by Fairy Diva
Though I am not normally a morning person, I am somehow able to magically wake up super early at Walt Disney World and begin my day fully alert and excited. It is Disney after all! My family loves making early morning Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) and entering the parks before opening time. This allows us to already be inside the park when it does open, with a nice meal fueling us for the day. On our past visit to Epcot, we did an early morning ADR for Akershus Royal Banquet Hall- Princess Storybook Dining. (For tips on making advanced dining reservations see Dopey Diva’s tips here). We had previously had dinner at this table service location, but were excited to try breakfast.
Our reservations were for 8:15 a.m., and Epcot opened at 9:00 a.m. We made our way to the ADR breakfast entrance line at Epcot, where they check your name and reservation, scan your Magic Band and then let you into the park. One thing to note is that Akershus is located in Norway of the World Showcase and is quite a walk from the park’s entrance. Disney Diva Tip: Allow extra time to walk through the parks to your dining location. Sometimes the walk can be lengthy. I loved walking through the park, which was nearly empty except for a few other early breakfast eaters.
The theming of the World Showcase countries is quite impressive, and Norway is no exception. After checking in at the hosting station, we were quickly called into the restaurant for our meal. In the entry is an open storybook and beautiful tapestry. Before we were seated at our table, we had the opportunity to meet Belle for a photo and autograph signing.
Following the meet with Belle, we were ushered to our table. On this visit, we were seated in the main dining hall area. For our dinner on a previous trip, we were at the furthest table back in a side room, where the theming wasn’t quite as appealing. This table was exceptional, and I loved just how grand the room felt. It truly felt like a Royal Banquet Hall!
Our server was very attentive and kind, bringing our drinks quickly and keeping them full the entire meal. Breakfast at Akershus is both family style and buffet. Akershus offers a cold buffet bar with a variety of items like bagels, fresh fruit, pastries, yogurt, cheeses and cold meats. We filled our plates with our favorites and returned to our table.
Shortly after we began eating our items from the buffet, our server brought out the family style platter containing hot items like scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and a delicious potato casserole (which may have been my favorite breakfast item of our entire trip). Though the four of us had plenty with just one family platter, you are welcomed to get as much as you want, either of the entire platter or just one specific item. And return trips to the buffet are encouraged as well.
During the meal, several Disney Princesses stopped by for a visit, taking pictures and signing autographs. My three year old daughter, who adores the Disney Princesses, got shy and didn’t really want to take pictures, but finally ended up doing well with Ariel and Cinderella. We also met Snow White and Aurora. My son, who did not care to meet or take pictures with the princesses, said he loved the food and was happy we ate there.
At various times throughout the meal, the Princesses would gather and invite all of the children to join them for a procession around the restaurant. Seeing all of the little princes and princesses walking along in line with the much-loved Disney Princesses was adorable! My son enjoyed watching from our table with a mouth full of doughnuts, while my daughter enjoyed participating in the procession.
Overall, our experience at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall was wonderful. The food, atmosphere, service and character interaction was great. This meal (along with lunch and dinner) counts as 1 table service credit if you are using the Disney Dining Plan, and is a great use of one table credit, in my opinion. ADRs are highly encouraged. You can read more on Akershus, including lunch and dinner info, from Pixie Dusted Diva’s review here. I highly recommend trying Akershus for any meal. The experience is definitely fit for a princess!
Ready to plan your trip to Walt Disney World and dine like a princess at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall? Contact Patricia with All for Dreams Travel!
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