Lunch With An Imagineer

[Susan R]

On a whim, I booked the lunch with an imagineer for my solo trip. Why didn't I think of this earlier! I get to have a great lunch at the Brown Derby and learn more about the job of an Imagineer! Has anyone else done this solo before?

Susan

 

[Bete]

This was about three years ago and I have to say it was one of the most memorable experiences as a solo traveller. It was nice to be in a group and have a chance to talk to others who are more passionate about Disney.

The Lunch was to die for and worth it on it's own accord. Our imagineer gave us insights that I did not know about Disney. They won't give you any trade secrets about new situations for the future, but it was still quite informative.

You go to a quasi, open private room. The Imagineer is not in a rush to leave, either. Everyone gets a chance to ask questions.

Enjoy.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, and it's a great thing to do on your own.

 

[Susan R]

I'm looking forward to dining with some other people I don't mind dining on my own and like the idea of not having to carry on a conversation with people (I'm really not as anti-social as that sounds)
What I like about this idea is that I can sit back and listen or contribute as I like. I booked it early in my trip as well so that I can think back to what the imagineer tells us as I tour the parks

Susan

 

[Simba's Mom]

How far ahead would you recommend booking this? I think I remember that it was in DHS-is that right?

 

[Susan R]

Simba's Mom- I think it would depend on what time of year you went. I am leaving in 10 days and just booked it a couple of days ago. From what I read there is a limit of 8 people per day. I am going to the lunch and it is the one at the Brown Derby at DHS. It is at 11:30am. I know there is also on at the Flying Fish in the evening but it is more pricy not to mention that I have always wanted to eat at the Brown Derby anyway

I will write a review when I come back

Susan

 

[Tltorrez]

WhaT sorts of things do they talk about? Would it be of interest to a bright 8-year old?

 

[annmorr]

On a whim, I booked the lunch with an imagineer for my solo trip. Why didn't I think of this earlier! I get to have a great lunch at the Brown Derby and learn more about the job of an Imagineer! Has anyone else done this solo before?

Susan

I'll be going to DW solo at the end of January, and this idea really intrigues me. Can you share any more details? Did you book on-line or have to call directly? And what was the price? Thanks!

 

[Vromilos]

How far ahead would you recommend booking this? I think I remember that it was in DHS-is that right?

Don't think so.

 

[Vromilos]

I'll be going to DW solo at the end of January, and this idea really intrigues me. Can you share any more details? Did you book on-line or have to call directly? And what was the price? Thanks!

Good luck with it! Lot's of love!

 

[MyMuse]

I just did Lunch with an Imagineer on my last trip and LOVED LOVED LOVED it!


It is in the Bamboo Room and our imagineer stayed for 3 hours. Food at Brown Derby was great and we had a very attentive waiter. Our Imagineer was open for any questions (though they will tow the company line, of course ).

We got a special menu, recipes, a picture of all us, plus a decorative plate to brinh ome with us plus out Imagineer stayed to take individual pictures with us.

I would highly recommend it. It does come pricey at $70-ish dollars with tip included.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I just did Lunch with an Imagineer on my last trip and LOVED LOVED LOVED it!


It is in the Bamboo Room and our imagineer stayed for 3 hours. Food at Brown Derby was great and we had a very attentive waiter. Our Imagineer was open for any questions (though they will tow the company line, of course ).

We got a special menu, recipes, a picture of all us, plus a decorative plate to brinh ome with us plus out Imagineer stayed to take individual pictures with us.

I would highly recommend it. It does come pricey at $70-ish dollars with tip included.

Is there any AP or Disney Visa discount? One advantage of going solo, at least, is that if you're thinking of something like this, you're only looking at paying the $70 once, not $140 or more.

 

[MyMuse]

Is there any AP or Disney Visa discount? One advantage of going solo, at least, is that if you're thinking of something like this, you're only looking at paying the $70 once, not $140 or more.

No, unfortunately. I have both and asked.

At my lunch, there was a family of 4, but they seemed ok with the bill.

 

[Madi's Mom]

WhaT sorts of things do they talk about? Would it be of interest to a bright 8-year old?

depends on the 8-year old. My DD11 did this at 9 and loved it and we will be doing it again this summer. Not only do you need to account do the interest of your child but also consider their behavior and whether they could and would sit thru a 3 hour lunch. For the cost of this - you do have to consider how the childs actions would impact others (mostly adults) who will be attending. If you do decide to book it -have your 8yo write a list of possible questions in advance and prepare him/her that others will be asking questions to and that they need to be part of a group discussion.

 

[Tink rules]

I imagine this isn't covered by the dining plan is it?

 

[serenita05]

....A trip without the kids. Yes ! ! you can have fun. Looking forward to the 7 hour back stage tour.

 

[distwins]

On a whim, I booked the lunch with an imagineer for my solo trip. Why didn't I think of this earlier! I get to have a great lunch at the Brown Derby and learn more about the job of an Imagineer! Has anyone else done this solo before?

Susan

Hey Susan! I have heard abt this experience before and would REALLY like to do it!! The last time I was in WDW was this past Halloween... I tried to book the Imagineers lunch abt a month ahead of time but it was all booked up Please let me know how it is b/c I will be down in March and if its worth the $ (which I have a feeling it is!!) I will try to book ASAP... ENJOY!!

 

[Susan R]

Hi All,

I really enjoyed the lunch and would do it again in a second. The lunch was with an Imagineer named Wyatt ( I can't remember his last name and the menu with his info on it is at work) he was really great and I was lucky enough to sit right beside him during lunch. He went above and beyond to tell us stories and answer all of our questions. I felt a little bad at times because he would be talking so much that he wouldn't have a chance to finish what he was eating before the next course came out. Afterwards I thought he was probably used to it and would take time to eat before or after if he was still hungry

One thing I noticed was that right off the bat he said that there is a group of Imagineers that volunteer for these meals and they all really enjoy doing it. One of the reasons is that they can get un-filtered feedback from guests on the attractions and Disney in general. He said it's not often they get to do that and most of the feedback they get is from survey's at the parks and reading discussion boards I have a feeling he was fishing to see if anyone would mention being a part of one of the discussion board communities. For some reason I didn't volunteer this info. However if you're reading this Wyatt... Hi!!!

He spoke about what his role in the company is. He has had the unique opportunity to both work on the creative side of designing attractions (revamp of Spaceship earth, Peoplemover etc) and to also work on the management side for approving and directing projects. I wanted to ask him more about this since I am studying marketing and would have liked to learn more about this side of Disney but he was so busy telling stories I didn't want to interrupt the flow!

He told a story about being able to go to the Disney archives and pretty much having carte blance to pick whatever they wanted to use when they wanted to have items in the "One Man's Dream" attraction. He told about someone finding a prop trunk that turned out to be one of Walt's luggage trunks that he gave to the prop department and it sat in a corner of a storage room for years before they realized it's importance. I asked about what made them decide to start saving all of these momento's since at the time they might not have been thought of as important. He said that when the studio system in Hollywood was breaking up many things were auctioned off to make money. Disney didn't have that problem since they were still very strong financially so they still have possetion of items that otherwise be sold off. In fact they have to go though an approval process if they want to throw anything out or sell it. They have to notify Disney Archives if they plan to get rid of anything! I mentioned the Captian EO sign story I had heard about it being the original sign and he seemed excited that I mentioned it and told me that he worked on that project and told the story again for the rest of the table.

He told us about some of the Disney rules for castmembers such as that when you wear sunglasses they can not be too dark because guests should be able to see your eyes when you talk to them. Also I learned if you want to know who the manager is just look for the person with the stick to pick up trash

There was so much more that he talked about but I can't remember it right now...the lunch lasted 2 1/2 hours and I know it would have lasted longer if one group of people hadn't abrubtly said thank you to him and started getting up to leave. I know he was enjoying himself and would have stayed longer to talk but I think this put quite a damper on things. I also noticed one lady who decided that her smart phone was more interesting than the lunch Really bad manners since there were only 9 of us at the table and it was hard to miss her doing it!

As to the surroundings...loved the Brown Derby...Waytt told us this was his favourite over Flying Fish because it was more intamate. It was in the private dining room at the Brown Derby called the Bamboo Room. When you get to the Derby the staff gives you your premade nametag and you get to see the opening ceremony (done each day with a family) Then they give you a tour of the restaurant and some of the history. When you sit at your table they give you a personalized menu to order from and the manager came in to take a picture of us all. You get an appitizer, cobb salad, entree and dessert. the food was fab! At the end of the meal they bring you another version of the menu and this has the picture that was taken at the beginning of the meal on it. You also get a signed plate as a souviner but they didn't have any in stock on that day so they took our names and addresses and promised us they would ship them to us when they came in.

If you have any questions just let me know and I will do my best to answer them. I belive someone asked if you could use the dining plan and although I don't know for sure since I paid out of pocket for it, I would imagine if you could it would be 2 table service credits. I booked it online through the Disney Dining website and needed to put a hold on the reservation with a credit card.

Thanks,
Susan