Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Review: Is This Character Dining Worth It?
Akershus Disney Experience
Curious if Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Disney World is worth visiting? In this Akershus Royal Banquet Hall review, we explore the enchanting character interactions, food, and immersive atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a memorable family meal or a magical experience at Walt Disney World, our review will guide you through the highlights.
Key Takeaways of the Arkerhus Royal Banquet Hall Character Meal
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall offers a unique medieval-themed character dine with engaging Disney princess characters.
Reservations need to be made 60 days in advance due to the venue’s popularity, and arriving on time helps minimize wait times.
The family-style menu features Norwegian-inspired dishes, from savory meatballs to delightful desserts.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Review
Stepping into Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is like being whisked away to a medieval Norwegian castle. The hall is located in Epcot's Norway pavilion as a part of the World Showcase. The venue boasts impressive archways, soaring cathedral ceilings, dark wood, and stained glass windows. The ambiance is both grand and cozy, making it an unforgettable setting for a character meal. The ambiance is in line with Disney World magical ability to transport you to a different time and place.
One of the hallmarks of Akershus is its princesses. Disney princesses, such as Ariel, Princess Tiana, Bell, Princess Aurora, and Snow White make their rounds, offering guests the chance to engage in memorable conversations and take photos. There is also a princess parade during each meal.
The character dine is family-style, meaning large platters of food are brought to the table for everyone to share.
Making Reservations and Check-In Process
Given the popularity of Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, making reservations as early as 60 days in advance is crucial. This ensures that you can secure a spot at this sought-after dining venue. Reservations fill up quickly, so it’s best to act as soon as the booking window opens.
Our experience at Akershus Disney began with a wait, as is common even with reservations. The waiting area for Akershus is outside, which can be challenging on a hot day in Florida, especially for families with young children. Our reservation was set for lunchtime, and we waited about 30 minutes before being seated. We were able to explore Epcot's Norway pavilion while some of us waited for our table to be ready.
Atmosphere at Akershus
The atmosphere at Akershus is nothing short of enchanting. Upon entering, staff members from Norway greet you warmly, setting the tone for your Walt Disney World experience. The interior is designed to mimic a medieval Norwegian fortress, complete with dark wood, high ceilings, and stained glass windows, making you feel like royalty.
Overall, the ambiance and service at Akershus contribute to a unique and fun character meal.
Character Interactions at Akershus
One of the main draws of Akershus is the opportunity to meet Disney Princesses without the long waits that typically come with character meets at Disney World. We met an impressive lineup during our visit, including Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, and Princess Aurora.
Each princess approached our table to greet us, sign autograph books, and pose for pictures. The interaction was genuinely enchanting, especially for our daughter, who was thrilled to meet her favorite characters up close. My daughter loved meeting all the characters and participating in the parade.
Each princess took time to talk with her, and Princess Ariel even discussed her “adventures under the sea,” which made the experience even more magical. The time with each character didn’t feel rushed, and they truly engaged with the kids. For any Disney princess fan, these interactions were priceless.
A highlight of the experience was the princess parade, where children were invited to join Disney princesses in a royal procession through the hall. It was such a nice touch, and watching my daughter parade with her favorite Disney royalty was an unforgettable moment for all of us. Menu Offerings
The Food - Akershus Menu
The Akershus menu is served family style and features Norwegian-inspired cuisine for both lunch and dinner. This format means diners are served family-style, platters of food from a set menu, which can make it a bit difficult for picky eaters since there isn’t much customization.
Our group of five had different tastes, ranging from meat-eaters and vegetarians to young children with simpler palates, so this fixed-menu setup was a bit challenging. However, it’s a wonderful opportunity for those open to trying Norwegian food.
The food at Akershus begins with a refreshing Field Greens Salad, drizzled with a distinct Lingonberry Vinaigrette. This salad sets the tone for the Norwegian food-inspired feast to follow.
We started with appetizers, including smoked salmon, Norwegian cheeses, and cold cuts. The appetizers were unique and true to the Scandinavian theme, though not everyone in our group was as adventurous with the flavors.
For the main course, we were served traditional dishes such as Kjøttkake (Norwegian meatballs), Kylling Og Melboller- herb-roasted chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, seared pork tenderloin, and a fresh field greens salad dressed with Lingonberry vinaigrette.
The dishes were hearty and flavorful, and they added a unique culinary touch that you won’t find at many Disney dining spots. I was a big fan of the mashed potatoes.
No experience at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is complete without indulging in their delectable desserts. Desserts included rice cream and chocolate mousse cake. The rice cream, served with a sweet strawberry sauce, is a unique and delightful treat that offers a taste of traditional Norwegian sweets.
Chocolate lovers will enjoy the chocolate mousse cake, described as dense yet light with a rich chocolate cake flavor, perfect for ending your experience on a sweet note. Other dessert options, such as apple cake, ensure that there’s something to satisfy every sweet tooth. Overall the rice cream with strawberry sauce was my favorite. The overal food quality was great.
Soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the meal, with an option to purchase alcoholic drinks at an extra cost. Specialty drinks are also available for an additional cost. Note, that if you are using the Disney dining plan, an Akershus meal will cost 2 two table service credits for each person dining.
Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is considered to be on the higher end of Disney character meals, with adult meals priced at $63 and children’s meals (ages 3-9) at $41.
Prices include tax but do not cover gratuity, and alcoholic beverages are an additional charge. Despite the cost, many guests find that the magical experience and the opportunity to interact with Disney princesses make it well worth the price especially if you have the Disney dining plan.
Is Akershus Okay For Picky Eaters?
For families with picky eaters, the Akershus selection can be a bit of a challenge with the Norwegian cuisine. The fixed menu didn’t cater as well to our kids’ tastes as the buffet options at other Disney character dining spots.
My daughter ended up mostly eating the mac and cheese, while my son preferred the dinner rolls. However, the adults enjoyed sampling the food options. The desserts, with their varied flavors and familiar touches, helped make the food more enjoyable for everyone, especially the kids.
Comparing Akershus to Cinderella's Royal Table
When comparing Akershus Royal Banquet Hall to Cinderella’s Royal Table, several key differences stand out. Akershus is generally considered a more affordable alternative, while Cinderella’s Royal Table features a wider variety of individual menu items.
Akershus focuses on classic Disney princesses in the magic kingdom, excluding Frozen characters, making it a unique experience.
Akershus offers a charming medieval castle ambiance, whereas Cinderella’s Royal Table provides a grand experience in the iconic Cinderella Castle, each with a distinct and memorable atmosphere.
Tips for Enjoying Your Visit
To make the most of your visit to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, it’s essential to book your reservations early, ideally as soon as the 60-day window opens. Arriving on time is crucial since guests are escorted in according to their reservation time, ensuring a smooth experience.
Dining at Akershus also offers the benefit of early park entry into Epcot, enhancing your overall experience. This offers the perfect opportunity to engage with the princesses amidst a magical atmosphere, enhancing your visit to Epcot.
Overall Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Experience
The true magic of Akershus lies in the chance to meet princesses in an intimate, enchanting setting. This experience is a great way to bypass the long lines often associated with meeting characters in the parks, which is ideal for families with young children or those on a tighter schedule.
For young fans of Disney royalty, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall provides a good option to experience a character meal in a setting fit for a princess. While the menu may not suit everyone’s tastes, the intimate setting, magical ambiance, and character interactions make it worth a visit.
Watching my daughter light up as she met each character was truly priceless, and the family-friendly parade added an extra layer of charm to the experience.
Overall, our time at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall was memorable experience. On our next trip, we may try the Akershus breakfast.
