Tables in Wonderland, Disney's special dining discount program,
offers special dining events throughout the year open only to those who
purchase the card. The Great Movie Ride event was one we couldn't pass
up! Here's what you get with this event:
- Guests are taken inside The Great Movie Ride attraction, and served
food and drinks inside three movie scenes.
- Actors mingle with guests inside these three scenes. They play
characters that go with the particular scene they're in.
- Guests are walked through each scene in The Great Movie Ride and
permitted to look things over and take photographs.
We were so excited to experience this, that we wondered if it could live
up to our expectations - and it did!
With taxes, the event cost $163.22 per person. Here's the menu along
with the schedule:
7:30 – 8 p.m.
Passed Reception in the Gangster Scene
Bugsy’s
Fire-roasted Duck with Cherries
Dillinger’s
Seared Shrimp with Dill
Bonnie and Clyde’s favorite Chive-stuffed Potatoes
8 – 9 p.m.
Plated Dinner in the Western Scene
Creamy Free-range
Yard Bird Corn Chowder with Grilled Flatbread
Wild Greens tossed
with Cactus and Cilantro Vinaigrette plated tableside and
topped with Carrot
Tumbleweeds
Mesquite-grilled
Beef Filet with Herb Butter
Truffle Mac and
Cheese and Molasses Pinto Beans
House made Roasted
Onion Bread with Butter
9 – 10 p.m.
Dessert Buffet in the Land of Oz
Display of
Munchkin-sized Desserts
Columbia Crest Two
Vines Chardonnay and Canyon
Road Cabernet Sauvignon
Disney closed down The Great Movie Ride attraction early. We were
greeted outside in front by several cast members who checked us in and
placed a paper bracelet on our wrists. This event was open to only 80
people, and we waited in the outside front court to be brought inside. I
noticed that there were no children, and and only one teenager in the
group.
Since I was in an ECV, we were told that we should stay in a certain
area so that we could be taken inside through an accessible side
entrance. Then around 7:40 PM the "Director" came out. A man dressed in
an old time director's costume set the tone immediately with some funny
comments and then led the group inside.
There were around 8 people in ECV's and wheelchairs, and our parties,
were led inside through the side entrance. We went alongside the large
ride cars, and into the attraction. There was one steep ramp for
entering the attraction, and the one person pushing a manual wheelchair
had to work hard to handle the angle. Getting around with my scooter
inside the attraction throughout the event was easy. There were no
actual tracks visible, and the ground is smooth and level. Those with
visual disorders may wish to know that much of the attraction was well
lit, but a few scene areas we walked through were on the dark side.
We arrived inside the gangster scene where a pianist played lively
period music. There was a bar serving mixed drinks, bottled water, beer
and soda. Servers walking with trays offered some pre-mixed drinks along
with alcohol free Shirley Temple's. This was a great alternative because
there was one bartender for 80 people. The line at the bar was long
during throughout this part of the event, and I bypassed it by taking a
pre-mixed drink.
I am currently on a gluten free diet, and I had requested a gluten free
meal. In true Disney style, they prepared a gluten free version of each
dish for me. I let a server know that there should be a gluten free tray
prepared for me, and they retrieved it for me. It included one of each
of the items that the rest of the diners were served. Though it was a
tiny serving, it was tasty. By the end of the meal I felt full and
satisfied, so looking back I felt that it was fine that the portion was
so small.
In the gangster scene there were three actors mingling with the diners.
The director who met us outside, a gangster toting a "machine gun", and
his wannabee singer girlfriend who was there to audition for the
director for a part in a movie. All three actors were really funny, and
interacted easily with the guests. This type of thing can be awkward for
guests, especially if we're not great at improvising on the spot, but we
felt that the actors made us feel comfortable. They were spontaneous,
capable and really talented!
We were then brought into the next set which is the western scene. There
was assigned seating at round tables. A single very funny actress made
the rounds from table to table, dressed as a hillbilly. A great
country-style band played while we ate. Water was served with dinner,
and there was a full service bar. Throughout this part of the meal, the
line line at the bar was short or non-existent.
Although I had been told that the staff would know where I was seated
and would bring me my gluten free meal, I ultimately had to let our
waitress know about my situation. She got someone to go back and
retrieve my food. I did have to wait until after everyone was served for
each course and almost done, but there was still plenty of time to eat,
and ultimately I really enjoyed my food which was well prepared. Towards
the middle of the meal a chef came out to chat, and to make sure I was
comfortable with the food.
The meat was served medium rare, and my husband who likes his well done,
didn't eat it. Regardless, he enjoyed the rest of the food, along with
the environment and the company. One thing we both really enjoyed was
having the opportunity to meet other adult Disney fanatics. Everyone we
met was as into Disney as we are. In fact, some of them had even flown
in just for this event. It was a pleasure to chat with all of these
people!
Following dinner, we were brought through some scenes on the way to the
next course, where we were permitted to linger and take photos. The cast
members keep careful watch to be sure no one goes where they shouldn't,
but we were permitted to get quite close to the props. I was even able
to touch the snakes in the Indiana Jones scene, and we got some great
photos in the Tarzan scene in front of the life size elephant carrying
Jane.
Viewing the movie scenes from this perspective was actually thrilling
and fun. I'm a sci-fi fan, and especially loved being inside the Alien
set. All of the effects were working such as the periodic bursts of
steam, ship sounds and the alien popping out. We lingered in there quite
a while before moving on, and got a lot of great photos.
We arrived at the Land of Oz scene to find tables and chairs, and a
buffet including various cakes and treats, coffee and the full service
bar. There were tootsie pops on each table, along with lollipops. I was
served a dish of fresh fruits and a gluten free brownie. Glenda the Good
Witch entered and mingled with the guests. After some time, the
audio-animatronics Wicked Witch appeared, and Glenda interacted with
her. Once she disappeared, we were encouraged to move on through the
rest of the scenes, making our way to the final movie clips area where
we viewed the classic movie clips ordinarily shown at the end of this
attraction. When that was over, the cast members saw us out of the
building, and we were done.
All in all, we really enjoyed this experience. Frankly, I felt like I
had the glee of a 7 year old in a combination toy/candy shop! It was a
unique experience that we'd gladly repeat.
©Copyright 2010 Ball Media Innovations, Inc. All
rights reserved.
-
-
- Or to read
more about Walt Disney World with Disabilities
|
-
DISCOUNT TRAVEL -
BOOK YOUR TRIP
|
-
-
Travelocity:
Top Hotel Deals in Orlando
 -
One of the most powerful one-stop travel
sites. Make reservations for air, car, hotel and
packages.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
www.lastminute.com
-
This site brings you the best deals available at
the last minute so you can go this
weekend and save up to 70%.
-
-
-
Hotels.com
 offers some of the best prices.
You'll find rooms for sold-out dates, rebates and
many options for leisure and business travel for every budget.
|
