Last fall, I had the unbelievable opportunity to be a part of the Disney College Program in Florida. Several weeks before making my journey to Orlando, I received an email which contained my work location. The words, “Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant” appeared at the top as I eagerly opened it. To say that I didn’t sob tears of joy right after I saw the name is a complete understatement.
What Is Victoria & Albert’s?
Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, it is truly the ultimate fine dining experience at the Walt Disney World Resort. The cuisine is mainly American, however, they do feature the finest menu items from around the world (such as truffles from Italy, beef from Japan, fresh herbs from Ohio, etc.).
The restaurant is named after the British monarchs Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It features three different dining rooms: the main dining room (as pictured above), the more intimate Queen Victoria’s room, and the most exclusive Chef’s Table. It is the perfect place for adults to be treated like royalty during their Disney vacation.
To date, V&A’s is the only restaurant in the state of Florida to receive the AAA Five Diamond Award, 2018 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award, and TripAdvisor’s “2nd Best Restaurant in the US” recognition at the same time.
It’s Unlike Any Other Disney Restaurant
As you have probably noticed, no other restaurant on Disney property compares to the level of exclusivity (and overall fanciness) of V&A’s. Menus can range anywhere from $185 to $250 per person—which doesn’t include tip and the marvelous wine pairing—and it’s the only restaurant on the property that has a stern dress code and age policy.
When most people think of hard-to-get Disney reservations, the first that come to mind are probably Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, or California Grill. But V&A’s takes the cake in exclusivity—most guests won’t get a reservation without booking a table six months in advance.
#SpoonTip: Take advantage of Disney’s 180+ 10 day booking window with their resorts, it helps a bunch in getting a reservation!
As the role of a reservationist, I managed guests’ inquiries, helped book tables, and assisted in the process of customizing menus. These types of tasks really do teach you that listening and attention-to-detail are super important in the restaurant business. One thing I always enjoyed was helping a guest reserve a table as a part of their bucket-list or a gift to someone else. It really made long days from my family and friends back home completely worth it.
The Customer Service Is Impeccable
I vividly remember my first day working at V&A’s. My role that evening was a seater (hostess) so I could get a first-hand experience of what the dining room atmosphere and the food looked like. I came in with an open mind as the fine dining world was completely new to me. (The only restaurant experience I had was in fast food.) And let me tell you, I was shook.
The service at V&A’s is Disney plus The Grand, and then some. Even before the guest enters the restaurant, the reservations team aids in the top-notch experience. Personalized menus are made with the correct name, celebrations, and dietary considerations of each guest. Many of my guest interactions would happen by phone in assisting with booking reservations, selecting gift arrangements, and pre-planning proposals. It taught me even the little things go a long way.
Throughout the evening, two waiters serve each table. They converse with guests throughout the evening and learn their names beforehand. Each meal is served on specialty-made china with an explanation of how it was made. At the end of the evening, all ladies leave with a complementary red rose.
The Cast Members Are Truly “Grand”
The team consists of the world’s best chefs, sommeliers, waiters and waitresses, management and office staff, all in one place. They know their field well and are incredible with making sure their guests enjoy this special part of their Disney vacation.
As a newbie, the V&A’s cast was incredibly welcoming. On my first day, everyone who was working that evening was interested in seeing how I was enjoying my college program so far and eager to teach me. During my remaining time as a reservationist, the office staff and management were invested in my professional development and sincerely cared about me as a person. Some of my favorite memories were showing up to work one morning and finding my desk decorated for my birthday and another time for my last day.
My Personal Takeaways
If you would have told me in the past I was going to work at Disney’s Victoria & Albert’s, then I would have thought you were crazy. And even when I did work there, I felt the need to pinch myself every so often to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Being able to make magic at a place that I had only seen on TV was an experience that I will never forget. Being a part of the V&A’s team taught me so much about Disney, world-class customer experience, and even myself.