Victoria and Alberts - "Regular" Dining vs. Chef's Table

[js]

Hi.

My 20 year old dd and I will be in Disney one night prior to the rest of my family coming for 3 nights staying pre cruise December 26-29, 2014. We are staying at BLT.

My dd has been to VA before with my mom and I have never been to the restaurant.

My dd told me last night it would be nice if we could do VA together for our girls night. Now I see there is also a Chefs Table. What is the differene between the Chefs Table and regular seating and where can I find out about the difference and price.

Thanks so much!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Chef's table is $210 pp, you sit in a private area off the kitchen, the chef comes to talk to you and chooses the courses. There may also be some special items if the chef decides to provide them. You can let him or her know what you like or dislike. There is only one seating per night, and it goes fast.

Regular dining room is $135 pp and you order courses from a menu.

Beverages are extra except for the water, tea or coffee (I bet they'd get a Coke if you asked for one too)

 

[sabcook]

We have done both and would do them both again...and again.... and again. The main dining room is a six course dining experience while the CT is ten plus. The experience could not be more different. The main dining room is very quiet, romantic, and elegant. The CT is literally in the kitchen (although in a lovely nook that keeps you out of the way) and it is bright, noisy, and absolutely wonderful. They also have the Queen Victoria Room which combines the menu of the CT with the atmosphere of the Main Dining Room. The main dining room is 135 per person (not including wine) and the CT and QVR are 210. You can find out more on the WDW website.

 

[ElizabethB]

Beef for your main course has a surcharge in the main dining room. By contrast, it's included at the Chef's Table and in the Victoria Room.

 

[mattmc]

Chef's Table could be wasted on a 20 year old, particularly if she's a picky eater. Yes, you can specify what you don't like, but it's virtually impossible to name everything, especially when things are served that you would never expect... like a quail egg or some "out there" type food.

My wife and I did this and we specified certain foods that she would not eat, and even requested others, but like I said, the menu can be very exotic. I'll take a pic of our menu and post it here. (Can you upload photos directly to a message post?)

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Would love to see those pics, Matt. Don't know about uploading them, tho...

 

[js]

Thank you all SOOO much for your detailed answers.

My dd has been before thus the reason she wanted to go again
Myself, haven't been yet

We both aren't big eaters but don't mind paying the money for good food and great service.

So, I think I will try to book the Main Dining Room, NOT CT or QV Room.
I perfer a more intimate, quiet experience so the MD will sufice.

So, my book date is June 29 for a December 26 reservation.
Did I read correctly that VA comes up on the Disney Dining Reservations at midnight? Thus, June 28 at midnight (really June 29) I can go onlie and book?
If that is not correct, what time online can I try to book.
IF I cannot book online, what time does Disney Dining open for me to call?

The $135 per person is for the full meal? I understand that beverages are not included, neither is the tax and tip. Is that correct?

Also, I am staying onsite with my DVC. Do I go on the DVC website then ME website to book the restaurants?

Thank you all!

 

[aprilgoo]

So, my book date is June 29 for a December 26 reservation.
Did I read correctly that VA comes up on the Disney Dining Reservations at midnight? Thus, June 28 at midnight (really June 29) I can go onlie and book?
If that is not correct, what time online can I try to book.
IF I cannot book online, what time does Disney Dining open for me to call?

I wasn't even registered on this board until I saw your question, but I wanted to let you know my experience since we JUST went through this.

My husband and I wanted to do the Chef's Table and I was prepped and prepared. I called V&A the day before we could book just to see when and how we should book (online, midnight, phone, etc). She told us that the tables would be available to view at midnight, and a few online sources had previously confirmed that. I thanked her and that night I sat by my laptop with my husband at his computer ready and prepared. Midnight came and went and there were no tables to be found. I checked online a little more, and some people reported the change over happening at 6 AM EST for them, so we went to sleep slightly bummed out, but with our alarms set. We did the same two computer tactic just before 6 AM, and though we could see the upcoming dates they were showing all booked. I was so upset, but then my husband got really excited and said, "I got Tuesday. Do you want Tuesday?" Ummm....Yes! I had tried for the later dates in the week thinking the earlier ones would be full already from earlier vacationers, but he started at the beginning and found one.

Anyway, long story longer, if you have someone to double team with I would suggest that. You can check all of the available dates on your vacation at once. I would also try at midnight as the V&A person suggested, but then note if it's not available then to try at 6 AM.

We've never been, so I can't share our experience with you, but we're so excited.

Good luck!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Aprilgoo!

And congratulations on your fantastic score. Bon appetite!!

 

[keaster]

Thank you all SOOO much for your detailed answers. My dd has been before thus the reason she wanted to go again Myself, haven't been yet We both aren't big eaters but don't mind paying the money for good food and great service. So, I think I will try to book the Main Dining Room, NOT CT or QV Room. I perfer a more intimate, quiet experience so the MD will sufice. So, my book date is June 29 for a December 26 reservation. Did I read correctly that VA comes up on the Disney Dining Reservations at midnight? Thus, June 28 at midnight (really June 29) I can go onlie and book? If that is not correct, what time online can I try to book. IF I cannot book online, what time does Disney Dining open for me to call? The $135 per person is for the full meal? I understand that beverages are not included, neither is the tax and tip. Is that correct? Also, I am staying onsite with my DVC. Do I go on the DVC website then ME website to book the restaurants? Thank you all!

We just dined at v and a's this week in the main dining room and it was wonderful! The $135/person covers the entire 7 course meal. Beverages are not included but you can get a wine pairing like we did for $65/person. Tax and tip are extra. We used our tiw card for 20 percent off, but they are going to stop accepting that on august 1st. Also the courses are a good size not too big so u don't have to worry about if you are or are not a big eater!

 

[jezebel73]

I ate in the main dining room back in October and no other meal in my life can compare. You get two servers, 6 courses plus we got an amuse bouche, there was a "bread progression" in between with various butters (mmmmm...butter), and I got the wine service and struggled to keep up - and I love my wine! It was quiet and relaxing, but not at all stuffy. I was there with my BFF celebrating my 40th and we were worried the atmosphere would feel awkward and romantic, but it was no problem. We took pics of the food and no one gave us the screw-eye either. My friend will eat just about anything and I am a vegetarian, so we had all different items and ALL of them were delicious (btw they said she could order anything off her menu or mine, so carnivores really have a lot of options). My potato canneloni was phenomenal!

So jealous your daughter is excited to go back. Mine won't turn 10 until December, so she can't even go yet and isn't quite ready food-wise anyway, but she'll get there soon enough and I can't wait to go with her.

Worth. Every. Penny.

 

[aprilgoo]

Aprilgoo!

And congratulations on your fantastic score. Bon appetite!!

Thank you so much! I've been a lurker for a long time, I was due to make it official.

 

[plutosbuddie]

Everything sounds so good!!!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Here is a very detailed review of the chef's table from 2010: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/02/28/victoria-alberts-chefs-table-review/

Some of the details may have changed over the last four years, but it should give you a good idea of the overall experience.

 

[DeborahA]

so excited to read all the reviews. Our children just gave us a gift card for V&A as a gift for our 35th anniversary. We are going in Sept. The reservations are for the main dining room with the wine pairing. We are so very excited as we have dreamed of staying at GF and eating at V & A.
My question to those of you who have had the wine pairing is, are the pours of reg.size? We love wine but usually drink only 2 glasses at dinner. I would like to be able to find my way back to our room.

 

[davale4]

so excited to read all the reviews. Our children just gave us a gift card for V&A as a gift for our 35th anniversary. We are going in Sept. The reservations are for the main dining room with the wine pairing. We are so very excited as we have dreamed of staying at GF and eating at V & A.
My question to those of you who have had the wine pairing is, are the pours of reg.size? We love wine but usually drink only 2 glasses at dinner. I would like to be able to find my way back to our room.

We'll also be going to Victoria and Alberts in August QV Room and was wondering the same thing about the wine. I too would like to be able to find my way back and remember the meal .

 

[js]

I wasn't even registered on this board until I saw your question, but I wanted to let you know my experience since we JUST went through this.

My husband and I wanted to do the Chef's Table and I was prepped and prepared. I called V&A the day before we could book just to see when and how we should book (online, midnight, phone, etc). She told us that the tables would be available to view at midnight, and a few online sources had previously confirmed that. I thanked her and that night I sat by my laptop with my husband at his computer ready and prepared. Midnight came and went and there were no tables to be found. I checked online a little more, and some people reported the change over happening at 6 AM EST for them, so we went to sleep slightly bummed out, but with our alarms set. We did the same two computer tactic just before 6 AM, and though we could see the upcoming dates they were showing all booked. I was so upset, but then my husband got really excited and said, "I got Tuesday. Do you want Tuesday?" Ummm....Yes! I had tried for the later dates in the week thinking the earlier ones would be full already from earlier vacationers, but he started at the beginning and found one.

Anyway, long story longer, if you have someone to double team with I would suggest that. You can check all of the available dates on your vacation at once. I would also try at midnight as the V&A person suggested, but then note if it's not available then to try at 6 AM.

We've never been, so I can't share our experience with you, but we're so excited.

Good luck!

Thank you very much! I'm so honored that you registered to answer me
My dh and ds will be at a baseball tournament next weekend and it will just be my dd and myself. If she is home at midnight Saturday night, I will tag team with her, if not, I'll give her the option of waking up with me prior to 6 am and trying to do together to look at different dates in order to get it or
see if I do myself with the possibility of not getting it. I know it will be the latter. LOL
Thank you again for taking the time to write out your experience and letting me know not to freak out if I don't see it at midnight.
Did you go though MDE, DVC or the regular dining site?

We just dined at v and a's this week in the main dining room and it was wonderful! The $135/person covers the entire 7 course meal. Beverages are not included but you can get a wine pairing like we did for $65/person. Tax and tip are extra. We used our tiw card for 20 percent off, but they are going to stop accepting that on august 1st. Also the courses are a good size not too big so u don't have to worry about if you are or are not a big eater!

Thank you very much! I also will have TiW but know I will be too late to use it in December and don't even think it would be taken during Christmas and New Years. Oh well, just my luck

I ate in the main dining room back in October and no other meal in my life can compare. You get two servers, 6 courses plus we got an amuse bouche, there was a "bread progression" in between with various butters (mmmmm...butter), and I got the wine service and struggled to keep up - and I love my wine! It was quiet and relaxing, but not at all stuffy. I was there with my BFF celebrating my 40th and we were worried the atmosphere would feel awkward and romantic, but it was no problem. We took pics of the food and no one gave us the screw-eye either. My friend will eat just about anything and I am a vegetarian, so we had all different items and ALL of them were delicious (btw they said she could order anything off her menu or mine, so carnivores really have a lot of options). My potato canneloni was phenomenal!

So jealous your daughter is excited to go back. Mine won't turn 10 until December, so she can't even go yet and isn't quite ready food-wise anyway, but she'll get there soon enough and I can't wait to go with her.

Worth. Every. Penny.

Thank you VERY much! I appreciate the detailed response. Maybe use the money you would spend in V&A on your dd and yourself to the GF Princess Tea Party (do they still do that?) and pedis.

Here is a very detailed review of the chef's table from 2010: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/02/28/victoria-alberts-chefs-table-review/

Some of the details may have changed over the last four years, but it should give you a good idea of the overall experience.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

 

[aprilgoo]

Thank you very much! I'm so honored that you registered to answer me
My dh and ds will be at a baseball tournament next weekend and it will just be my dd and myself. If she is home at midnight Saturday night, I will tag team with her, if not, I'll give her the option of waking up with me prior to 6 am and trying to do together to look at different dates in order to get it or
see if I do myself with the possibility of not getting it. I know it will be the latter. LOL
Thank you again for taking the time to write out your experience and letting me know not to freak out if I don't see it at midnight.
Did you go though MDE, DVC or the regular dining site?

Definitely don't freak out. I freaked out, lost sleep, and then had to listen to the "I told you not to freak out" in the morning from the husband. I think it was just before 6 that it changed, so I would look at 5:50 or so and keep refreshing.

We did this on the dining site through My Disney Experience. We just made sure we were logged in and then went for dining reservations.

I LOVED that review that was also quoted in here which I deleted by mistake. We're bringing our 13 year old daughter, and it made me feel so much better after reading it.

 

[js]

Definitely don't freak out. I freaked out, lost sleep, and then had to listen to the "I told you not to freak out" in the morning from the husband. I think it was just before 6 that it changed, so I would look at 5:50 or so and keep refreshing.

We did this on the dining site through My Disney Experience. We just made sure we were logged in and then went for dining reservations.

I LOVED that review that was also quoted in here which I deleted by mistake. We're bringing our 13 year old daughter, and it made me feel so much better after reading it.

Enjoy! My dd (and ds for that matter) always enjoy great dining.
I hope I can get it. I am trying to get it for the day after Christmas, which is the day we arrive

 

[clhcpaca]

I went through My Disney Experience yesterday and got a reservation for Sunday, September 28th. Both seatings had availability.