true at Cinderella’s Royal Desk. Let’s begin with an replace on the most recent good and unhealthy adjustments at this restaurant as of 2023…
February 28, 2023 Replace: First, the excellent news. The Disney princesses have formally returned to the eating room at Cinderella’s Royal Desk for the primary time since pre-closure. In contrast to Breakfast à la Artwork at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera and Story E-book Eating at Artist Level with Snow White (our two favourite character meals at Walt Disney World proper now), Cinderella’s Royal Desk had not returned to regular…till right now! Per Walt Disney World, the princesses had been “taking a break from their royal duties greeting visitors.”
As of right now, princesses at the moment are again at Cinderella’s Royal Desk. For individuals who are unfamiliar with how this character eating expertise operates, Cinderella greets visitors downstairs and some different visiting princesses roam the primary eating room, making the rounds for photographs. Cinderella had beforehand returned downstairs (unofficially and never assured), however now the entire different princess performers are again, too.
The unhealthy information is that, with the character part at Cinderella’s Royal Desk restored, the worth has elevated. As of yesterday, the fee was $67 per grownup and $39 per youngster at lunch or dinner, and $45 per grownup and $29 per youngster for breakfast. These breakfast and lunch/dinner costs had been after a number of value will increase throughout the phased reopening.
As of right now, the price of breakfast is up by $20, and lunch/dinner have each elevated by $12. Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Desk now prices $65 per adults and $39 per youngster. Eating with the princesses inside Cinderella Citadel now prices $79 per grownup and $47 per child.
That’s hefty charge for eating with royalty! Or is it?!
All through our reporting on Cinderella’s Royal Desk, we’ve identified that the worth really decreased when the restaurant reopened with out princesses, whereas additionally warning that the fee would shoot up when characters returned to the eating room. Though the $12 or $20 value enhance sounds excessive, compared with March 2020, these costs are solely up $2 to $4 per particular person.
Cinderella’s Royal Desk has at all times been costly, and we definitely wouldn’t argue in any other case with anybody. Nonetheless, Disney has had no hassle filling eating places at absurd value factors. Not solely that, however a $2 to $4 value enhance over the course of three years–particularly in gentle of meals inflation since then–hardly sounds excessive.
Whether or not it’s overpriced is subjective; for a lot of younger youngsters, consuming inside a citadel with royalty is a priceless expertise. But it surely’s in all probability truthful to say that should you it’s overpriced now, it additionally was earlier than–and vice versa. If something, the rise right here is much less steep than what different character meals round Walt Disney World have seen within the final 3 years. (Which is exactly why we predicted even greater costs at Cinderella’s Royal Desk upon princesses returning!)
One factor that has not modified is that Cinderella’s Royal Desk requires prepayment in full for safe an Advance Eating Reservation.
It’s a bit stunning that this coverage continues to be in impact, which beforehand discouraged ADR-hoarding, as the recognition of Cinderella’s Royal Desk is just not what it as soon as was with Be Our Visitor Restaurant now being the highest attract Magic Kingdom.
The large query proper now’s whether or not Cinderella’s Royal Desk is definitely worth the lowered value given the environment and meals alone for many who aren’t interested by character eating.
We’ll attempt to reply these questions first, after which flip to the traditional “Fairytale Eating Expertise” for households contemplating Walt Disney World journeys in 2023, now that the princesses have returned and Cinderella’s Royal Desk is again to regular…
I can nonetheless bear 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 Corridor, and considering how superior it might be to eat inside Cinderella Citadel. On that foundation alone, we satisfied ourselves to offer it a attempt anyway.
Suffice to say, we had been downright shocked by Cinderella’s Royal Desk…
By way of ambiance, Cinderella’s Royal Desk is spectacular. It seemed prefer it had been pretty unchanged because it was King Stefan’s Banquet Corridor, and I actually assume 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, fantastically designed, and most of all, like an genuine European citadel. I belief within the Imagineers, however I actually hope they don’t go for a “trendy” refresh, as that’s completely pointless right here.
The visitor ambiance was additionally surprisingly good. Now, this undoubtedly is a ‘your mileage might range state of affairs’, 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 superb eating expertise late at night time might be, but it surely was shockingly relaxed. Maybe Disney has utilized materials and different sound-dampening methods, or possibly we simply acquired fortunate. No matter why, we had been shocked and impressed.
On to the meals. Observe that Cinderella’s Royal Desk 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. (Observe that the menu has modified considerably since our final meal at Cinderella’s Royal Desk.)
Dinner began out with bread service. This was moderately 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 customary 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 acquired to order the Beef Tenderloin. Since we at all times order completely different meals for the sake of evaluations, we couldn’t each order it.
I “received” this time, however don’t really feel sorry for Sarah…she normally wins.
Wow is all I can say about this.
Cooked medium-rare to perfection, the meat was virtually tender sufficient to chop with a fork, the reduce of meat was wonderful, and the glaze gave it a wealthy taste. The potatoes had been equally out of this world.
Sarah as a substitute opted for the Sluggish-roasted Bone-In Pork, which is served on a couscous medley. She was stunned at how flavorful, tender, and juicy the reduce of meat was.
I attempted it, and I used to be equally stunned–particularly concerning the juciness. I believe Sarah may have gone for a barely leaner reduce, however I assumed it was the right quantity of lean meat versus fats.
For dessert, Sarah ordered the ‘Clock Strikes Twelve.’ Superior presentation, however I can’t say it actually wowed both of us. Actually wealthy, and that was actually the dominating “taste.”
It wasn’t unhealthy–and possibly it simply wasn’t for us.
I had the Chef’s Dessert Trio.
Identical deal–superior presentation, form of ‘meh’ desserts. I actually did just like the pistachio dessert within the center. The others had been form of lackluster.
Lastly, let’s wrap this up with a fast have a look at the princesses for these planning a Walt Disney World trip and debating a meal at Cinderella’s Royal Desk.
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 a giant fan of assembly face characters. It additionally looks like an ungainly expertise, and whereas I’m comfy cheesing it up with fur characters, I don’t have that consolation stage assembly actual individuals.
However, that’s my drawback. These characters had been nice, and Sarah had lots of enjoyable with them.
She particularly favored Snow White, who had a little bit of sharp wit about her, with out breaking character.
In truth, I loved watching her character interactions with every of the princesses. Most did a very good job, and had been fairly good representations of the characters depicted.
The true “dessert” or completely happy ending to our meal was the fireworks (one other factor you received’t expertise throughout the phased reopening). In our Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Information, I wrote that I don’t look after areas outdoors of Principal Road for viewing the fireworks.
Whereas I nonetheless favor these areas, 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 Citadel was fairly particular.
The issue for viewing the fireworks from inside Cinderella Citadel for a primary timer is that you simply’re not even getting near the total expertise of Disney Enchantment nighttime spectacular. You’re lacking the projections, soundtrack, the close to bursts, and extra.
Nonetheless, it’s a reasonably cool expertise should you’ve already seen Magic Kingdom’s fireworks a pair–or a pair dozen–occasions. The way in which the completely different pyro bursts illuminate the within of the restaurant, basking everybody in several colours all through the meal is one thing particular. The gorgeous gothic structure of the inside plus the glow of the fireworks was pure Disney magic. Placing apart the characters and even the higher than anticipated meals, this alone made the excessive value “price it” for us.
In regular occasions, Walt Disney World considers Cinderella’s Royal Desk a “Fairytale Eating Expertise.” which I believe 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 occasion and Cinderella taken by PhotoPass photographers.
Additionally usually, Cinderella’s Royal Desk participates within the Disney Eating Plan as a 2-credit Signature meal. Because of it requiring two credit, it isn’t a good selection should you’re making an attempt to maximize your worth on the Disney Eating Plan. Nonetheless, the Disney Eating Plan is nonetheless briefly suspended, and it’s solely unclear whether or not it’ll return in 2023…or in any respect.
Finally, I’m of two minds about Cinderella’s Royal Desk. Whereas the meals is surprisingly good, it’s overpriced even by Walt Disney World requirements. Nonetheless, you’re clearly not paying for simply the meals once you dine right here. Simply as a lot part of the meal because the meals is the truth that you’re eating inside Cinderella Citadel and doubtlessly assembly princesses.
If neither of these items matter to you, there’s merely no cause so that you can dine at Cinderella’s Royal Desk. Even given our reward for the meals on this evaluation, you may get higher meals for much less cash elsewhere. Nonetheless, if princess eating and/or a meal in Cinderella Citadel is interesting, it is perhaps simpler so that you can justify this restaurant as a splurge. In the long run, 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 superb eating.
If you’re a household searching for a “superb household eating expertise” and are prepared to pay accordingly, Cinderella’s Royal Desk is the Walt Disney World restaurant for you. For those who’re a pair searching for a romantic restaurant had been delicacies is paramount, you would possibly wish to search for one of many Signature Eating places within the Magic Kingdom resorts.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Inns Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know!
Your Ideas
Have you ever achieved Cinderella’s Royal Desk at Walt Disney World? What did you assume? Worthwhile for the characters, ambiance, meals, or the entire above? Is that this meal one thing you’d wish to attempt? Any particular suggestions? You probably have any questions or ideas to share, please publish them within the feedback. We love listening to from readers!