Favorite Disney food memory?

[LuluLovesDisney]

I was just thinking about the Disney making memories promotion. I remember when I was about 13/14 and we ate at "King Stefan's Banquet Hall" which was in Cinderella Castle. I was in awe.

So, this got me thinking- do you have a favorite food memory in Disney?

I was lucky enough to have a Disney wedding with a great meal at California Grill, too, though, so it is hard to pick!

 

[sassyredhead]

On our first trip, I made the novice mistake of booking a dinner reservation at the MK after an exhausting day at the waterpark. DD, who was 7 at the time, did not want to leave the waterpark and was definitely "put upon." Because I was determined to fit in everything on the schedule, we perservered, got ready, and headed to the MK. We were so tired, and my DD was so grumpy. Our dinner reservation was for Liberty Tree Tavern, when it was still character dining.

Goofy saved the day. He teased my DD into a good mood, and we had one of the best meals of the trip. Here is a picture of the big smile on my DD's face:

That meal truly was a Disney miracle!

 

[minnie mum]

We have so many wonderful memories of great Disney Dining experiences.

Like the first time we ate dinner at the Rose and Crown. We were seated (without asking!) at a patio table by the water just before Illuminations. And were able to enjoy our dessert (sticky toffee pudding) and coffee while we watched the park empty out.

Or the first time our (then very young) DDs got to experience a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys. I can still see in my mind's eye the absolute joy in my younger daughter's face as she got a big hug from Chip.

But I think, with out a doubt our most memorable meal had to be my daughter's wedding dinner celebration in the private dining room at Citrico's. Our party barely squeezed in, but we had an absolutely fabulous time. The food was superb. The service was impeccable. The wine flowed freely. We were there several hours (we closed the place!) and was an evening of great conversation and laughter. What more could you ask for?

 

[rentayenta]

We too have so many great memories but I'd say one of our favorites was during our first trip to WDW, pre DVC.

We were swimming at the POR and the dads showed up (we were a party of 2 families) with big gooey cheese pizzas and soda. It was just a relaxed fun perfect day.

 

[JimmyV]

This is hard one, becuase dining at Disney was pretty god-awful in the early years. I had a memorable meal in the Trophy Room in the early 70's and another excellent meal at the Empress Room in the late-80's. The food then began to improve quite a bit and the two best meals I have probably had were at Victoria & Albert's in 1998 and at the California Grill in the mid-90's. (Can't recall specifically, but it was within a year of it first opening). The best part of the CG dinner was that this was prior to them having a "Reserve Wine List" which meant that even the high end wines were available by the glass. I still have a copy of the list somewhere at home. By the end of the night, Ray could tell that we were really into wine, and he kept pouring us free tastes from great bottles that he wanted to finish off before the end of the night. It ended up being a high end wine tasting that cost us nothing more than a very generous tip.

Since the late 90's, I have seen a downturn in Disney dining, so I doubt that any future meals will live up to the ones I have already had.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Oldest memory is of the OLD Tomorowland Terrace (now Cosmic Ray's) and how great it was to get cheap food.

The dinner we had at Vicky and Al's.

The first time I had Tonga Toast.

Hotwings at the restaurant that use to be at the Wide World of Sports.

First visit to Le Cellier.

The Popcorn Machine at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom (left entrance under the train station)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First Chef's Table visit at Victoria and Albert's.

That was before they had the present configuration and we were able to have conversations with two of the cooks as well as wander around in the kitchen taking pictures and talking, as long as we did not interfere with work.

Judy, who was a gourmet cook, said that visit was the best cooking lesson she ever had in her life.

 

[sunshineNJ]

in 2000 ( our first visit) my son was picked to be Chef of the Day at the Crystal Palace. I still have the chef's hat.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

DS7 has autism - he LOVES Disney but as you can imagine sometimes the sensory overload can get to him..add 120 heat index to an afternoon at Epcot.
We had an early dinner at Coral Reef - - We were fortunate enough to get seated right next to the tank. That alone was enough to calm my sweet peep...when along came the ginourmous sea turtle, who decided to take a big, fat, nap right next to my son the entire time he ate. My son was so relaxed, chillin with Crush - It was the most relaxing meal we have ever had in the World.

 

[OhThePain]

I think my favorite had to do with some great character interaction at Garden Grill a few years ago. The first character that came to our table was Mickey. It started out all well and good, until Mickey kissed my girlfriend on the hand. So, in jest of course, I said something along the lines of "You have your own woman, Mouse. I'm watching you." I then guestured 2 fingers to my eyes and pointed at him. He did not take that well and was taunting me a little bit. After that as each character came to our table, they each sat next to my girlfriend and would give her a big hun and kiss and then taunt me as Mickey did. The second and third time each of the characters came around, they all made the same "I'm watching you" guesture that I had made to Mickey earlier. Finally, as we were ready to leave all 4 characters came to our table at the same time. I apologized to Mickey and Mickey, Chip, Dale and Pluto all apologized to me. Now that we were all friends, all 6 of us (the characters, myself and my girlfriend) took a group photo together. It was really a fantastic character dining experience.

 

[sexyravenfan]

this is kind of a funny memory to an adult but not so much a child. i will remember this for the rest of my life. a few years ago we were at LTT for dinner with the characters and with the hat on, goofy is very very tall. he was walking to come to our table and the top of his hat hit the one part of the ceiling and almost took his head off. he quickly fixed himself and kept walking. we thought it was hilarious

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

These are some really cute stories!

 

[sydneysmom]

I think my most favorite dining memory has to be CRT our first morning of our trip last Sept.

We started the morning by showing our DD5 that "Tinkerbelle" left her princess dresses in our closet and that she was invited to eat in the castle for breakfast. (this was her first time at Disney and she only JUST saw the castle the night before when we got to the GF)

Well, we got there at 8 am , got fantastic pics of her looking SOOOO tiny in front of the castle. Anyway, we go in and they bring us to get our picture. Good lord...the look on her face when she saw Cinderella "in real life" was breathtaking. I choke up still just thinking about it. She was so shy and scared and in awe. Well, Cinderella got right down on the floor (our DD was dressed like Cinderella in her blue ball gown) and Cinderella was telling her how nice it was to be twins and they were going to get their picture together. Well, it was beautiful.

Then we went upstairs and her eyes were as big as dinner plates. Each time a princess was announced, her eyes got bigger. and then they passed out the wishing stars.... I've got the most beautiful picture of her clutching the wishing star to her chest just waiting to make her wish. I'm telling you, you cannot put a price on that. I couldn't begin to tell you what we ate, but it was THE most wonderful meal we had. When we left the castle, we then saw Fairy Godmother. "A realllllllllll fairy godmother". She called my DD over and said "Cinderella, aren't you going to be late for the ball" and my DD said "I'm not the real Cinderella, I'm just her twin today".

For anyone even considering not going to CRT because of the price....re-think going if you can swing it. The memories that you will make will be stamped on your heart forever.

 

[DVCconvert]

First Chef's Table visit at Victoria and Albert's.

That was before they had the present configuration and we were able to have conversations with two of the cooks as well as wander around in the kitchen taking pictures and talking, as long as we did not interfere with work.

Same here!

 

[SCDisneyMom]

I have a couple of favorites...

The first time DS met Mickey was at Chef Mickey's in 2001. DS was 3 years old at the time and when Mickey walked away he said "Mommy, I just met someone FAMOUS!" We are going back to Chef Mickey's this October to celebrate his 10th trip to the World.

The first time DH tried a Dole Whip float. He's addicted now. We spent DS's 13th birthday at Universal this past March, so we were only a few miles from DH's favorite snack. We spent every evening of the trip in Captain Cook's at the Polynesian so he could get his Dole Whip (minus the float) fix. Here's a pic of my boys with one of many that we enjoyed in June 2010...

 

[disneychic]

This is a hard one to answer because I've had many amazing dining experiences. First and foremost was Victoria & Albert's when on our Disneymoon I think most of my favorites were from that trip, We also ate at the California Grill, as well as dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table (this was in 2000 before it became a buffet). My favorite recent dining experience was at Sanaa just a few weeks ago. This was just an all around great dining experience. The food was SO GOOD, as was the service, decor and the view of the animals on the savannah while we were eating dinner. Just a wonderful experience.

 

[sotoalf]

This is hard one, becuase dining at Disney was pretty god-awful in the early years.

See, I find it fascinating that while Disney dining menus looked so much more ambitious in the seventies and eighties -- Chateaubriand! Beef Wellington! -- I read so many complaints about quality. On one hand, Disney dining was more adult; on the other, the food failed to live up to the ambitions.

 

[minuet]

Can I have 2?

Both are from my first trip in 1991 with my family. I was 9, had never been anywhere before and my parents decided to take their 3 children to the World. Being complete novices there was no planning, no ADRs etc. We had 2 magical surprises.

In MGM we came across 50s Prime Time which I believe was pretty new. My brother and I were amazed at the kids menu. We found our 2 favourite items (PB&J for him, homemade mac and cheese for me) I was in heaven at this creamy homemade goodness. Pity all kids mac and cheese is switched to generic. My brother's face when his triple decked sandwich came out was priceless. We still have the picture. It was accompanied by a strawberry the size of his fist. He was in complete awe.

Our other favourite moment was when my parents stumbled across the Odyssey and in we went for dinner. All of a sudden characters came out, put on a show and came to the tables. They had no idea they'd picked a character meal and we were amazed by the magic!

My crazy planner self today would never travel without ADRs but it's fun to think back to those days when table dining was so easy.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I have two Disney favorites. The first time we took the kids to WDW in 2002, we ate at Chef Mickey's for our first meal at WDW. The plane ride down from Wisconsin was so bad, I thought we weren't going to make it (not kidding). I was so happy to be alive and at WDW! The party break was awesome.

Last September my DH and I ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe while on the Backstage Magic tour. Our waitress told us not to put anything in the middle of the table (so the food could be placed there), and my DH accidentally spilled his soda all over the middle of the table. The Cast Member yelled at him for making a mess, and made him clean it up. She returned with a kiddie cup and a straw so he could have soda!

 

[WsPrincess]

I don't think I will ever forget my first trip to the MK. I was about 12, so early 90's and we were at the MK for New Year's Eve. Somehow my mom got us reservations in the castle for evening. The park closed because it was full so we had no choice but to stay there ALL DAY. We were so tired by the time we sat down for dinner. My little sister who was 7 fell asleep in her plate in the middle of dinner. As in, we were talking and looked over and she is sound asleep, face in her food. My mom still feels bad but since she was determined we would have the BEST NYE ever, we still stayed in the park to see the fireworks. I will never forget that!