Why Disney, WHY?! It’s Time to Bring Back This Iconic Behind-the-Scenes Disney World Event

If there’s one thing Disney fans can agree on – a good dining experience!

And there are just so many dining spots to be found around the parks and resorts. They’ve got everything from character dining, to buffets, quick service spots, and you can’t sleep on some of those snack carts either. There was this one dining experience that was just simply magical, and it was beloved, but we haven’t seen it at Disney World in ages. It was the kind of event that checked all the boxes, which begs the question why hasn’t Disney brought it back yet?

As we were alluding to, Dine with an Imagineer at Disney World was an absolutely magical experience, but it’s one that’s been MIA for quite some time now.

If you’re new to the concept, Dine with an Imagineer allowed small groups of guests to enjoy a meal with one of Disney’s creative geniuses. Imagineers shared behind-the-scenes stories, answered questions, and gave fans a glimpse into the magic of how Walt Disney World is built, piece by piece. Pair that with a delicious meal, and you had a fan-favorite experience that left guests raving.

And that’s what’s so confusing. It seemed to literally check off all the boxes, but when asked about it, Disney recently stated, “Unfortunately, we don’t have any information about the return of Dine with an Imagineer at Walt Disney World Resort.” Honestly, that’s just not the answer we wanted to hear.

A Fan-Favorite Experience

Thankfully, in the meantime, we can hear directly from those of you who’ve experienced the magic of Dine with an Imagineer. For example, our reader DarthBrazen rated the experience a 10 out of 10 stars, and shared, “My wife and I did this. The Imagineer was absolutely wonderful. She kept the discussion going with everyone at the table. She primarily focused on the history of building out Hollywood Studios, but she did it in such a way to include everyone in the discussion. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. It was definitely worth the time and money. If you are at least intrigued by what goes on in the background, this lunch is well worth it.”

DarthBrazen also highlighted some of the experience’s pros and cons:

• • Pros: “The food, the small group, and the time with the Imagineer.”
  • Cons: “None.”

Next, we’ve got another reader, Nodak Mouse Lover, who also rated the experience 10 out of 10 stars. They shared, “We had an amazing time! Food was delicious, companions were like-minded Disney fans! Our Imagineer had a great life story and it was so interesting to hear about all the different projects he has had the opportunity to be a contributor and leader! We are doing it again!!!”

Here are the pros and cons of the event from Nodak Mouse Lover:

• • Pros: “Everything! Food, company, fun.”
  • Cons: “We have no cons. Not a con, but they should still have a ‘gift.’ Not necessarily the plate, just something.”

Why Bring It Back?

As we all know, Disney World is known for creating experiences that connect guests to the magic in unforgettable ways. Dine with an Imagineer didn’t just scratch the surface of Disney storytelling – it went deep, showing fans the love, hard work, and artistry that makes the parks so special.

At a time when Disney fans are craving unique experiences, this would be the perfect opportunity to bring back this experience. The demand is clearly there. And it’s not just about the nostalgia. This was a truly one-of-a-kind experience that could inspire a new generation of Disney Imagineers.

I know Disney’s got a lot on it’s plate right now (pun intended), so we’ll have to wait and see if they’ll ever be bringing this one back to the table.

In the meantime, keep it right here at AllEars and we’l keep you updated on all the latest Disney news!

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Have you eaten experienced Dine with an Imagineer? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

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