Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella’s Royal Table Dining Review

Cinderella's Royal Table Fairytale Dining Review

Let me just say it: dining inside Cinderella Castle is something that still gives me goosebumps, even as an adult. Cinderella’s Royal Table is the ultimate fairytale meal and, honestly, a must-do at least once—especially if you’ve got a Disney-loving kid (or inner child) in tow.

Whether you’re hoping to meet Snow White or just want to soak up the regal vibes, this is one of those classic Disney experiences that delivers a solid mix of magic, nostalgia, and yes—fine dining flair.


Quick Snapshot

  • Restaurant: Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Location: Inside Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom
  • Cuisine: Upscale American Cuisine
  • Price Range: $$$ (one of Disney’s pricier meals)
  • Dining Plan: Yes – 2 table service credits
  • Characters: Yes – multiple Disney Princesses
  • Reservations: Absolutely required (and hard to get!)
  • Mobile Check-In: Available
  • Atmosphere: Elegant, immersive, and surprisingly welcoming to kids
  • My Rating: 4.5/5 for the experience, 4.5/5 for the breakfast, 3.5/5 for dinner

First Impressions & Atmosphere

Walking through the stone archways into Cinderella’s castle feels like a movie moment. Right away, you’re ushered into a waiting area where Cinderella greets you for a professional photo op (if you have Memory Maker, the photo will automatically show up in your account).

Related: For a really nice splurge, check out the Magic Kingdom After Hours Party

We had a Photopass photographer capture the moment—and even though my daughter was shy, Cinderella was warm, sweet, and patient.

Note: Out of all the princess meet and greets, this one was the least fun. Don’t get me wrong, Cinderella is great. But the lighting is really dark and it’s a bit more formal than the princess meet and greets during the meal.

When your reservation time arrives, you’ll head upstairs to the main dining room. There’s an elevator if you need it, but the winding staircase really sets the tone. The room itself is jaw-dropping: think plush tapestriespurple velvet chairs, dramatic glass windows, and sunlight filtering through stained glass. It truly feels like a banquet hall, and it’s every bit as magical as you’d imagine from the outside.

Despite the royal look, the vibe is actually very relaxed. The staff treats you like VIPs, and the kids are given princess wands, swords, and wishing stars


Related: For an over-the-top princess experience, you have to stay at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The Menu & Dining Experience

Menu Variety & Options

Meals here are prix-fixe, with set courses for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu leans gourmet, but still accessible. Think upscale American cuisine with hints of playful Disney theming.

example of a breakfast menu (from 2017)

For kids, the menu has the essentials: chicken nuggetsbite-sized cheddar cheeseseasonal vegetablesfresh fruit, and drinks like apple juiceorange juicesmall Minute Maid, or a choice of small lowfat milk. And for breakfast, the kid’s meal included Mickey waffles (of course!)

What We Ordered & Real Talk for Breakfast

Note: always check the My Disney Experience App before your trip because menus often change.

Breakfast is a prix fixe menu that is $74 for adults and $49 for kids (plus tax and gratuity)

We had the quintessential Disney Princess Breakfast with our daughter when she was 5 years old. She dressed up as Cinderella (very fitting) and breakfast was the perfect meal for both her and the adults. 

Breakfast starts with a pastry plate for the table. Ya’ll, this was delicious. There were Mickey-shaped muffins, danish, strudel, and a few strawberries.

Then you pick a breakfast entree. The options are:

  • Traditional breakfast
  • Banana stuffed French Toast
  • Shrimp and Grits
  • Grilled Steak and Eggs
  • Traditional Plant-Based Breakfast 

There are a number of kid friendly and allergy friendly breakfast options as well. 

I ordered the Grilled Steak and Eggs and it was sooo good. The steak was cooked perfectly and there was just the right amount that I felt satisfied but not too full.

I would absolutely come back for the Princess Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

What We Ordered & Real Talk for Dinner

A few years later I treated my BFF to a birthday dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table before Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. We were able to snag a dinner reservation for the first timeslot of the day (either 4 or 430pm).

The cost for the Fairytale Dinner Dining is currently $88/adults and $52/kids, plus tax and gratuity.

This was the view from our table by the window

As with breakfast, the menu was prix fixe and you got to choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert.

For the appetizer, I opted for the chilled jumbo shrimp. These were really fantastic. They are garnished with a very smooth avocado mousse, peppers, and a tomato-horseradish vinaigrette.

The other appetizer options were:

  • crisp pork belly
  • castle salad
  • soup of the day

The entree options include:

  • roasted lamb chops
  • catch of the day
  • chicken roulade
  • pan-roasted cauliflower
  • grilled filet mignon

Ok, here is where the real talk comes in. There was nothing wrong with my grilled beef tenderloin. It was incredibly tender and quite delicious.

But I was overall very underwhelmed with this entree. The menu states that there are roasted seasonal vegetables. I was thinking something like squash or carrots. Nope. The seasonal vegetable was one roasted peppers and the shallots. You know, the shallots that look like a garnish? That was the vegetable. 

To the credit of the cast members, they offered to add a serving of the steamed green beans (my friend had that as her vegetable) and that was perfect. But honestly, I was shocked that the chef thought a shallot was an acceptable vegetable for the cost of the meal. (I am also pretty sure they thought I was a big Karen, even though I was super nice about it. oh well). 

So, I can’t give dinner more than 3.5 stars and honestly, I would think twice about returning to eat dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Drinks & Desserts

But did dessert save the day?

I mean, dessert was very pretty and quite delicious. I ordered The Clock Strikes Twelve- described as a chocolate ganache tart topped with salted caramel-coffee mousse.

Other dessert options include Jaq and Gus Cheesecake and the Floating Island, a strawberry meringue dessert.

We aren’t big drinkers so we didn’t actually try any of the wines. But from what I hear, Disney has stepped up their wine game. There is a crisp McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc, a pinot noir from Russian River Valley. There’s also Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava, blends from Santa Lucia HighlandsSanta Maria Valley, and the Central Coast.


Service & Princess Encounters

For both meals we have had at Cinderella’s Royal Table, our server was kind, informative, and timed everything well without us ever feeling rushed. 

Even with the side vegetable fiasco, the server was really fantastic. 

Throughout the meal, the Disney Princesses came around—when we visited in 2017, the princesses were Snow White, Jasmine, Aurora, and Ariel.

When we visited in 2023, Jasmine was replaced with Merida. 

Regardless, each Disney Princess took time to talk with each kid, sign autograph books, and pose for photos. I was especially impressed by how they tailored conversations to each table.

The entire character dining experience felt thoughtful, not hurried.

Bonus Characters!

This is not officially part of the meal, but we lucked out and got a visit from Anastasia and Drizella as we were leaving! This character interaction was hilarious as Cinderella’s evil step sisters were trying to break into the castle.


Cost & Value

Yes, this one’s a splurge. Our bill for three was around $240 before tip. That’s steep. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, it costs 2 table service credits, which helps soften the blow.

Is it worth the price? For us, it was a mixed bag. From a food standpoint, breakfast is absolutely worth the price. Unless you really really love princesses, I might not book this meal for dinner. Between the princess interactions, and eating inside Cinderella Castle, it really felt like a “you’re only at Disney once” kind of moment. I wouldn’t come every trip, but it’s worth doing.

Reservations: How to Actually Get One

This is one of the hardest reservations to land. You need to book exactly 60 days out at your time of booking (early morning!) for the best chance. It books up fast, especially for breakfast slots. If you’re flexible, try lunch or dinner—your only opportunity may be an off-time, but it’s still worth it.

If you are staying on Disney property, I would time your Cinderella’s Royal Table reservation for one of the last days of your trip. This will maximize your shot at not only snagging a reservation but getting one for a time that doesn’t completely stink (like breakfast at 1145am). 

That being said, as you get closer to your Magic Kingdom park day, keep checking the My Disney Experience app. There tend to always be last minute (even day of) cancellations. 

Walk-ups? Basically nonexistent. There’s occasionally last-minute luck, but don’t count on it.


Is It Actually Kid-Friendly?

Yes, 100%. Even though it feels fancy, it was designed with young kids in mind. They get crowns, wands, free meals under 3, and those sweet princess interactions. The space isn’t overly loud, and everything from the menu to the service works for families.

I still have my Wish Upon a Star… and I am certainly not a kid. 

Older kids might still enjoy it, but it’s especially great for little ones obsessed with Disney Princesses.


Location & Convenience

You can’t get more central than this. Cinderella’s Royal Table is literally at the center of Magic Kingdom, so if you’re planning a full Magic Kingdom day, this is a perfect anchor for lunch or dinner.

Bonus: it pairs well with a morning at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or as a magical dinner before fireworks.

Just remember—you need a valid park ticket to eat here.


Final Thoughts: Is Cinderella’s Royal Table Worth It?

If you’re coming to Disney with a princess fan, or you just want to dine in Cinderella Castle once in your life, do it. The food is good (not great), but the setting and character meals are where this restaurant shines. For a first time visitor, it’s one of the most iconic dining experiences in the park.

My Tip: Try to get the earliest breakfast reservation of the day—it’s the best time to enjoy the magic without a crowd, and you’ll get empty castle pics on your way in.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.