The Everything Victoria & Albert's Thread

[TheDISneyFamily]

I'm going to........I plan on taking my point & shoot with me........leaving my big DSLR in the room, though.

There has been much debate about taking pictures at V&A. Some say it's OK, some say it's rude. Personally, I would never take flash photos in the dining room. I wouldn't want to bother anyone else who is dining next to me & paid a premium for enjoying a nice quiet romantic dinner. Now, back at the chef's table, I take all the photos I want. Taking pictures without flash is fine... and even taking just a couple with flash I guess is OK... just not several flash photos of each course! That adds up to quite a few!

 

[YodasMom]

There has been much debate about taking pictures at V&A. Some say it's OK, some say it's rude. Personally, I would never take flash photos in the dining room. I wouldn't want to bother anyone else who is dining next to me & paid a premium for enjoying a nice quiet romantic dinner. Now, back at the chef's table, I take all the photos I want. Taking pictures without flash is fine... and even taking just a couple with flash I guess is OK... just not several flash photos of each course! That adds up to quite a few!

I never use a flash in signature restaurants. I don't need to anyway!

 

[Dreamin Disney]

It is a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary or birthday. They have the market on making you feel special for any occasion and even though a bit pricey ... it is definitely worth it. I think that I might take my daugter there for her 16th birthday if we go to Disney that year. Just got back from celebrating her 13th so got a couple of years to plan.

 

[BC1836]

My first trip to V&A will be Nov 30, but I hear they do not have a full bar in the restaurant but use the bar at another GF restaurant.

Fear not. The wine and beer selections that they offer (especially in the wine pairings, which also, on occasion, utilizes select beers) are first rate!

 

[The Duchess]

We try to eat here every trip. This will be our fifth meal at V&A and the first for DS who is 12. I had to get him black pants and jacket and he looks very mature...
of course he's almost as tall as me already!
He's very excited for Kobe beef and we have the menu up on our fridge!

 

[Tara]

There isn't a general consensus about this as there have been mixed reports on all sides of the issue.

From most of what you hear, the general dining room can be booked at 180 +10. However, that's not usually a huge concern, as the main dining room doesn't book out as fast as some other Disney dining locations. Even at 100 days, you can usually get a table at Victoria & Albert's.

The Chef's Table is the hardest ADR to get at WDW, and it's generally reported that you cannot book at 180 +10. That must be done at exactly 180 days.

I personally had a different experience booking the Chef's Table. I booked my ADR for the Chef's Table at 90 +10 right before the Disney ADR system went back to 180 days for their ADRs. It's not clear if my luck was the result of a temporary glitch in the computer system due to the changing of ADRs (I booked less than a week before the big switch) or if it was a permanent change at Disney.

For anyone trying to book Chef's Table, I booked it today for 181 days out. I was told that they absolutely do participate in the 180+10 practice and have done so since the switch back to 180 days happened. Luckily for me, I was able to get a reservation!

 

[thumper*]

Since we are traveling from Australia my DBF doesn't want to lug a full suit with him. Will they lend him a jacket for the night?
I would also love to document the night, would it be very uncouth for me to take photos of all of the courses. Thanks for the advice.

I was surprised that the wait staff actually promoted picture taking. I took many pics of the meal w/o a flash on a point and shoot. Some were fuzzy w/ motion but worked for the most part. The table next to use were taking pics w/ both an iphone and a P&S. Your paying a lot of $ for this experience why not document it.....I don't think it would bother any other diners IMO. Go for it girl.

 

[lynn_s]

We are going to V&A (main dining) 12/30.

I'm debating what to wear - I found a dark purple sequin top (short sleeves) I really like - is that to much? (Paired with a black or brown simple skirt & heels)?

I "outgrew" my "little black dress" ages ago and haven't found a replacement yet. (Haven't needed one until now!)

 

[engle]

Not at all too much...go for it. Sounds nice!!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

We are going to V&A (main dining) 12/30.

I'm debating what to wear - I found a dark purple sequin top (short sleeves) I really like - is that to much? (Paired with a black or brown simple skirt & heels)?

I "outgrew" my "little black dress" ages ago and haven't found a replacement yet. (Haven't needed one until now!)

Sounds perfect! Have a wonderful time! Don't forget that the MK will shoot off NYE fireworks that night. Depending on what time your V&A reservation is, you might be able to see it from the GF. I suggest walking down to the marina and watching from there.

 

[lynn_s]

Thanks for the reassurances on the outfit! We're celebrating our 10'th anniversary, and are sharing a fireworks cruise after dinner with another family - we have the earlier seating so should have plenty of time between. I can't wait!

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Thanks for the reassurances on the outfit! We're celebrating our 10'th anniversary, and are sharing a fireworks cruise after dinner with another family - we have the earlier seating so should have plenty of time between. I can't wait!

Wow! That's wonderful! Happy Anniversary! Are you doing an earlier Holiday Wishes fireworks cruise or the one at midnight for the NYE fireworks?

 

[lynn_s]

The midnight one (on 12/30 the NYE preview cruise is the regular Wishes cruise price - it's double on actual NYE).

 

[Sorrel]

I just had to say that I have booked for the 8th Feb and am almost as excited to eat there as to be at WDW!! Dh and I went for the first time last year - we have both been to WDW many times before we were together, but this was the first time either of us had been to V&A. As soon as we left the room we agreed that we could NEVER go to WDW again without a visit!!

We are eating from the regular menu as we did last time, and we will be looking forward to the wine pairing too! We assume we'll be in the main dining room because of the VR being a separate menu and experience now - last year we were put into the VR at the table in front of the fire. It was lovely and intimate and romantic It will be nice to experience the main room though. And we have requested our servers from last year as they were wonderful - though I suppose most of them are!!


I looked at our menus from last year yesterday - yum!

 

[formytinkerbelle]

How many glasses of wine come with the pairing? Is it for every course? What kind of wine? I've never done one of these before and we are going in 2 weeks and getting excited. I don't drink much but would like to maybe split it with the hubs.

 

[jkh1978]

How many glasses of wine come with the pairing? Is it for every course? What kind of wine? I've never done one of these before and we are going in 2 weeks and getting excited. I don't drink much but would like to maybe split it with the hubs.

Glass for each course. Wine depends on the food. I only occasionally drink wine, so its great to have an expert share their knowledge.

 

[west&east]

Checking in on this thread and getting excited for our V&A experience in the Queen Victoria Room on 12/19! Reading the recent posts made me realize that I better figure out what I'll be wearing that night! I was worried DH wouldn't want to go because of the dress code for men, but he appreciates good food and wine more than he dislikes wearing a sports coat. We head to the inlaws after our WDW vacation and they informed us that we will have Sunday brunch on 12/26 at a place that also requires a sport coat, so DH will get 2 uses out packing it (hope for no spills!).

Thanks also for the post about the fireworks. I love Wishes and never saw it from GF. That will be a treat as well.

Otherwise, I have avoided reading a lot of details about the meal and experience so that I can just enjoy and be wowed.

 

[BC1836]

How many glasses of wine come with the pairing? Is it for every course? What kind of wine? I've never done one of these before and we are going in 2 weeks and getting excited. I don't drink much but would like to maybe split it with the hubs.

We dined at V&A tonight (our fourth time since 2008).
The wine pairings are served with each course and are designed to compliment and embellish each serving.
For example, we started with Pommery Royal Brut Champagne and continued with a pleasant Domaine King Estate Pinot Gris (serving: Applewood Sod Buffalo "Waldorf"). Next came a unique Kanbara Gohyakumngoku Junmai Ginjo (essentially a Japanese rice wine to go along with the Sake-Soy marinated Alaskan King Salmon). The next wine was a superbly fruity Cru "Montage Vineyard" Chardonnay (serving: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup w/Tortellini). Next came the '06 Trinitas Zinfandel (serving: Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin [NOTE: never confuse a Trintas Zinfandel with White Zinfandel, the bland overproduced popular wine that has no assets!]. Finally, a stately Quonto do Crasto Port was served. It was suprisingly rich despite its 2005 bottling (serving: assorted cheeses).
The wine portions are appropriate; however, collectively you will feel them. We have seen the uninitiated guided out the door because they had no idea about the total amount of wine they would consume.
Nevertheless, the V&A experience is just that: an experience. Each serving is singularly unique and memorable.
All the best.

 

[Tara]

We have a reservation for the Chef's Table in April and I've been reading a few reviews. It sounds like rather than having several choices for each course, everyone eats the same thing for each course more or less. Is this an accurate conclusion or is there more choice involved?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We have a reservation for the Chef's Table in April and I've been reading a few reviews. It sounds like rather than having several choices for each course, everyone eats the same thing for each course more or less. Is this an accurate conclusion or is there more choice involved?

Yes. Basically you get one-each of everything that is on the Dining Room menu, but in smaller portions. And it takes about four hours.

Here is a CT Menu from about 1½ years ago

Note I did not take the wine pairings, so my menu only showed the champagne I had with the first course.