Talk to almost any Disney foodie and they will say dining at Victoria & Albert's is a bucket list experience. Christian and I have been talking about going here for years and slowly saved up. After becoming annual passholders again last year I tried every trip to get us a reservation. I finally managed to snag reservations for our most recent trip when our 60 day booking window opened on February 27th!
Before I get into our experience, let me provide some background information on the restaurant.
What is Victoria & Albert's?
Victoria & Albert's opened at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World in 1988 and has consistently earned AAA Five Diamond (since 2000) and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (since 2018) awards. Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it boasts a legacy of excellence in dining. Back in the day servers used to refer to themselves Victoria & Albert. Diners must be at least 10 years of age and the dress code is strictly formal/semi-formal.
On April 18th, 2024 Victoria & Albert's earned it's first Michelin Star! Additionally, maître d’hotel and Sommelier Israel Perez received the MICHELIN Guide Florida 2024 Service Award. When Michelin first launched it's Florida Michelin Guide in June of 2022, Victoria & Albert's was still closed due to the pandemic. The restaurant reopened on July 28, 2022 and after undergoing multiple (anonymous) reviews, clinched that coveted star!
Michelin's description of the restaurant, which sums it up perfectly, is as follows:
Nestled within Disney's crown jewel, the Grand Floridian Resort, this restaurant is by no means an easy reservation, but the reward is a kind of magic rarely seen these days. The setting is intimate, and the pacing is that of a leisurely, three-hour waltz orchestrated by a gracious brigade of veteran servers. Chef Matthew Sowers cooks with contemporary verve and draws on influences spanning from Asia to the Nordics. Think delicate tarts set with New Zealand langoustine, striking “sandwiches” made with venison carpaccio and red cabbage, and bold sauces like cherry-cola bordelaise. Other details like water lists, an ornate coffee and tea service, and a serious wine program further impress.
What are the Victoria & Albert's Dining Options?
Victoria and Albert's features three rooms: the Dining Room, Queen Victoria's Room and the Chef's Table. We ate in The Dining Room where there are about 12 tables. The Queen Victoria's room can seat four couples and the Chef's Table can sit up to six people right in the kitchen. In 2018 the Disney blog said it could seat eight, but the photos I see usually show a table big enough for 6, so that may have changed.
How much does Victoria and Albert's Cost?
Following its reopening in 2022, there was a significant price increase. The 7-course meal, previously priced at $185, now costs $295. Similarly, the 10-course option rose from $235 to $375, and the Chef's Table increased from $350 to $425. Optional wine or zero-proof pairings are also available. While we were disappointed by the additional expense, we found it well worth the investment. Our meal came to $628.35, not including tip.
Can I use my Annual Passholder discount?
Unfortunately, Victoria & Albert's does not offer a passholder discount.
Does Vicotria and Albert's accept Disney Gift Cards
Yes, you can absolutely use a Disney gift card! Prior to our trip, we snagged $1000 worth of Disney gift cards from BJ's at a discounted price of $949.98. While the savings might seem modest, every bit counts! It's worth noting that tipping is still necessary. Just treat it like any other credit card transaction—write down your tip amount as usual, and it's sorted.
How do I book a table at Victoria & Albert's?
Booking a table, while straightforward, can be challenging due to its popularity. For guests not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, reservations open exactly 60 days in advance. Simply visit the Dining Room or Queen Victoria Room pages on the Disney World website and click the "Check Available Dates" button, and select your desired date to check for table availability. If you wish to eat at the Chef's Table, reservations can be made by calling (407) WDW-DVNA beginning at 10am.
Guests staying at a Disney hotel have the advantage of booking for their entire trip starting 60 days from their check-in day, for up to 10 days. This allows hotel guests to secure reservations for dates not yet available to the general public. A helpful tip if you aren't looking for a specific day: prioritize reservations towards the end of your trip for better availability.
Note: Victoria & Albert's is currently closed on Sundays and Mondays. If your booking window opens on either of those days, it's advisable to call first thing on Tuesday morning for the Chef's Table or make reservations through the website for other dining areas.
What if I have allergies?
The staff at Victoria & Albert's will reach out about a week before your reservation to ask about any allergies or dietary restrictions. You can also call or email ahead of time if you wish. This will allow them time to customize a menu just for you! However, they note that "some menu components may not be able to be adjusted based on preferences." Victoria and Albert's does require 24 hours notice for any preferences.
I'm a picky eater, will I be able to eat here?
Coming from a fellow picky eater, YES! While I'm not as picky as I was when I was growing up there are still quite a few foods I will not touch. A little over a week before my reservation I emailed the team at Victoria & Alberts with some of my dining preferences. I let them know that they were strong aversions rather than allergies. They replied asking for a couple clarifications and that was all it took!
Can I cancel my reservation?
A $100-per-person cancellation fee applies for cancellations made within 5 days of the reservation. For no-shows or cancellations within 24 hours of the reservation, the full price is charged. This deviation from Disney's typical cancellation policy, which permits cancellations up to 2 hours before, is due to the extensive preparation required for crafting the meal.
What is the Dress Code at Victoria & Albert's?
Victoria and Alberts enforces a strict dress code. Guests are expected to dress in semi-formal/formal attire that "respects the restaurant’s elegant and opulent aesthetic." Christian wore a sleek charcoal grey suit, light purple dress shirt and dark purple striped tie with burnished cognac brown Oxford shoes.
I wore a Needle & Thread Mirage tiered embellished tulle dress cut from lilac-colored tulle and embellished with floral beaded and sequined clusters. Inspired by Victorian silhouettes, it has pretty butterfly sleeves and a ruffle-trimmed neckline. I complemented the dress with Nicholas Kirkwood Lola embellished pearl sandals (similar) and Marc by Marc Jacobs "perfect purse" in pink ostrich (faux) with gold chain link strap. For jewelry I paired my grandmother's topaz and diamond necklace with matching Aurate Birthstone Baguette Studs in London Blue Topaz and Aurate Vintage Emerald Cut Ring in London Blue Topaz.
Our Dining Experience at Victoria & Albert's
Time for the good part, recapping our evening with you! On the day of our reservation, we enjoyed a leisurely morning at Magic Kingdom, taking advantage of Early Entry hours at 7:30am. We rode Winnie the Pooh, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, TRON, Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World all before having an 11am lunch at Columbia Harbor House. Next we went on Carousel of Progress and The Peoplemover before heading back to our resort at 1pm. With the afternoon to unwind, we prepared ourselves for the magical evening ahead.
Dressed in our finest attire (I even re-wore my exact wedding outfit) we took an Uber to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa around 5:20. We arrived just before 5:45 and headed up to the second floor at the Grand Floridian to a small area where you can take photos with Cinderella's Glass Slipper. The Cast Member knew exactly where we were going when we asked for photos, confirmation that we dressed the part! After our photoshoot we walked over to the sitting area between Citrico's and Victoria & Albert's to wait for our reservation at 6:30.
At precisely 6:13 (I took a video, haha!) we were ushered into the restaurant. Our host led us to our table, where a waiter graciously assisted me into my chair, ensuring my comfort for the evening. With a napkin draped over his arm, he delicately placed it on my lap with a subtle flourish, marking the commencement of our royal dining experience. To accommodate my adorable Marc Jacobs handbag, a small pouf was provided. This little guy has been with me for almost 15 years.
Is Victoria & Albert's worth it? / Would we go back?
YES! While some may balk at the price, Victoria & Albert's offers more than just food—it's an immersive experience, akin to other exclusive Disney offerings like the Wild Africa Trek (my review) or the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. The cost encompasses not only delicious cuisine but also an opportunity to explore flavors, engage in meaningful conversations, and savor an elegant evening. With your table reserved for the entire night, you can dine at your leisure, fully immersing yourself in the ambiance. After our meal, we lingered for about 30 minutes, enchanted by the harpist's melodies.
Looking ahead, we're considering trying the 10-course meal on our next visit. I may even opt for the zero-proof pairing! Additionally, Christian has expressed interest in experiencing the Chef's Table with a group, though we'll see if that plan comes to fruition. I'll also be tempted to explore their tea offerings to conclude our meal.
Christian's Thoughts
I asked Christian to summarize his thoughts on the evening because he is far better at articulating the amazing experience than I am.
It's important to remember that if you're interested in forking over the amount of money it takes to experience something like this, you need to understand that this isn't like you're going to one of your favorite restaurants and multiplying it's flavor by the difference in cost. I learned a valuable lesson from our time dining at California Grill atop the Contemporary that you can spend a large amount of money to get just about the best "food" experience of all the flavors you typically love. While that experience is all about familiar flavors at their peak, Victoria and Albert's is all about a journey into the unknown. You're not paying the lofty price tag for taste alone, as you're embarking across a narrative of different bites that are supposed to tell a story. This story summarized an essence of Spring I had not yet known. You'll potentially hear about sauces that have been converted into foam, vegetables blended with ingredients you never thought would work, exotic ingredients that have even a slight difference just because there was someone experienced enough to tell the difference. Atop all of that, it's a level of service that some would mostly chuckle at, but it gives you an appreciation that this is more of a craft than it is a job for everyone involved. They didn't receive awards and recognition just because their food was tasty. There's a skilled chef in the back giving you the only seating for that table that night, and you're going to be brought into a world of food you didn't think existed. Treat it as an adventure. Not a meal. Plus, that Rabbit broth was seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten.
Glad you were able to enjoy such a fine dining experience! While it’s not a frequent indulgence, it’s worth doing at least once! Glad you got to rewear your wedding dress, but no Chanel?
ReplyDeleteHaha, Christian wanted me to use the Chanel too, but it felt too big and bulky! 😝
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