Lunch with Disney artist is worthy it! :)

[Reginat]

Hi!

Just back from Disney, and had a wonderful lunch with a Disney artist at the MGM Brown Derby, after learning about it on the wdwinfo.com home page.

This was my first solo trip to Disney (for a convention at Coronado Springs). I had a free day for the parks and enjoyed having the special lunch at MGM.

The Disney artist was very gracious and enthusiastic about Disney animation past, present, and future, so it made the lunch very enjoyable.

When I first booked the luncheon, I wasn't sure if we would get to have it, as it was just me that was signed up for that day. However, we still had the lunch, even though it was just myself and the Disney artist. I asked her if they usually had a large group. She said no, it was usually just a family with 1 or 2 children. I guess as more people find out about the luncheon, they will eventually have slightly larger groups.

So if you have $60 per person and 1.5-2 hours for lunch, I would recommend it as a special highlight for your trip!

Regina in NC

 

[zurgswife]

That sounds awesome...we have a favorite disney MGM animator I'd love to have lunch with...

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Sounds like you had a great time. I never heard of this lunch until your post but it sounds just great. Sometime in the future we may have to try this. How did you book the lunch? Is the lunch always at the Brown Derby? Thanks for any info you have, Ron...

 

[Reginat]

Hi!

To make reservations for the lunch, I just called the regular Disney Dining priority seating number and they were able to help me.

The lunch is at the Bamboo Room at the Brown Derby, which is a special private room off the main dining area. The Disney artist told me they had remodeled the room just for the lunches, so I think that will always be the location for it, for the time being, anyway.

On the wdwinfo.com home page, at the bottom right side, there is a link that gives more info about the lunch.

I think everyone would enjoy this, so I hope that you get to go!

Regina in NC

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks Riginat for the reply. I went to the WDWINFO home page and clicked on and read about the lunch and it sure does sound neat. One more question please, what does the plate they give you look like. Thanks again Ron...

 

[Maggi May]

Thanks for the review, Reginat.
My husband and I did the lunch a few weeks ago and agree with your enthusiastic review. My husband and I also felt like it was the highlight of our trip and well worth the expense.

 

[Minniespal]

Regina -

Thanks for the review. This lunch certainly sounds fab!!

 

[Corinne]

That sounds so cool!

 

[lamchop]

I am looking forward to doing lunch with an artist in October.
Has anyone who has done this asked who the artist would be when they booked. I was thinking if I could find out ahead of time, I could find out what film they worked on. Then I would find something small with a picture of their character (like a postcard), and have them sign the postcard. I know you get an autographed plate, but I thought something that reflected what they personally worked on would be really nice. Also, how far ahead can you book this lunch?

 

[Maggi May]

Hi Lambchop,
I think I read somewhere that the lunch is only booked a month or two ahead of time -- hopefully the folks at WDWDINE can help. I'm not sure if you can find out who the artist(s) will be, but I do know that the studio's primary two recent films have been Lilo and Stitch and Mulan. The Orlando location did all of the work for those films, and it's a good bet that if you bring something from one of those films, the artist(s) will have worked on it.

Ron From Michigan,
The plate is pretty large, almost a platter. It's clear glass. Across the top is LUNCH WITH AN ARTIST, the middle spells out DISNEY FEATURE ANIMATION and on the bottom is the Disney MGM logo. It comes with a black display stand.

 

[disney queen]

can you select the time for lunch or is it a set time? thanks! this sounds great for our upcoming september trip for a surprise for my husband.

 

[Teris]

The Lunch with a Disney Artist was supposed to end,,, but it has been extended to the end of July,,,this information from our Itinerary planner who also said that it can't be booked sooner than 30 days ahead,, and it's only available on a few days during the week. She was supposed to make PS's for us for it right on the 'last' day. I hope they aren't ending this feature tho. It sounds great.

 

[Maggi May]

Hi Disney Queen,
The lunch is at a set time, from 11:30 to 1:00, although we ended up staying 'til almost 2:00. I hope it runs through September and you get to book it for your husband. I surprised my husband with this, and it was the highlight of our trip.

Teris, I hope you enjoy the lunch, too

 

[disney queen]

another question: is it a set menu or do you order off the regular menu?

 

[Teris]

Aww,, thanks Maggi May,, I don't know yet if the itinerary planner was able to make ps's for us yet. I am afraid to call and find out,,lol. Maybe it will be better to be surprised. Either way,, it will be a great trip

 

[Puffy2]

any more details about the lunch? were you able to get a photo of yourself w/the artist. I have a would be budding artist at home I'd like to take to this if it was still available when we go again.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We tried to get this for our family of three for last week, but were unable to get in. We even had Concierge trying daily for us, but there were no cancellations.

 

[Teris]

We tried right from the 30 day mark to book for this, thru our concierge itinerary planner, and phoning ourselves,, but we were told it was full. A bit of a disappointment.

But when we arrived at the WL our conceirge planner Randall, went thru all our PS's with us when we were checking in, and booked us to go to it on August 4th! We were thrilled! We got to visit with Sam Ewing, who was the lead animater for Stitch. He has just finished doing work for the upcoming "Brother Bear" animated feature, and is about to be cast to do the main villian for a new animated feature that is untitled as of yet. It is to be a sort of "Hatfields/McCoys Romeo/Juliet type story. It was a thrill to sit and visit with Mr. Ewing. He is very animated himself, and a joy to have had lunch with. I know the girls will remember him for a long time, he even gave them his email. The man is very brave,,lol.

It was definately worth it,, but I still have no idea how we were able to go. It was just myself, my two teenage daughters, and my ex husband who were there. We were treated like celebrities by Keith, the area manager, and he even got us an extra platter, since I live in the UK, and my girls live in the States. Sam treated the girls like they were his neices or something, and even gave my oldest daughter alot of support, and advise on her budding career as a hopeful future Disney Artist.

It was a great expirence, and certainly made the trip for us.

As we were leaving,, Keith asked me how I knew about this special lunch, and I told him that I do alot of research on the Dis boards, and other boards that specialize in Disney vacation planning.

I asked him how much longer the Dine with a Disney Artist would be offered, and he said there are plans to keep it indefinately, and they are discussing doing possibly 'Dinner with an Artist', as well as adding a "Lunch with an Imagineer". I think that with the closing of the class workshops offered at the Disney Institute, this fills the bill for those who want a 'close encounter' with those responsible for some of the magic behind the animated features, or other projects Disney has in the works.

Teris

 

[princess angel]

sounds very cool, how many people do they allow at one time to have lunch with the artist. I imagine if there are a few families it would be more difficult to have a great conversation, but fun anyway.
sounds like each lunch is limited to a few guests?????

thanks

Laura

 

[Scratch42]

Teris I have booked the Luncheon for our upcoming trip and had asked whether or not they could if at all possible have someone from Lilo and Stitch!

That would just make this trip well the best trip ever!

Thanks for such good news! I know there is still not guarantee but there is hope and Pixie Dust!

I read on Deb's site that it is limited to 9 guests and yes it is a set menu. But I heard that the Brown Derby was closed for the month of September, so don't know if it will be moved to another local or not. I will ask when down there and post when we return.

Thanks again,

Scratch