Raising the fine dining bar in theme parks, Victoria & Albert's restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort made headlines last week by being awarded a Michelin Star. This achievement sets the restaurant apart as the first and solely US-based theme park restaurant to receive such a prestigious accolade, as reported on the Disney Parks Blog.

Victoria & Albert’s, located a short distance from the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, welcomed its first guests in 1988 and has since become a must-visit place for holidaymakers and locals alike. With the latest Michelin Star, it becomes part of an exclusive group of 26 Florida restaurants honored by the Michelin Guide.

Despite its Disney association, Victoria & Albert's maintains a strict dress code. The restaurant enforces a sophisticated atmosphere, prohibiting entry to children under 10 years of age. Both offered menus, the chef-curated tasting and prix-fixe, start at $295 per guest.

A dining experience at Victoria & Albert's showcases the crème de la crème of modern American cuisine. Overseen by chef de cuisine Matthew Sowers and pastry chef Ally Rogers, the ever-changing portfolio of dishes depend on market availability and seasonality, with offerings such as the Langoustine Tartelette, Cinco Jotas Iberico "Eclair," and Miyazaki A-5 Wagyu beef.

Reflecting on the monumental achievement, Sowers shared, “This Michelin star is an affirmation of the culinary excellence we strive for. It’s an immense privilege to have Victoria & Albert’s be the first Disney-owned establishment recognized by Michelin. Every team member, from our stewards and servers to our cooks and pastry chefs, played a significant role in winning this star. We aspire to motivate the coming generation of culinary talents to pursue their passion.”

The upscale eatery prides itself on an impressive wine collection. For an added fee of $150, guests can complement their meals with carefully curated wine pairings. The wine menu spans more than 500 wines from 35 regions, including rare gems from the early 20th century. The dining spot also serves handcrafted cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages and premium waters sourced globally.

Israel Pérez, the seasoned sommelier and maître d'hôtel, received the 2024 Florida Service Award, acknowledging the dedicated service standard. Pérez likened the service at Victoria & Albert’s to a dance, with every step purposeful and harmonized after years of commitment.

For Disney fans harboring a love for gourmet food, planning is critical. The restaurant follows a 60-day policy, allowing Disney resort guests to book a dining reservation up to two months ahead of their arrival. The VIP reservation schedules for select Walt Disney World restaurants open up every day at 6:00 AM.