Hello. My name is Dina Given and I am a Disney Adult. Yes, one of those people – a grown woman who goes to Disney parks without her kids, wears a variety of Mickey ears based on what matches my outfit, and is passionate about helping people plan their Disney vacations.
I grew up as a typical kid from New York, only visiting Disney World twice as a child. It was both inspiring and dreadful – I recall the magic and wonder tempered by a lot of heat, tears, impatience and exhaustion. I made a third visit during college when a group of us decided at 2am that taking a road trip to Disney right at that moment was a brilliant ides, and to make it even better, we planned to stop in Delaware to try our hand at cow tipping. (We never did find any cows).
It wasn’t until I met my husband that I discovered my inner Disney fangirl. He had spent more time at Disney as a kid thanks to his genius mom who won them a Florida vacation home after becoming a champion on the TV game show, Deal of the Century. We began traveling there at least once a year and he even proposed to me at the Wishing Well at Cinderella’s Castle. When kids came along, we joined the Disney Vacation Club and eventually became Annual Passholders.
Now that our kids are older teens, they are so over Disney, so we go without them – which is way more fun! However, we don’t do Disney like most people do Disney. Forget the rides, the lines, the quick service restaurants, and the mediocre buffets – we’re there for the fine dining and the wine! So the next time you visit Disney World, be sure to book a dining reservation in advance at one (or more) of my favorite on-property restaurants, each with extensive wine lists!
Victoria & Alberts
V&A earned a well-deserved (and frankly, overly delayed) Michelin star in 2024. This is the epitome of fine dining on Disney property. V&A is a beautiful New American restaurant located inside the Grand Floridian resort. The menu is pre fixe with optional wine pairings, which I always opt for because their sommelier does a phenomenal job of pairing dishes with interesting wines. Some of my most memorable food-wine pairings have been at V&A, like a duck dish paired with an Italian Primitivo. It is the only dining establishment on Disney property that does not permit children under 10 years old. This is definitely a special occasion restaurant, with the cost of the prix-fixe menu starting at $295.00 per person. Optional wine pairings start at $155.00, and they even have an amazing and highly-recommended zero-proof pairing starting at $115.00.
California Grill
California Grill is a main-stay restaurant for us that we visit quite frequently. I would best categorize it as “approachable fine dining” – it is gorgeous with excellent food, but plenty of people show up dressed in park casual attire with kids in tow having just exited an exhausting day at the Magic Kingdom next door. California Grill is located on the rooftop of the Contemporary Resort, and as the name implies, it is California fresh cuisine. One of the main attractions to this restaurant is that diners can file onto the outdoor rooftop to watch the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks show without dealing with a crush of crowds in the park. The menu here is pre fixe. Although they offer a wine pairing option, I don’t order it because the wine choices are a little uninspiring for me – it’s nothing I haven’t had before and they don’t change much. Thankfully, they have an extensive wine list, but be sure to ask your server for the full wine list! When you are seated, they provide you with a single-page paper wine list, which is just a small selection of their more popular wines. The full wine list is in a leather-bound book that has an extensive selection of super premium cult wines from California, alongside more affordably priced wines from around the world.
Jiko – The Cooking Place
If you have a bit more of an adventurous spirit around food and wine, do not miss dining at Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jiko’s menu centers around traditional South African cuisine, with splashes of Indian and Mediterranean influences. Every dish is bursting with bold flavors and aromatic (not hot) spices. The surroundings are exotic, with African inspired décor and seating that overlooks the resort’s Savannah. Jiko has an extensive South African wine list, and was the first place I was ever introduced to these wines, which have now become some of my favorites. They even offer a Pinotage flight, the grape variety that was invented in South Africa. If you think you don’t or won’t like Pinotage, forget its past reputation and try this flight – it will open your eyes to how good Pinotage has become!
Wine Bar George
Disney Springs is chock full of terrific bars and restaurants, so this area finds itself home to two of my favorite food and wine destinations. No worthy wine list would be complete without mentioning Wine Bar George. This spot is named for owner and proprieter, George Miliotes, Master Sommelier. George can actually be found in the restaurant fairly often and is always wonderful to speak with. He has curated a second-to-none wine program based on an extensive by-the-glass menu that features unique, interesting, and rare wines. I love asking the knowledgeable bartenders to pour wines blind for me, or to pour me a glass of their favorite wine. One of my favorite experiences is to sit on the second floor outdoor terrace and watch live music being performed in the amphitheater across the way while enjoying a glass of wine from a region or grape variety I have never tried before.
Jaleo
On the opposite side of Disney Springs from Wine Bar George is my favorite restaurant, Jaleo, run by celebrity chef Jose Andres. This Spanish spot makes the world’s greatest paella (my favorite is the black squid ink paella with shrimp) and serves the greatest Iberico ham shaved right off the hock tableside. It’s not infrequently that I will dine there by myself at the bar when I get an overwhelming craving for their food. Jaleo also offers a Chefs Tasting Menu that I highly recommend, with what seems like an endless number of flavorful courses. An optional wine pairing is offered alongside the Chef’s Tasting Menu that is very worthwhile, with an excellent selection of Spanish wines, such as Cava, Sherry and Albarino.
Les Vins de France
Whenever I visit Epcot, I usually park by the Boardwalk area and enter the park through the back entrance, directly into the Showcase of Nations. My first stop without fail is to France, and specifically to Les Vins de France. If you’ve never heard of it that’s because it’s a wine and Champagne bar tucked away inside of a gift shop. They serve a variety of Champagnes by the glass and flight, including Dom Perignon! If bubbles aren’t your thing, you can also enjoy a glass of Chateauneuf du Pape, Vouvray and other excellent French wines. There’s no better way to prepare yourself for a long day at Epcot than with a delicious glass of wine at 9:00am!
If you are a Disney Adult too, you are guaranteed to enjoy the special wine experiences I offer that will transport you to the magic. I offer a “Wines of Disney” event where I pour six wines that are connected to Disney in different ways – vineyards owned by Disney executives, celebrities who are Disney Legends, and even Disney family members! You can take enchantment even further with my Disney Food and Wine Pairing Dinner where I pour those Disney wines alongside dishes that are recreated from some of my favorite Disney restaurants. It will feel like you’ve been transported to the Happiest Place on Earth.
