During breakfast hours, Cinderella's Royal Table offers character-meeting breakfasts. By dinnertime, CRT is one of the upscale restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. Although it's not meant as a character meet-and-greet, Cinderella and Belle (from "Beauty and the Beast") were in the lobby greeting people while they waited to be seated. One of the people waiting said Cinderella will sometimes grace the patrons as they eat, but we did not see her again once she left the lobby.

The dining room (accessible by spiral staircase or by elevator) is what one may expect from Castle dining. The ceilings were high, the tables long and looked like mahogany wood and the lighting was dark. The outer wall has large iron-cast windows (as one might expect when thinking about a castle) which are partially-stained. There are individual tables for each party, so it's not like a single table from festive medieval lore.

The food was great. The bread before the meal was soft pretzel-bread rolls. We had an appetizer, but I forget what we had. For a main course I had prime rib of beef which was well-prepared and had a delicious spicy almost-crust. For desert, the waitress brought out a small birthday desert with candle. My friends slipped the message to the hostess before we went up, so I got embarrassed by "Happy Birthday" in the lobby and again at dinner.

As we were waiting for dinner, the Magic Kingdom fireworks were going off. We were able to see parts of it through the window. I am fairly certain if we were closer to the windows, we would have seen much more, but you still see quite a bit even from the back of the room.

Breakfast is plated -- I think you have a choice of two entrees -- and includes good orange juice, croissants and muffins (including chocolate), fresh fruit, and coffee/milk/tea. You can ask for more of anything without extra charge, but with kids itching to get off to see the rides, we pretty much just ate what initially was served.

The food was good, the characters were fun, but in high demand, so you only got a bit of time with each, and there was a hefty wait even with the obligatory and very hard to obtain priority seating.

We made our reservations that day and had to wait a little over an hour to be seated. We were sent to a grand room with a stone fireplace and Cinderella’s chair to wait for our table. While you're waiting, Cinderella visits and you can have your picture taken with her.

If you want to be treated like royalty then this is the place to go. The kids are addressed as "prince" and "princess." The food was very good, but there was not a large selection. While we ate, Peter Pan and Captain Hook chased each other around the castle just outside where we sat. This was an experience that we won't forget. So, if you miss the character breakfast, don’t miss this opportunity to eat in the Castle. It was a dream come true!

What's so special about Cinderella's Royal Table?

You may be wondering why otherwise rational adults would compete for the privilege of breakfasting with Cinderella and her friends. The food really is tasty and plentiful; I've yet to find a better apple-filled crepe on Disney property. There is also something wonderful about the light streaming through the tall, Gothic-style stained-glass windows.

Don't despair if you don't secure your table on the first try. If you begin trying for a date at the beginning of your Disney World sojourn, you can always try again tomorrow morning.

Still no luck? Mark your calendar for the date corresponding to the cancellation deadline for the day you want, and try again that morning. Or enjoy lunch or dinner in the castle, without characters or the same competition for seating.

If you can get a very early time, before the Magic Kingdom opens to the public, all the better. My daughters and I had Main Street to ourselves as we strolled to the castle for breakfast. Fortunately, the Disney photographers were out and about already to capture the moment for us.

If you are relying on Disney transportation, a special early bus (look for "Character Breakfast" on the marquee) will get you there with no problems. Have your priority-seating number handy as you pass through the special security entrance. A cast member will locate your name on a list of the morning's priority-seating holders, and you'll be on your way.

Disney management is expanding the range of opportunities for dining with the Princesses. The new Princess breakfast in the castle at Norway in Epcot has more seating, and even more characters. I must admit that we didn't enjoy the food and ambience as much there as in Cinderella's castle.

The 1900 Park Faire restaurant at the Grand Floridian, a monorail resort, has a brand-new character dinner featuring the Princesses. Something new for us to anticipate on our next trip!

The place was absolutely packed the entire time we were there. I had been last time but wanted to go again so that my fiance could see the inside of the castle. I love the decor and props they have set up. Eating there is worth that alone. The actual restaurant portion of the place is on the second floor of the castle and has huge stained glass windows that look out over Magic Kingdom.

For as busy as they were, the service was incredibly quick. I ordered the prime rib (which was the most tender I had ever had) and he had the leg of lamb, which was pretty good as well. Other than that, the meal was pretty normal, but this is a must-see for parents with kids. Sometimes Cinderella shows up, and it's a fun time for them.

While I was there, we saw Mary Poppins, Aurora, Snow White, Belle, and Cinderella. Lunch is $23.99, which includes a tasting plate appetizer, an entrée, and a pre-selected dessert.

I ordered Major Domo's Favorite Pie, which was "Prime Rib of beef simmered in rich cabernet sauce, served with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables, crowning a light pastry." It was a good portion, and delicious to boot. I wasn't crazy about the dessert, "Blueberry Buckle Cobber with lemon ice cream and finished with creme fraiche." It was refreshing, but I'm a fan of neither blueberry nor lemon.

The interior of the restaurant is spectacular. You will not believe that you are walking THROUGH the infamous castle! The lobby area was occupied by the Fairy Godmother. We climbed the royal looking stairs into the restaurant itself. Make sure to get a good look at the ceiling! It truly looks like a castle from a fairy tale. You may also find yourself sitting next to a gorgeous stained-glass window overlooking Fantasyland.

This is a great dining experience for all ages. Don't hesitate to go to the character dining meals without kids (my friend and I didn't!). However, I do hear that the dinner there is outstanding and sans characters. This place is not to be missed!

The food is excellent--definitely not your average breakfast! The all-you-can-eat menu includes banana-stuffed French toast (half a banana covered in a sweet batter and brioche, baked and served hot), scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, fresh sliced fruit, scones, orange juice, coffee, and tea. Best of all, you get to sit and relax . . . all the food is brought to your table, and countless Disney characters will visit you while you enjoy your breakfast! On our visit, we got to take pictures with Peter Pan and Wendy, Cinderella, Snow White, Alice, and the Fairy Godmother.