The Everything Victoria & Albert's Thread

[PatriciaH]

I saw this asked a bit back in the thread but did not see an answer. When splitting the wine pairing do you ask them which persons choices to pair the wine to? DH and I often get different items. We have both done the wine pairing in the past but I agree it is a a lot of wine- and we drink wine often.

 

[saintstickets]

I saw this asked a bit back in the thread but did not see an answer. When splitting the wine pairing do you ask them which persons choices to pair the wine to? DH and I often get different items. We have both done the wine pairing in the past but I agree it is a a lot of wine- and we drink wine often.

DW and I split a wine pairing during our trip. We both ordered different things for each course in order to share and try as much as possible. The staff at V&A provided the appropriate wine with each course for each of us even if I had red meat and DW had fish. They did not give us both red wine or both white wine. They gave us what each course called for. It was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had.

 

[Lehuaann]

No way! I wore 4" platform open toe satin heels the last time. A word of warning though, as you sit for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours your feet will swell. I made the god awful mistake of slipping my feet just out of my shoes during the course of the meal. I had to literally cram my feet back in and hobble to the lobby on my way out In fact, at the end of the meal, when our server asked if there was anything more she could get us, I muttered "flip flops" under my breath as she walked away

I've worn 4 1/2 in heels the last few times. I'd feel more out of place in flats!

Thank you, the higher the better! I just put out a modest figure so I didn't look so silly asking - 4" is definitely more my style.

TinkerBelle, my feet are so going to be kicking my rear - but I'm going to do my darn best! I was thinking of packing some of those Dr. Scholls Fast Flats in my purse since we have a firework cruise afterward. I'm not sure about me being in 4" stilettos on a boat - a sure recipe for disaster!

 

[ElizabethB]

They have changed the way they manage a shared wine pairing by two people. They used to bring smaller pours of each wine for each person paired to what each person was having. They don't do that anymore. Now each person picks three wines and has them with whichever courses they want them with.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

7 weeks from tomorrow will be our first time at V&A's. We're staying at CR, and plan to take the monorail to dinner. Our time is 6pm. What time do they start seating?

We look forward to learning about this experience over the next several weeks.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

DW has asked a good question:

Is the gratuity automatically calculated and added to the bill? I don't want to be caught up in the moment of bliss, and mis-calculate.

 

[jedijill]

DW has asked a good question:

Is the gratuity automatically calculated and added to the bill? I don't want to be caught up in the moment of bliss, and mis-calculate.

I used my TIW card and my bill already had the 20% added on.

Jill in CO

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

DW has asked a good question:

Is the gratuity automatically calculated and added to the bill? I don't want to be caught up in the moment of bliss, and mis-calculate.

I used my TIW card and my bill already had the 20% added on.

Jill in CO

Unless you are using TIW as the previous poster did, the gratuity is not automatically added to my knowledge (unless your party is more than 6 people, then the same auto-gratuity applies)

7 weeks from tomorrow will be our first time at V&A's. We're staying at CR, and plan to take the monorail to dinner. Our time is 6pm. What time do they start seating?

We look forward to learning about this experience over the next several weeks.

They start seating at 5pm. It is a wonderful experience! We dined at V&A for the first time in September 2009 and we returned in March 2010 and October 2010. Our 4th visit is three weeks from tomorrow

 

[Cheshire Figment]

They do prefer if you stick to your reservation time, or no more than five minutes early. They try to stagger the reservations so they can pace the seating.

I do know that the automatic gratuity for parties of six or more, or for TiW or Cast discounts, they use 20% instead of the more normal 18%. But you will basically know your bill before you are even seated (unless you have some of the add-ons) so you can prepare for the tip in advance.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Thanks to all for your answers. I think I'll do some rough math before we go, so I have a ballpark number in my head. If we arrive early, we'll just enjoy some GF time. We're looking forward to the experience.

Does the harpist take requests? What is the standard gratuity to them, if they do?



Wondering what kind of looks we'll get on the monorail, being dressed up and all.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Thanks to all for your answers. I think I'll do some rough math before we go, so I have a ballpark number in my head. If we arrive early, we'll just enjoy some GF time. We're looking forward to the experience.

Does the harpist take requests? What is the standard gratuity to them, if they do?



Wondering what kind of looks we'll get on the monorail, being dressed up and all.

Yes, the harpist will typically take requests. My mom requested a medley of songs from Phantom of the Opera when we dined at V&A on my 25th bday. I requested Once Upon a Dream from Sleeping Beauty when we were there for my Mom's bday.

I'm not aware of any gratuity that should be provided to the harpist. Hopefully I did not commit a faux pas by not tipping when I requested!

 

[kdka421]

Thanks to all for your answers. I think I'll do some rough math before we go, so I have a ballpark number in my head. If we arrive early, we'll just enjoy some GF time. We're looking forward to the experience.

Does the harpist take requests? What is the standard gratuity to them, if they do?



Wondering what kind of looks we'll get on the monorail, being dressed up and all.

We just did our first V&A dinner when we were there a few weeks ago (I'll definitely come back to this thread and post a link to our review once I've written it up).

We actually arrived 20 minutes or so late (I HATE being late!) - the monorails were having issues and not running, so we were forced to wait (with many others) for a boat. So we were waiting at the boat dock in the heat in our fancy clothes, that wasn't ideal but what can you do!
In regards to being late, they were very understanding of the situation. Of course I'd never recommend being particularly early or late, but if it happens, they may try to accommodate you as best they can.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

We'll be at the chef's table in the kitchen. Can we hear the harpist from there at all?

 

[kdka421]

We'll be at the chef's table in the kitchen. Can we hear the harpist from there at all?

Unfortunately, no...the harpist is at the very entrance to the main dining room area, and the chefs table is on the far side of the kitchen. There is a ton of space between the two, not to mention it's 2 totally separate rooms.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

Unfortunately, no...the harpist is at the very entrance to the main dining room area, and the chefs table is on the far side of the kitchen. There is a ton of space between the two, not to mention it's 2 totally separate rooms.

Oh well. I hear from reviews that there is some time between courses and sometimes they encourage people to get up and walk around. Maybe we can hear the harpist at one of those times.

 

[kdka421]

Hi everyone! I promised I'd come back to post links to my V&A review when I had it done, so here I am! I just finished writing it up for my trip report.

I wrote it in 2 segments:
Part 1
Part 2

Hope you guys enjoy the review, and of course let me know if anyone has any questions about our experience!

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! Was the butternut squash soup still a hot appetizer option when you went?

 

[Pinky166]

Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! Was the butternut squash soup still a hot appetizer option when you went?

I was there on the 26th Sept & had the Butternut Squash Soup.

 

[Forever Fairy]

Hi everyone! I promised I'd come back to post links to my V&A review when I had it done, so here I am! I just finished writing it up for my trip report.

I wrote it in 2 segments:
Part 1
Part 2

Hope you guys enjoy the review, and of course let me know if anyone has any questions about our experience!

Thank you so much for the reviews. DH and I will be going around Christmas time and I'm very excited.

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

I was there on the 26th Sept & had the Butternut Squash Soup.

Thanks!