We love character eating experiences at Walt Disney World. On the similar time, we’re very choosy about which breakfasts and dinners we do. Sarah and I even have typically conflicting opinions in regards to the forms of meals (buffets vs. a la carte) and characters (fur vs. face, Mickey & Pals vs. royalty, and many others) we’d want.
It thus wasn’t actually any shock that we went into 1900 Park Fare with completely different expectations and levels of hype ranges. Admittedly, each of us had been excited. 1900 Park Fare could be Child Bricker’s second and third character meals ever, after breakfast at Chef Mickey’s. We selected to try this first each as a result of it’s iconic and so we wouldn’t be unduly biased in favor of 1900 Park Fare and look at it by way of the rose-colored glasses of sentimentality.
Talking of which, it’s additionally value noting that we aren’t overly nostalgic for the unique 1900 Park Fare. That is one thing that got here up in Why Disney’s Adjustments to 1900 Park Fare Are Controversial Amongst Followers, because the diehard fan base for this restaurant is (was?) moderately passionate and understandably disillusioned by the adjustments to 1900 Park Fare after ready 4 lengthy years for it to reopen. Regardless that we had dined at 1900 Park Fare earlier than and loved the expertise, it was by no means one in every of our favorites or must-dos.
In different phrases, we’re principally coming at 1900 Park Fare contemporary–cognizant of the controversy but in addition pondering that it was extra like Nineties Park Fare in some methods earlier than and updates had been wanted. That’s how we’ll method this overview, with objectives of figuring out if the criticisms of the character adjustments are legitimate and whether or not the brand new inside design breathes wanted new life into the restaurant. Oh, and naturally whether or not or not the meals is tasty, character interactions are enjoyable and memorable, and whether or not the general expertise presents commensurate worth for cash or Disney Eating Plan credit.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals for these studying this overview chilly. 1900 Park Fare is a personality meal at Walt Disney World’s flagship lodge, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which is situated close to Magic Kingdom. On condition that location, it’s just like the face character counterpart to Chef Mickey’s at breakfast (additionally on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop) or, I assume, Story Guide Eating at Artist Level at Wilderness Lodge (additionally inside boat distance of Magic Kingdom) or possibly Cinderella’s Royal Desk (really inside Cinderella Citadel in Magic Kingdom).
As intimated above, 1900 Park Fare participates within the Disney Eating Plan as a 1-credit desk service meal. Dinner is likely one of the best possible choices should you’re attempting to maximise your worth on the Disney Eating Plan, however breakfast remains to be an excellent worth–particularly should you order a specialty drink. We had been paying out of pocket for our breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, so we’ll be judging it on a money foundation.
With that out of the best way, let’s dig in and take a look at how the ambiance has modified on the new-look 1900 Park Fare. We’ll begin with a earlier than picture of the eating room pre-closure…
Beforehand, the ambiance and themed design had been the largest weak point of 1900 Park Fare. I’ve all the time puzzled whether or not the restaurant was shoehorned into this area, because it was principally only one massive room with excessive ceilings, minimal sound-dampening, and no home windows. It felt like a conference heart flex area, proper all the way down to the again room that felt prefer it may very well be divided off with a sliding wall.
As with the Grand Floridian as an entire, there was a Victorian theme to 1900 Park Fare. Additionally as with elsewhere at Grand Floridian, the theme of 1900 Park Fare was drained. It felt like an early Nineties tackle Victorian, with wallpaper borders, contrasting coloured accents, and loads of different alerts of 90s datedness. This look may’ve been pulled straight from the pages of the January 1992 concern of Higher Properties & Gardens.
The one spotlight was the amusement park motif that was bolstered with quite a lot of particulars. The carousel animals perched atop seating areas had been good touches, as was Large Bertha, an vintage organ that has referred to as the Grand Floridian house since 1988. I might’ve been wonderful retaining all of these items, because it did reinforce the restaurant’s precise theme.
Sadly, the menagerie of carousel animals is gone. In my opinion, that’s the one draw back of the redesigned restaurant inside. In any other case, it’s all enhancements.
Some followers would possibly argue that that is too toned down or muted as in comparison with the prior design. I disagree. There’s nonetheless patterned carpet, wallpaper, and quite a lot of upholstery that provides to the sense of lavishness. It’s not what I’d name quintessential Victorian inside design, nevertheless it’s additionally not at odds with that.
The important thing distinction is that, earlier than, 1900 Park Fare had a “extra is extra” sensibility with quite a lot of patterns all of which had been at eye degree. There was rather a lot occurring on the decrease degree after which a ton of useless area greater up. Therefore it trying much less like immersive Victorian themed design and extra like a conference heart flex area.
The brand new design does a greater job of trying contemporary whereas additionally retaining a semblance of theme. Like the brand new Mary Poppins-inspired rooms, it strikes the appropriate stability of well-appointed fashionable styling with themed design. Maybe a tad too modern, however I nonetheless assume it’s a dramatic glow-up from what was right here earlier than.
From my perspective, the large plussing with the new-look 1900 Park Fare is the mirrors. There are mirrors between the tables at visitor degree, which assist open up the area and make it really feel bigger. It’s a quite simple factor, nevertheless it’s efficient.
Higher nonetheless are the outsized mirrors on higher degree throughout from each other. These assist create the phantasm of 1900 Park Fare not being a windowless area, and assist brighten up the room by reflecting the lights. Additionally they have elegant decorative frames, which additional enhances the inside.
A body has likewise been added round Large Bertha, a turn-of-the-century organ from France, nonetheless on show in the principle eating room as its grand centerpiece. Earlier than, she was the one factor up at that degree and actually caught out.
It was this odd mixture of drawing your eye upwards, however then having just one factor to see there. So actually, what Large Bertha achieved earlier than was drawing consideration to how barren the higher degree was, which company might not have observed in any other case in the event that they didn’t make some extent of trying up.
Now Large Bertha attracts the attention up and she or he’s complimented by the dual mirrors in addition to 12 new characters portraits created solely for 1900 Park Fare by Disney artists. This higher degree is a dramatic enchancment, and one that implies fashionable and Victorian model, themed design and Disney characters unexpectedly. It’s a giant improve.
Every of those character portraits is impressed by the impressionist artwork model of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and encompasses a completely different Disney character as they hope, dream and need upon a star…or a magic lamp…..or a wishing nicely. Right here’s a take a look at the entire portraits:
Talking of characters, gone are the fan-favorites from the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast (Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh) and Fortunately Ever After Dinner (Cinderella, Prince Charming, Girl Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella). Effectively, besides Cinderella. She’s nonetheless right here.
On this refreshed character eating expertise at 1900 Park Fare, company 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 facility of a want.
For many who haven’t adopted the 1900 Park Fare saga, that is the controversial half.
I don’t assume anybody was actually torn in regards to the new-look inside design. Effectively, I’m certain somebody was, as that is Walt Disney World and there are all the time folks with nostalgia and significant reminiscences who’re reluctant to see sure elements of the resort change. However I don’t assume it was a widespread criticism. The character adjustments had been.
Celebrating the facility of a want shouldn’t be actually a cohesive theme, although. Needs is a type of generic Disney buzzwords (like goals, magic, fantasy, or marvel) that’s so open-ended it may imply any and all the pieces. And that’s noticeable with these character selections.
With out the reason supplied, nobody goes to listen to {that a} meal options Aladdin, Mirabel, Tiana and Cinderella, and say, “ah yeah, is smart, they’re all massive wishers.” On the contrary, you’d assume it’s a random seize bag except you already heard the reason and, for no matter cause, purchased it.
It wouldn’t shock me within the least if this had been initially meant to debut throughout Disney100 and revolve round Want. It could’ve made a lot extra sense that method, particularly for the reason that film already weaves collectively 100 years of Disney storytelling. However when Want wasn’t a smash success, they rapidly made some adjustments and swapped out Asha for Tiana in her new bayou explorer look. Only a guess, although.
As for whether or not the “celebrating the facility of a want” story conceit works, eh, it’s wonderful. Walt Disney World has constructed story round it, asking company to write down their needs on the character autograph card, having Forged Members spotlight the “want makers” angle of the restaurant, and the characters doing a wishing ceremony–full with dialogue from Jiminy Cricket.
Actually, all of this presents ample cause to purchase into the needs idea except you actually resist. The characters nonetheless don’t make sense collectively should you’re fascinated by them in isolation, however with 1900 Park Fare providing this little bit of framework…it kinda works. It’s not the head of themed character eating experiences, and it’s definitely a contrivance, nevertheless it’s at the very least believable.
Simply as I don’t assume anybody would acknowledge a connection amongst these characters with out listening to extra, I don’t assume anybody who has heard extra (this spiel on the restaurant) would query the characters with out bringing in their very own priors.
I’m undecided if that is smart, however I’m principally saying should you method 1900 Park Fare from a veil of ignorance it really makes sufficient sense to work. It’s nonetheless a stretch, however I actually don’t assume the goal demographic for character meals (babies) will take the time to deconstruct it. Our daughter did, however she’s a baby-blogger-in-training.
If the facility of wishing goes to be the animating concept for 1900 Park Fare, I’d actually prefer to see a number of issues. First, a rotating collection of characters from the 12 portraits above. Second, Tiana as a princess as a substitute of an explorer.
Lastly and most significantly, props. One factor that struck me whereas trying on the portraits is what number of Disney characters use one thing as a conduit for his or her needs. Are you able to think about if that child from the Sword within the Stone was at 1900 Park Fare, swinging round his sword?! Or Ariel together with her fork! Rapunzel with a lantern, Belle with a ebook, Geppetto with a cat (make it a reside one to spice issues up), and so forth.
It’d be similar to the Avengers and the Infinity Stones, however as a substitute of tremendous heroes and 6 elemental crystals every controlling an important facet of existence, it’d be cartoon characters and a bunch of random junk (and one reside cat) that helps them want higher. I do know this sounds jokey, however I’m critical. Props would add to the enjoyable and may very well be weaved into the story. And if all goes nicely, possibly this may very well be a part of the following part of the MCU!
Whatever the story or shared connections (or lack thereof) among the many characters, they had been individually unbelievable. Every character was convincing and gave our daughter plenty of undivided consideration (not distinctive to us–we noticed the identical at different tables, as nicely). Most importantly, they had been nice at staying in character and sustaining a largely one-sided dialog with our daughter (essentially so, as she’s a child who can’t but converse).
The characters had been additionally good at weaving us into the interplay with out actually anticipating something of us. They’re good at what they do, and knew our focus was on seeing and capturing images of Child Bricker reacting to them. In order that’s what they did, and succeeded extremely nicely at it.
The entire characters had been good together with her. Based mostly on what we noticed and overheard, this was par for the course at 1900 Park Fare. Royal characters usually have open-ended dialogue that prompts back-and-forth with company who’re good with face characters, however stalls for these company who aren’t.
The characters at 1900 Park Fare appear a lot better at carrying dialog, and doing so with youngsters and adults. That’s a giant plus, from our perspective. These wishers will not be as playful or snarky because the Tremaines, however they ship glorious and on-character performances.
Now let’s check out the meals on the breakfast buffet:
In fact, the largely highly-hyped dish at 1900 Park Fare is the Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup.
Everybody loves the Strawberry Soup. It’s thick, creamy, and candy with a taste that completely toes the road between wealthy and light-weight. It’s particularly good at breakfast for the reason that buffet doesn’t have any desserts, and this checks the field for each that and a serving of fruit.
I’m a giant fan of Eggs Benedict, and had it a few instances throughout our breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. Having realized from previous errors, I all the time waited till there was a contemporary tray of Eggs Benedict. Don’t be the one to take the final serving within the tray–you’ll remorse it.
As with all buffets, a lot of the style depends upon how lengthy the meals you decide has been sitting beneath the warmth lamps.
We each actually appreciated the Cinnamon Pull-apart Bread (above proper) and Bread Pudding with Vanilla Crème Anglaise (two images above on the left).
Sarah additionally reported that the fruit was fruity, that the oatmeal was oatmealy, and the greens had been vegetable-y. She really did like all of this stuff, calling them contemporary and high-quality. Her plates skewed barely extra wholesome than mine, and she or he was glad by the breakfast.
All the time a crowd-pleaser, the Mickey Waffles had been contemporary and scrumptious. Simply the correct quantity of exterior crunch giving technique to a heat and pillowy batter inside.
I discovered that dipping the Mickey Waffle into the Grand Floridian Strawberry soup was a good way to eat each. It is a regional delicacy, loved all through the Floridas. Ponce de León really introduced the custom of Mickey waffles dipped in strawberry soup when he found the territory.
The made-to-order omelet was good, too.
My favourite objects had been the Beef and Potato Hash, Croissant Breakfast Pizza, Smoked Salmon, Tacky Potato Casserole, Carved Hickory-Smoked Ham, Eggs Benedict, and aforementioned Floridian Strawberry Soup. The ham from the carving station was unquestionably the spotlight, because it was juicy and flavorful.
I positively went for extra of a wealthy and decadent breakfast moderately than a lighter meal. I used to be prepared for a nap afterwards, however have zero regrets. Effectively, I’ve one remorse–that Grand Floridian eliminated the Cheese Blintz, as that was my favourite a part of the previous buffet!
I even have one quibble, which is that there weren’t sufficient high-quality entree objects just like the Eggs Benedict or Carved Ham. Whereas I appreciated most of what I had, it was largely pretty pedestrian breakfast meals. I can’t say there’s a lot daylight between the choices right here and at Chef Mickey’s, which is extra of a high-quantity buffet.
The price for adults is over $50 right here, which is on par with different character breakfasts. That’s fairly dear for breakfast, should you ask me. It’s simply actually tough for me to justify any $40-50 breakfast as “value it” since there are nice beneath $20 choices at mid-tier desk service eating places at Walt Disney World.
Having a number of heaping helpings of ham from the carving station additionally make the worth of breakfast at 1900 Park Fare simpler to abdomen. Nonetheless, I want there would’ve been a pair extra entrees of that caliber.
Perhaps this can be a “me downside.” I nonetheless keep in mind paying $32 every the final time we dined at 1900 Park Fare (in 2018) and pondering that value was costly. In fact, there’s been plenty of meals inflation since then, however $20+ value? Maybe Grand Floridian Cafe is extra my velocity, the place my two favourite breakfast objects are $21 and $26 and higher than something on the breakfast unfold at 1900 Park Fare.
Total, the worth is a giant a part of why we’re really torn by the Want Makers Enchanted Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. Don’t get me mistaken, it’s meal with nice character interactions in a much-improved setting. Each particular person part is usually good-to-great. On paper, it’s arguably the very best character breakfast at Walt Disney World.
The issue, for us at the very least, is that it doesn’t fairly coalesce into one thing that’s nice as an entire and worthy of the astronomical price ticket. After trying again on this meal, we’re not dashing to revisit it–and that’s often a sense we’ve got with our favourite character eating experiences. That may sound like an odd factor to learn after a largely constructive overview, and it’s admittedly a little bit of an odd factor to write down.
However after I assume again to ‘elevated’ character meals at Story Guide Eating at Artist Level and Breakfast à la Artwork with Mickey & Pals at Topolino’s Terrace and even our breakfast at Chef Mickey’s, these had been unbelievable and memorable from begin to end. These are all full bundle experiences, with even each of the breakfasts having intangible x-factors to justify the excessive costs. I simply don’t fairly really feel that method about breakfast at 1900 Park Fare.
I can’t absolutely articulate why, however I’m not demanding perfection and it’s not merely a matter of the “want makers” character assortment. For lack of a greater clarification, it’s extra that the entire is lower than the sum of its elements–and likewise that there are superior options we’d want to revisit as a substitute. So even with flawless character interactions and fairly good meals, there’s simply not fairly sufficient right here to place this excessive into must-do territory as soon as considering price and number of the breakfast unfold. Dinner is a distinct story, so keep tuned.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever performed the Want Makers Enchanted Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare? What did you consider the meals? What in regards to the character interactions? Do you agree or disagree with any of our overview? Does this character meal look interesting to you? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
