Welcome to the 1986 Hub thread! It is here that you will present your projects throughout the competition and see what's next as your Blue Sky Disney Resort forms.
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1986: An Imagineering Competition - Hub Thread
- Thread starter mickeyfan5534
- Start date
Week One
Head of Household Challenge
Main Street, Blue Sky
An opening land sets the tone for the entire park. Disneyland has its charming turn of the century town of Walt Disney's childhood while Shanghai Disneyland has the home of Mickey and Friends in Mickey Avenue. For your first Head of Household challenge, Team Trademark™ is asking the Houseguests to work together as a team and create your own opening land for Blue Sky Disneyland.
Your only restriction: turn of the century Americana is a no go. You must come up with an original take on the land.
Whoever stands out in their contributions to this land will be awarded Head of Household.
This project will be due on Wednesday, September 23 at 12:00 a.m.
Episode 1 of the Radio Drama will be posted tomorrow
Head of Household Challenge
Main Street, Blue Sky
An opening land sets the tone for the entire park. Disneyland has its charming turn of the century town of Walt Disney's childhood while Shanghai Disneyland has the home of Mickey and Friends in Mickey Avenue. For your first Head of Household challenge, Team Trademark™ is asking the Houseguests to work together as a team and create your own opening land for Blue Sky Disneyland.
Your only restriction: turn of the century Americana is a no go. You must come up with an original take on the land.
Whoever stands out in their contributions to this land will be awarded Head of Household.
This project will be due on Wednesday, September 23 at 12:00 a.m.
Episode 1 of the Radio Drama will be posted tomorrow
Last edited:
TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
The radio drama should have been up hours ago, but I passed the hell out after I got off work. Totally my bad. It should be up some time in the next hour. Very much looking forward to hearing feedback on it. It wouldn't have been possible without the great @JokersWild in the editing chair.
So far it's been a wonderful first 24 hours of the project. We've seen a great burst of team brainstorming and many different voices contributing to the conversation but not stepping over each other. That's a great sign, as the biggest risk to me in doing a format like this is NOT doing the brainstorming as teams but instead as a whole cast from the start.
@mickeyfan5534 and I should be doing a cast assessment podcast in the next couple days, once we figure out a good time to schedule it.
So far it's been a wonderful first 24 hours of the project. We've seen a great burst of team brainstorming and many different voices contributing to the conversation but not stepping over each other. That's a great sign, as the biggest risk to me in doing a format like this is NOT doing the brainstorming as teams but instead as a whole cast from the start.
@mickeyfan5534 and I should be doing a cast assessment podcast in the next couple days, once we figure out a good time to schedule it.
TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
spacemt354
Chili's
Really great, adds so much to the season - can't wait for more!
TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
spacemt354
Chili's
From The House of the Future, we present Phase I of The Blue Sky Disneyland Park!
Featuring:
Harbortown U.S.A. and Port Voyage
Park Entrance Loop
www.youtube.com
Enjoy!
sites.google.com
Featuring:
Harbortown U.S.A. and Port Voyage
Park Entrance Loop
Harbortown U.S.A. Background Loop
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com
Enjoy!
1986 Blue Sky Park
Guests begin their journey through a land of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy at the thriving New England port Harbortown U.S.A. From bustling brokers to headless horsemen, to wayward wickies to maniacal muppets, this one-of-a-kind port of entry will surely leave a strong first impression.
sites.google.com
TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
Alright folks. After very little deliberation because he took control of the brainstorming pretty much right away, Team Trademark has decided to award @spacemt354 with the first Head of Household of the season. In turn, Space has nominated @Brer Panther and @goofyyukyukyuk17 for elimination. But fear not! It's time for the first elusive Power of Veto competition. This will be a shorter project played over a few days individually. If you win the Veto, you have the power to pull off one of the nominees which will then force Space to replace them with someone else of his choosing. You also can choose not to use the Veto. Veto winners will be calcuated based on the following rubric for their individual projects...
Creativity: /10
Realism: /10
Detail: /10
Presentation: /10
With that in mind, here's who is playing in the first Power of Veto competition, via random draw.
Power of Veto players for round one
Creativity: /10
Realism: /10
Detail: /10
Presentation: /10
With that in mind, here's who is playing in the first Power of Veto competition, via random draw.
Power of Veto players for round one
Space, Dash, B-Wolf, Nate, Goofy, Brer Panther
TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
I'll now leave it to @mickeyfan5534 to post the first Power of Veto prompt!
Week One
Power of Veto Competition
The Diner Things
Fine dining is an underrated part of the Disney dining experience, but one that really stands out when experienced. For your first Power of Veto competition, six of you will individually create your own Signature Restaurant for Harbortown U.S.A. or Port Voyage. This is to be a fine dining restaurant on the level of DCA's Carthay Circle, Disneyland Paris's Walt's, Epcot's Le Cellier, or DHS's Brown Derby.
Your project is due 11:59:59 on Saturday, September 26.
Competitors Are Tagged
Team Trademark™ Is Watching.
Power of Veto Competition
The Diner Things
Fine dining is an underrated part of the Disney dining experience, but one that really stands out when experienced. For your first Power of Veto competition, six of you will individually create your own Signature Restaurant for Harbortown U.S.A. or Port Voyage. This is to be a fine dining restaurant on the level of DCA's Carthay Circle, Disneyland Paris's Walt's, Epcot's Le Cellier, or DHS's Brown Derby.
Your project is due 11:59:59 on Saturday, September 26.
Competitors Are Tagged
Team Trademark™ Is Watching.
TheOriginalTiki
Well-Known Member
JokersWild
Well-Known Member
Hey boys/ girls/ people with creative intent. JokersWild here with some of that sweet sweet feedback. I'm going to take this section by section, and I'm not going to be scoring anything since my feedback doesn't really matter in the sense of the game. Anyway, let's get going.
First things first, I really adore the idea of Harbortown USA. While I'm not from New England, New England was a massive part of my upbringing and young adult life so I have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to New England and those small coastal towns that give it its' identity. The backstory was really a lot of fun and added some great context to the land.
I feel like that where your land really suffers is the layout and its placement as an entrance land. I totally get the need for two entrances in the context of the layout you gave your land, but I feel like you guys were trying a bit too hard to reinvent the wheel and ended up over-complicating things. No matter which entrance you use, you're going to be backtracking to get back to the hub if you want to see something that's closer to the other entrance. There's no real line to take or flow to the land that the most successful lands have. I understand the want for a harbor, but I think that would have been entirely doable if you kept the land as a single street with a larger courtyard at the end, bleeding into the castle gardens you have serving as the park's hub. Personally, I picture something like Bear Skin Neck in Rockport, MA working very well while conveying the same idea that you guys were going for.
Districts are great. Each area felt distinct and reinforced their attractions/ restaurants exceptionally well.
Onto the attractions, I'm dishing out a compliment sandwich. Compliment: Sleepy Hollow was really great. The story isn't a New England story, but the experience was super unique and a lot of fun to watch unfold. Love the Historical Society setup as well. Criticism: Hot take - I didn't like Muppets Hamilton. I appreciate the idea, but I think that you guys limited yourselves too much by shoehorning the Muppets into the musical. The jokes are great and the pitch is great; I just think that this type of show would have served better as an expansion of the ideas from Great Moments in American History rather than a mostly straight adaptation of an existing musical. Compliment: The Haunted Lighthouse was really great. It was a lot of fun to read, and I love the culture surrounding the attraction. The only criticism that I have is that I think that you limited yourselves by trying to stay faithful to the structure of The Haunted Mansion. This could have been a really fantastic water ride that is thematically darker than HM. What you have is great; I just would have loved to see you take it a step further and really try to truly set it apart from its' initial inspiration. Also, it's a CRIME that you didn't put the Stretching Room in the Lighthouse proper. It's literally a circular room. It's perfect. I keep picturing the light of the lighthouse getting farther and dimmer as guests descend further while the walls get dingier and more sea-worn.
Restaurants were all great. Again, Baseball is more of a New York thing, but I'm splitting hairs. Also, I have no idea where you came up with the name for Two Roads Cafe, but there's a New England brewery called Two Roads, and that's all I can think of. Or Robert Frost. Both are acceptable. I really love the idea of the States Market. Really cool way to have something similar to Quincy Market represented in a simple uncomplicated way. If I have any criticism it's that I promise you that New York has more to offer to the culinary scene than raw apples.
Shops are all really solid. Don't have much more to say.
NOW, the castle. First and foremost, stunning concept art from both @D Hindley and @Mickeynerd17. Both added a ton to the project. I really love the design and the real world influence. To jump around a bit, I really really liked the gardens too. I love it when the castle. castle grounds are explorable, and you guys pulled that off very well. Both the gardens and the castle have a ton of little things to discover, and I really love it. Parades aren't really my thing so I don't have a ton to say, but I definitely appreciate them and I really appreciate that the parades compliment each other. Really great design and forethought.
Voyage on the Magic Sea is a great analogue of Fantasmic. I really enjoy the amount of under-represented IPs that pop up during the show. Really great.
Quick aside not directly in relation to the project, I really appreciate the music work @spacemt354 put into this project. I know that your theme didn't get used, but I thought that it was a great attempt, and I sincerely hope that it's something you keep trying to hone in future projects (when it calls for it, of course.).
All in all, really fantastic job all around. I had a few problems with the direction and design of the land, but really they're just nitpicks. You should all be proud of the work you put into this, and I can't wait to see what park Harbortown USA has the honor of opening.
First things first, I really adore the idea of Harbortown USA. While I'm not from New England, New England was a massive part of my upbringing and young adult life so I have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to New England and those small coastal towns that give it its' identity. The backstory was really a lot of fun and added some great context to the land.
I feel like that where your land really suffers is the layout and its placement as an entrance land. I totally get the need for two entrances in the context of the layout you gave your land, but I feel like you guys were trying a bit too hard to reinvent the wheel and ended up over-complicating things. No matter which entrance you use, you're going to be backtracking to get back to the hub if you want to see something that's closer to the other entrance. There's no real line to take or flow to the land that the most successful lands have. I understand the want for a harbor, but I think that would have been entirely doable if you kept the land as a single street with a larger courtyard at the end, bleeding into the castle gardens you have serving as the park's hub. Personally, I picture something like Bear Skin Neck in Rockport, MA working very well while conveying the same idea that you guys were going for.
Districts are great. Each area felt distinct and reinforced their attractions/ restaurants exceptionally well.
Onto the attractions, I'm dishing out a compliment sandwich. Compliment: Sleepy Hollow was really great. The story isn't a New England story, but the experience was super unique and a lot of fun to watch unfold. Love the Historical Society setup as well. Criticism: Hot take - I didn't like Muppets Hamilton. I appreciate the idea, but I think that you guys limited yourselves too much by shoehorning the Muppets into the musical. The jokes are great and the pitch is great; I just think that this type of show would have served better as an expansion of the ideas from Great Moments in American History rather than a mostly straight adaptation of an existing musical. Compliment: The Haunted Lighthouse was really great. It was a lot of fun to read, and I love the culture surrounding the attraction. The only criticism that I have is that I think that you limited yourselves by trying to stay faithful to the structure of The Haunted Mansion. This could have been a really fantastic water ride that is thematically darker than HM. What you have is great; I just would have loved to see you take it a step further and really try to truly set it apart from its' initial inspiration. Also, it's a CRIME that you didn't put the Stretching Room in the Lighthouse proper. It's literally a circular room. It's perfect. I keep picturing the light of the lighthouse getting farther and dimmer as guests descend further while the walls get dingier and more sea-worn.
Restaurants were all great. Again, Baseball is more of a New York thing, but I'm splitting hairs. Also, I have no idea where you came up with the name for Two Roads Cafe, but there's a New England brewery called Two Roads, and that's all I can think of. Or Robert Frost. Both are acceptable. I really love the idea of the States Market. Really cool way to have something similar to Quincy Market represented in a simple uncomplicated way. If I have any criticism it's that I promise you that New York has more to offer to the culinary scene than raw apples.
Shops are all really solid. Don't have much more to say.
NOW, the castle. First and foremost, stunning concept art from both @D Hindley and @Mickeynerd17. Both added a ton to the project. I really love the design and the real world influence. To jump around a bit, I really really liked the gardens too. I love it when the castle. castle grounds are explorable, and you guys pulled that off very well. Both the gardens and the castle have a ton of little things to discover, and I really love it. Parades aren't really my thing so I don't have a ton to say, but I definitely appreciate them and I really appreciate that the parades compliment each other. Really great design and forethought.
Voyage on the Magic Sea is a great analogue of Fantasmic. I really enjoy the amount of under-represented IPs that pop up during the show. Really great.
Quick aside not directly in relation to the project, I really appreciate the music work @spacemt354 put into this project. I know that your theme didn't get used, but I thought that it was a great attempt, and I sincerely hope that it's something you keep trying to hone in future projects (when it calls for it, of course.).
All in all, really fantastic job all around. I had a few problems with the direction and design of the land, but really they're just nitpicks. You should all be proud of the work you put into this, and I can't wait to see what park Harbortown USA has the honor of opening.
pix
Well-Known Member
It was based on Robert Frost. It's one of my favorite poems and he is a New England author so I felt like it fit.
goofyyukyuk
Well-Known Member
Mickeynerd17
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your feedback! I can see your point regarding the split main street, but hey, it might've worked better with some more fine tuning. Thanks for your comments on the castle/hub!
spacemt354
Chili's
Nestled along the river banks of Port Voyage is a dining experience unlike any other in a Disney park. The Grotto is a new fine-dining restaurant that offers its patrons with exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and picturesque views of Snow White Castle.
Inspired by Disney fairytale grottos, this exclusive restaurant takes you and your party on a whimsical journey down towards the river's edge, as the restaurant itself is a well-kept treasure away from the bustling crowds throughout the park. In its own secluded corner, The Grotto boasts a capacity of 120 guests at a time, with 40 servers, providing the diners and cast members the personal touch and connection that makes fine-dining such a luxury. Here you won't be rushed from your seats as you experience a table d'hôte menu that changes with the seasons so you'll always come back for something new.
The adventure begins as you are greeted at the exclusive entrance to the restaurant. Only guests with reservations know the location which they will enter (typically a back alley garden path near the transition point between States Market and Port Voyage). It is there were they are whisked on a private switchback pathway down towards the river banks, before entering a crisp temperature-controlled grotto. With the river breeze acting as an air circulator throughout the interior of the grotto, guests dine at a perfect 71 degree F temperature throughout the experience.
As you enter you'll notice the faint but distinct ethereal grotto sounds in the background, enveloping the guests with binaural audio of an original fairytale setting.
Guests are given a tour of The Grotto by a greeter cast member before being escorted to their table. The first stop is Wine Cellar, featuring aged wines from all over the world.
Following the Wine Cellar, guests encounter a large glass window into the kitchen, where the aromas of meats, fish, and seasonings mesmerize the senses. As you continue on you are whisked to 'The Outpost' a Disney Photopass+ location exclusive to the restaurant, with Snow White Castle in the background, as a token to remember your gathering at the restaurant.
The menu as mentioned before changes seasonally. For the current season of the fall, guests can expect a 7-course Chef-special meal.
First course: Ossetra Caviar with Traditional Garnishes
Second course: Selections of Cheese from the Market - Italian and French specialties, served with Chateau Montelena 2004
Third course: Rack of Lamb with roasted potatoes
Fourth course: Wild Salmon and grilled asparagus
Fifth course: Alaskan crab and cauliflower
Sixth course: Selection of Coffee, Tea, or Liquors
Seventh course: Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu
Meanwhile, if your reservations are timed perfectly, you may be able to catch a parade or nighttime show while you dine. Given the exclusivity of the restaurant, prices are a bit steep. While there is no formal dress-code requirement, colors shirts for men, and dresses for women are preferred to keep the professional ambiance. In addition, prices range from $150-250 per person based on the prepared menu items of the evening. Guests may also order off menu wines, beers, drinks, and side-dishes if available.
Overall, The Grotto at Port Voyage encapsulates Disney fine-dining by providing guests with an experience they won't soon forget.
Mickeynerd17
Well-Known Member
View attachment 500108
Nestled along the river banks of Port Voyage is a dining experience unlike any other in a Disney park. The Grotto is a new fine-dining restaurant that offers its patrons with exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and picturesque views of Snow White Castle.
Inspired by Disney fairytale grottos, this exclusive restaurant takes you and your party on a whimsical journey down towards the river's edge, as the restaurant itself is a well-kept treasure away from the bustling crowds throughout the park. In its own secluded corner, The Grotto boasts a capacity of 120 guests at a time, with 40 servers, providing the diners and cast members the personal touch and connection that makes fine-dining such a luxury. Here you won't be rushed from your seats as you experience a table d'hôte menu that changes with the seasons so you'll always come back for something new.
The adventure begins as you are greeted at the exclusive entrance to the restaurant. Only guests with reservations know the location which they will enter (typically a back alley garden path near the transition point between States Market and Port Voyage). It is there were they are whisked on a private switchback pathway down towards the river banks, before entering a crisp temperature-controlled grotto. With the river breeze acting as an air circulator throughout the interior of the grotto, guests dine at a perfect 71 degree F temperature throughout the experience.
As you enter you'll notice the faint but distinct ethereal grotto sounds in the background, enveloping the guests with binaural audio of an original fairytale setting.
Guests are given a tour of The Grotto by a greeter cast member before being escorted to their table. The first stop is Wine Cellar, featuring aged wines from all over the world.
Following the Wine Cellar, guests encounter a large glass window into the kitchen, where the aromas of meats, fish, and seasonings mesmerize the senses. As you continue on you are whisked to 'The Outpost' a Disney Photopass+ location exclusive to the restaurant, with Snow White Castle in the background, as a token to remember your gathering at the restaurant.
The menu as mentioned before changes seasonally. For the current season of the fall, guests can expect a 7-course Chef-special meal.
First course: Ossetra Caviar with Traditional Garnishes
Second course: Selections of Cheese from the Market - Italian and French specialties, served with Chateau Montelena 2004
Third course: Rack of Lamb with roasted potatoes
Fourth course: Wild Salmon and grilled asparagus
Fifth course: Alaskan crab and cauliflower
Sixth course: Selection of Coffee, Tea, or Liquors
Seventh course: Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu
Meanwhile, if your reservations are timed perfectly, you may be able to catch a parade or nighttime show while you dine. Given the exclusivity of the restaurant, prices are a bit steep. While there is no formal dress-code requirement, colors shirts for men, and dresses for women are preferred to keep the professional ambiance. In addition, prices range from $150-250 per person based on the prepared menu items of the evening. Guests may also order off menu wines, beers, drinks, and side-dishes if available.
Overall, The Grotto at Port Voyage encapsulates Disney fine-dining by providing guests with an experience they won't soon forget.
Absolutely beautiful, well done! I might add this to the model depending on the other submissions.
goofyyukyuk
Well-Known Member
View attachment 500108
Nestled along the river banks of Port Voyage is a dining experience unlike any other in a Disney park. The Grotto is a new fine-dining restaurant that offers its patrons with exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and picturesque views of Snow White Castle.
Inspired by Disney fairytale grottos, this exclusive restaurant takes you and your party on a whimsical journey down towards the river's edge, as the restaurant itself is a well-kept treasure away from the bustling crowds throughout the park. In its own secluded corner, The Grotto boasts a capacity of 120 guests at a time, with 40 servers, providing the diners and cast members the personal touch and connection that makes fine-dining such a luxury. Here you won't be rushed from your seats as you experience a table d'hôte menu that changes with the seasons so you'll always come back for something new.
The adventure begins as you are greeted at the exclusive entrance to the restaurant. Only guests with reservations know the location which they will enter (typically a back alley garden path near the transition point between States Market and Port Voyage). It is there were they are whisked on a private switchback pathway down towards the river banks, before entering a crisp temperature-controlled grotto. With the river breeze acting as an air circulator throughout the interior of the grotto, guests dine at a perfect 71 degree F temperature throughout the experience.
As you enter you'll notice the faint but distinct ethereal grotto sounds in the background, enveloping the guests with binaural audio of an original fairytale setting.
Guests are given a tour of The Grotto by a greeter cast member before being escorted to their table. The first stop is Wine Cellar, featuring aged wines from all over the world.
Following the Wine Cellar, guests encounter a large glass window into the kitchen, where the aromas of meats, fish, and seasonings mesmerize the senses. As you continue on you are whisked to 'The Outpost' a Disney Photopass+ location exclusive to the restaurant, with Snow White Castle in the background, as a token to remember your gathering at the restaurant.
The menu as mentioned before changes seasonally. For the current season of the fall, guests can expect a 7-course Chef-special meal.
First course: Ossetra Caviar with Traditional Garnishes
Second course: Selections of Cheese from the Market - Italian and French specialties, served with Chateau Montelena 2004
Third course: Rack of Lamb with roasted potatoes
Fourth course: Wild Salmon and grilled asparagus
Fifth course: Alaskan crab and cauliflower
Sixth course: Selection of Coffee, Tea, or Liquors
Seventh course: Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu
Meanwhile, if your reservations are timed perfectly, you may be able to catch a parade or nighttime show while you dine. Given the exclusivity of the restaurant, prices are a bit steep. While there is no formal dress-code requirement, colors shirts for men, and dresses for women are preferred to keep the professional ambiance. In addition, prices range from $150-250 per person based on the prepared menu items of the evening. Guests may also order off menu wines, beers, drinks, and side-dishes if available.
Overall, The Grotto at Port Voyage encapsulates Disney fine-dining by providing guests with an experience they won't soon forget.
*frantically taking notes*
DashHaber
Well-Known Member
View attachment 500108
Nestled along the river banks of Port Voyage is a dining experience unlike any other in a Disney park. The Grotto is a new fine-dining restaurant that offers its patrons with exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and picturesque views of Snow White Castle.
Inspired by Disney fairytale grottos, this exclusive restaurant takes you and your party on a whimsical journey down towards the river's edge, as the restaurant itself is a well-kept treasure away from the bustling crowds throughout the park. In its own secluded corner, The Grotto boasts a capacity of 120 guests at a time, with 40 servers, providing the diners and cast members the personal touch and connection that makes fine-dining such a luxury. Here you won't be rushed from your seats as you experience a table d'hôte menu that changes with the seasons so you'll always come back for something new.
The adventure begins as you are greeted at the exclusive entrance to the restaurant. Only guests with reservations know the location which they will enter (typically a back alley garden path near the transition point between States Market and Port Voyage). It is there were they are whisked on a private switchback pathway down towards the river banks, before entering a crisp temperature-controlled grotto. With the river breeze acting as an air circulator throughout the interior of the grotto, guests dine at a perfect 71 degree F temperature throughout the experience.
As you enter you'll notice the faint but distinct ethereal grotto sounds in the background, enveloping the guests with binaural audio of an original fairytale setting.
Guests are given a tour of The Grotto by a greeter cast member before being escorted to their table. The first stop is Wine Cellar, featuring aged wines from all over the world.
Following the Wine Cellar, guests encounter a large glass window into the kitchen, where the aromas of meats, fish, and seasonings mesmerize the senses. As you continue on you are whisked to 'The Outpost' a Disney Photopass+ location exclusive to the restaurant, with Snow White Castle in the background, as a token to remember your gathering at the restaurant.
The menu as mentioned before changes seasonally. For the current season of the fall, guests can expect a 7-course Chef-special meal.
First course: Ossetra Caviar with Traditional Garnishes
Second course: Selections of Cheese from the Market - Italian and French specialties, served with Chateau Montelena 2004
Third course: Rack of Lamb with roasted potatoes
Fourth course: Wild Salmon and grilled asparagus
Fifth course: Alaskan crab and cauliflower
Sixth course: Selection of Coffee, Tea, or Liquors
Seventh course: Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu
Meanwhile, if your reservations are timed perfectly, you may be able to catch a parade or nighttime show while you dine. Given the exclusivity of the restaurant, prices are a bit steep. While there is no formal dress-code requirement, colors shirts for men, and dresses for women are preferred to keep the professional ambiance. In addition, prices range from $150-250 per person based on the prepared menu items of the evening. Guests may also order off menu wines, beers, drinks, and side-dishes if available.
Overall, The Grotto at Port Voyage encapsulates Disney fine-dining by providing guests with an experience they won't soon forget.
Orange Cat
Well-Known Member
View attachment 500108
Nestled along the river banks of Port Voyage is a dining experience unlike any other in a Disney park. The Grotto is a new fine-dining restaurant that offers its patrons with exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and picturesque views of Snow White Castle.
Inspired by Disney fairytale grottos, this exclusive restaurant takes you and your party on a whimsical journey down towards the river's edge, as the restaurant itself is a well-kept treasure away from the bustling crowds throughout the park. In its own secluded corner, The Grotto boasts a capacity of 120 guests at a time, with 40 servers, providing the diners and cast members the personal touch and connection that makes fine-dining such a luxury. Here you won't be rushed from your seats as you experience a table d'hôte menu that changes with the seasons so you'll always come back for something new.
The adventure begins as you are greeted at the exclusive entrance to the restaurant. Only guests with reservations know the location which they will enter (typically a back alley garden path near the transition point between States Market and Port Voyage). It is there were they are whisked on a private switchback pathway down towards the river banks, before entering a crisp temperature-controlled grotto. With the river breeze acting as an air circulator throughout the interior of the grotto, guests dine at a perfect 71 degree F temperature throughout the experience.
As you enter you'll notice the faint but distinct ethereal grotto sounds in the background, enveloping the guests with binaural audio of an original fairytale setting.
Guests are given a tour of The Grotto by a greeter cast member before being escorted to their table. The first stop is Wine Cellar, featuring aged wines from all over the world.
Following the Wine Cellar, guests encounter a large glass window into the kitchen, where the aromas of meats, fish, and seasonings mesmerize the senses. As you continue on you are whisked to 'The Outpost' a Disney Photopass+ location exclusive to the restaurant, with Snow White Castle in the background, as a token to remember your gathering at the restaurant.
The menu as mentioned before changes seasonally. For the current season of the fall, guests can expect a 7-course Chef-special meal.
First course: Ossetra Caviar with Traditional Garnishes
Second course: Selections of Cheese from the Market - Italian and French specialties, served with Chateau Montelena 2004
Third course: Rack of Lamb with roasted potatoes
Fourth course: Wild Salmon and grilled asparagus
Fifth course: Alaskan crab and cauliflower
Sixth course: Selection of Coffee, Tea, or Liquors
Seventh course: Chocolate Mousse and Tiramisu
Meanwhile, if your reservations are timed perfectly, you may be able to catch a parade or nighttime show while you dine. Given the exclusivity of the restaurant, prices are a bit steep. While there is no formal dress-code requirement, colors shirts for men, and dresses for women are preferred to keep the professional ambiance. In addition, prices range from $150-250 per person based on the prepared menu items of the evening. Guests may also order off menu wines, beers, drinks, and side-dishes if available.
Overall, The Grotto at Port Voyage encapsulates Disney fine-dining by providing guests with an experience they won't soon forget.
I truly feel like I’m bankrupt.