Dine with an Imagineer

POSTED: Tue, 09/06/2011 - 11:00 | POSTED BY: Kasey O'Connor

Have you ever wanted to sit down and chat with a Walt Disney World Imagineer? Well it turns out that Disney offers you that opportunity with their Dine with an Imagineer program.

Brown Derby Sign

Enjoy a meal with a fascinating Imagineer at one of two Disney restaurants, Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios (where you get to sit in the famous private Bamboo Room!) or the Flying Fish Cafe at the Disney Boardwalk Inn.

Up to 10 diners can enjoy the meal and conversation with a Disney Imagineer, and diners also receive a souvenir plate that can be customized by the Imagineer!

What to Expect
During the meal, which normally lasts 2-3 hours, Imagineers share with you what they do, how they got to where they are now, what projects they have worked on, what they are working on now, and answer any questions you may have (within reason, of course -- they can't share state secrets or anything!). There have even been reports of an Imagineer making phone calls to find out answers to questions he did not know.

Brown Derby Lobby

The FOOD
Not only do you get to enjoy learning about Disney from an actual Imagineer, but you also get to enjoy some great food as well. The meal is four courses, and at the Hollywood Brown Derby that includes a soup; a cobb salad; a choice between New York Strip, pan-fried grouper, or a thai noodle bowl; and a delicious dessert!

Brown Derby Entrance

Specs
Guests 10 and older will pay $60.99 each (plus tax and gratuity) and guests between the ages of 3 and 9 will be $34.99 per person (plus tax and gratuity). One of our favorite reviews on this event is by Stitch Kingdom -- read it here!

So have you ever dined with an Imagineer? What was your experience like?

In:

Amy wrote on Tue, 09/06/2011 - 11:40:

We had an AMAZING experience in January of this year. Our imagineer hinted at the closures of Snow White's Scary Adventures and the Journey to Narnia (and more! I can't wait to see it all come to fruition!) There was a lot of discussion about the Tron monorail car and he pulled out his Blackberry and showed me an email that he received during the lunch from his boss and had me read it aloud about the car! We had a GREAT group - Disney enthusiasts, engineers, and more. The food was EXCELLENT and the little extras Disney does, even at a special dining event like this, when you're wearing your birthday button were great!

The only negative was that even though it was well into January, they hadn't done the changeover from Christmas and there was Christmas music piped fairly loudly into the room we were in!

For us, it was a once in a lifetime experience, but we had so much fun, I think we definitely would do it again!!

Gaylin wrote on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 03:27:

We did this a couple of years ago and loved it! It was a surprise for my travel companion and he was wowed. The food was great, loved the private room, only 6 guests. The Imagineer was Jason Grandt and he had a hand in designing the Crush 'N Gusher!! And parts of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. All in all it was a great few hours and I would do it again.

Tinkerbliss wrote on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 11:33:

We did this a couple of years ago. Unfortunately one the guests was a high school student who wanted to become an animator, and so she used the 2 hours we were in there to talk about the portfolio of Disney drawings she had brought with her. It was a really small group, and I was the only guest who was a Disney enthusiast so I couldn't steer the conversation back to the Imagineer. I have since found out that this it pretty common, and so I would recommend that if anyone is thinking of doing this that they make a list of questions to ask the imagineer in advance. It is hard to remember what you want to ask while you are in there!

I would book do it again, but I would make sure that I am prepared for it next time.

Norberto wrote on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 11:06:

If anyone still reads this post and is cinnoderisg one of them, below are menus for the 10/13 Spain and 10/20 Chile dinners. As of a few days ago, both still had availability.Special Guests,Luis Garcia and Caitlin Manning of Grupo Matarromera,Valbuena de Duero, Valladolid SPAINThursday, October 13th, 2011 / 6pm Reception-6:30pm DinnerDegustation MenuAmuse Bouches – Small Bites best-suited with the Crisp Flavor Profiles of2009 Verdejo, Emina Medina del Campo Winery, D.O.Rueda**********************1st Course – Bullabesa Rustica2010 Valdelosfrailes Rose9, Cubillas de Santa Marta, D.O. Cigales**********************2nd Course – Fragrantly-spiced Oak-grilled QuailJamon Iberico, Roasted Corn, Salsifis and Spiced Field Radishes2009 Bodega Matarromera “Melior”, D.O. Ribera del Duero***********************Main Course – Tournedos of Exotic Pepper and Juniper-scented VenisonTiny Potatoes, Deep Red Wine-braised Red Cabbage Wild Mushrooms,Crianza-Cassis and Truffle Reduction2007 Matarromera Crianza, Valbuena de Duero, D.O.Ribera del Duero**************************Cheese Course – Tastino of Aged Spanish Artisanal Cheeses Accoutrements2005 Cyan Tinta de Toro, 12 Meses, Toro-Zamora, DO Toro**************************Deep Dark After Dinner TreatsEmina “OxTo”, Bodega Matarromera, Valbuena de DueroSpecial Guest,Ms. Kristen M. Hayes of Terra Andina, Santiago, ChileThursday, October 20th, 2011 / 6pm Reception-6:30pm Dinner Menfa Degustacif3nAmuse Bouches – Small Bites best-suited with the Crisp Flavor Profiles of2010 Sauvignon Blanc, D.O. Valle Central**********************1st Course – Roasted Maine Lobster Cre8maCrispy Veal Sweetbreads, Roasted Epcot Pimentos, Fennel and Lobster Roe Espuma2009 Reserva Chardonnay, D.O. Valle de Limari**********************2nd Course – Pomegranate, Saba and Pepperberry-glazed Wild SalmonRustic Black Bean Stew, Guanciale Aji Panca2008 Reserva Carmenere, D.O. Valle del Rapel***********************3rd Course – Grilled Roasted Ostrich TenderloinSweet Corn, Oxtail, Truffle and Mushroom Paquete, Cabernet-Huitlacoche Emulsion2008 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, D.O. Valle del Maipo**************************Main Course – Tastino of Aged Worldly Artisanal Cheeses Accoutrements2007 “Suyai” Red Wine, D.O. Colchagua Valley**************************Mignardises Friandises2007 “Suyai” Red Wine, D.O. Colchagua Valley

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