Disney continues its quest to become a destination for fine dining as much as attractions!
Recently, Disney Vacation Club announced that it will begin offering “Magical Dining Experiences” exclusively for DVC members and their guests. (This sounds a LOT like the Tables in Wonderland events, for those who are members of that discount program.)
Dinners will take place at popular signature restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. The prix-fixe menus are crafted by Disney chefs, and will feature accompanying wine and/or beer pairings. In addition, a culinary specialist will offer a live presentation throughout the dinner.
The events, which can be booked exclusively by DVC Members for themselves and their guests, promise to be intimate, with limited spots available for each dinner.
Flying Fish, is a DFB Favorite!
The first three dinners have been announced, and details are as follows:
February 27, 2014
Location: Flying Fish
Number of Guests: 40
Hosted by: Renowned Wine Expert
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Price: $165
Menu
Amuse Bouches:
Prosciutto & Melon “Arancini”
Stellina di Notte Prosecco 2009, Veneto-Italia
First Course:
Soupe de Homard alla Asiatique
Lemon Grass, Kaffir Lime, Takuan, Coconut and Thai Chilies
Chandon Riche Extra Dry NV, Napa Valley
Second Course:
Pan-roasted Maine Diver Scallops and Champagne–braised Pennsylvania Hills Veal Cheeks, Holland Leeks, Salsifis and Pousse Pierre with a Natural Veal Jus and Champagne Butter Emulsion
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, NV
Intermezzo
Main Course:
Fennel Pollen-dusted Turbot Fillet a là Trufée
Fondue of Wild Mushrooms, Tiny Turnips and White Asparagus, with Truffle Accents
Krug Grande Cuvee
Dessert:
Plant City Strawberry Creation
Chandon Etoile Rose
Cheese Plate at Citricos
March 13, 2014
Location: Cítricos
Number of Guests: 50
Hosted by: Renowned Wine Expert
Time: 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Price: $155
Menu
First Course:
Atlantic Sword Escabeche
Saffron Potato, Abequina Olive Oil Drizzle, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Vinegar
Jamieson Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, Napa ’13
Second Course:
Crisp Sweetbreads, Berkshire Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Carrot, Wild Berry Paint
Reata Chardonnay, Carneros ’12
Third Course :
Hudson Valley Duck Confit, Rigatoni Pasta Opal Mustard Cream
Reata Three County Pinot Noir Monterey/Sonoma/San Benito ’12
Fourth Course:
Slow-braised Beef Short Ribs, Soft Polenta, Wilted Greens
Whiplash Red, California ’11
After Dinner Course:
Artisanal Cheese Tasting
Jamieson Ranch Cabernet, Napa ‘11
Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
March 27, 2014
Location: Artist Point
Number of Guests: 50
Hosted by: Renowned Wine Expert
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Price: $165
Menu
First Course:
Smokey Portobello Soup ~ Roasted Shitakes ~ Chive Oil
(served tableside)
Second Course:
Dungeness Crab Strudel ~ Sweet Fennel, Preserved Lemon, and Roasted
Pepper Salad ~ Crushed Olive Tapenade
Third Course:
Pacific Northwest Duet
Cedar Plank-roasted Salmon ~ Braised Red Cabbage ~ Lemon Emulsion
Venison Loin ~ Yukon Gouda Mash ~Blackberry Gastrique
Fourth Course:
Artisanal Cheese Selection ~ Seasonal Garnishes
After Dinner Course:
Flourless Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake~ Wild Berry Compote ~ Honey Crème Fraiche ~Candied Bacon Brittle
To book these events, DVC Members should call Member Services. A couple of points to keep in mind when booking:
- Full payment for Culinary Magic experiences must be made via credit card at time of booking.
- Gratuity included, plus tax
- There is a 1-day cancellation policy. The full price will be charged or forfeited for no shows and cancellations that occur with less than 1 day notice.
- Disney Dining Plan entitlements will not be accepted as payment.
- All dinners and menus are subject to change or cancellation.
- Culinary Magic experiences are not eligible for any additional special offers or discounts, including the DVC Member 10% food and beverage discount.
Mark you calendars! Bookings will be available through Member Services beginning February 6.
Will you be booking a DVC Magical Dining Experience? Leave a comment below and tell us what looks good to you!
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Those prices are ridiculous for basically a four course non-themed meal with wine.
orljustin: I’m thinking the same thing, “Magical Dining Experiences” for DVC member’s. As a member I’m not seeing this as a huge perk. Me paying $165.00 to eat at a place I can go anytime. Well there is a Renowned Wine Expert there. guess they have to pay him.
Why not ask us members what we would like to see as perks.
I would pay $165.00 to eat a nice creative, fun meal inside the Haunted Mansion.
Or a limited seating princess dinner, inside the castle with my granddaughter and a glass slipper given to her by prince charming.
I mean there are endless things they could do that would be amazing, with just a place and a few characters. Good, creatively presented food, something that you can’t do everyday.
Who wouldn’t like a villain Themed dinner or Star Wars dining complete with those cute Darth Vader Cupcakes I’ve seen on this blog. I’m sure everyone could think of something they would not mind paying $165.00 for beside a dinner and some wine, Yawn. let’s hear your idea of a dream dinner…
Those are the current prices (gratuity should be included, tax not) of a winery dinner at these restaurants. They’re not significantly more overpriced than anything else at WDW. Disney math considers them 5 course meals. DVC isn’t defraying the cost at all because that would come out of the dues and members would be grabbing their torches and pitchforks.
The DVC perk, if you can call it that, is the exclusivity, not so much the meals themselves (although the food is not supposed to be off the regular menu). The Flying Fish and Citricos dinners for the general public usually sell out very quickly.
You can sorta guess this was forced on the restaurants b/c the quality of the food and experience isn’t the top consideration. FF has a second small kitchen for these events but 40 ppl is very near or past the upper limit of what they can handle. Citricos has much less room and somehow they’re committed to 50 ppl (a normal wine dinner there is 10 guests). A special themed meal would be awesome and maybe this is a stopgap measure (don’t hold your breath).
With Disney restaurants, being hit or miss, I would never spend that amount of money for one Disney meal. I love Joni’s ideas…
Totally agree with the others who say this is a lot of money. This is something geared toward “foodies.” It doesn’t sound like a magical experience at all. I highly recommend “Dining with an Imagineer” – if it is still offered. We did this a few years ago and it was really neat. A small group of us, two imagineers (normally there is just one), a great meal at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in a private room, some photo ops, and souvenir plate to commemorate the occasion. Totally cool.
What a harsh crowd. For a 2-3 hour meal in an exclusive setting these prices are reasonable. I drop a little more than these prices for a nice meal at the Cali Grill and even more for a special meal at V&A
Fred, I agree that if it were a Truly a Magical Dining option the price would be fine. But eating at a restaurant I can go to any time (mind you less people) it seems a bit steep.