Victoria & Albert reopening date and details

Walt Disney World has announced the reopening of Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian in July 2022, along with a preview of the reimagined restaurant. This article covers the opening date and details, advance booking information, and commentary on the V&A value proposition in light of the astronomical price increase. (Updated June 11, 2022.)

This is the first major restaurant reopening news since Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, and one of the few dining options to return in 2022. The biggest recent development has been the return of dining normal characters, which allowed some furry characters. to return to normal. The good news is that the vast majority of notable restaurants have already reopened in the past year, which is happening almost every week over the summer.

The bad news is that no additional cooking experiences have returned since the aforementioned interaction changes, likely due to a shortage of facial characters. Additionally, a handful of Walt Disney World’s top Signature restaurants still haven’t returned, likely due to a lack of international programming. At least Victoria & Albert’s is now leaving that ‘closed’ list and reopening next month! Here are the details of Walt Disney World…

Victoria & Albert Fine Dining Restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is gearing up for its momentous return on July 28, 2022. Advance reservations for the V&A will open early and early June 20, 2022.

Several readers have asked what “early” means and we don’t have a good answer. Walt Disney World’s release schedule for new ADRs is inconsistent. Sometimes it’s 6am, sometimes it’s an hour earlier, other times it’s later. On some occasions it seems to be gradual, with hours slowly loading into the ADR system as the hours go by. (Advance reservations never release at midnight, so you can at least get some sleep.)

Victoria & Albert’s, a recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award since 2000 and the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award since 2018, is known for its unparalleled dining experience with exquisite dishes prepared with ingredients from around the world.

Walt Disney World’s flagship restaurant is the only one in Florida to have the honor of having both AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards. Only 26 other restaurants in the United States have this same unique distinction.

Not only will the flavors of Victoria & Albert’s be enhanced, but the interior has been redesigned in preparation for its triumphant return. Victoria & Albert’s newly redesigned dining room brings guests into a Victorian-style setting with murals and wall coverings that showcase timeless elegance and subtle inspirations from a whimsical garden.

For a more intimate evening, the Queen Victoria Private Room or the coveted Chef’s Table with front-row seating for the culinary masterminds at work may be the option for you. The world-class wine collection found in its wine cellar, with over 500 selections, is paired perfectly with your dishes by the staff sommeliers. If you’re interested in zero-proof cocktails, there are also delicious drink pairing options for you.

Upon reopening, guests can savor the chef’s tasting menu at Victoria & Albert’s. Each dish balances elegant ingredients with unique flavors. With Victoria & Albert’s ever-changing menu, guests can feast on dishes such as Colorado Lamb with Pickled Blueberries and Purple Mustard and Line-Line Turbot with Fennel Fondue and Pernod Beurre Blanc.

Those who appreciate the best of beef can upgrade to the Wagyu A-5 Miyazaki with romesco sauce and potato rösti. Chocolate lovers will delight in the Spectrum of Chocolate, an ombré made from specialty chocolates with accents of buttermilk, Grand Marnier and vanilla.

These dishes are masterfully created by the talented culinary team led by Victoria & Albert Executive Chef Matthew Semers. He has worked at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts since 2006, with over 15 years of culinary experience at Victoria & Albert’s, in addition to preparing menus for Remy on the Disney Dream and Fantasy.

With over 30 years of experience, Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer was part of the opening team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and currently leads the resort’s baking team, including its three signature restaurants, Disney’s Fairytale Weddings, and even the production of the gingerbread house.

Then there’s legendary culinary director, chef Scott Hunnel, who has his own heritage at the Grand Floridian and Victoria and Albert’s. The James Beard Award nominee now provides guidance and mentorship to chefs at multiple resorts, including the team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Sommelier Israel Perez serves as the butler where he and his award-winning team pay close attention to every detail of the dining experience. For more than 20 years, he has created memorable experiences for guests at various iconic restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort.

Executive Chef Kevin Chong, who directs all culinary operations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, leads the talented chefs. It’s no small feat, but this chef and his team maintain the long-established reputation for these delicious tables.

A reminder of the Victoria & Albert dress code – be sure to dress to impress, as this is an exquisite and intimate dining experience and the culinary gem of Walt Disney World Resort. Patrons should dress accordingly for this upscale spot with semi-formal to formal attire that respects the restaurant’s elegant and opulent aesthetic.

Unlike other Signature restaurants, Victoria & Albert’s dress code is actually enforced.

The reopening of Victoria & Albert’s is part of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa’s multi-year transformation, honoring its rich history at the Walt Disney World Resort while enhancing its iconic Victorian charm and elegance. This grand the transformation began with the addition of the Enchanted Rose salon and the reimagining of Cítricos and continued with the reopening of the Grand Floridian Spa. Victoria & Albert’s and the newly upgraded and expanded Villas accommodations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will open this summer.

According to Walt Disney World, the “transformation will continue with updated offerings throughout the resort over the coming years.” That’s great to hear and, to our knowledge, the first time the company has acknowledged there’s more on the horizon for the Greater Floridian. Hoping the guest rooms will get an overhaul very soon.

In terms of reviews, Victoria & Albert’s is one of our favorite restaurants anywhere in the world, not just Walt Disney World. While there are other great Signature restaurants, it’s the unequivocal gem of the Disney culinary landscape, and it’s treated as such.

You may have understood as much of the emphasis on awards V&A has received and its culinary credentials, but Walt Disney World is quite proud of Victoria & Albert and its accolades. From what I’ve heard, Disney is focusing on Michelin recognition of the V&A in the new Florida guide (another topic to be covered shortly) and most of its modifications were made for this purpose.

UPDATE July 11, 2022: Following the announcement, Walt Disney World has released Victoria & Albert’s prices, and the prix fixe menu now departures at $295.00 per person. Optional wine pairings start at $150.00 per person, with no-fail pairings available at $110.00 per guest. That goes from $185 per person at closing time for the prix fixe menu and $250 with wine pairings (down from $445 now).

Victoria & Albert’s was probably slightly undervalued for what it was before the shutdown. It was always difficult to book, and just about everyone we know who has dined there (including us) came away happy with the experience and feeling good about what they paid for what they have lived. No one (including us) walked away saying “it would have been worth it at almost double the price!” As a result, we have removed some comments about Victoria & Albert being ‘good value’ for what it is.

Victoria & Albert’s has long “competed” with Michelin-starred restaurants for recognition and critical acclaim, the same way restaurants in Disney Springs compete with other establishments in Orlando. This means that the ingredients, the preparation, the service and the whole experience are unmatched at V&A. Whether it’s $295 per person (and up) is in the eye of the beholder – we won’t dine there at that price.

Last time we dined at Victoria & Albert’s it was half that amount and well worth it. No shortcuts were cut, no detail was overlooked – nothing less than spectacular and far superior to any other restaurant in Walt Disney World. However, it wasn’t so far above everything else that it warranted a $295 price tag. There are plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants in the real world that offer something comparable for a lot less money.

Without a doubt, Victoria & Albert’s is an expensive experience that’s not for everyone, and not just because of its prices. It’s haute cuisine, and even after countless courses, you’re not going to walk away drunk. If you prefer something simple, direct and laid back, the V&A is not a good choice.

At Victoria & Albert’s, the service is superlative, attentive and welcoming. Unlike other Michelin-caliber meals, the V&A is approachable, not stuffy or stuffy. As someone who feels unreasonably uncomfortable in many high end restaurants, V&A is a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, the price increases make it a non-starter for us. I guess we’ll continue to patiently wait for the reopening dates of Takumi Tei and Monsieur Paul – the other two best restaurants in Walt Disney World – and enjoy great meals at significantly lower prices.

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Learn more about the hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page. To find out where to eat, read our Walt Disney World restaurant reviews. To save money on tickets or figure out which type to buy, read our tips for saving money on Walt Disney World tickets. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips article takes a unique look at smart on-the-go items. To know what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride guides will help you. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Travel Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Excited about the reopening of Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? Is the V&A on your list of things to do at Walt Disney World, or is this type of fine dining not your cup of tea? Excited to see the restaurant reinvented? What do you think of this news? Any restaurant reopening announcements you’re still looking forward to? Hoping for more “normalcy restored” announcements in the near future? Does this make you optimistic or pessimistic about the reopening of more restaurants at Walt Disney World? Questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback is both interesting for us and helpful for other readers, so share your thoughts below in the comments!