This Disney Springs Restaurant Just Announced a Zero-Proof Pairing Dinner—And It's Happening NEXT MONTH
If you thought Disney Springs dining couldn’t get any more interesting, think again. Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante just dropped news that its popular alcohol-free pairing event is making a comeback—and tickets are already going fast.
According to AllEars.Net, the restaurant announced on December 16, 2025, that the Aplós Pairing Event will return on Friday, January 9th, 2026, at 7 PM. This isn’t your typical Disney dining experience—it’s a “Functional Friday Dinner” that pairs Italian cuisine with botanical, zero-proof cocktails designed to do more than just taste good.
What Makes This Event Different
The Aplós Pairing Event stands out in Disney’s dining landscape because it completely removes alcohol from the equation while still delivering an upscale, sophisticated dining experience. Executive Chef Ben Dodaro teamed up with Aplós Liquid Creative Director Lynnette Marrero to craft a menu that features grilled shrimp and house-made pasta alongside carefully designed zero-proof cocktails made with functional botanical ingredients.
In a theme park world where most special dining events center around wine pairings or craft cocktails, this alcohol-free approach is refreshingly different. The focus shifts entirely to the food, the functional beverages, and the overall experience—not the buzz.
The Timing Is Strategic
The January 9th date isn’t random. This event falls right in the middle of Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, one of the busiest runDisney weekends of the year. Thousands of runners descend on Disney World for races ranging from a 5K to a full marathon, and many of them are looking for nutritious, thoughtful dining options that won’t derail their race prep or recovery.
But the event isn’t just for runners. Non-participants looking for a refined dining experience without alcohol will find this pairing dinner equally appealing. It’s an opportunity to explore how functional botanicals can enhance both flavor and wellness—something that’s becoming increasingly popular in the culinary world.
Why We Think This Matters
Disney Springs has been evolving its dining scene beyond the typical theme park fare, and events like this show that evolution in action. Maria & Enzo’s already offers one of the more authentic Italian dining experiences at Disney World, housed in a beautifully themed space that channels the golden age of air travel. Adding specialized dining events that cater to specific audiences—whether that’s health-conscious guests, sober-curious diners, or marathon runners—demonstrates a willingness to meet guests where they are.
The $75 per person price point (plus tax and gratuity) positions this as a premium experience, but one that’s still accessible compared to some of Disney’s signature dining options. For context, that’s less than many prix fixe menus at Disney’s high-end restaurants, yet it offers a unique, curated experience you won’t find anywhere else on property.
The Catch: Limited Availability
According to the announcement, organizers are warning that tickets are limited and encouraging interested guests to purchase quickly through the restaurant’s ticketing platform. Based on how previous specialty dining events have sold out at Disney Springs restaurants, waiting too long could mean missing out entirely.
Our Take
We love seeing Disney Springs restaurants take risks with specialized events like this. The zero-proof pairing concept taps into growing trends around mindful drinking, functional wellness, and experiential dining—all wrapped up in the Italian elegance that Maria & Enzo’s does so well.
For runDisney participants, this is the kind of thoughtful dining option that recognizes not everyone wants a heavy meal or alcohol during race weekend. For everyone else, it’s a chance to experience something genuinely different at Disney World—a place that sometimes gets criticized for playing it safe with dining.
Whether you’re running the marathon, supporting someone who is, or just want to try something new at Disney Springs, this January event might be worth grabbing tickets for before they’re gone.
Source: AllEars.Net