When did Victoria & Albert's first open?

[mlill]

Does anyone know the date when Victoria & Albert's first opened? Was it part of the Grand Floridian's grand opening? Thanks!

-Michelle

 

[Uncleromulus]

1988. And I believe the Grand Floridian opened that year also. I'm not certain that V&A was there at the very beginning, but I believe so.

 

[bethbuchall]

I have Birnbaum's 1988. He mentions that the Grand Floridian will open mid-1988 and lists Victoria and Albert's as a place to eat.

We stayed at the Polynesian for our honeymoon at the end of May, 1988, and the Grand Floridan was getting ready to open at that time.

 

[Uncleromulus]

And just to note--we had our first dinner at V&A in September 1988, just after they had opened!!

 

[Warmwinds]

Uncleromulus, how many times have you dined there? What are the changes you've noticed over the years (besides the prices going up )? We'll be there for the time exactly two weeks from today!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The only changes I have noticed have been related to the Chef's Table. Originally it was a smaller table, and there was no barrier which separated you from the kitchen. Also you were able to get up and move around in the kitchen, and even take photos, as long as you did not interfere. The way it was set up we were much closer to the grill, and could keep up a running conversation with the grill chef.

Also, the last time I was at CT we did not have any mice show up.

 

[BCV23]

Another change is that the servers are no longer "Victoria and Albert." I think our first time was Feb. of 89.

 

[Uncleromulus]

25 times so far.
Don't want to hijack this thread in any way, but there have been a few minor changes. That first meal we had THREE servers--one Albert and 2 Victorias. They lined up at our table and each had a little "speech" to give. Seemed a bit formal, but that sort of thing didn't last. I recall that when they used to have the cheese course, (there was no sorbet alternative then) they would bring out a wheel of that Royal Stilton cheese covered in cloth. They would then slice the cheese at tableside, and serve it with poached pear and some pumpernickle-like bread.
I 'm not too sure they had wine pairings at that early stage either--I know we orderd a bottle of wine, and if they would have had pairings, Mrs U would probably gotten that. But I'm not certain--.
Oh--and at the Chef's table, they would have a suprise private visit from Mickey and Minnie. The year we ate at the Chef's table was the last year that they did that.
I'll ask Mrs U if she recalls anything else--all in all it's been relatively the same since it first opened.
Except the servers--not a lot of turnover to be sure, but I can only think of one still remaining from the first days--Terry, a "Victoria".

 

[Warmwinds]

Obviously, when they changed the ritual with the Stilton, the mice were not happy and decided to stay away

Can't wait to see how it compares to the other temples we've been to

 

[Uncleromulus]

I guess it was sort of a ritual, but I recall you got MORE cheese when they sliced it like that

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just did a little research. According to Dave Smith in "Disney A to Z", both V&A and the Grand Floridian opened on June 28, 1988.

 

[mlill]

Thanks guys! I knew I could count on you for an answer! I wanted to know, because I'm almost to the end of my trip report, and I am going to write about our amazing Christmas Eve dinner at the Chef's Table in Victoria & Albert's! I wanted to put a tid-bit in the TR about how many people have dined at the CT on Christmas Eve before, and it looks like we were the 19th group! I still can't believe it!

Thanks again!

-Michelle

P.S. Uncleromulus, you are a VERY lucky man to have dined at V&A so many times!!! I envy you! So, when are you going back? Sometime this spring?

 

[Warmwinds]

Mlill, that is a MOST impressive honor, I can't wait to read your TR!

 

[BriarRosie]

Obviously, when they changed the ritual with the Stilton, the mice were not happy and decided to stay away

Can't wait to see how it compares to the other temples we've been to

I don't know what year they got rid of their giant rodent infestation,
but I can confirm that the mice visited our table in November, 1996.

The Chef's Table area renovations are a big improvement, IMHO.
I was able to be in a party of 5 in September, 2002. The area was
large enough to seat maybe 10-12 people, and I got a great vibe from
the decor. I felt like I was eating on someone's porch. But the
mice were definitely gone by then, too.

 

[BCV23]

Uncleromulus, I wonder if one of your Victoria's was in training on your first visit. I know we only had one each at our first visit. It was a formal introduction though with both there at once and I'll never forget it.

I don't remember the wheel of Stilton though. I'll have to ask my husband if he does.

Mickey and Minnie were not at our Chef's table experience which was 1/2002. We did have the smaller round table but with the half wall in place so I guess it was in transition.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I wanted to put a tid-bit in the TR about how many people have dined at the CT on Christmas Eve before, and it looks like we were the 19th group!

Not quite correct. I remember we had seen a copy of the Sentinel during a trip, and Judy saw the review of the Chef's Table, which was new. She made me get us a reservation for during our next trip, which was early 1996, so CT was first some time around September 1995.

 

[mlill]

Not quite correct. I remember we had seen a copy of the Sentinel during a trip, and Judy saw the review of the Chef's Table, which was new. She made me get us a reservation for during our next trip, which was early 1996, so CT was first some time around September 1995.

Ooooh! Even better! I didn't realize that the Chef's Table wasn't available when V&A first opened! So, that makes us the 12th group to have dinner at the Chef's Table for Christmas Eve. Awesome!

Thanks again everyone!!!

-Michelle

 

[Uncleromulus]

Mlill:
Going back May 15!!

BCv23: Could have been a "training" Victoria. I do recall tho that they all sort of stood in front of the table--Albert would say a few things, then the one Victoria, then the other. Very choreographed.

One other change--the Alberts went from brown to those blue/grey tux. I believe the Victoria costumes changsd a little also.

 

[BCV23]

Uncleromulus, our first set of Victoria and Albert did the formal lineup as well. I don't remember it happening on return trips although we didn't go nearly as often as you and especially in those years when our children were young.

It's funny about the brown tuxes....in my mind's eye, brown is still the color!!!! Do you know about how long ago that changed? I'll have to try to notice next time although we just dined there last month so it will probably be a trip or two before we return.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think the color change was a couple of years back.