Why 1900 Park Fare is Tons of Fun

 

By Lisa Green

I have come to realize that we will, most likely, never outgrow our love of character meals at Walt Disney World.  Sure, our kids are now 18 and 23, but we still get a kick out of meeting and interacting with Disney characters.  Combine that with food and hey – even more to love!  C’mon, we can’t be the only ones!  Some of you can totally sympathize with this, I bet.

For many years, the Fab Five were our dining companions of choice and no trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without a visit to Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort.  There’s just something so perfectly, classically Disney about seeing Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto.  We used to always go for dinner, then we switched to breakfast, then, well, I started thinking about just how many pictures and memories we’d accumulated at Chef Mickey’s….  So, when planning this year’s family vacation, I thought it would be super fun to try something new!  We could still have a character meal, but why not make it with a different crowd of Disney celebs at the Grand Floridian’s 1900 Park Fare?   Well, as usual, I was right!

1900 Park Fare

It’s a buffet (like Chef Mickey’s), but the setting is a bit different and where the Fab Five are silent while they happily pose for pictures and sign autographs, the characters at 1900 Park Fare are all face characters, meaning…they talk!  Cinderella and Prince Charming are there to the delight of children of all ages – but the really FUN characters, especially for big kids (and kids at heart) are Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anistasia (the Step Sisters).

Not to diminish Cindy or Charming in any way – they are certainly lovely to look at and as gracious and regal as one would hope and expect.  They make their way from table to table like the seasoned royals they are – greeting guests, making polite conversation, paying compliments, posing for pictures, and signing what must amount to hundreds (if not thousands) of autographs as their adoring fans enjoy dinner (and the company of this very kind couple).

That’s not why we ate there.  We specifically went to 1900 Park Fare, upon my recommendation, to see Lady Tremaine and the Steps.  We’d met them before and we knew they’d be wildly entertaining.  Getting the opportunity to mingle with them while we enjoyed dinner was just too good an opportunity to pass up!  The are simply amazing.  Lady Tremaine is constantly a tad stressed and looking for chocolate to soothe her nerves.  And it’s no wonder!  Her “darling” daughters are enough to put any mamma on edge.

Prince Charming visited our table first.  He was, true to his name, charming.  He was polite, an expert at small talk, and very willing to sign the items we’d set out for autographs (more on that another day).  Once he left, we had plenty of time to make our first visit to the buffet.  A HUGE variety of flavors are featured there – representative of all the “kingdoms” around the world.  Just FYI:  The pot stickers and sushi were actually really good!  But, for the less adventurous, there was a good variety of dishes meant to appeal to the tastes of every guest.

Cinderella stopped by our table next.  Smiling, pretty, friendly and kind – just what you’d expect!  She was also very willing to autograph any and everything we had placed at the end of our table (with several pens to choose from).  Cinderella was so nice…I actually felt sorry for her knowing she’d be overshadowed by what we considered the evening’s main event!

Lady Tremaine was all we’d expected her to be.  Short on patience (with commoners), with dead pan humor – she played the adoring and indulgent parent to the hilt!  She was very pleased with our Joseph as a potential match for one of her beloved daughters.  She was funny and slightly intimidating – just as she is in Cinderella!  We thought she was GREAT!  But the best was yet to come.

Drizella was the first sister to arrive at our table.  Enamored of the gold paint pen we’d set out with our autograph items, she wanted to know if it was “real” gold.  We said YES!  At once she asked if Joseph was a prince, where he was from, and how many castles he had.  It seems those questions were answered to her satisfaction – she next hinted at their exceptional compatibility.  Joseph offered her a blue gummy bear as a token of his affection and the deal was done – she shouted for her mother, informed Lady Tremaine of the impending nuptials, then proceeded to jump up and down!

At this point, Anastasia, tired of photo-bombing the pictures recording our table’s excitement, made her way over to introduce herself to her impending in-laws and offer advice.  Joseph should begin ring shopping at once – using his nostrils to determine a ring’s suitability.  “If a diamond can fit up your nose, it’s too small!”  Embracing Megan as her future sister, Anastasia posed for pictures, signed autographs, and gave us pointers on how to look skinnier in photos.



Charming in their own way, the Tremaine women were also hilarious and the stars of the show at 1900 Park Fare!  The character of these characters is indescribably fabulous!  You just have to experience it to believe how great it is.  Even more impressive?  When Megan and Joseph ran into Lady Tremaine and the Steps  in the Magic Kingdom the next day, Drizella immediately demanded of Joseph, “WHERE is my RING!?!”

Have you ever experience a character meal at 1900 Park Fare?  What did you think about it?

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!  

Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare Button

By Nick

As I mentioned in this Breakfast with Aladdin post, in the past, when you went to a character meal, you’d get a button.
This one is from a breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, located at the Grand Floridian Resort.

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Like the Aladdin breakfast at the Soundstage Restaurant, this is from the early to mid 90s. Unlike the Soundstage Restaurant, however, 1900 Park Fare still exists, and still offers a character breakfast with just about the same characters as it did in the early to mid 90s. Mary Poppins, Alice, the Mad Hatter, and assorted friends, such as Tigger.

My wife and I visited a while back, and it’s a delicious breakfast buffet.

But I’d still like a free button!

Dreaming of Disney Past

By Beth Skarp

On my recent trip to the World, I had a day where I didn't venture into the Parks. Sometimes it is nice to just sit and take in your surroundings, to visit or see things you might otherwise walk right past or ignore. 

Such was the case on my most recent trip. I was in the Grand Floridian. I met up with a wonderful family I met online through a Disney site, spending many minutes laughing, chatting and just catching up. I had a wonderful breakfast of lobster eggs benedict at the Grand Floridian Cafe, with this same family seated right behind me –unbeknownst to both of us. I watched photographers taking pictures of a bride and her entourage as they prepared for a wedding. I observed small princesses getting ready for their Disney Girls Perfectly Princess Tea Party. I heard small pirates squeal with glee as they anticipated their Disney Pirate Adventure. I watched as the various janitors or maids worked diligently to keep the lobby area looking well, grand as ever.

The people who were working at Grand Floridian would stop every now and again and speak with someone seated near the elevators, often times leaning over the partition as they walked the lobby or performed their various tasks. This person was not seated near the glass elevators that lead to the majestic grand staircase, but the elevators that are located near the Cafe and 1900 Park Fare. 

I remained standing by the piano in the main lobby area, taking in how various guests would respond to this person. Guests would quickly skirt by this person, almost always turning away to have a whispered conversation amongst themselves. Children were quickly pushed past this individual and told not to stare or ask questions. Yet, the janitors and maids along with a few of the other Cast members would take the time to spend a few moments with this individual, addressing her by name and asking how she was doing. Hmmm, this bears further investigation on my part.

Having special needs girls, I am always mindful of how I approach someone who may be “different” than others. I like to discreetly observe and determine not only if I should approach them, but how. No one likes surprises.

I came around the corner and stayed in the shadows some, again observing this woman and how others responded to her. She didn't seem to be a threat at all, just an older looking woman who was seated in a chair. She had an older style suitcase near her, and perched atop the suitcase were some nice teddy bears of various sizes that were artfully displayed.

OK, my curiosity got the better of me. Since the Cast Members seemed to think she was harmless and spent a few moments talking to her, why couldn't I. So, I ventured forth.

I am truly glad that I did. The woman was named Lynn, and is affectionately known in some circles as “The Bear Lady of the Grand Floridian”. 

I spent a good hour or more chatting with Lynn. She is very articulate and has a broad knowledge of not only the Grand Floridian, but of Disney World as well.

As Lynn explained to me, she and her husband Bruce loved Grand Floridian and came often to visit and stay. While Lynn loved listening to the piano players or other musicians that played in the lobby, her husband Bruce loved to people watch and explore the surrounding areas. Lynn was a wealth of information regarding the various musicians—their techniques and styles of music, who was worth listening to and who could be left to act as mere background noise. It was as if various musicians could transport Lynn back to bygone eras, to simpler times or times that held special meaning for Lynn. It was evident as Lynn spoke about the musicians and the music she loved to hear them play.

I asked about the various teddy bears displayed on her suitcase. The teddy bears were her “babies”, gifts from her late husband, Bruce. Bruce found it challenging to find just the right bear to make Lynn smile. The bears needed a special face or expression, not something you could pick up just anywhere. 

These are not just any bears mind you, but high end bears from such companies as Gund, Herrington, Steiff, Kosen and Bornich. Many of the bears are older, but still of excellent quality.

Lynn along with Bruce loved to sit and observe the children as they passed through the lobby. Occasionally, Bruce would find a child that would catch his fancy and ask Lynn to “choose a bear to give away”. Lynn would look at the child, look at her babies, and choose one to give to the child. Bruce was so good about replacing the bears that were given away.

Through Lynn, I learned that her beloved Bruce passed away “a few years back”. Doing a Google search, I found a wonderful article from her sister Tracy Joan that told me not only when Bruce passed, but a little bit more information about Lynn. You can find out more information here :http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2040919. Please note that I am not a huge fan of this particular site, but found the information to be knowledgeable. 
 
Lynn is a wonderful person to speak with. She is intelligent, insightful, humorous, and has a bit of spunk one doesn't see often these days. It truly was an honor to speak with her. Yes, Lynn is dressed differently than most of us and her lemon verbena perfume takes me back to days of sitting with my Grandmother in her parlor many years ago. 

Her wig was fashioned into a hair style that Bruce loved to see on her, and is much easier to manage than tending to her own locks, or so she says. You know, I think I tend to agree with Lynn. I hide my own hair under a hat or allow it to “go wild” due to the Florida humidity. Lynn just uses a wig that accomplishes the same results and allows her to hold on to her memories of Bruce.

Before I left, Lynn told me that Bruce would have wanted me to have one of her bears. I was touched and started to tear up. As Lynn looked at her babies and attempted to make a decision, I knew I couldn't take her baby away from her. Giving Lynn a heartfelt hug, I gently explained that I was honored that she wanted to give me a baby, but that I wanted her to keep them. They were gifts from Bruce and meant so much to her. You could see the relief on her face.

Just before I took my leave, I did take a picture of Lynn with her treasured babies perched atop her suitcase. I was going to include it with this article. Instead, I will keep the picture. Too much negativity surrounds this poor lady, and I don't feel the need to feed into that negativity. This is a picture I will treasure in my heart.

I am so glad that I took the time to stop and speak with this unknown gem. Lynn is a wonderful lady, not some oddity that needs to be removed from the Grand Floridian. The next time you find yourself at the Grand Floridian, see if you can find The Bear Lady. Spend a few moments talking with her or just say “Hello”. You will be amazed at what you might learn.               

Disney Memory Maker (previously known as Photopass Plus) Tips

By: Shendl

When I traveled to WDW with my husband in September 2013, I debated the idea of adding what was then known as Photopass Plus. I was concerned that I would not get my money’s worth of photographs to warrant the pre- purchase price of $149. Normal price was $199.

Boy was I wrong!! It is a fantastic program and if you do the pre-purchase you can get a whopping $50 discount of the normal price of $199 which brings it to $149!

This program allows you to add all your ride photos, your character meal photos and any Official Photographer Photos that you have taken in the parks.

You can find Photopass Photographers at many places throughout the parks and all the main icons and character spots. A few Character meal restaurants also have photographers.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/photo-pass-service/

There is a map with a list of places where you can have your photos taken on the above official site.

1900 Park Fare – you have your picture taken in front of the Cinderella Castle Mural.

At 1900 Park Fare, we didn’t get the printed out pictures as it seemed it was an extra purchase at this restaurant.

Tusker House – you get your picture taken with Donald Duck.

At Tusker House we got the printed out pictures at no extra charge as well as the pictures loaded onto our account.

My Tips for making the most of Memory Maker Program!

If you have the time
    •    Stop at every Photographer you have time for

    •    Ask if they can do Magic Shots ie: Tink on your hand, Holding baby Simba

    •    Make sure to load all your ride photo’s onto your Card or Magic Band depending on what they ask you for
    •    If you are having a character meal and there is a photographer before you enter the restaurant, you can have these pictures added as well.
    •    The photographers will also take a picture with your camera if you request it
    •    Have fun with the pics

When you get home, you have 45 days to edit your pictures and then you can order your CD or download them. The CD is included in the price.
My Opinion is that it is definitely worth the money for trips longer than 3 days and you get your whole group in the picture!

1900 Park Fare

Editors Note: I posted a very similar article to this yesterday, but my friend Gaylin sent this the day before I published mine, and she did not have prior knowledge of that article.
Despite having never met, and living thousands of miles apart, we share a love of Disney, and are very much on the same wavelength. As they say, great minds think alike.-Nick

by Gaylin

I do love Walt Disney World dining and do try to go someplace different at least once a vacation. I also am a fan of buffets as I have found Disney makes it easy to get safe allergy friendly food! When you arrive at the front podium to check in, let them know you have allergies and once you are seated a chef comes out and does a walk through of the buffet and shows you what is safe.

That being said, really I love the buffets where I get to interact with characters! 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian is one such restaurant. We had dinner reservations for the first seating and got to the resort early to walk around, enjoy the ambience and take some photos.

Then it was time to check in, shortly after we had our first plates from the buffet, a grand announcement goes up and Prince Charming and Cinderella come out! Very exciting. As they start to circulate and take photos, out comes Lady Tremaine with her daughters, Drizella and Anastasia.

Me and the Prince, and yes he was very charming!

I always feel like a scruffy step-daughter beside Cinderella in all her finery. She was so sweet!

 

I did try but I just can't do the Lady Tremaine face, must be the make-up . . . and that hair!

Anastasia was quite happy that we were in matching pink, see her beautiful smile . . .

Drizella was not so impressed that I matched her sister, sorry. I did try complementing her on her lovely make-up but she informed me that she wasn't wearing make-up, this was her natural beautiful state. Oops, my bad.

We did have a great meal, I got a special dessert made just for me, we left full and happy.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian

By: Nick Maglio

This is going to be a different type of dinner review as I'm not really going to go into detail about the food at Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian.
The food is good, and includes a salad bar, several soups and stews, Smoked Beef Strip Loin, Pork Roast, salmon filet, paella, vegetable alfredo pasta, chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, green beans, jasmine rice and several desserts.
The kid's station includes Roasted Chicken, Cheese Pizza, Whole Grain Elbow Pasta, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Broccoli and Carrots.
The real reason to eat here are the characters.
Cinderella and Prince Charming are very nice.

 Barbie, Cinderella, and our friend Kandi.

Barbie, Prince Charming, and Kandi.

But the highlight is Cinderella's evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella. They are truly hilarious, and really made our evening. Make sure to pose for a photo with them!

Kandi, Lady Tremaine, and me.

Lady Tremaine making a snide remark about Kandi's Disney Marathon medal.

Barbie, Anastasia, and me.

Anastasia asks if the pink ring on Barbie's hand was an engagement ring, 

and says she'd love one just like it, as it matches her dress prefectly.

Drizella, and her prettiest smile!

There may be better buffets, but this interaction alone may be worth the trip to 1900 Park Fare!