Welcome to planDisney, Christian! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today.
Cinderella's Royal Table is a must-do dining experience for so many people visiting Walt Disney World, and it's a coveted reservation to secure. I'm happy to let you know exactly what to expect from
making your reservation all the way up to sitting down to eat, so let's jump right in!
Cinderella's Royal Table is a prepaid dining experience, meaning that, at the time you make the reservation, you'll be charged the stated price per person for everyone on the booking in order to secure the table. Because it's prix fixe, payment is tied to the number of seats reserved, not to how much each person eats.
What that means in practice is that if you book a table for 6 people, you'll pay for 6 people when you reserve. When you arrive, you're absolutely welcome to enjoy the full three-course meal or keep it light with maybe just a course or two, but the charge still applies to every guest on the reservation. There isn't an option at Cinderella's Royal Table to seat non-eaters or only pay for part of the group while the rest just sit; everyone seated counts toward the prepaid total.
If your party size might change, the best move is to modify your reservation in the My Disney Experience app as soon as plans firm up, so your prepaid amount matches the final headcount. Tables inside Cinderella Castle are in high demand, so earlier adjustments are easier than last-minute ones. If you're looking for more flexibility, like ordering à la carte or having someone skip a course, consider one of the many non-prepaid table-service locations at
Magic Kingdom or nearby resorts, where you pay at the end of the meal based on what your party actually orders.
That said, if dining with the princesses in the Castle is the dream, go ahead and book for the exact number who will be dining and plan to enjoy as much, or as little, of the menu as you like. The prepaid price covers the full experience either way.
Have a magical day, Christian!
Jessica