While searching for something special for mom’s Christmas trip this year, I came across the Intimate Dining Experience at the Grand Floridian. There were a few reviews online but not too many recent ones so I thought I’d post my recent experience in case anyone else was out there searching. Also for me to relive this amazing experience. I emailed and called Pat Anderson in private dining at Grand Floridian. I was extremely anxious as I only had a week to plan this event. Pat emailed me the current menu outlining the 4 courses. I was saddened to learn that they have changed the process now. In the past, you pre-ordered for you and your guests but according to Pat, several guests didn’t like to do this so they changed the process. The menu now appears to be the Citricos menu; not the full menu and a few small changes. You now order at the table during the event. To me this made it feel like a restaurant and not a special dining experience. Besides, I wanted mom to be anticipating each and every course I had chosen for her, but I can see how the new way would be beneficial to some. I told Pat about my concerns and she assured me that they can set it up anyway I liked. I was thrilled!
A few days prior to my event, she sent me the final menu from the chef. I also asked to have a special surprise for mom as this was her birthday present. Mom loves caviar so I asked for the chef to do some type of Amuse Bouche and for caviar from Victoria & Albert’s as an add on. Also mom is allergic to shellfish and has some allergic reactions to other foods but they were great in working with me to design the menu and make some swap outs. I received the invoice from Pat for the evening and now I had to surprise mom. If you have read any of my other trip reports, you know I love to have daily surprises for mom each day of our trip so for this one, she just knew we had a dinner planned somewhere nice and she was to bring a dress. By the way, you set the dress code for your event; it is up to you. I wanted a formal affair.
I designed an invitation box and inside I placed jewelry that I had bought mom for the evening that matched her dress.
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I presented mom with the invitation the morning of our event. She was so excited and said “hey, it doesn’t say where we are eating?” That’s right mom, more secrets. Here we are later in the day ready to head out.
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We were staying at Wilderness Lodge so we took a quick taxi ride over to the Grand Floridian. I told mom I wanted to take photos of the lobby but really we were early and our butler was not meeting us at the grand piano until 8:00.
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Mom started to get anxious and finally I told her that we had to wait and that they would come get us when our table was ready. I told her that the restaurant was really strict with reservation times. She was extremely suspicious but finally our butler walked up to us and asked us if we were Candice & Magnolia.
Mom was so confused. She said “Yes we are!” He said, “well I am Chris and I will be your butler for the evening.” Mom’s face was priceless. Didn’t want to jam a camera in her face though so no pic of it. Chris told mom we were going to be eating on the 3rd floor and he would take us up by elevator. He led us to the club level elevator and then to the large balcony on the 3rd floor. He served us our choice of bread (wheat or olive) and then took our drink orders. They gave us each free wine or cocktail since I had used private dining before. While waiting, mom and I reminisced about our stay in the suites on the 5th floor last Christmas. Oh how we wished we were up there again.
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A few days prior to my event, she sent me the final menu from the chef. I also asked to have a special surprise for mom as this was her birthday present. Mom loves caviar so I asked for the chef to do some type of Amuse Bouche and for caviar from Victoria & Albert’s as an add on. Also mom is allergic to shellfish and has some allergic reactions to other foods but they were great in working with me to design the menu and make some swap outs. I received the invoice from Pat for the evening and now I had to surprise mom. If you have read any of my other trip reports, you know I love to have daily surprises for mom each day of our trip so for this one, she just knew we had a dinner planned somewhere nice and she was to bring a dress. By the way, you set the dress code for your event; it is up to you. I wanted a formal affair.
I designed an invitation box and inside I placed jewelry that I had bought mom for the evening that matched her dress.
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[URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/cpollard6/media/Intimate%20Dining%20Grand%20Floridian/2_zpsg7m3g9d8.jpg.html]
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[URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/cpollard6/media/Intimate%20Dining%20Grand%20Floridian/3_zpscbnbtr7d.jpg.html]
I presented mom with the invitation the morning of our event. She was so excited and said “hey, it doesn’t say where we are eating?” That’s right mom, more secrets. Here we are later in the day ready to head out.
[/URL]
[URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/cpollard6/media/Intimate%20Dining%20Grand%20Floridian/4_zpsnnjyvqhd.jpg.html]
We were staying at Wilderness Lodge so we took a quick taxi ride over to the Grand Floridian. I told mom I wanted to take photos of the lobby but really we were early and our butler was not meeting us at the grand piano until 8:00.
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[URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/cpollard6/media/Intimate%20Dining%20Grand%20Floridian/7_zpstdluj6lb.jpg.html]
Mom started to get anxious and finally I told her that we had to wait and that they would come get us when our table was ready. I told her that the restaurant was really strict with reservation times. She was extremely suspicious but finally our butler walked up to us and asked us if we were Candice & Magnolia.
Mom was so confused. She said “Yes we are!” He said, “well I am Chris and I will be your butler for the evening.” Mom’s face was priceless. Didn’t want to jam a camera in her face though so no pic of it. Chris told mom we were going to be eating on the 3rd floor and he would take us up by elevator. He led us to the club level elevator and then to the large balcony on the 3rd floor. He served us our choice of bread (wheat or olive) and then took our drink orders. They gave us each free wine or cocktail since I had used private dining before. While waiting, mom and I reminisced about our stay in the suites on the 5th floor last Christmas. Oh how we wished we were up there again.
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[URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/cpollard6/media/Intimate%20Dining%20Grand%20Floridian/10_zpsfnq72tmu.jpg.html]
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