Victoria and Alberts

[bradleyc]

Are there any ways to make this dinner more affordable than paying out of pocket for 4 adults? I know in the past, diners would upgrade to a premium or platinum plan to take advantage of tours and the dinner being included in the dining plan for 1 night of their stay. Now the platinum plan has a minimum 3 nights attached to it. I'd like to eat at this restaurant for my 40th birthday in October but the cost would be around $500 for 4 people not including alcohol or gratuities or the cost of two children staying at a childcare center! Do any of you DIS'ers know any discounts or ways to make this dinner not cost so much out of pocket?

Carrie

 

[Pakey]

Do any of the 4 of you have an annual pass? You can get the TIW card that will save you 20%. I don't recall how much the TIW costs but I know that the 20% off our annual dinner at V&A covers the cost of this card.

And hopefully this will make you feel better: V&A is the least expensive 5 star restaurant we have dined at. The $125 per person is a steal for this level of food and service.

 

[TDC Nala]

If any of you are eligible (annual pass, Florida resident or DVC member) you can get a Tables in Wonderland card as noted above. V&A accepts the discount in the main dining room only (not in the chef's table or Queen Victoria Room.) There is also a 20% tip added if you use the card so it's basically a free tip, unless you want to tip extra.

There are no other discounts that are applicable at Victoria & Albert's to my knowledge.

 

[AquaDame]

For those who have gone, when have you found is a good time for this meal? Is later better for quiet/digesting (instead of going to the parks) or is earlier better so you can take a stroll, see the fireworks from outside before heading to the parks/to the hotel?

 

[TDC Nala]

I've never tried to go the parks after V&A and I wouldn't do it dressed for V&A, but I used to do the early seating and then go to Pleasure Island. Just remember that you'll likely be in there for 2 to 3 hours.

 

[figmentgirl]

we dine early, as it is a 2-3 hour luxury dining experience. Last time we went we ate at 5:30 and left at 8pm. We strolled down the path to the Poly and watched the water show and fireworks and my now husband proposed. You are going to have an amazing time no matter what you choose.

 

[AquaDame]

It will definitely be 3 hours well spent, that is fine! If we do it, I might try to con my husband into taking the one last work day off that week so we can come on a Saturday or Sunday instead of a Monday night red eye...for more time!

 

[DisFanJen]

As several other people have said the best (and possibly only) way to lower the price is to get a Tables in Wonderland card. It's $75 if you have an AP, I don't know the cost of the card as a Florida Resident.

It essentially knocks off the price of the tip for your party but it's only usable in the main room, not in the Queen Victoria room or the Chef's Table.

I've eaten there on a later sitting (Main Room) and earlier one (Queen Victoria Room) and the time really didn't effect the experience. However as other's have said I wouldn't consider going to the parks in your V&As gear so leave yourself time before and plan something 'up market' for after if you do have time.

Whatever you do you'll have an amazing time, just be careful you don't get addicted. We're currently planning our next vacation and one of the first questions was 'How many times do you want to go to V&As?'

 

[bradleyc]

I don't have an annual pass and I'm not a Florida resident. I guess I would be the only one in my party that would have to purchase the annual pass in order to get the TIW card? I'll have to do the math to see if the cost of purchasing the annual pass and TIW card is less than the 20% discount I would receive on the V and A bill...

Thanks for your help!

 

[Pakey]

For those who have gone, when have you found is a good time for this meal? Is later better for quiet/digesting (instead of going to the parks) or is earlier better so you can take a stroll, see the fireworks from outside before heading to the parks/to the hotel?

We used to do the late seating but switched a few years ago to the early seating and we prefer it. With the late seating, we were often just leaving at midnight and it was hard to go to bed too soon after consuming that much food (and alcohol).

Although we now go to the early seating, we also never go to the parks afterwards. Walking around the parks in a dress and heels for me and a coat for my husband isn't something either of us would enjoy.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We used to do the late seating but switched a few years ago to the early seating and we prefer it. With the late seating, we were often just leaving at midnight and it was hard to go to bed too soon after consuming that much food (and alcohol).

Although we now go to the early seating, we also never go to the parks afterwards. Walking around the parks in a dress and heels for me and a coat for my husband isn't something either of us would enjoy.

I booked the late seating, but it sounds like we may need to rethink that. I've read several times that the meal can take close to 4 hrs. Is the early seating more rushed to prepare for the late seating? We're going to need as much time as possible between courses to make it through so much food.

 

[DisFanJen]

I don't have an annual pass and I'm not a Florida resident. I guess I would be the only one in my party that would have to purchase the annual pass in order to get the TIW card? I'll have to do the math to see if the cost of purchasing the annual pass and TIW card is less than the 20% discount I would receive on the V and A bill...

Thanks for your help!

You only need one person to get an AP and TIW card to get the discount and it covers up to 10 people as long as they are all sitting at the same table.

Remember that the card is usable at almost all table services places and the 20% is off of drinks too so do your maths against all your meals.

There's also discounts with the AP you can factor in such as 10% off merch (or 20% if you get a premium AP) at participating outlets (usually the ones owned and run by Disney themselves), you can even get money off room only bookings. So that could factor in as well.

Ahhh, the black art of calculating the best value for money for Disney tickets...

 

[VrBchJ]

I know it's very expensive but it's still a great value for your money. It's an exceptional dining experience. We always go as early as possible because it is a 3 hour dinner. We finish at 8 or 8:30. Then we go back to the resort, change clothes and walk til we drop! That's assuming after all the wine we can walk.

 

[evedein]

Does anyone know if they offer gluten free options? If so, how good are they? Is it worth the money?

 

[DisFanJen]

Does anyone know if they offer gluten free options? If so, how good are they? Is it worth the money?

I can't tell you what their gluten free option is but I do know they will cater for you.

I am both a vegetarian (not a big deal) and diabetic (which is where it becomes a pain) and they catered for me perfectly. The food, including the no-added sugar deserts were amazing!

Is it worth it? Well only you can truly answer that but if you like fine dining then I think you won't be disappointed.

 

[ctnurse]

The TIW card will save you money. We ate at V&A in Dec. We ate in the QV room so we were not able to use TIW, but used it the rest of the trip and saved a lot of money on food and drinks. We had a ADR at 5pm and finished around 1030pm. It is worth going for such as special occasion as your 40th birthday. We decided that we are going back, but will try the Main dining room, since the 10 courses with the wine pairings was a lot of food. V&A is a great memory and worth the money. It is something we will never forget. Enjoy

 

[rebstone]

If you happen to have a Disney Rewards Visa, last I checked you could use the rewards earned towards dining at Victoria and Alberts.