NEWS: Disney Announces Fan-Favorite Dining Option to FINALLY Reopen

It’s hard to believe that the pandemic began just about four years ago. For the most part, Walt Disney World has returned to “normal” even though some things have been changed for guests – some are good, and some are not as good. One of the most popular character dining locations, 1900 Park Fare, has been closed since March 2020, and we’ve commented many times that we can’t believe it’s still closed all this time! Thankfully, we’ve finally got an update. We’ve finally got confirmation that 1900 Park Fare will be reopening soon. Learn more below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Ashley Jones:

Today, we have an exciting update many of you have been waiting for: 1900 Park Fare is reopening at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on April 10. This iconic restaurant will feature returning guest favorites along with a newly refurbished dining room and other special touches.

Here are five things to look forward to when you return:

1 – Wish Upon a Star with Favorite Disney Characters

Because meals are best enjoyed alongside friends, a few familiar faces will stop by throughout breakfast and dinner — some for the first time at this location! In this refreshed character dining experience, you’ll be joined by Aladdin in his Prince Ali look, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Tiana in her new look for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as they celebrate the power of a wish.

2 – Enjoy a Feast Fit for Royalty

An enchanting buffet will be served for breakfast and dinner, featuring some returning guest favorites — yes, that includes the strawberry soup! — along with new menu offerings dreamed up by our talented chefs to pay tribute to some of the characters and stories you’ll encounter throughout the restaurant.

3 – Look for Nods to the Restaurant’s Heritage

Fans of 1900 Park Fare will remember Big Bertha, an antique organ that has called the resort home since 1988. Look for her in the main dining room, where she’s on display as its grand centerpiece!

Just like before, carousel theming is woven throughout the restaurant — starting with the impressive new mural shown above, which will serve as the focal point of the restaurant’s entrance. In one of the adjoining dining rooms, you’ll find drawings of carousel animals inspired by classic Disney films like “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Little Mermaid.” Keep an eye out for other hidden carousel details when you visit!

4 – Delight in Exclusive New Artwork

The artistic touches continue throughout the main dining room, where you’ll also find twelve new portraits created exclusively for the restaurant by Disney artists. Each one, inspired by the impressionist art style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, features a different Disney character as they hope, dream and wish upon a star (or even a magic lamp or a wishing well).

5 – Celebrate Traditions and Create New Ones

Over the years, 1900 Park Fare has been the backdrop of so many of our guests’ favorite vacation memories — mine included! At the heart of this unique restaurant is the magic and whimsy of turn-of-the-century gardens and fairgrounds, where people of all ages came together to enjoy each other’s company. The spirit of those carefree days spent outdoors is brought to life with each detail big and small, making it the perfect place to create new memories with loved ones.

Reservations for 1900 Park Fare open on March 5 at DisneyWorld.com, so mark your calendars! While you’re there, explore other ways the resort has been receiving some grand touches that build upon its Victorian elegance with additional storybook charm. While staying in one of the newly refurbished guest rooms, you can also dine underneath the lovely London sky at Cítricos, inspired by “Mary Poppins Returns” or enjoy some shimmering sips at Enchanted Rose Lounge, inspired by “Beauty and the Beast.” Recently refreshed spaces at Narcoossee’s and Victoria & Albert’s, the culinary crown jewel of Walt Disney World Resort, provide even more ways to be our guests and enjoy all that Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has to offer.

RELATED ARTICLE: 6 Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

by Kristin

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is the most spectacular and luxurious resort on property.  Everything about it is a picture of perfection and is designed to give you one of the best resort experiences you could ever have.  We love everything about this resort and look forward to staying here anytime we can, especially at the Club Level.  Here are seven reasons why you should definitely consider a stay at the Grand Floridian:

6 – Prepare to be amazed as soon as you arrive.

The resort is absolutely stunning. Everything is white, bright, and in pristine condition. The resort looks elegant from the outside and then even more so once you walk in. You have the grand lobby with an orchestra playing, the huge birdcage, and the fresh, clean scents right when you walk in. The grounds are perfectly maintained, and the cast goes above and beyond to treat you like royalty. We really can’t get enough of this resort. It is a dream stay for many guests on property, so if you can stay here, feel privileged to be there!

5 – Great amenities and recreation.

The resort has everything that you could imagine. You have boat and water options, bike rentals, the largest and most grand spa on property, Senses, a hair salon, multiple gift shops and stores, a beautiful pool with cabana rental options, and so much more. This truly is a resort where you can show up and never want or need to leave. If you are staying here, you will definitely want to plan a couple of days to relax and enjoy the resort, as it would be a shame to miss out on it.

4 – Signature dining options. 

Editor’s Note: 1900 Park Fare is closed at this time but will open on April 10, 2024, with a new character dining experience. Reservations open on March 5, 2024.

There is no way that you will ever go hungry while staying at this resort. There are so many different dining options, and they are all amazing. You have The Grand Floridian Café, which is a nice, quiet table service restaurant. You also have 1900 Park Fare, a buffet-style restaurant home to some of your favorite characters during breakfast and dinner. There are two signature restaurants, Citricos and Narcoossee’s. Both are delicious and provide a great atmosphere, but Narcoosee’s is our favorite since it is out on the water and offers views of the fireworks and the Magic Kingdom. Then you have the most luxurious and expensive restaurant on property, Victoria & Albert’s. For this restaurant, you will want to make sure you have your suit and most elegant clothes as there is a strict dress code. The menu is prix fixe and is served over multiple courses by world-renowned chefs. The restaurant is highly rated and has won numerous awards and honors. You have to add this to your Disney bucket list!

3 – Convenient transportation around property.

Transportation has always been a major selling point for staying at any of the Magic Kingdom area resorts. At the Grand Floridian, you have the monorail to take you right to the Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary and Polynesian Village Resort. You also have boat transportation that can help you get to all of those places, as well as Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. This makes dining at other resorts, enjoying their recreation activities, or trying out one of the dinner shows much more convenient. A walkway from the resort to Magic Kingdom is also a great way to beat the crowd when leaving the park at night. There is so much to do and enjoy across all of Walt Disney World that you want to make the most of convenient transportation so you can do as much as possible in the little time that you have.

2 – Views of Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.

Yep, you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort. You can even watch from your room if you book a room with a theme park view. If you would rather watch from the grounds, head out to the resort’s dock area. The music is piped in, so you will be able to hear the music that accompanies the show while you watch. You can also view the Electrical Water Pageant from there, too. Many guests miss seeing this or do not even know it is there, so definitely take advantage of a great place to watch it.

1 – The most luxurious accommodations on property.

There are stays at the Grand Floridian that might make your head spin to know how much it would cost. With these options come the highest levels of luxury. One of the most expensive stays on property is the Main Building at the resort. This is one of the two club-level stay options on property, and you also get the benefit of staying right within the main building where most of the restaurants, shops, and entertainment are. No matter what room you choose, the Grand Floridian is the only resort where each and every guest receives a nightly turndown service and treats. It is all part of what makes the Grand one of the most luxurious and special stays that you can have while you are at Walt Disney World.