Magic Kingdom vs. EPCOT Princess Character Dining- Who Wins the Crown?

Character dining experiences are very popular at Walt Disney World. Two locations on property provide the opportunity to meet Disney Princesses – Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

Guests often find themselves going back and forth between these two restaurants, unsure of which one they should choose. Luckily, we’ve dined at both! We’re going to take a look at the similarities and differences between these two Disney Princess dining locations and help you decide which one is the best option for you.

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You Can’t Compete with Cinderella Castle

Location plays a big part in the allure of Cinderella’s Royal Table. Not only is it located in Magic Kingdom, the most regal of the Walt Disney World theme parks, it’s located inside of Cinderella Castle. Many Guests opt to dine at this restaurant simply for the opportunity to step foot inside of the castle, and the experience doesn’t disappoint.

After checking in, Guests make their way up a spiral staircase and into the dining hall above. With suits of armor lining the wall, medieval flags hanging from above, and beautiful stained-glass windows overlooking Fantasyland, Guests are made to feel as if they’ve entered a fairytale. This feeling is only emphasized after the princesses arrive.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is located in the Norway Pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase. Location-wise, this restaurant can’t compete with the experience that comes with dining inside of Cinderella Castle. However, that’s not to say that the dining here is any less enjoyable or majestic. When stepping foot inside of Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Guests are transported to a medieval castle, complete with royal princesses!

You Pay a High Price for That Castle Experience

Both dining locations serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the princesses greeting Guests at every meal. While both experiences are high in price, Cinderella’s Royal Table is more expensive. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is comparable in price to the other character dining experiences at Walt Disney World.

For breakfast, Cinderella’s Royal Table costs $74 per adult and $45 per child. At lunch and dinner, the price rises to $88 per adult and $52 per child. These prices are required to be paid in advance at the time of booking.

Breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is $59 per adult and $38 per child. Lunch and dinner prices rise to $69 per adult and $46 per child. Unlike Cinderella’s Royal Table, advanced payment is not due at the time of booking for Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

What’s on the Menu?

Not only is there a difference in menu items at these two locations, the style of dining also differs. At Cinderella’s Royal Table, there is a prix fixe menu. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, on the other hand, serves meals family style.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table starts off with an assortment of breakfast pastries. Guests can then choose which entrée they’d like to have. Adults can choose from items such as Beef Tenderloin and Egg, Banana-stuffed French Toast, Shrimp and Grits, or a traditional breakfast that consists of Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, and Potatoes. A Traditional Plant-based Breakfast is also available. Little ones can choose between an Egg White Frittata, Mickey-shaped Waffles, Fruit and Seed Oatmeal, or Assorted Cold Cereals. They can also choose two sides. Available options include Turkey Sausage, Bacon, Pork Sausage, Seasonal Fruit, and Home Fries.

For adults, lunch and dinner consists of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Appetizer options include Soup, Salad, Pork Belly, and Chilled Jumbo Shrimp. For an entrée, Guests may choose between Roasted Lamb Chops, Grilled Filet Mignon, Catch of the Day, Chicken Roulade, and Pan-roasted Cauliflower. Available desserts include The Clock Strikes Twelve (Chocolate Ganache), Jaq and Gus Cheesecake, and the Floating Island (Strawberry Meringue).

Children are able to choose an appetizer, entrée, two sides, and a dessert. For their appetizer, they may choose between Sliced Apples, Cheddar Cheese and Grapes, or a Garden Salad. Their entrée options include Seared Fish of the Day, Grilled Steak, Chicken Strips, or Macaroni & Cheese. They may also choose two sides to accompany their meal with. Available options include Seasonal Vegetables, Rice Pilaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Buttered Corn-on-the-Cob. They can then finish off their meal with The Sword in the Sweet (Chocolate and Marshmallow Mousse), Jaq and Gus Cheesecake, or Seasonal Sorbet.

Cinderella’s Royal Table is known for its higher quality food and the dining experience at this location is far more elevated.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

The family-style breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall consists of Breakfast Pastries, Mixed Fruit, Potato Casserole, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, and Norwegian Waffles. A plant-based meal is also available, which includes Mixed Fruit, Nordic Berry Compote, Plant-based Applecake, Plant-based Waffles, Plant-based Egg Scramble, Home Fry Potatoes, and Plant-based Sausage.

At lunch and dinner, Guests are treated to a wider variety of Norwegian dishes. The meal starts off with Bread, Cheeses, and Salad. For the main course, Guests are served Kjøttkaker (Norwegian Meatballs), Potetstappe Med Brun Saus: Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Stekt Laks: Seared Salmo, Gulrøtter og Grønne Bønner: Carrots with Green Beans, Kål: Green Cabbage, Kylling: Chicken with Apple and Fennel Preserves, and Macaroni & Cheese. Those who opt for the plant-based meal will receive Field Greens, Plant-based Bread, Gulrøtter og Grønne Bønner: Carrots with Green Beans, Kål: Green Cabbage, Olive-oil Mashed Potatoes, Plant-based Bratwurst, and Plant-based Gelato. The meal finishes off with an assortment of Norwegian-inspired desserts.

Since this meal is served family-style, you can expect a more casual dining experience although that’s not to say it’s not still quality food. But you are looking at two different dining experiences.

The Royals

Of course, you can’t have a Disney Princess dining experience without the princesses. Both locations have a line up of princesses that normally greet Guests. Keep in mind though that the princesses are subject to change. The only princess that is guaranteed to meet Guests is Cinderella at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Guests dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table will meet Cinderella in the Grand Hall, before making their way up to the banquet hall, where they will enjoy their meal and meet the rest of the princesses. During the meal, the princesses make their way through the dining hall and visit with Guests at their tables. Here, it’s common to see Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, and Aurora. However, other princesses such as Merida, Rapunzel, Belle, and Mulan have made appearances here as well.

When dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, you’ll typically be visited by Belle, Tiana, Ariel, Snow White, and Cinderella. Other leading ladies that have met with Guests at Akershus before include Mulan, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mary Poppins.

During both dining experiences, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with each princess, get their autograph, and take a picture with them.

Which Disney Princess Dining Experience is Better?

It’s important to keep in mind that both of these dining locations provide absolutely amazing Disney Princess dining experiences. You can’t go wrong with either choice.

That being said, there are certain things that stand out about Cinderella’s Royal Table. This is the restaurant where you can have the ultimate Disney Princess experience. The majestic feeling that comes with being inside of Cinderella Castle can’t be beat.

The menu items at this restaurant are also superior in comparison to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Again, both restaurants provide high quality food, but the menu at Cinderella’s Royal Table is just a bit more refined.

If you wish to have these additional perks though, you’ll be looking at a higher price tag. Not sure if the experience is worth the price? Take a look at our review of Cinderella’s Royal Table, where we discuss the experience in depth and share our feelings on if it’s worth the high price tag.

If you opt to spend less and bypass the castle experience, rest assured that you’ll still have an enjoyable time at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. This dining experience, while perhaps not the top choice for Disney Princess dining, provides a regal atmosphere, delicious food, and delightful meet and greet opportunities.

Another Disney Princess Dining Option at Walt Disney World

If you, or someone else in your party, has a particular interest in Snow White, you may want to consider dining at a different location. While Snow White often makes appearances at both Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, she has her own special dining experience at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point provides Guests with the opportunity to enjoy a dinner in the Enchanted Forest. During the meal, Snow White will make her way through the dining hall, greeting Guests, along with Grumpy and Dopey. There is also an area where the Evil Queen begrudgingly speaks with Guests who choose to visit her.

Unlike the other Disney Princess dining experiences, Story Book Dining at Artists Point is only open for dinner. This is a prix fixe meal that costs $67 per adult and $41 per child (plus tax and gratuity).

Adult meals include an appetizer and entrée. Available appetizers include items such as Mushroom Bisque and Shrimp Cocktail. For the main course, adults can choose from dishes such as Beef Stroganoff, Prime Rib Roast, Slow-braised Pork Shank, Herb Chicken, and Market Fish.

Children’s meals begin with a round of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses. Children’s entrées include options such as Chicken Strips, Grilled Chicken, Grilled Fish of the Day, and Prime Rib Roast. Little ones can also pick two sides, with the options of Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Mashed Potatoes, and Macaroni & Cheese.

To finish the meal, the table can pick from one of the three shareable desserts.

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