Controversial Opinion: Disney World’s New Character Dinner is Now Our #1 Buffet

Walt Disney World debuted a brand new wave of character eating just a few years in the past, starting with Bon Voyage Journey Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno and persevering with with Story Ebook 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 & Associates at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera. That title is itself a mouthful, however 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 fashioned a trio with the opposite eating places as the perfect ‘elevated’ character eating experiences on the Walt Disney World resort resorts. There’s a motive these rank on the prime of our record 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 top quality over amount method and larger consideration to element. Notably, all of them provided a la carte menus versus buffets. Whereas we get pleasure from pigging out at a buffet on trip from time-to-time, we far most well-liked these extra methodical meals for various 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 must 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 straightforward 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 likely one of the best possible choices in the event you’re attempting to maximise your worth on the Disney Eating Plan, particularly in the event you 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 plentiful for 1900 Park Fare. Though it’s gotten simpler to guide since reopening, you’ll nonetheless must make reservations early or luck-out final minute. See our Information to Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs) at Walt Disney World for suggestions & tips to attain elusive ADRs, information concerning the 60+10 rule, and extra.

The excellent news is that dinner is usually barely simpler than breakfast, probably because of the latter being costlier. (Folks 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, in the event you’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 ambiance of 1900 Park Fare, which has modified dramatically with the reopening of the restaurant. We already mentioned this in our Evaluation of Want Makers Enchanted Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, so we’ll attempt to cowl new floor within the dinner evaluation.

The problem with 1900 Park Fare is that it’s tucked away right into a window-less house on the bottom flooring of the Grand Floridian. Beforehand, we all the time felt that it was shoehorned into right here; that maybe the house was by no means supposed to be a restaurant however was carved out of a storage space of conference space and became 1900 Park Fare.

I’ve since discovered that that is not the case–1900 Park Fare opened with Grand Floridian Resort in 1988. Properly, that is smart, because the pre-closure look of the restaurant seemed 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 quite a bit happening on the decrease degree after which a ton of lifeless house on the prime of the room (as you may 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 may’ve liked it, however that was due primarily to familiarity and nostalgia.

The brand new-look 1900 Park Fare nonetheless lacks home windows and pure gentle, however the refresh goes an extended method to make it really feel extra posh and alluring. An enormous a part of that is the addition of mirrors, dialing down design components, and introducing calming colours and materials. It now feels way 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 fashion for Walt Disney World’s flagship resort, leaning quite a bit on up to date fashion, furnishings, and fixtures. Nonetheless, it’s all tastefully accomplished and there are simply sufficient thematic prospers in addition to higher-end finishings to make 1900 Park Fare really feel directly refined, fashionable, and Disney. 

Particularly, I like the dozen impressionist-style character portraits lining the wall. These take what was beforehand lifeless house and provides it visible curiosity whereas additionally main in the 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 in another way, with a column of banquette seating within the center(ish) of the room dividing up the house, 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 okay, 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 need a bit extra ambiance–that is too muted for my tastes.

Backtracking a bit, the ready room of 1900 Park Fare has additionally been redone and makes a robust 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 stunned 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 in a position to simply snag seats, recognize 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 come back.

I’m not going to recommend that the ambiance 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 complicated and the sweeping vistas from the massive home windows are unbelievable. Artist Level is styled after a grand Nationwide Parks lodge eating room and has been additional stylized with forest decor; like every thing else in Wilderness Lodge, it’s an exemplar of themed design.

Whereas 1900 Park Fare isn’t on par with these settings, it was once the antithesis of them. Now, it at the least belongs in the identical dialog. I might see some company even preferring 1900 Park Fare for its cozy seating, pleasing palate, and charming character portraits. We aren’t these company, however we see way more attraction in 1900 Park Fare now.

The vibe is correct, lastly. There’s now a sure grandiosity to the ambiance 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 strictly 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 element 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, Girl Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella).

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 rejoice the ability of a want.

In doing a little bit of analysis about 1900 Park Fare, one factor I discovered attention-grabbing is that it has had many ideas through the years, together with Mary Poppins meals just a few occasions. In between these, it has hosted a Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers meal, Mickey & Associates, and a Disney Villains dinner. All of these sound superior, however at the same time as 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 unbelievable.

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 way 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 properly they orchestrated interactions. It was instantly clear to them that we have been curious about them interacting with Child Bricker, who can not speak (not actual phrases anybody else can perceive, at the least). This made for a one-way dialogue, which they navigated splendidly.

It’s troublesome to elucidate in the event you haven’t skilled this, however suffice to say, they have been all actually, actually nice at getting our daughter to “gentle up” and it felt like an precise interplay. The eye they gave her was simply unbelievable–I can not reward these princesses (and Aladdin) sufficient.

It’s not evident from these pictures of her largely trying away from them and the digital camera (by design), however Child Bricker was in awe of the princesses. No less than, Cinderella and Tiana. She bought wide-eyed beginning squeaking and flailing her legs and arms about as they interacted along with her. She was so valuable and cute, and the entire scene made time freeze only for a quick second.

It’s unattainable to articulate and I don’t actually have nice pictures of those interactions–as a result of I used to be dwelling 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 value what it price to us. (An essential asterisk–at the same time as a brand new dad or mum who now could be way 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 have 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 photos now and considering, that’s it? I’ve gotta have higher photographs of them!

How about just a few 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 unbelievable seasoning and a unbelievable 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 unbelievable.

The Roasted Garlic Sausage was one other sudden winner, with a top quality much better than you’d anticipate of normally primary 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 house to it given every thing else on this unfold. Talking of issues for which I’m a sucker, the Mashed Potatoes have been additionally next-level, creamy and buttery in contrast to 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 attractive. 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 recognize that they tried to tie within the menu with the characters and theme, however I favor the (very completely different) model of Tiana’s Gumbo over at Tiana’s Palace in Disneyland.

Turning again to issues I liked 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 unbelievable. I took her phrase for it.

These are only a few 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 word that we skipped all the youngsters stuff or something that presumably was mundane–had a degree of high quality or sudden nuance to the flavour or preparation. This was not your common buffet meals by way of 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 robust first impression.)

The place I centered most of my abdomen house through 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–a very powerful individual on the buffet. Whereas they received’t all the time ask the way you’d just like the meat cooked (e.g. uncommon, medium uncommon, and many others.), you may completely particular that and the rest you’d like in your minimize.

The Prime Rib was subsequent degree. I can not imagine how tender and attractive this meat was. You’ll see some items on our plates with a bit (an excessive amount of, arguably) fattiness, however that was excellent ‘for taste’ given the limitless nature of the buffet. The home-made horseradish was additionally unbelievable, 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. A variety of followers speak about “what Walt would’ve needed” to mission 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 needed. Oh, and canned chili–the one two confirmed meals that Walt liked.)

Along with the fantastic Prime Rib, there was additionally Spice-Roasted Turkey on the carving station. This was excellent in the event you’re into turkey, however couldn’t maintain a candle to the attractive beef. (Notice that the second carving station choice rotates: Porchetta, Ham, or Spice-Roasted Turkey.)

Relating to 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 primarily Lava Cake, buffet fashion. It was completely unbelievable, heat and the right texture/consistency/richness combo.

I’ve had variations of this dessert at desk service eating places that aren’t even pretty much as good as what’s served at 1900 Park Fare. It has no enterprise being pretty much as good as it’s. (Professional tip: skip the vanilla sauce and use the Strawberry Soup as a substitute.)

Frankly, that’s the story of just about all of the desserts at 1900 Park Fare–stunning high quality for a dinner buffet. It’s not that stunning, because the Grand Floridian pastry staff usually prepares desserts that punch means above their weight at sudden 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. Similar story right here.

Anyway, identical story with the Grand Floridian Financier, Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake, Toasted Coconut Cake, and (to a lesser extent) Fudge Brownie have been all related tales. Then, in fact, there’s the Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup that has developed a fan-following for good motive. That was solely my fourth-favorite dessert on the unfold, which ought to say one thing.

I’d pay an honest quantity for a dessert-only buffet with objects of this caliber. Maybe they may do it within the afternoon, pair it with tea, and host it in a setting with huge views overlooking the resort’s wonderful gardens? Sorry, only a random and loopy thought I had. Most likely would by no means work.

In the end, 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 attain each top quality and excessive amount (of meals). So far as the meals goes, that is simply the perfect character buffet at Walt Disney World. Tusker Home is the one choice that’s shut, and that’s a really completely different type of delicacies. As a lot as we love Tusker Home, 1900 Park Fare is best.

I’d really take {that a} step additional and argue that dinner at 1900 Park Fare is the perfect character meal for meals at Walt Disney World, surpassing Artist Level, the earlier winner. Whereas we love the ‘elevated’ entrees there, the meals can be hit and miss infrequently. 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 stated, there’s nonetheless the query of the general expertise. This was the explanation breakfast at 1900 Park Fare had us “really torn,” as a result of the expertise didn’t coalesce into one thing nice regardless of particular person elements that have been good-to-great. For breakfast, the entire is lower than the sum of its components.

For dinner, it does. I nonetheless have a number of the identical quibbles, however there’s quite a bit that magnificent meats and decadent desserts may cause me to miss. Actually, that’s precisely what occurred with 1900 Park Fare. Whereas I’m in no rush to revisit breakfast and would fairly do the superior general meals at Artist Level or Topolino’s Terrace, I’d sooner fairly return to 1900 Park Fare for dinner than both of these choices–even when I do suppose the settings and full packages there work only a tad higher. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare simply has such unbelievable meals (and plenty 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 evaluation? Does this character meal look interesting to you? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!