lunch with a Disney Imagineer

[Bronte]

Is this hard to book ... Can I book it 90, 60 or 30 days from date of arrival.
I would like to surprize DH with this ... he would love to have lunch with a Disney Imagineer.
There are two dates we could do this during our vacation ... Friday December 21 or Thursday December 27.

Thanks for any info..

 

[Amyrlin]

It is only done on set days each week, I think it is Mon Wed and Fri, but not sure. Sears are limited, but at the same time we do not hear a lot of people talking abut it, so it is a bit of a hidden gem atm.

 

[vanillarum]

We did this lunch on Aug. 20, which I believe is a Monday. I agree with the PP that it is only Mon, Wed, or Fri. You can book it 60 days out or closer. We did it for my 15 y/o DS, who wants to be an Imagineer. My 10 y/o DD also enjoyed it. There were 8 of us there besides the Imagineer ( Kevin James, a senior graphic designer), and it was a great time. Very casual and informative. The food is also awesome, as well as the momentos you get with the meal. Each guest gets a menu from the restaurant with their name on it, as well as a commemorative plate, autographed by the Imagineer. And a personalized nametag that you can wear all day. We must have had 25 or 30 people question us about the nametags the rest of the day ! We ate with 1 other family, and a single young lady, both of whom had done the dining with an Imagineer previously. We have already decided that it will be a regular stop on all of our future trips to WDW. Good luck !!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I haven't done it yet (coming soon!) but yes, call 60 days in advance. I was told to call right at 7 AM, but my 60 days surprised me by popping up on the calendar a day early! I got a reservation by calling at 8, no problem.

In addition to Lunch with an Imagineer at the Hollywood Brown Derby, there's also Dinner with an Imagineer at Artist Point, one or two nights a weeks. That's I think $99 per person; lunch is $60.99 or $61.99 (or $62.99, or something like that ). You give a credit card to hold the reservation, but pay for the lunch there.

 

[Skylarr29]

We are doing this Oct 8th. You can book 60 days out like previously stated. When I called I didn't realize that it was only certain days of the week and I had wanted it for a Sunday and I was a day early. I had to wake up the next morning and try again but I didn't have any difficulties.

 

[jiminy14]

My DD does this every vacation. That's how much she loves it. Good food and interesting info from the Imagineer. On her last visit, she found out about the wand at EPCOT coming down before it was announced to the general public.
You get a Cobb salad, your choice of one of three entrees, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage. You will also receive the pin, menu and personalized plate. The plate is smaller now and crystal rather than the bigger black plate of the past. It is MUCH easier to transport home.
One thing to keep in mind is that the lunch does not have a set finishing time. It all depends upon the Imagineer's schedule and when he has to return to work. My DD has attended lunches that have run anywhere from 2-3 hours.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Everyone is right: M W F, 60 days out. 8 people to a lunch so all it takes is one party of 8 to book up your day. I called exactly at 60 days. Here is my thread about my experience.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1543421

 

[kathyg]

We also just did this two weeks ago. It was definitely the most amazing experience of our whole trip. I called at the 60 day mark and couldn't get the first day I wanted, so I chose another. I'd would suggest you call as soon as the window opens.

Have fun. You're gonna love it!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

jiminy14 - odd question. Does the plate come in/with a box? If not, could you, um, ask your daughter to measure one for me, both height and diameter? Thanks!

 

[Hootch]

have done this, what were the ages of children present? I know one above mentioned that they took a 14 and 10 year old.

My son will be 10 next time we visit and I'm trying to figure out if this is worthwhile for him. I think the subject matter would be interesting to him but I am concerned about the format. (I know I'll enjoy the subject matter and the format.)

 

[kathyg]

jiminy14 - odd question. Does the plate come in/with a box? If not, could you, um, ask your daughter to measure one for me, both height and diameter? Thanks!

Yes, the plate comes in a box..the box is approximately 10" x 10"

 

[DisneyJenn18]

This sounds like sooo much fun!

which phone number do you call to make th reservation? sorry in advance if I missed it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hootch - the CM who made my reservation kept stressing that the minimum age is fourteen (which doesn't matter to me, since I'm a tad over that), but as you can see, younger Guests than that are welcome. In fact, when I've mentioned this in other threads, there've been reports of infants. I would think any well-behaved child interested in the program would be welcome... which brings me to your other question. If you think your son can/will sit for two hours or more, dining and conversing with a Disney Imagineer (and remember, the other Guests at your meal will expect to do the same) then yes; otherwise, you might want to delay this event for a future trip.

Just call the regular Dining number 1-407-WDISNEY. I'd say to call 1-407-WDW-TOUR, but I'm pretty sure that office doesn't open until 8. While I had no problem getting a reservation at that 'late' hour, there's no guarantee it won't fill up before you get through.

 

[jiminy14]

jiminy14 - odd question. Does the plate come in/with a box? If not, could you, um, ask your daughter to measure one for me, both height and diameter? Thanks!

The plate is about the size of a regular dinner plate and it does come in a box. It is clear/crystal with the Imagineering logo in gold. The Imagineer will personalize the plate to you also in gold. The old plate used to be black with gold. It was about the size of a small charger and somewhat difficult to transport home. You will have no problem carrying on the new plate.
As to the question of younger children attending, my DD has been to a couple of lunches where the child has been under 14. The children have been between 8 and 10. She said that if the child is mature and likes the subject matter then they will be fine. The conversations are somewhat technical and the adults that attend are very knowledgable about Imagineering.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thank you both for the plate size information. I just 'happen' to have a shipping box that the larger plate would have fit into, and was trying to figure out if I needed to bring that or if I could throw it away. It's off to the trash room!

 

[Bronte]

thanks for all the great info..

 

[mandypandy818]

I was going to surprise DH with the Segway tour at Epcot, but I'm thinking this would be so much better for us! Thanks for all the helpful info. I'm so excited to do this.

 

[Hootch]

thanks. I'll have to give this some thought prior to our next meal. Asking a ten year old to forego the parks for a couple of hours may be difficult. This may need to wait for a later trip.

 

[Ozymoe]

I was going to surprise DH with the Segway tour at Epcot, but I'm thinking this would be so much better for us! Thanks for all the helpful info. I'm so excited to do this.

LOL...this is something we'll do too...but we're also planning to do one of the new Segway tours of Fort Wilderness.

...and I'm so glad this thread reminded me to book the Imagineering lunch!

 

[kaytieeldr]

thanks. I'll have to give this some thought prior to our next meal. Asking a ten year old to forego the parks for a couple of hours may be difficult. This may need to wait for a later trip.

Well, you know your son. I'm NOT saying don't take him!!!!!!!!! If you think he'll be interested, if he'll have questions, and if he'll be willing to sit while the Imagineer talks and answers other Guests' questions as well, go for it!

Another option to consider - instead of lunch, how about Dinner with an Imagineer at Artist Point for you and your spouse, and check your son in to the Cub's Den for the evening?