Princess meals are a hot commodity at Disney World. After a long closure, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is finally reopening November 4, 2022 with reservations available October 24, 2022. Previously the Akershus princess meal in Epcot allowed you to meet 4 to 5 princesses during a meal. We hope this princess meal returns with the same wonderful format.
Akershus Princess Meal Location
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is located in the Norway pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. You can find Akershus Royal Banquet Hall towards the walkway of the same area that houses the Frozen Ever After ride.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Epcot’s Akershus princess meal takes place in a large, rustic Norwegian banquet hall. There are several seating areas in Akershus, but don’t worry, the princesses make their way to all the tables during a meal.
Impressive arched doorways, rustic stonework, and carved dark wood details throughout the restaurant make you feel like you are dining in a real castle. Decorative banners hang from the ceilings accented by dim lighting.
Although a pretty atmosphere, the dim lighting and close tables make photos with the princesses challenging. Thankfully Akershus princess interactions more than make up for the difficult photos.
Have children, or adults who want to meet princesses, sit where they can easily get up from their chair to interact with princesses as they come around. If possible, have your family photographer sit across from or next to those hoping to meet the princesses.
Akershus Princess Meal Food
An Akershus princess meal is a three-course affair for lunch and dinner. Disney World’s website states that Akershus meals are now served family style with a variety of foods and two dessert options.
For those with food allergies: We consulted with our server and the chef before ordering our meal. This way we could ensure Elizabeth’s meal would be safe for her. To avoid cross-contamination, the chef prepared her appetizers in the kitchen and had them brought to the table. Her meal was also specially prepared to avoid her allergen. The normal dessert options were unsafe for Elizabeth so the chef sent out a selection of Enjoy Life cookies for her dessert. If you have someone with a food allergy please read my 5 Minute Guide To Dealing With Food Allergies At Disney to learn more.
We have been to Akershus on a few occasions and thought the food was pretty unremarkable. However, on our large family trip we felt the food quality had improved.
An Akershus princess dinner is still not fine dining, but we did enjoy our meal more than in the past. And let’s be honest, we’re here for the princesses anyway. The newly reopened Akershus menu is reimagined, but has several appetizing options.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Characters
Please note these experiences are based on the original Akershus princess meal character interactions. We won’t know full details about how many princesses are there or the exact format until reopening.
There used to be 4 or 5 princesses at an Akershus princess meal and we hope this format returns when it reopens. On our last visit before closing we saw Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel, but characters are always subject to change.
Regardless of which princesses are at Akershus, they are always unbelievably sweet and kind. My niece spent most of her interactions hugging each princess’s dress. The princesses also did a great job of interacting with both differently aged girls so neither felt left out.
In the past, during your meal kids participated in a princess processional. The princess processional allows your little one to parade through the restaurant following one of the lovely princesses. My little niece was enthralled with Snow White and that lucky girl somehow managed to walk hand in hand with Snow White during the parade.
Belle
Before starting your dinner meet Belle in her own greeting area. Belle signs autograph books or other keepsakes, talks to your group, and takes pictures with you.
In the past a PhotoPass photographer snaps pictures at Belle’s meeting spot. If a photographer is there make sure you get a family photo with this beloved princess!
Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
Sleeping Beauty was the first princess to arrive at our table. She chatted with Elizabeth and Mini Mac for a bit before moving on to the next table.
Cinderella
Elizabeth was dressed as Elsa during our Akershus princess meal. Cinderella asked if “Elsa” could freeze the pond so her mouse friends could go ice skating.
Rapunzel
Rapunzel asked if Elizabeth would share her appetizer vegetables with Pascal (who is Rapunzel’s chameleon friend).
Snow White
Always a favorite of ours, Snow White was so charming and sweet with the girls.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Cost
After reopening, Akershus princess meals will cost $53 for breakfast or $63 per adult for lunch or dinner.
Children age 3 to 9 years old pay $34 for breakfast or $41 for lunch and dinner. Those under age 3 are free if they eat from a paying guest’s plate or you can order and pay for a full meal.
Final Thoughts On Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Princess Meals
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a great character meal option and we can’t wait to experience this Epcot princess meal again. Although Cinderella’s Royal Table used to be the more popular princess meal, Akershus princess meals are now a better option.
Currently, only Cinderella greets guests at Cinderella’s Royal Table and the meal isn’t even listed as Disney World character dining. Meanwhile Disney’s website hints that Akershus will have more than one princess stating guests will “encounter a royal promenade of princess friends’.
The return of this true Disney World princess character meal means making advance dining reservations for Akershus is necessary 60 days in advance (once reservations reopen October 24, 2022).
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