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Eat Like a King: A Dinner Review of Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella's Royal Table

When someone says Walt Disney World- what image comes to your mind? Most of us would have to say we picture Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. I remember my first trip there and the disappointment of realizing that I could not fulfill my dream of walking into the castle and looking out over the Magic Kingdom. If you or your kids also dream of going into Cinderella Castle, you must grab one of the signature dining reservations in Walt Disney World- Cinderella’s Royal Table.

We recently were lucky enough to grab a weeknight dinner reservation to give you an updated dinner review. The first obstacle faced when trying to make this dream a reality is getting the reservation. Planning ahead to dine here can be next to impossible, as reservations are scooped up as soon as they are available six months out. The best way to get one if you miss the initial availability opening tends to be to keep checking the My Disney Experience app as often as you can stand. We got a same-day reservation for four during the summer, so it is possible.

Cinderella Castle at Night
Credit: Disney

Another problem may be the high price tag on the meals here as it is a fixed price per person, and there are no a-la-carte options available. The best advice we can give to save some is to try to opt for having breakfast over lunch or dinner. This will save you $20.00 per adult and $10.00 per child.

You arrive at the castle’s rear near the carousel and the entrance into all of Fantasy Land to check in for your meal, or check in on the My Disney Experience app and follow instructions from there. Once space is available, your group will be called and escorted inside the door to meet Cinderella and take pictures with her before your meal. For your children, being greeted by the princess herself in her castle definitely adds to the Disney magic.

Dining Room
Credit: Disney

When your table is ready, your party will be brought upstairs to the dining room. It is a fairly small space (at least from what you might expect looking down Main Street USA at the castle) with only a few tables by the windows looking out into Fantasy Land. You can definitely expect the royal treatment here as it is considered fine dining and has a higher price tag. Our dinner began with drinks and each person’s appetizer of choice. As stated earlier, the price for the meal is fixed per person and includes a non-alcoholic beverage, an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. A limited selection of alcoholic beverages is available for adults for an additional charge. 

We opted for the charcuterie and the steamed mussels for appetizers. The appetizers were fairly large portions, and each person gets one, so lighter eaters should be careful not to fill up on just the appetizers. The charcuterie included three types of meats as well as pickles and crackers. The steamed mussels came with two slices of bread for soaking up the delicious broth. The other options available for an appetizer included the soup of the day and the castle salad: Romaine, Brussels Sprouts, Citrus, and Fennel with a Passion Fruit Vinaigrette. 

cinderellas royal table
Credit: Disney Dining

As we were finishing up our appetizers and enjoying prompt refills of soda, juice, and coffee, our entrees were brought out. We chose the Magic Carpet Ride and Tenderloin of Beef for our entrees. The Magic Carpet Ride was spiced-crusted pork tenderloin and pork belly with curry couscous, glazed rainbow carrots, and a peppercorn “flying carpet.” The theming and presentation of the dish were as impressive as the taste. The pork belly melted in your mouth, and the curried couscous was the favorite of the meal, with intense, delicious flavors that perfectly complemented the pork belly and carrots.

The Tenderloin of Beef consisted of grilled beef tenderloin, whipped potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and sauce bordelaise. The beef was an excellent cut, cooked perfectly medium rare as ordered, and the bordelaise sauce was wonderful with it. Both meals exceeded our expectations, and we really enjoyed them. Other options on the menu were the featured fish entree, chicken and pasta, or a plant-based option of chickpea Panisse. It is important to note that they have extensive allergy-friendly menus and will send usually send a chef out to discuss any difficult food allergies in regard to meal preparation for your allergy-sensitive diners. 

cinderellas royal table
Credit: Disney Dining

Our children had apple slices to start, then a beef tenderloin entree with rice pilaf and corn on the cob from the children’s menu. It was still a great cut of beef cooked well with sizable portions of delicious rice and corn on the cob. Other children’s menu choices include cheese and grapes or garden salad for a starter, and the seasonal fish, chicken nuggets, or macaroni and cheese for the entree. Other side dish options for children include mashed potatoes or seasonal vegetables.

As plates from our meal were cleared, fresh coffee was brought out, and we were ready for our last course: dessert! Cinderella’s Royal Table definitely embraces its whimsical nature when it comes to its dessert menu. The first dessert we tried was the Clock Strikes Twelve: a dark chocolate mousse with caramel and crunchy praline center served with chocolate sauce and hazelnut gelato. At first glance, you would expect that they chose to focus on presentation at the expense of flavor, but we found it delicious, and all the different elements came together very well.

cinderellas royal table
Credit: Disney Dining

We also tried the Jaq and Gus: cheesecake with seasonal flavors and garnishes. It was exactly what we hoped for, flavorful and not overpowered by any sauces or additions. The children ordered the Sword in the Sweet: cookies’ n cream cheesecake mousse with chocolate cookie crumble topped with crispy pearls and a cookie sword. The kids loved the presentation and enjoyed the cookies n cream cheesecake mousse, which was unique and creamy and not like anything we have found anywhere else on the property.

cinderellas royal table
Credit: Disney Dining

The desserts were all delicious and, again, beautifully themed! Other dessert options included Coffee Pots de Creme: coffee-infused coconut ‘custard’, Passion Fruit Gelée, and Crumbled Chocolate-Espresso Beans as a plant-based option and a build your-own cupcake, yogurt parfait, or seasonal sorbet from the children’s menu. 

As we exited, the kids were invited to take a wand or plastic knight’s sword. It’s a small souvenir to bring home that helps to add some value to the meal and later acts as a reminder of the experience.

We had an absolutely wonderful time at Cinderella’s Royal Table and recommend it to anyone who hasn’t had the chance to experience it before. While it is an expensive treat, the meal exceeded our expectations, and it does not feel like the price tag is just to go inside the castle. The food and service are top-notch. We were even surprised at the end of our meal with two free Lightning Lane experiences (without any comment or request) added to our account because we had an unexpectedly long wait beyond our reservation time before they could seat us. Something that reminded us- dreams come true!

About Daniel

Daniel is a Disney enthusiast who loves spending time in the parks with his family and friends. He thinks one of the best things in the world is watching someone enjoy an experience at Disney World for the first time. He believes you should just keep swimming, that giving up is for rookies, that even miracles take a little time, and adventure is out there!