Walt Disney World debuted a brand new wave of character eating a couple of years in the past, starting with Bon Voyage Journey Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno and persevering with with Story Guide Eating Dinner with Snow White at Artist Level. These two meals arrived at eating places with kitchens able to producing high-quality delicacies, and delivered on that.
Then got here Breakfast à la Artwork with Mickey & Buddies at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera. That title is itself a mouthful, nevertheless it debuted on the Signature Restaurant on the rooftop of Disney’s Riviera Resort. With its refined setting, breathtaking views, gorgeous character costumes and good meals, Breakfast à la Artwork shaped a trio with the opposite eating places as the most effective ‘elevated’ character eating experiences on the Walt Disney World resort lodges. There’s a cause these rank on the prime of our checklist of the Finest Character Meals at Walt Disney World.
Though there have been different variations between these and common character meals, the obvious have been a high quality over amount method and higher consideration to element. Notably, all of them provided a la carte menus versus buffets. Whereas we take pleasure in pigging out at a buffet on trip from time-to-time, we far most well-liked these extra methodical meals for a variety of causes. Not one of the character buffets provided the identical caliber of begin to end expertise as these eating places. Till now.
Earlier than we dig into why dinner at 1900 Park Fare is so good, let’s cowl have to know fundamentals. 1900 Park Fare is a personality meal at Walt Disney World’s flagship lodge, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which is positioned inside strolling, monorail, or boat distance of Magic Kingdom. It’s very simple to do dinner at 1900 Park Fare as a break throughout your Magic Kingdom park day.
1900 Park Fare participates within the Disney Eating Plan as a 1-credit desk service meal. Dinner is without doubt one of the best possible choices if you happen to’re making an attempt to maximise your worth on the Disney Eating Plan, particularly if you happen to order a specialty drink. We paid out of pocket for our meal at 1900 Park Fare, so we’ll be judging it on a money foundation.
Advance Eating Reservations aren’t ample for 1900 Park Fare. Though it’s gotten simpler to e-book since reopening, you’ll nonetheless have to make reservations early or luck-out final minute. See our Information to Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs) at Walt Disney World for suggestions & methods to attain elusive ADRs, information concerning the 60+10 rule, and extra.
The excellent news is that dinner is often barely simpler than breakfast, probably as a result of latter being costlier. (Individuals additionally identical to to start out their day with character meals earlier than heading to the parks.) Our expectation is that it will change as soon as Free Eating ‘season’ rolls round; as famous above, dinner is the higher worth on the Disney Eating Plan. Regardless, if you happen to’re planning a visit, we extremely suggest having 1900 Park Fare in your radar as quickly as your ADR window opens.
We’ll now flip to the inside design and environment of 1900 Park Fare, which has modified dramatically with the reopening of the restaurant. We already mentioned this in our Assessment of Want Makers Enchanted Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, so we’ll attempt to cowl new floor within the dinner assessment.
The problem with 1900 Park Fare is that it’s tucked away right into a window-less area on the bottom ground of the Grand Floridian. Beforehand, we at all times felt that it was shoehorned into right here; that maybe the area was by no means meant to be a restaurant however was carved out of a storage space of conference space and changed into 1900 Park Fare.
I’ve since discovered that that is not the case–1900 Park Fare opened with Grand Floridian Resort in 1988. Nicely, that is smart, because the pre-closure look of the restaurant appeared prefer it was designed within the late Eighties. The earlier look was visually chaotic, with a discordance of designs and hodgepodge of patterns.
There was so much happening on the decrease degree after which a ton of lifeless area on the prime of the room (as you possibly can see from these pictures, 1900 Park Fare has a excessive ceiling). The visually busy however off-kilter design coupled with the dearth of home windows and the noise from the characters made 1900 Park Fare really feel very claustrophobic.
The outdated inside wasn’t immersive Victorian themed design, and its solely redeeming qualities have been Large Bertha (an vintage organ) and carousel critters that dotted the seating space. Some followers would possibly’ve cherished it, however that was due primarily to familiarity and nostalgia.
The brand new-look 1900 Park Fare nonetheless lacks home windows and pure mild, however the refresh goes an extended method to make it really feel extra posh and alluring. A giant a part of that is the addition of mirrors, dialing down design parts, and introducing calming colours and materials. It now feels far more mellow and upscale, and our meals right here (each breakfast and dinner) have been quieter because of this.
The eating room actually isn’t the top of themed design, and it’s maybe a comparatively easy model for Walt Disney World’s flagship resort, leaning so much on modern model, furnishings, and fixtures. Nonetheless, it’s all tastefully accomplished and there are simply sufficient thematic thrives in addition to higher-end finishings to make 1900 Park Fare really feel directly refined, trendy, and Disney.
Particularly, I like the dozen impressionist-style character portraits lining the wall. These take what was beforehand lifeless area and provides it visible curiosity whereas additionally main in direction of Large Bertha, the pièce de résistance of 1900 Park Fare. The visuals of the restaurant coalesce rather well, giving it a pleasant sense of place. It’s an enormous enchancment over what was right here earlier than.
The seating space can be organized otherwise, with a column of banquette seating within the center(ish) of the room dividing up the area, extra booth-style seats alongside the wall, and tables within the center. And as talked about above, the addition of mirrors–each at Bertha and visitor degree–do some heavy-lifting in making the eating room really feel much less like a chilling chamber with no home windows.
Past Large Bertha, there’s one other small eating room with a mixture of 6 and 4-person tables.
This room is ok, and has been redone equally to the principle space with carousel schematics and a pair items of impressionistic art work. It’s undoubtedly extra intimate and possibly calmer than the principle room, however I’m glad we weren’t seated right here. For a meal with this price ticket, I desire a bit extra environment–that is too muted for my tastes.
Backtracking a bit, the ready room of 1900 Park Fare has additionally been redone and makes a powerful first impression with plush new sofas, fairly carpet, and art work that includes designs for Large Bertha and different carousel stuff.
I used to be additionally shocked that this check-in space wasn’t overflowing with individuals, spilling out into the little foyer between 1900 Park Fare and Grand Floridian Cafe. That was usually the case earlier than, and nonetheless is with many/most different character meals.
For each of our meals, we have been capable of simply snag seats, admire the art work, and loosen up a bit earlier than our names have been referred to as. (Maybe we simply bought fortunate.) This little room is charming and well-appointed, setting the tone for the meal to return.
I’m not going to counsel that the environment of 1900 Park Fare is on par with Topolino’s Terrace or Artist Level. The previous is a rooftop restaurant at one of many tallest resorts providing huge views of Walt Disney World; that eating room is elegant and complex and the sweeping vistas from the big home windows are improbable. Artist Level is styled after a grand Nationwide Parks lodge eating room and has been additional stylized with forest decor; like all the pieces else in Wilderness Lodge, it’s an exemplar of themed design.
Whereas 1900 Park Fare just isn’t on par with these settings, it was the antithesis of them. Now, it at the very least belongs in the identical dialog. I might see some visitors even preferring 1900 Park Fare for its cozy seating, pleasing palate, and charming character portraits. We aren’t these visitors, however we see far more enchantment in 1900 Park Fare now.
The vibe is correct, lastly. There’s now a sure grandiosity to the environment at 1900 Park Fare that’s befitting of the character meal on the Grand Floridian. The entire meal has pomp and circumstance to it, which is precisely what you’d anticipate when reserving an expensive character eating expertise at Walt Disney World’s flagship resort.
Talking of which, let’s flip to the character part of the meal…
As famous in Why Disney’s Modifications to 1900 Park Fare Are Controversial Amongst Followers, the characters have modified as this has been reimagined into Want Makers Enchanted Eating at 1900 Park Fare. Gone are the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast (that includes Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh) and Fortunately Ever After Dinner (that includes Cinderella, Prince Charming, Woman Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella).
On this refreshed character eating expertise at 1900 Park Fare, visitors are greeted by new royalty: Aladdin in his Prince Ali apparel, Cinderella, Mirabel and Tiana in her new costume for Tiana’s Bayou Journey, as all of them have fun the ability of a want.
In doing a little bit of analysis about 1900 Park Fare, one factor I discovered fascinating is that it has had many ideas over time, together with Mary Poppins meals a couple of occasions. In between these, it has hosted a Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers meal, Mickey & Buddies, and a Disney Villains dinner. All of these sound superior, however whilst a child who grew up on Disney Afternoon, that one does strike me as kinda odd for the flagship resort.
As with breakfast, all the character interactions at 1900 Park Fare throughout dinner have been improbable.
Prince Ali is the odd man out (actually), however I ended up appreciating his presence. The character costume is a lot better (and clearly extra lavish) than the traditional Aladdin road rat garb, and he’s an ideal candidate to speak concerning the energy of needs. He additionally had much more to say about monkeys, genies, and different matters of curiosity.
All of them have been very on-brand, with portrayals of their respective characters which can be precisely what followers would anticipate. Mirabel was quirky and enjoyable and a bit odd (in a great way!), buoyantly bouncing by means of the eating room. Tiana talked of her travels and different exploits. Cinderella was completely princessy.
What struck me most about all the characters is how effectively they orchestrated interactions. It was instantly clear to them that we have been keen on them interacting with Child Bricker, who can’t discuss (not actual phrases anybody else can perceive, at the very least). This made for a one-way dialogue, which they navigated splendidly.
It’s troublesome to elucidate if you happen to haven’t skilled this, however suffice to say, they have been all actually, actually nice at getting our daughter to “mild up” and it felt like an precise interplay. The eye they gave her was simply improbable–I can’t reward these princesses (and Aladdin) sufficient.
It’s not evident from these pictures of her principally trying away from them and the digicam (by design), however Child Bricker was in awe of the princesses. A minimum of, Cinderella and Tiana. She bought wide-eyed beginning squeaking and flailing her legs and arms about as they interacted together with her. She was so treasured and lovable, and the entire scene made time freeze only for a quick second.
It’s inconceivable to articulate and I don’t actually have nice pictures of those interactions–as a result of I used to be residing them–however they’re indelibly seared into my reminiscence. Naturally, when it got here time for the posed pictures, Child Bricker had different concepts…
For the prolonged and high quality interactions alone, 1900 Park Fare could be price what it value to us. (An essential asterisk–whilst a brand new mum or dad who now’s far more emotionally invested in these experiences, I can nonetheless separate my emotions from goal high quality.) Fortunately, the meals additionally delivered.
Talking of which, right here’s a take a look at the dinner buffet unfold at 1900 Park Fare:
Additionally not evident from the pictures is simply how good and high-quality the dinner unfold was at 1900 Park Fare. On the contrary, I’m discovering myself trying on the pictures now and considering, that’s it? I’ve gotta have higher pictures of them!
How about a couple of plate pictures:
Though the pictures don’t do them justice, the dinner unfold at 1900 Park Fare is a veritable spotlight reel. The Curry-roasted Hen was flavorful, with improbable seasoning and a improbable tasting curry to boost the meat’s juiciness. Once we managed to snag cuts from a freshly-made tray, the Baked Salmon with Saffron-Lemon Butter was desk service entree caliber. I do know you’re not going to imagine it based mostly on the pictures right here, however the salmon was juicy, fall-apart tender, flavorful, and improbable.
The Roasted Garlic Sausage was one other surprising winner, with a high quality much better than you’d anticipate of normally fundamental buffet sausage. Adjoining to the sausage on the buffet–the unfold for adults–was ‘grown-up’ Mac & Cheese. Additionally good, and I’m a sucker for the stuff, however I didn’t allocate an excessive amount of abdomen area to it given all the pieces else on this unfold. Talking of issues for which I’m a sucker, the Mashed Potatoes have been additionally next-level, creamy and buttery not like the everyday buffet potatoes.
One of many ‘higher-dollar’ choices on the buffet is the Peel-n-Eat Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce. Very sizable, nicely-seasoned, and engaging. I’m personally not a fan of this a lot “work” accompanying my meal, however I appreciated each the flavour and the standard of the shrimp providing. It’s one other dish that visibly demonstrates that the unfold is definitely worth the priciness.
One of many new (supposed) highlights of the 1900 Park Fare dinner unfold is Tiana’s Well-known Gumbo with Spicy Andouille Sausage. This wasn’t unhealthy (and even mediocre), however frankly wasn’t a star of the unfold. I do admire that they tried to tie within the menu with the characters and theme, however I desire the (very completely different) model of Tiana’s Gumbo over at Tiana’s Palace in Disneyland.
Turning again to issues I cherished from the buffet, different highlights included the Loaded Baked Potato Salad and Focaccia with Solar-dried Tomato and Herbs. I didn’t eat an excessive amount of of both as a result of each are cheap filler (that’s how they attempt to get ya!), and this buffet wasn’t my first rodeo. Sarah additionally remarked that the salads that includes kale and couscous have been improbable. I took her phrase for it.
These are just some examples of dishes on the buffet at 1900 Park Fare that have been elevated past buffet fundamentals or staples. It appeared like almost each dish we tried–and be aware that we skipped all the youngsters stuff or something that presumably was mundane–had a degree of high quality or surprising nuance to the flavour or preparation. This was not your common buffet meals when it comes to high quality. (And we dined right here lengthy after reopening, so it’s not like they have been pulling out all of the stops to make a powerful first impression.)
The place I centered most of my abdomen area in the course of the 1900 Park Fare dinner was the carving station. Like with a superb bartender, it’s essential to develop a rapport with the meat carver–crucial particular person on the buffet. Whereas they gained’t at all times ask the way you’d just like the meat cooked (e.g. uncommon, medium uncommon, and so on.), you possibly can completely particular that and anything you’d like in your lower.
The Prime Rib was subsequent degree. I can’t imagine how tender and engaging this meat was. You’ll see some items on our plates with a bit (an excessive amount of, arguably) fattiness, however that was good ‘for taste’ given the limitless nature of the buffet. The home-made horseradish was additionally improbable, albeit pointless. (I used it anyway–too good to withstand!) This prime rib was higher than what we’ve had relatively-recently as devoted entress at Steakhouse 71 and Turf Membership. That’s no disrespect geared toward both–each are eating places we love!
It’s extra to underscore simply how shockingly good the Prime Rib was at 1900 Park Fare. Lots of followers discuss “what Walt would’ve wished” to venture their very own preferences or disappointments in Walt Disney World. Most of it’s nonsense, however I’m pretty assured in saying prime rib on the menus of each restaurant is what Walt would’ve wished. Oh, and canned chili–the one two confirmed meals that Walt cherished.)
Along with the fantastic Prime Rib, there was additionally Spice-Roasted Turkey on the carving station. This was superb if you happen to’re into turkey, however couldn’t maintain a candle to the gorgeous beef. (Notice that the second carving station choice rotates: Porchetta, Ham, or Spice-Roasted Turkey.)
In terms of the dessert unfold, one merchandise you’ll spot on our plates repeatedly is the unassumingly-named (and introduced) Heat Chocolate Cake. For all intents and functions, that is basically Lava Cake, buffet model. It was completely improbable, heat and the right texture/consistency/richness combo.
I’ve had variations of this dessert at desk service eating places that aren’t even nearly as good as what’s served at 1900 Park Fare. It has no enterprise being nearly as good as it’s. (Professional tip: skip the vanilla sauce and use the Strawberry Soup as an alternative.)
Frankly, that’s the story of just about all of the desserts at 1900 Park Fare–surprising high quality for a dinner buffet. It’s not that stunning, because the Grand Floridian pastry workforce usually prepares desserts that punch manner above their weight at surprising places. I nonetheless keep in mind when Gasparilla Island Grill was reimagined and rejuvenated a number of years again, with the redo supervised by Chef Scott Hunnel; all the meals was wonderful (at first), however particularly the desserts. Identical story right here.
Anyway, similar story with the Grand Floridian Financier, Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake, Toasted Coconut Cake, and (to a lesser extent) Fudge Brownie have been all comparable tales. Then, in fact, there’s the Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup that has developed a fan-following for good cause. That was solely my fourth-favorite dessert on the unfold, which ought to say one thing.
I’d pay a good quantity for a dessert-only buffet with gadgets of this caliber. Maybe they might do it within the afternoon, pair it with tea, and host it in a setting with huge views overlooking the resort’s superb gardens? Sorry, only a random and loopy concept I had. In all probability would by no means work.
Finally, the Want Makers Enchanted Eating at 1900 Park Fare reaches the identical excessive bar as character eating experiences at Topolino’s Terrace and Artist Level, managing to realize each top quality and excessive amount (of meals). So far as the meals goes, that is simply the most effective character buffet at Walt Disney World. Tusker Home is the one choice that’s shut, and that’s a really completely different form of delicacies. As a lot as we love Tusker Home, 1900 Park Fare is healthier.
I’d really take {that a} step additional and argue that dinner at 1900 Park Fare is the most effective character meal for meals at Walt Disney World, surpassing Artist Level, the earlier winner. Whereas we love the ‘elevated’ entrees there, the meals will also be hit and miss now and again. That’s most likely additionally true of 1900 Park Fare (I noticed some unhappy trying salmon whereas ready for a brand new tray to materialize), the important thing distinction is the all-you-can-eat nature. Having each top quality and amount is a game-changer for a personality buffet.
With that mentioned, there’s nonetheless the query of the general expertise. This was the rationale breakfast at 1900 Park Fare had us “actually torn,” as a result of the expertise didn’t coalesce into one thing nice regardless of particular person parts that have been good-to-great. For breakfast, the entire is lower than the sum of its elements.
For dinner, it does. I nonetheless have a number of the similar quibbles, however there’s so much that magnificent meats and decadent desserts may cause me to miss. Truthfully, that’s precisely what occurred with 1900 Park Fare. Whereas I’m in no rush to revisit breakfast and would reasonably do the superior total meals at Artist Level or Topolino’s Terrace, I’d sooner reasonably return to 1900 Park Fare for dinner than both of these choices–even when I do assume the settings and full packages there work only a tad higher. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare simply has such improbable meals (and quite a lot of it!), that I can fully justify the upper price ticket (it’s an absolute no brainer on the Disney Eating Plan) and am already able to return!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever accomplished the Want Makers Enchanted Dinner at 1900 Park Fare? What did you consider the meals? What concerning the character interactions? Do you agree or disagree with any of our assessment? Does this character meal look interesting to you? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!