A few questions about V&A

[Tigger in a kilt]

I really want to go to V&A, while my husband doesn't want to bring a suit on vacation.

1. Is it really that great, or is it just the best that is at WDW?

2. When the dress code says "dinner jacket", does that mean suit jacket or tuxedo? I think this is a language/cultural issue, but to me a dinner jacket has satin labels, maybe tails, or is a tux. The photos I have seen of other people don't look like they are formally dressed but just in suits. I just need to know what battle to fight!

3. Some places can provide a "house" jacket if you show up without one. Does V&A have this ability?

4. How well air conditioned is it, and the GF in general? The crux of this whole thing is that my husband has epilepsy and we know that if he overheats it can trigger a seizure. He wears shorts 10 months out of the year in Scotland, so his heat tolerance is pretty low.

5. Obviously it is subjective, but if you were only to do one of the 3 dining options at V&A, which would you do?

I don't know if we will go, but if we do then we will need to book it soon, and while I want to go, I don't want my husband to be miserable. Thank you.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Have you read any reviews of this experience? This is a great restaurant, and not great for Disney

It is a roughly 3 hour dining experience. Everyone dresses for the occasion. Tux not required but a suit is. I am not sure if they have loaner jackets, but jacket is required.

This was the best dining experience I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy

 

[rwdavis2]

A coat for men is all that's required. No kids under, I believe, 10.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

Thanks, @Pumbaa_ ! Yes, I have read lots of reviews, and it does seem to have a good reputation. I’m really trying to decide whether we will be missing out by not going, or whether it’s the kind of good restaurant that lots of cities have. Does that make sense? Basically, I’m trying to work out whether, if we get back on the plane without having eaten there, we will regret it.

Edit: Thank you, @rwdavis2 !

 

[Jillianna]

A jacket and collared shirt are required for men. So it does not have to be an entire suit a sport jacket will work. Ties are optional. Yes, they do have "loaner" jackets available free of charge. The Queen Victoria Room has a fireplace so your DH should probably stay clear of this dining option. They offer shawls to women to help keep them warm so I would think they keep the dining room on the cooler side. You could call and ask about the room temp.

 

[rwdavis2]

Thanks, @Pumbaa_ ! Yes, I have read lots of reviews, and it does seem to have a good reputation. I’m really trying to decide whether we will be missing out by not going, or whether it’s the kind of good restaurant that lots of cities have. Does that make sense? Basically, I’m trying to work out whether, if we get back on the plane without having eaten there, we will regret it.

Edit: Thank you, @rwdavis2 !

From what I've read it could compete with most of the high end places in most cities. I'd like to try it someday but then again, I could eat just as good of a meal here in DC/Baltimore.

 

[sponica]

Thanks, @Pumbaa_ ! Yes, I have read lots of reviews, and it does seem to have a good reputation. I’m really trying to decide whether we will be missing out by not going, or whether it’s the kind of good restaurant that lots of cities have. Does that make sense? Basically, I’m trying to work out whether, if we get back on the plane without having eaten there, we will regret it.

Edit: Thank you, @rwdavis2 !

It was featured in a travel channel special (I can't remember which one). The only thing closest to it that I've experienced is a place at the Omni Mt Washington (it's a 4 diamond restaurant while V&A is 5 diamond). It's on my bucket list. You can pull the 5 diamond AAA list from the internet to give you an idea of how few places rank that high.

 

[Pakey]

There are +/- 60 restaurants in the US with this rating. So it is very special. I have dined here maybe a half dozen times, along with 4 other restaurants on this 5-star list. I think out of the 5, V&A has been the least expensive--it's very reasonably priced for what you get. It's not my favorite of the 5 I have dined at but it's not my least favorite either. I have done two of the options (have not done Chef's table) and it really depends on the length of time and amount of food you want. If you aren't sure your husband will enjoy, I would do the shorter one, lol. I think each of my dining experiences has been at least 3 hours as these are not restaurants to rush.
They do provide loaner jackets. I saw them giving one to a customer once. They also have pashimas for women if they get cold. My adult son, very warm blooded, was cooking while eating here. Jacket remains on and he actually had to leave for a bit and go outside of the restaurant to remove his jacket. I've never been uncomfortable but I've also never been cool enough that I needed a pashima either.

 

[NYCgrrl]

From everything I've read it would be extra special in any major city.
To paraphrase Henri the 4th....V+A is worth a jacket.

 

[arminnie]

The food is superb, but be aware that it is an enormous amount of food. My DH and I have no plans to go back as we could not enjoy the last few courses as we were stuffed. And we’d paced ourselves by not finishing any of the courses.

I can get amazing food in New Orleans where I can order ala carte.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Tux not required but a suit is

A sport coat is fine for men, with tie optional.

 

[Cabius]

I’ve eaten at V&A once, and it was the best meal I’ve ever had. I’ve eaten at a few 1- and 2-Michelin-starred restaurants, and this beat them all.

I wore dress slacks, a collared shirt with bow tie, and a blazer. Bring at WDW, that seemed to be the norm for men: I saw more blazers than matching suits, and no tuxedos.

It is, as others have noted, a LOT of food. We got the 10-course menu, were there for almost 4 hours, and walked away completely stuffed.

I went in early March, but remember it being fairly cool. It is a dimly-lit, curtained room, so it isn’t particularly susceptible to outside temps. I didn’t eat at the Chef’s table, but I imagine that might be warmer due to kitchens.

If you do go, let us know how you enjoyed it!

 

[NYCgrrl]

I suspect that the comments regarding the enormous amts of food means skip the bread course..........

 

[Dean Marino]

OK - Just us.... V&A every year .

First, see http://www.victoria-alberts.com/ - yup, V&A is so good that it has it's OWN Website .
Second? Note this phone number carefully - it is the DIRECT LINE to V&A, not a number to any general WDW-Dine atrocity .
(407) 939-3862

Questions? Booking? Really, just CALL. Because V&A will call YOU if you book . V&A has been rated as the #2 BEST RESTAURANT in the US.
Dinner for 2 is going to be in the $500 to $700 range, with decent tip. And V&A is worth every penny .

 

[gharter]

It is one of the best meals we have had anywhere!
We have been on 3 different ocassions including once when our kids were teenagers and they adored it. Realized they were foodies.
I don't know if they still do, but they used to have loaner coats for men. Tie is optional. You will see from sports jacket and open collar to tuxes there. Women in nice dresses to full formal attire.
I prefer to bring my own.
Expect to spend 3 hours easily. It is a beautifully paced dining experience, not just a meal.
I have never felt like it was too hot in the room.

We have always dined in the main dining room. The other 2 options sound fun, but had not tried to date. We plan to return in the next year or 2.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

Thank you all - you’ve convinced me that we need to give it a try, so I just booked it online. I went with the main dining room because, from the replies, it sounds like it has the best chance of not getting too warm. I know that my husband will enjoy the meal, so if the price of that is to wear a jacket then he will just have to wear a jacket!

I must admit that I had not realised just how big a deal V&A was outside of Disney, but I had a look at the AAA 5 Diamond list, and I’m impressed. I have stayed at a couple of the hotels on the list and been very happy (and enjoy two of the chains that feature repeatedly on the list even though I haven’t stayed in those particular venues) so I’m happy to give it a try. I was thinking that is was “good for Disney” or “good for Orlando”, rather than just objectively good.

Thank you for the advice about it being a lot of food. It sounds like we may have to skip some of the bread, which is a shame as it looks delicious in the videos I have seen!

I am definitely going to phone and speak to them about the temperature, and ask whether we are in the best room from that point of view. Obviously we don’t want him to overheat and have a seizure, and we may need to look into a lighter weight jacket than he wears at home. However, if he doesn’t need to wear a tux (or a kilt, which is what he usually wears at black tie events, but which is very heavy and very hot!) then I think we can make it work. I can always cancel it if it doesn’t seem workable once I have spoken to the restaurant, but at least I have a reservation.

Thank you again for all the help. I’m very excited!

 

[MrWonderful]

My wife and I dined there last Fall in the main room - One of the best dining experiences of my life... definitely a once and done for us, so we splurged and went with the 10 course with wine pairings, which actually ended up being 12 courses after a couple of chefs table items were presented. I did not feel that it was too much food at all.... very small but very delicious portions spread over 4+ hours, and plenty of exceptional wines and spirits that I had never enjoyed. I felt it was just the right amount of everything. Well maybe that last glass of port put me close to the edge, but I managed lol. Service was exceptional, nothing less than perfect. She explained every course and every wine with fine detail. I really enjoyed this meal. I know we ended up well over $900 with tip, half our entire food budget for a 10 day trip..... and worth every penny! You will receive a phone call a few days prior to your reservation - they will ask you if you have any special request or dietary needs.... do not hesitate in expressing your preferences... we did. My wife does not enjoy finned fish, so they had a customized menu prepared just for her when we arrived. We were able to take the menus home as a remembrance. All in all no regrets and great memories. Hope you enjoy it, we did.

 

[arminnie]

We live near the South - New Orleans where it is hot and humid like Florida. My DH has a seersucker suit a linen suit and a linen blazer which make summers more tolerable. But I wouldn’t suggest buying something for one dinner.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

We live near the South - New Orleans where it is hot and humid like Florida. My DH has a seersucker suit a linen suit and a linen blazer which make summers more tolerable. But I wouldn’t suggest buying something for one dinner.

We have some time, so I will see if I can find anything lightweight like you describe in the end of summer sales. It would definitely be better if we didn’t need to buy anything, but because he rarely needs to wear suits for work (he’s a scientist, works in a lab) his dressy wardrobe is pretty limited - he has 2 suits and a kilt, all of which would normally be too heavy for Florida. However, going from an air conditioned car to an air conditioned hotel shouldn’t be too bad. I think I will be happier once I speak to the restaurant. Thank you!

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

My wife and I dined there last Fall in the main room - One of the best dining experiences of my life... definitely a once and done for us, so we splurged and went with the 10 course with wine pairings, which actually ended up being 12 courses after a couple of chefs table items were presented. I did not feel that it was too much food at all.... very small but very delicious portions spread over 4+ hours, and plenty of exceptional wines and spirits that I had never enjoyed. I felt it was just the right amount of everything. Well maybe that last glass of port put me close to the edge, but I managed lol. Service was exceptional, nothing less than perfect. She explained every course and every wine with fine detail. I really enjoyed this meal. I know we ended up well over $900 with tip, half our entire food budget for a 10 day trip..... and worth every penny! You will receive a phone call a few days prior to your reservation - they will ask you if you have any special request or dietary needs.... do not hesitate in expressing your preferences... we did. My wife does not enjoy finned fish, so they had a customized menu prepared just for her when we arrived. We were able to take the menus home as a remembrance. All in all no regrets and great memories. Hope you enjoy it, we did.

This sounds amazing!