Victoria and Albert's closed -Doubly disappointed

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

After just getting over the fact that the Saratoga Springs gym and spa will be closed for our entire stay, I have now found that Victoria and Alberts will be closed too through till 22nd July. We have been planning our Disney wedding and had planned to have our wedding meal there (just the two of us are making the trip). Seems to be one disappointment after another and it feels like our plans are fated in the worst possible way. There isn't really an alternative to V & A's and had always wanted the occasion to eat there. Our wedding was going to be it. I feel so let down by two big negatives that I'm bordering on scrapping the whole Disney wedding idea as my complete vision of our holiday/wedding day has now been eradicated

 

[jlewisinsyr]

There are not necessarily direct replacements for V&A, but there are some dining experiences off property that rival V&A from food/service perspective.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Although not V&A, try
. . . Venetian Room - Caribe Royale Hotel, Fine Dining
. . . Bull & Bear - Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek, Fine Dining

 

[ChrisFL]

How about Magellan's- Tokyo DisneySea

(sorry, I'm dreaming again)

 

[My sister's princess]

We had our wedding dinner at California Grill, it was beyond magical

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

Thanks for your suggestions folks. We were intending to stay in our wedding attire and not sure that off property restaurants would be very happy with that (not like Disney - and particularly after spending $$$ on a wedding with them). Is the Caribe Royal on Hotel Plaza Blvd or am I thinking of totally the wrong place?

 

[massmickeypal]

We had a similar experience a few years back. Several of our venues were unavailable. We spoke with reservations and they made arrangements for alternative special moments. While not our vision, they were truely special. For us it was diner at Bistro de Paris in France and special viewing of illuninations.

If you can swing the money we think nothing is more magical than a boat cruise to watch "Wishes". For an elegant experience The Grand 1 serves full menus or you can rent a pontoon boat and have desert and champagne while watching the fireworks. They even pump the music onto the boat and the view is amazing! These links provide a few details.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2012/01/a_special_cruise_on_the_grand_1.html
http://allears.net/btp/illum.htm

Hope this helps - good luck

 

[Kassidysdad]

Maybe you can do the intimate dining experience at the Grand Floridian? It is private, 5 course meal (you choose from the menu) , You have a butler to serve you. . I have it planned in April for my family.

 

[DizCaptain]

. . . Bull & Bear - Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek, Fine Dining

I second this place absolutely. Not only was it some of the best food I've ever had, the service here is amazing, far better than any Disney restaurant in my opinion. Its also a really nice looking restaurant with a more relaxed feel. And the hotel itself is very accommodating, so given your special day I'm sure they wouldn't mind (and they're actually on property in a little cove of land not owned by Disney).

Another idea is Blue Zoo at the Swan and Dolphin, not as fancy as the others but I know a few people who've had wedding dinners there and loved it.

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

Thanks again for your suggestsions - to mysistersprincess - The California Grill is also closed when we are there....

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

To Kassidysdad - there will just be the two of us and pretty sure you have to have a minimum spend of around $600 for the private dining ... now I can eat, but not that much!!!

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

To massmickeypal - thanks so much for your ideas I will certainly take a look at those options.

We really want somewhere that has that private feel to it and where tables are not 'on top' of each other ... also .... not that I've anything against kids ... we wanted to avoid the possibility of screaming children ... yes I know it's Disney and I've no objection to noisy children generally. But on our wedding day (especially with it being just 'us') we wanted something special and also ideally at Disney as we'll still be in wedding dress etc. I have to say I'm bitterly dissapointed about V&A. Really, really am ... and also surprised that they have 2 of their signature restaurants closed at the same time.

 

[Kassidysdad]

To Kassidysdad - there will just be the two of us and pretty sure you have to have a minimum spend of around $600 for the private dining ... now I can eat, but not that much!!!

No, it is up to four people and charged per person. I learned about it from a thread here from a couple celebrating their anniversary. We have 3 in our family. Total for the 3 of us including tax, tip etc is $435.

here is part of the email:

"Thank you for choosing the Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate your
special evening and for your interest in the Intimate Dining Experience.

Attached is the information and menu for the Intimate Dining Experience.
This event is available for 2 to 4 guests and is $95 per person with a $75
charge for the Private Server and is 2 hours long."

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

Ohhhh .... now that sounds interesting Kassidysdad .... where does the intimate dining experience take place? We are not actually staying at the GF is that a condition of being able to enjoy it? ... Thanks by the way ....

 

[Kassidysdad]

It is at the Grand Floridian Hotel.. You do not have to be a guest there. It is open for anyone. Here is some more info:

"We offer two locations - 3rd floor outdoor balcony, which overlooks
our courtyard, Seven Seas Lagoon and has limited viewing of the fireworks.
If the weather is poor we will move you to our 5th floor indoor balcony.
This location offers the same view, and since it is indoors you can hear our
orchestra and pianist"

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Intimate Dining
$95 per person plus sales tax & 18% gratuity
plus a Private Server at $75 for up to 2 hours - $25 for each additional hour


I thought this would be good for the two of you. you can wear your dress and it is just the 2 of you...and the butler

here is the contact info:

Her name is Pat & she is great. I have spoken to her as well as emailed her.

Patricia.K.Anderson@disney.com

 

[orangetiggs]

We did a butker dinner at the grand on our first wedding anniversary and ours was around $250 we had our wedding dinner made and ut was so nice

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

Kassidysdad - you may well have just saved my day - wedding day that is!!

I'm going to email straight away and hopefully the date we would like is available.
Thanks so much I had no idea about this - and with any luck I can get my first anniversary meal at V & A's ! Thankyou!!

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

orangetiggs - thanks for your posting - where did you have your ceremony? We are in the early planning stage at the moment and just about to decide on venue etc ... your pics look like it's the GF - looks fabulous. There will just be the 2 of us -- we are kind of eloping ...

 

[bcrook]

Kassidysdad - you may well have just saved my day - wedding day that is!!

I'm going to email straight away and hopefully the date we would like is available.
Thanks so much I had no idea about this - and with any luck I can get my first anniversary meal at V & A's ! Thankyou!!

Hoping this is a happy ending to this sad tale!

 

[SugarPlumFairyUK]

Thanks Barry - fingers crossed it works out - I was really beginning to despair!! Thank goodness for disboards.com!