Lunch with Imagineer

[Jaci]

Has anyone done this lately? How was it? We have reservations in Jan for DH and DD.

J

 

[angiejg]

I would like to know this too. DD wants to do this in June. How far ahead did/can you make the reservation and was it difficult to get?

Hope to hear from someone who has done this!

 

[figmentfan814]

My husband and I gave this to my parents as a gift the week of our wedding in March. They absolutely raved about it. They ended up being there for over 3 hours sitting and talking with their Imagineer. They said the food selection was great too.

I could only book the reservation 60 days out which made me nervous, but I called that morning and had no problem getting it set. They even gave me a 20% discount with the Tables of Wonderland card.

They were given personalized Mickey name tags and a plate that was signed and made out to them.

I hope to do it on a trip soon!

Here they are with the Imagineer:

 

[Jaci]

Anyone else been lately?

 

[gatordoc]

Went in October and it was fantastic! The imagineer was very patient, and answered all our questions (even about internet message boards ). Gifts as noted above. Also, it's worth knowing that the lunch was enough food to last an entire day even for a big eater.

 

[gwtwfan2]

where do I go to get more info on this - I didn't know this could be done.

thanks

 

[minniebeth]

subbing

 

[Lancer]

I have done this several times,with a graphics designer, a show producer and even the vice president of WDW imagineering. Each lunch followed the same pattern. There were about 7 total in each lunch(I think they limit it to 12) and we were escorted to a small private dining room(Bamboo room) off the main dining room, were the imagineer was already waiting. On our way through the dining room, we were given some trivia about the history of the real Brown Derby, (oh yeah, by the way its at the Brown Derby at DHS!)and about Disneys recreation. We were each given personalized menus and made our choices from the limited selections(salad,choice of 1 of 3entrees,dessert,drinks,bread)While the orders were taken we went around and introduced ourselves while the imagineer gave a brief career history and their position at Disney. From this point on for the next 1 1/2 to 2 hours(even as we ate) it was a very informal, casual, question and answer discussion on any topic you wanted to bring up. It is always extremely interesting to hear all the backstage trivia and stories about how and why things were done at Disney. The more questions guests had, the more interesting the lunches were(no awkward silence). At its conclussion,while individual checks were being paid(cost was in the $60-70 range), the imagineer signed a special plate for you to take with you and posed for pictures.

My first concern with doing it multiple times was getting the same imagineer twice as you dont know who it is until you show up the day of it. And, the reservation people cant tell you either. But so far this has not been a problem and I have been told that there are 15 imagineers that rotate the lunches depending on their individual work schedules. A big tip is to think of questions and topics(general ones,as you dont know who you are getting) before you arrive while you have plenty of time to think about it. I always sit there trying to think of things that I always wanted to ask a CM, but never think of one until I have left the lunch.

Also, if it is still available, there is a "Dinner with an Imagineer" at Artists point whick I think is in the Wilderness Lodge. It is more upscale and more expensive. There also used to be a "Lunch with an animal caretaker" held at the Animal Kingdom lodge but was unfortunately discontinued several years ago. I never had the opportunity to attend one, but wish they would bring it back.

 

[EyeoresPal]

It's good to see such positive comments so close to my trip. I'm surprising DS with this on Friday and can't wait. They told me no TIW discount when I reserved, but I'll need to ask again when we're there.

EP

 

[tedisney]

Thanks for all of the good info. We are doing this on 1/26 and we can't wait!

 

[ColoradoDis]

We're thinking of doing this on our trip in May/June. I think my two daughters (ages 16 and 21) would really enjoy it (my usband too!). The description makes it sound even better than I thought it would be.