The Death of Cinderella’s Royal Table

One of the hardest restaurants to book in all of Disney World is Cinderella’s Royal Table. This is a character dining experience inside of Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Over the years this restaurant has really gone downhill.

There was once a day when you could make a reservation with only a few days to a weeks notice, a magical day when you got a menu with a variety of options and could order only one course if you wanted, and it was a laid back, fine dining experience. If you have been to Cinderella’s Royal Table in the last few years you must think I’m nuts. After all, it’s nothing like that description.

Today Cinderella’s Royal Table has turned into a madhouse of wannabe princesses, stressed out parents, bad food, and lame entertainment.

So what happened? Keep in mind we are talking about Disney. That should be a big hint. If it’s not I’ll just tell you. Money! Cinderella’s Royal Table was popular so Disney tried to figure out how to squeeze as much profit as possible out of it. There are a number of adjustments that were made to increase profit. Some are very smart. Check these out:

1 – Make it a fixed price for three courses: Keep in mind the price is more than what you would normally pay for three courses. Also most people didn’t order desert before. So why would people do it? Because it seems like a deal. Soap that sells for 23 cents a bar might not sell but if you pile it somewhere, throw a sign over that says three for a dollar, it’ll move like hotcakes.

2 – Cut the food quality: You can save a lot of money by doing this. Problem is people might complain. So how do you compensate that? Throw someone in a mouse suit and have them dance around.

3 – Deliver the food in rapid succession: Deliver the appetizer, then walk to the kitchen and return with the main course. Wait ten minutes and deliver the final course. That forces the people out in record time allowing you to turnover more tables in a set period of time.

4 – Make it a prepay experience: This cuts time at the end of meal. There is no bill, tip is included, and it allows a faster turnover.

5 – Add a photo op with Cinderella: Give them one for free so they don’t think they are getting raked over the coals and then offer photo packages to increase profit.

There you go. How increase profits while increase attendance and cutting its value. Brilliant!