10 Unique Dining Experiences and Packages at Walt Disney World

When it comes to planning a Disney vacation, you’ve no doubt heard about the dining plans, know the difference between quick service and table service and have your sites set on some popular character dining experiences.  However, did you know that Disney also has a wide range of unique dining opportunities that are slightly under the radar? From intimate meals carefully overseen by one of Disney’s World’s world-renowned chefs to packages that provide you with VIP access to some of Disney’s amazing shows,  there are a lot of unforgettable ways to dine your way around Disney World.  That’s why we here at MickeyBlog though we’d provide you with a bit of taster of some of our favorite unique dining opportunities.

1. Celebration at the Top: Sip, Savor and Sparkle – Disney’s Contemporary Resort

For those celebrating a special milestone like a birthday, anniversary or graduation, we’ve got the perfect dining experience.  Held on Saturdays and Sundays at the California Grill located within  Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Celebration at the Top is an evening filled with light bites and stunning views.  Guests will have an opportunity to savor the flavors of the Pacific Coast with an array of delicious canapes, small plates, California wines, beers and cordials.  Then, in conjunction with Magic Kingdom’s nighttime fireworks display, guests will step out onto the private observation deck just for Celebration at the Top Guests. Here you can enjoy some of the most dazzling views in all of Walt Disney World.

Pricing for this event is $99 plus gratuity and tax per person for bookings on or before March 29, 2019 and $110 plus gratuity and tax per person for bookings on or after March 30, 2019.  Reservations can be made by contacting your travel agent or calling 407.WDW.DINE. The Disney Dining Plan is not accepted for this event.

2. Citricos Chef’s Domain- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Those looking for an intimate dining event for your group of eight need look no further than this stunning offering at Citricos located at Disney’s Grand Floridan.  You’ll  have an opportunity to meet the Chef as he carefully prepares a multi-course Mediterranean feast exclusively for your group paired with award-winning wines.    The Chef’s Domain is available daily from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional.  Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition.  Tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats, cut-offs, torn clothing, offensive t-shirts will not be permitted.

There is a minimal cost of $800 required covering the entire group.  This amount does not include tax and gratuities.  Reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance by contacting your Travel Agent or Disney directly at 407.WDW.DINE.

3. Dine With an Imagineer- Hollywood Brown Derby – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

For lifelong Disney buffs, fulfill your dreams of meeting an Imagineer with this 4-course lunch offered at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  During this unique dining experience guests ages 14 and older will be able to enjoy an unforgettable mealtime conversation with one of the creative minds that bring Disney magic to life.  You’ll gain unique insights into the Disney parks and resorts while you savor a delectable meal in the Bamboo Room.  This dining experience is typically offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:00 noon.

The cost to attend this event is $89.46 per person.  The event is not covered by the Disney Dining Plan.  Reservations can be made by contacting your Travel Agent or reaching out to Disney directly at 407.WDW.DINE.

4. Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package – Various Locations – Epcot

Each of Epcot’s four annual festivals comes with a fantastic concert series.  For the Festival of the Arts (currently underway until February 25th) there’s the Disney on Broadway Concert Series.  The Flower and Garden festival will offer a nightly Garden Rocks Concert Series. Then there’s the much-loved Eat to the Beat Concert Series during the Food and Wine Festival.  And who can forget the Candlelight Processional during the Festival of the Holidays?  Each of these concerts are free for those with valid Epcot admission though general seating for these nightly events can fill up fast.  If you want to secure a seat for a coveted concert experience and enjoy a meal at one of Epcot’s amazing eateries then a Concert Series Dining Package is just the ticket.  For the Broadway Concert series guests can enjoy Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at one of Epcot’s designated eateries.  You will then be given a voucher for preferred seating at one of the nightly concerts.  Trust us when we say its that perfect bit of pampering at the end of a long Epcot day.

Costs vary depending on mealtimes and locations.  You can find a full list of dining options for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package here.

5. Fantasmic! Dining Package – Various Locations – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

For visitors to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one of the highlights of your visit is sure to be the dazzling nighttime show Fantasmic! Part musical theatre, fireworks display and water projection show this evening offering is one of the best in all of Disney World and is brimming with magic! Though the production is open to anyone with a valid theme park admission, with general seating good viewing spots can be tricky to come by.  That’s why if taking in one of Fantasmic’s nightly shows is high on your priority list you may want to consider booking one of Disney’s Fantasmic! Dining Packages.  Under the offer, guests can enjoy a meal at one of the tree Hollywood Studios restaurants including an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage or full-service buffet (where applicable.) Each member of your party will then receive a voucher for guaranteed seating in a reserved Fantasmic! viewing area with impressive sightlines!

The package can be booked at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italian and will set you back $43 per adult or $18 per child (plus tax and gratuity.) There’s also Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine for $46 per adult and $28 per child or Lunch/Dinner for $60 per adult and $36 per child. Finally, The Hollywood Brown Derby participates in the package for lunch/dinner where the cost is $63 per adult and $22 per child (plus tax and gratuity.)  Those on the Disney Dining Plan will be pleased to know that you can use your dining credits for this offer. It’s 1 table service credit for Mama Melrose and Hollywood and Vine or two credits for Hollywood Brown Derby.

Reservations can be made online, via your Travel Agent or by calling 407.WDW.DINE.

6. Festival of the Lion King Signature Dining Package – Tiffins- Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Here at MickeyBlog we are consistently singing the praises of Festival of the Lion King and find it to be one of the best stage shows at Walt Disney World.  Now visitors to the theme park have the opportunity to combine seating for one The Lion King’s daily performances with a delicious African-inspired Dining Experience at Tiffins.   The cuisine at Tiffins is packed with exotic treats like charred octopus, spiced chickpea falafel, and Wagyu beef ribeye.

There are two versions of the dining package available to book.  The first includes a 3-course meal at Tiffins with priority seating at The Festival of the Lion King. It will set visitors back $74 plus tax and gratuity per adult and $29 per child ages 3-9.  This offer is available for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.  The second is considered the VIP version of the package and also includes a special African safari after your meal. The cost to attend is $99 per adult and $49 per child.

Reservations can be made online via My Disney Experience, by calling 407.WDW.DINE or contact your Travel Agent.

7. Highway in the Sky Dine Around – Various Locations – Disney’s Monorail Resorts

Can’t decide which of Disney World’s stunning monorail properties you’d like to dine at? Why not try out a few! This five-course progressive dinner allows you to sample the sumptuous offerings at 3 Disney Resort hotels.  Your culinary journey starts at the Contemporary Resort where you’ll enjoy an appetizer and speciality cocktail at The Wave…of American Flavors.  Next, you hop over to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for an enticing variety of island-inspired libations and appetizers.  Then it’s time for a change of scenery as the group moves to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for an artisanal selection of cheeses, charcuterie and champagne.  Then you’ll be invited to Citricos (also at the Grand Floridian) for a Chef’s main course.  Afterwards, its back on the monorail to Disney’s Contemporary Resort to watch the Happily Ever After fireworks from a private patio while enjoying desserts, cordials and coffee.

This one-of-a-kind dining adventure is $170 per person plus tax with gratuity included.  Dress code is similar to that of Citricos (listed above). Reservations can be made online, via your travel agent or at 407.WDW.DINE.   This offer is not covered by the Disney Dining Plan.

8. Illuminations Dining Package – Rose & Crown Dining Room – Epcot

Later this year Epcot will bid adieu to its nighttime fireworks display IllumiNations.  Fans of the show won’t want to miss your chance to say good-bye with a wonderful meal and some incredible sightlines for this outstanding production.  Starting at 8 PM, guests will be able to dine under the stars at the lakefront patio at Rose & Crown Dining Room. The event includes a prix-fixe menu featuring a selection of British Pub favorites as well as a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.  With sweeping views of the lagoon, this dining experience provides the perfect vantage point for enjoying IllumiNations in all its splendor.

The cost for this event is $85 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $35 per child (ages 3 to 9) tax and gratuity included.  Guests can check availability online, contact your travel agent or call 407.WDW.DINE.  This experience is not covered by the Disney Dining Plan.

9. Rivers of Light Dining Package – Various Locations – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you’ve not had a chance to check out the Animal Kingdom’s whimsical nighttime water pageant this dining event is perfect.  Guests can savour a mouthwatering meal at one of two amazing Animal Kingdom eateries before enjoying premium seating at the Rivers of Light show under the stars. You’ll be blown away by the beauty of this captivating nighttime display which features a dazzling combination of light and water effects to celebrate the magic of nature.

There are two participating restaurants.  The first is Tusker House where visitors can enjoy incredible dishes from around the world while rubbing shoulders with Safari Mickey and friends.  This version of the package will set guests back $39 per adult and $24 per child for breakfast or $52 per adult and $32 per child for dinner. The other option is Fine/Signature Dining at Tiffins. Here you’ll be able to enjoy your choice of appetizer, entree and dessert with a menu that boasts an eclectic array of food from around the globe.  The cost is $67.00 per adult for lunch and dinner and $26 per child (ages 3- 9).

Guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use 1 table service dining credit if booking the Tusker House Package and 2 table service dining credits if booking the Tiffins package. Reservations can be made online, via your travel agent or by calling 407.WDW.DINE.

10. Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table Dinner- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

For those looking for the ultimate in Disney dining, it doesn’t get any better than this.  Winner of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award, Victoria & Albert’s is the premier restaurant at Walt Disney World.  During this special dining event, you’ll gather at an exclusive table located in the heart of Victoria & Albert’s kitchen where you’ll interact with staff as they prepare this extraordinary culinary experience for you.  Inspired by the season,  each unique menu features ingredients culled fresh daily from the world market.  During this 3 hour service, the chef will offer up superb morsels and tasting samples.  There is also an optional wine pairing where the restaurant’s sommelier selects the ideal vintage to enjoy with each portion of your meal.

Only one party per evening is seated making reservations very hard to come by.  The table can accommodate up to 8 guests but reservations can be made for parties as small as 2. Prix Fixe begins at $250.00 per person and wine pairings start at $150.00 per guest. To preserve the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant guests (who must be 10 years or older) are expected to wear dinner jackets, dress pants/slacks and shoes if men. Women must wear cocktail dresses or other nice dress or pantsuit or a skirt and blouse.

Reservations (if you’re lucky enough to get one) can be made online, by calling 407.WDW.DINE or enlisting the help of your travel agent.

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