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There's no need to jet around the globe to experience dining around
the world. At Epcot, international culinary favorites are on the
menu for adventurous groups looking for a storybook ending to their
day.
Children can join in the dinner's special storytelling experience,
which is punctuated with a surprise character appearance.
A special viewing area is reserved for the evening finale, the
nighttime Epcot spectacular "IllumiNations: Reflections of
Earth," where you'll also be treated to a delicious dessert
buffet.
Ages 10 and older, $59.99; ages 3-9, $19.99.
Available to book 90 days in advance.
Theme park admission is required.
Photos
Reviews
"We met out front at the The Odyssey restaurant. Chef’s
from several of the World Showcase restaurants bring out their finest
offerings for this multi-national buffet. The night we ate, Italy,
Morocco, Norway, and China were represented (there might have been
more, but I was stuffed!) We were brought to our tables by the Hostess
and sat down, entertainment already in progress.
We were given special event pins, which we were asked to wear for
the evening, and would grant us admission to the private patio reserved
for us later. There are four event pins in all; one for each Grand
Gathering special event.
There was a DJ, a rather energetic one, spinning tunes up front,
while the MC worked the audience with jokes and little stories.
We got our food and sat and enjoyed it while the entertainers recognized
(and sometimes teased!) each Grand Gathering. (there was one group
of all moms & daughters, on a ‘Disney Diva’s’
trip that got a special round of applause!) After that, they recognized
birthdays, and an Anniversary, which was very sweet (the couple
had to get up and dance)
Then, Goofy and Minnie entered, amid great fanfare. They got the
audience up and dancing, the kids going wild. A conga started, looping
in and out of the tables in the audience. Goofy and Minnie mingled
for a bit, as things wound down. Individual tables were called out
(in the order in which they arrived) to meet with a private one-on-one
with Mickey himself, out in the foyer. You could have a Disney photographer
take your picture, if you wished, for a fee, and through Disney’s
PhotoPass system. We were also allowed to use our own cameras.
From there, we strolled down the walkway a bit, led by Disney event
staff (the ‘baton people’) to a private area roped off
for us, behind one of the shops at the entrance of the World Showcase,
right on the edge of the water. The desserts were amazing... Chocolate
mousse, fruit tarts, chocolate cake... Amazing. Just scrumptious.
There was a wonderful coffee bar, with a wide assortment of teas
as well. My favorite was the hot chocolate – thick and rich
and just right.
We had plenty of time to mingle and talk out on the patio. It felt
like we were priveleged Guests, behind the velvet roping and lush
greenery screening us from the many on-lookers. I lost track of
time, watching the tall torches flaring in the darkness, and talking
to my friend, waiting for the show to begin.
It began with a bang, and right in front of us. We were so close,
I imagined my eyebrows were getting tinged. I’ve been at many
points around the lagoon to watch this show (my favorite) and this
venue, by far, blew them all away. We had a completely unobstructed
view of Illuminations, without crowds pressing on our backs, with
the heat from the flames warming our faces and the light from the
fireworks sparkling our eyes. I got many, many, fabulous photos
from the night, which was over all too quickly.
All in all, I had a very good time, mainly from meeting everyone
in our group. The food, I felt, was a bit on the dry side, although
it is a buffet and subject to a bit more exposure than plated dinners.
I wish that they had signage so that I could see what they were
offering. Some of the more foreign (to me) foods, I could not see
my family eating. It’s not ‘Fear Factor Fodder,’
but I was uncomfortable asking about it, and had to keep asking
my friend what I’d chosen. Goofy and Minnie did not ‘mingle’
with us as long as the characters at the other events. I’m
not sure if that was because we were a party of mostly adults, or
if it is due to the pacing of this event.
I would not go to this again for the dinner, but I would go again
in a heartbeat for the dessert party afterwards. It was a magnificent
location, and the intimacy of eating chocolate under the stars with
friends is truly wonderful. And the view of Illuminations –
priceless." Marion (3/05)
"We tried the International Dinner in December and I would
just rate it ok. The food wasn't great and the entertainment was
just ok too. The dessert and fireworks reserved area was the best
part of the night." Jo (3/05)
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