On Mother’s Day during Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival (March 1–May 19, 2017), you can experience the Food Among the Flowers Brunch.This is an elaborate meal offering dozens of inventive and tantalizing choices—some may even include edible flower blossoms. Then, during Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival (dates are August 31–November 13, 2017, there are special wine tasting dinners and other special meals (see page 288 for more about the Festival). Finally, during the Christmas season, when all the familiar eateries are overflowing, there is often a holiday buffet at a special location. For all these meals, call 407-WDW-DINE for information and reservations, but walk-up diners are often welcome at the holiday buffet.

Holiday dinners at the resorts and selected theme park restaurants usually go unheralded, but you can be fairly certain that many resorts will have something happening on Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas week, and New Year’s Eve. Start by phoning your Disney resort. If you strike out at your resort, call around to the various deluxe resorts (holiday meals aren’t always listed with 407-WDW-DINE). Magic Kingdom and Epcot full-service restaurants are also good candidates. Call 407-WDW-DINE to ask about special meals at the theme parks.

Dining with a Disney Imagineer offers a close-up peek at the people who create Disney’s entertainment, attractions, parks, and resorts. These special meals are available most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at noon in the Bamboo Room at Hollywood Brown Derby ($73.49/$41.54/child) or on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm at Citricos ($89–$119/person). Each experience features intimate conversations with an Imagineer. Guests are served a special four-course meal while they learn about “their” Imagineer’s work. Each guest may purchase a souvenir plate that may be autographed. This experience is recommended for ages 14 and up, but there is no age restriction. Available for groups of 2–10 guests, and groups may be combined. Reserve up to 180 days in advance at 407-WDW-DINE—note that prepayment is required and you must cancel at least 48 hours in advance to get your money back.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party is a delicious way to view the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks, from a reserved standing area. An elaborate buffet of dessert items (such as chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate mousse, character-themed cupcakes) and non-alcoholic beverages is served, starting about an hour before the fireworks, on select nights. For more information, see page 282.

Looking for the Fantasmic! Meal Package? See page 243.