Disney Screws Up Akershus

One of my favorite restaurants in Epcot at Walt Disney World is [Restaurant Akershus](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/akershus-royal-banquet-hall/. Located in the Norway Pavilion in World Showcase, the buffet at Akershus offered great food at a bargain price (by Disney standards) and was a relaxing place to spend an hour or two. I was even thinking of stopping there for dinner on my trip in June.

Unfortunately I learned today that they are changing the format of the restaurant to be character meals for every meal. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the concept, a character meal offers diners the opportunity to meet select Disney characters during the course of the meal. I’ve never been to one, but I’m sure they’re a lot of fun for families. Akershus had been offering character breakfasts featuring American food rather than Norwegian food. Starting April 10, they will offer character lunches and dinners with American food for the kids and Norwegian food for the adults.

If that was all they changed, I’d have been OK with it, because I could simply ignore the characters (who happen to be the Princesses) while I eat. But they didn’t stop there. Disney increased the price to $23.99 for lunch and $27.99 for dinner. I’d really like to see the research that led Disney to make this decision. Do we really need more character dining experiences? And if they do, why Akershus? If I promise not to interact with the Princesses can I pay the old price?