bad dinning experiences

[Tigger031266]

I was at SSR and went to artist pallet for breakfast on Sunday Morning. The line had at least 25 people in it. The line went through the store and down the hallway and was not moving. I am trying to pay $8 for a waffle (x4=$35) that cost Disney 25 cents and they won't even take my money. We left and drove to McDonalds. McDonalds had double the staff, half the customers and half the prices. Went there the next two days as well. My kids hate Disney food because it takes forever....

We also ate at Cape Mays last night. They got rid of Brocholini (permanently). I will miss that stuff. We get asparagus instead...... No DVC discount, no AP discount...

Ate at Sci Fi yesterday. Small portions and food was just ok.

Not sure if it is the recession or the Disney Dinning (they know they have you) but just seems like Disney is cutting back too much. We are going outside of Disney more and more to get service and better food.

[Alexander]

AP definately needs to expand or find a different way for people to order and get their food. The current system which has been in place since only the Springs was open needs to expand as the rest of the resort has. The resort is far too large for one tiny, inefficient food area.

There are times when there is no-one there, but that is only at the non-peak eating times. Don't get me wrong, we have been very happy with food there, it is just the process of getting your food that needs revamping.

[tomandrobin]

Dinning is seriously declining throughout all of WDW.

For example, last week went to Pinocchio's Haus for lunch and ordered Figoro Fries. Well, the name is the same but the fries only come with cheese and bacon bits. They removed all of the other ingredients to save costs.

[tomandrobin]

AP definately needs to expand or find a different way for people to order and get their food. The current system which has been in place since only the Springs was open needs to expand as the rest of the resort has. The resort is far too large for one tiny, inefficient food area.

There are times when there is no-one there, but that is only at the non-peak eating times. Don't get me wrong, we have been very happy with food there, it is just the process of getting your food that needs revamping.

Aviod the 8:30-9:30am breakfast crowds!

The AP has always been awkward for serving everyone. There is not any space for them to expand into with major reconstruction. There is a small, unused space off the back of the store, if you follow the hallway in the rear of the store. But that is all.

[Chellymouse]

We didn't have any problems at AP but we were eating breakfast at 7:30am-8am so it wasn't bad. My BFF slept in one morning and went around 10am and said it took nearly an hour to get food. We haven't done anything other than breakfast, but it certainly is a small area for such a large resort. Perhaps they were thinking more people would be utilizing their villa kitchens? :rolleyes1

[permavac]

You want bad service? Go to San Angel Inn. Our waiter told me I couldn't get the sauce to my fish not spicy (which was a lie). He told me to put ketchup on a $22 piece of Mahi Mahi instead and was pretty rude and uninterested in us overall. :confused3 Never spending money there again... Hope my two cents wasn't too off topic.

[hakepb]

Expecting to pay Disney a reasonable amount for food, especially in comparison to McDonalds, is laughable!
Expecting Disney to provide reasonable food waits and friendly service is not.

AP has serious capacity / design issues. SSR resort TV mentions avoiding AP in the peak AM hours. Knowing the limitations, I'd only ever plan on using AP 1x per trip max.
The only real solution would be building more restaurant capacity. I've read a rumor that the sales center was once planned to be a much needed food court.
AP's problem is really amplified by no TS breakfast at the Turf Club. SSR really, really needs a breakfast buffet (A character buffet would really enhance the amount of Disney Magic IMHO)

[TDC Nala]

Oh please no more characters - but TS breakfast would work there.

[Nanax3]

It seems to me that the quality of the food and the service has declined at a lot of the restaurants since the dining plan started.

Also, at SSR if they had room service it would be nice it would at least allow some other option other than those horrible lines. Then after you finally get your food there isn't anywhere to sit.

[CraftyMouse]

You want bad service? Go to San Angel Inn. Our waiter told me I couldn't get the sauce to my fish not spicy (which was a lie). He told me to put ketchup on a $22 piece of Mahi Mahi instead and was pretty rude and uninterested in us overall. :confused3 Never spending money there again... Hope my two cents wasn't too off topic.

That's interesting. San Angel is one of our favorites in all of WDW and we've always had stellar service there. It sounds like you got a bad waiter, but I wouldn't write the whole place off because of it.

[CraftyMouse]

Oh please no more characters - but TS breakfast would work there.

And while we're at it, let's get the Princesses out of Norway! Bring back Akershus as it used to be. I loved that place!

[ADP]

Aviod the 8:30-9:30am breakfast crowds!

Not only do we have to tour parks at certain times, fight for ADRs...now we need to dine at CS locations at certain times? :confused: :upsidedow I'm sure Disney knows the crowd situation is bad, but more is needed. I don't think adding a second counter service option at SSR is out of the question considering the number of units the resort houses. Adding the Treehouse Villas certainly will not help the crowd situation at AP. OKW certainly could use something as well. Having a walk-up, counter service, poolside snack place doesn't cut it at such a huge resort in my opinion.

Wait until Kidani Village is open. The Mara will have lines out the door at breakfast.

[justjudy]

And while we're at it, let's get the Princesses out of Norway! Bring back Akershus as it used to be. I loved that place!

Yes! Thank you! I thought DH and I were the only ones to feel that way!

[Tigger031266]

I thought I was the only one that noticed the decline in meal service and quality. Just ordered some Chicken fingers and they have no bbq sauce anywhere.

I really think it is the dinning plan. They know they have you once you sign up for it. As DVCers we have the ability to go food shoping and eat in our rooms. Something I will do next time. I can buy my own box of waffles for $3 and it will be ready in 3 min.

Overall though except food the cast members have been wonderful. A plumming guy spent 15 min yacking with us, a lifeguard spent 20 min.... They must be taught to make connections with people. Disney knows how to do this, I just hope it does not spread from the restaurants to the hotels and parks.

[granmanh603]

I thought I was the only one that noticed the decline in meal service and quality. Just ordered some Chicken fingers and they have no bbq sauce anywhere.

I really think it is the dinning plan. They know they have you once you sign up for it. As DVCers we have the ability to go food shoping and eat in our rooms. Something I will do next time. I can buy my own box of waffles for $3 and it will be ready in 3 min.

Overall though except food the cast members have been wonderful. A plumming guy spent 15 min yacking with us, a lifeguard spent 20 min.... They must be taught to make connections with people. Disney knows how to do this, I just hope it does not spread from the restaurants to the hotels and parks.

I thought it was just us too. We were just there and the food was dissapointing. At Caseys I swear the hot dogs and rolls(lets not even go to those tasteless crumbly rolls they have now everywhere) were smaller...you know they come in a foil pouch and my husband had to ask him if there was a hot dog in there it was so small.....yet the prices increase. We went to Columbia House and they used to have soup and 1/2 sandwich....no more and the sandwich selection was awful a Hummus sandwich?????? Just seemed less choices in each CS and higher prices....and the food quality seems to be going down hill, taste less.
Another thing allittle off topic...but we spent alot of time at Mexico CS area ( drinking Margarita/beer and it was never clean. Oh and Margaritas went up from 8.50 to 8.99 during our trip.

[hakepb]

Not only do we have to tour parks at certain times, fight for ADRs...now we need to dine at CS locations at certain times? :confused: :upsidedow I'm sure Disney knows the crowd situation is bad, but more is needed. I don't think adding a second counter service option at SSR is out of the question considering the number of units the resort houses. Adding the Treehouse Villas certainly will not help the crowd situation at AP. OKW certainly could use something as well. Having a walk-up, counter service, poolside snack place doesn't cut it at such a huge resort in my opinion.

Wait until Kidani Village is open. The Mara will have lines out the door at breakfast.

Speaking of Mara. During one lunch a month ago, they had a pager ordering system. You gave your order to a CM who wrote out a slip. Paid at the cash register and were given a restaurant pager. (and left the food ordering area for your table) When your pager went off, your food was ready, so you went back into the counter area to pickup your food. Because of this ingenious system, there were very few people in the actual food area!

AP really, really, really needs that system!!!!!

[toocherie]

Speaking of Mara. During one lunch a month ago, they had a pager ordering system. You gave your order to a CM who wrote out a slip. Paid at the cash register and were given a restaurant pager. (and left the food ordering area for your table) When your pager went off, your food was ready, so you went back into the counter area to pickup your food. Because of this ingenious system, there were very few people in the actual food area!

AP really, really, really needs that system!!!!!


Ummm. AP DOES have that system (I was just there last week). We ate there a couple of times--one time it was too busy and I just decided rather than wait in line I would wait and eat at the park. Even with this system it seemed really chaotic. They should have the cash register at the end of the food ordering line. Having to go get drinks and desserts separately then go to another line is just ridiculous. Too many people crossing back and forth in a small area.

On another topic--I don't see why they don't utilize the existing facility of Turf Club to do breakfast--either a buffet--which should be fairly easy--or a limited menu would help so much. (And personally, I would prefer the menu.) It could be character or non-character--but would go far to enhance the offerings at the resort. It's already a fixed cost for them. They might as well use it and it would limit the burden on AP. Or open the pool bars and have limited offerings--maybe coffee and pastries. Having the entire resort converge at similar times is just too much on this small facility.

[toocherie]

I thought it was just us too. We were just there and the food was dissapointing. At Caseys I swear the hot dogs and rolls(lets not even go to those tasteless crumbly rolls they have now everywhere) were smaller...you know they come in a foil pouch and my husband had to ask him if there was a hot dog in there it was so small.....yet the prices increase. We went to Columbia House and they used to have soup and 1/2 sandwich....no more and the sandwich selection was awful a Hummus sandwich?????? Just seemed less choices in each CS and higher prices....and the food quality seems to be going down hill, taste less.
Another thing allittle off topic...but we spent alot of time at Mexico CS area ( drinking Margarita/beer and it was never clean. Oh and Margaritas went up from 8.50 to 8.99 during our trip.

The Margaritas in the Mexico area at Epcot were absolutely tasteless. Will go for the slushies in France from now on only . . . .

[np4gp]

Ok, so not a terrible dining experience - but thought it was worth mentioning. DH and I were pretty surprised actually. We were at MK the other day and I was DYING for some corn dog nuggets and fries from Casey's. Since I have no restraint, I have to have mayo on my fries...our mayo packets - VERY VERY SOUR!! We grabbed our food and walked down Main Street with it, towards the exit. Once I realized they were both sour, I stopped in Guest Services and notified someone. The gentleman was very nice and said he would call someone immediately and notify them. I guess I thought Disney was beyond something so silly as putting out sour mayo...at least I didn't eat it. YUCK

[granmanh603]

The Margaritas in the Mexico area at Epcot were absolutely tasteless. Will go for the slushies in France from now on only . . . .

Ok you've sold me, where at France do you get slushie....and what kind. I saw some at China too (5.99)and kinda was leary anydody have them....also I noticed that Mororoco had Daquris inside for like 5.99???

[dianeschlicht]

And while we're at it, let's get the Princesses out of Norway! Bring back Akershus as it used to be. I loved that place!

I'll second that idea!!! Akershus used to be our very favorite. It was true authentic Norwegian food, and we loved it! It's been years since I could enjoy that place!

[Deb & Bill]

Dinning is seriously declining throughout all of WDW. ....

I certainly hope so. All that noise.

And the food isn't that great either at some of the restaurants. But some are still pretty wonderful. The Eggs Benedict at Grand Floridian Cafe were very good. As was all the food at Le Cellier.

[toocherie]

Ok you've sold me, where at France do you get slushie....and what kind. I saw some at China too (5.99)and kinda was leary anydody have them....also I noticed that Mororoco had Daquris inside for like 5.99???

It's at a booth next to the lake (a permanent booth). There is a Grand Marnier slushie that is orange (and delish!) and a Citron lemonade one--I haven't tried the second type--but wanted to--just didn't make it back. Next trip for sure!

[granmanh603]

It's at a booth next to the lake (a permanent booth). There is a Grand Marnier slushie that is orange (and delish!) and a Citron lemonade one--I haven't tried the second type--but wanted to--just didn't make it back. Next trip for sure!

Thanks, won't be back til March but will try that then. Sound good!!!!:drinking1

[bbluvsdis]

I would love to see SSR have a food court like the one at Caribbean Beach resort. It is great with lots of choices. SSR is probably as big and needs more choices. We would eat there a lot more if they did!

[doconeill]

We didn't have issues with AP last year, but we never tried for breakfast...lunch/dinner seemed fine. However the layout is atrocious. It's more like a food counter at a gas station/quickymart than a proper counter service. Even when it wasn't crowded, it would have been remarkably easy to simply walk out with my food, unnoticed and unpaid.

It would probably be worse if it was more centrally located - I've got to think some at outlying locations probably don't bother.

Perhaps one of the other buildings might better accomodate a counter service?

As for the complaint about Cape May, this was because they got rid of Broccolini, or because of the lack of a discount? As for the latter, there are LOTS of places that don't offer a DVC or AP discount. But, as an AP holder, you CAN get the TIW card - which gets you discounts at far more table service locations, and often a better discount (20%) than either of the others (often 10%), and fewer limitations (DVC/AP are sometimes limited to certain meals).

[permavac]

That's interesting. San Angel is one of our favorites in all of WDW and we've always had stellar service there. It sounds like you got a bad waiter, but I wouldn't write the whole place off because of it.


I hear ya. I'm not usually one to fault an organization for one bad experience either but I complained to the manager - that's how I found out I could get the sauce not spicy. The manager blamed me - he said I should have asked for it "sooner" (which I had). Long story short - it was my husband's birthday meal, we had a terrible experience, the waiter and the manager treated us poorly so we just have an overall rotten feeling about the place. I understand that's not everyone's experience, but this one I just can't get over. Glad other people have been luckier.

[eporter66]

We had a bad dining experience at Olivia's (OKW) for dinner on our last vacation (10/18 - 10/24). I still think the lunch is ok, but I doubt I will ever go back to Olivia's for dinner.

We have been getting 1 or 2 bedrooms, and honestly - we almost always eat breakfast in the room, the only exception is we have booked a character breakfast for 1 day on our last few trips. Depending on our touring plans, we might pick up something small (pretzel etc..) in the park if we stay all day. If we go back to the resort for a swim, we usually have hot dogs, chicken nuggets, PB&J's or a frozen pizza to whip up in the room. We usually have dinner out, but on this last trip we did eat in one evening (and it was fine).

It is a great way to save a little money, save time waiting around. I hope what everyone is saying is not true, but it would be a shame if they let their food service slide.

[bonybroad]

I was just at SSR this weekend, and the line for AP was ridiculous. We didn't even try to eat there. When I saw the little note on TV NOT to eat there at certain times, I had to laugh.
YOU KNOW there is a problem, and you aren't going to fix it?
Duh,this one is a no-brainer for Disney. There is PLENTY of room at the resort for another food place.
I can't spend money waiting in line. Or at a bus stop. Or when I order groceries. Or when I go offsite to eat because I am starving.

[eporter66]

Ok you've sold me, where at France do you get slushie....and what kind. I saw some at China too (5.99)and kinda was leary anydody have them....also I noticed that Mororoco had Daquris inside for like 5.99???

During the F&W Fest there was a booth setup outside the France area that sold the slushies. My wife saw Samatha Brown on Travel Chanel rave about them and she bought one. It tasted like the old St. Josephs chewable baby aspirin to me (a flavor I like - not a slam). I started laughing and told her what I thought, and she agreed. Regardless, we drank it down quickly. A nice refreshing drink.

[disneynutz]

It's at a booth next to the lake (a permanent booth). There is a Grand Marnier slushie that is orange (and delish!) and a Citron lemonade one--I haven't tried the second type--but wanted to--just didn't make it back. Next trip for sure!

Just had a couple yesterday. Price is now $9 each. Weren't they cheaper b4?

[Lynn5700]

Hmm I love disney food LOL.

I did not have a problem at AP..but we went at like 7PM so that may be why. I know the mornings are always busy at any CS though.

I guess we are just lucky cause we always have great service.

Sorry OP.

[Entropy]

It's at a booth next to the lake (a permanent booth). There is a Grand Marnier slushie that is orange (and delish!) and a Citron lemonade one--I haven't tried the second type--but wanted to--just didn't make it back. Next trip for sure!

I know that place. You can get a Kir Royale there also. It's the only time that I've seen one outside of the real Paris.

[doconeill]

Just had a couple yesterday. Price is now $9 each. Weren't they cheaper b4?

I think they were a buck cheaper last year...

FYI, the citrus-flavored one is made with Grey Goose vodka.

They are at a permanent booth in France, to the right of the pathway towards UK/IG - it is not just there for F&W.

[BostonDisneyKid]

On the sub topic here...

Originally Posted by toocherie
It's at a booth next to the lake (a permanent booth). There is a Grand Marnier slushie that is orange (and delish!) and a Citron lemonade one--I haven't tried the second type--but wanted to--just didn't make it back. Next trip for sure!


Gran Marnier Slushies are a must, every trip!

[LisaS]

We went to Columbia House and they used to have soup and 1/2 sandwich....no more and the sandwich selection was awful a Hummus sandwich??????The soup and 1/2 sandwich option was eliminated several months ago. That really upset my DH because his favorite CS meal in all of WDW was a cup of veggie chili and 1/2 of a Lighthouse (hummus) sandwich. It takes a lot to upset him, but that did and he even fired off an email to someone at WDW to urge them to bring that option back. In the meantime, we get one Lighthouse sandwich and a bowl of chili and split it between us.

I can't tell if you tried that sandwich and didn't like it or just didn't like the sound of it. It does sound strange: hummus, broccoli slaw and tomato on hearty bread (used to be olive bread but they changed it a while back). If you have not tried it, DON'T!!! It will only make you miserable when you have to wait months to get back to WDW to have another one. When making our dining plans for a future trip the first thing I do is figure out which day we'll be going to CHH so I can get my Lighthouse sandwich fix. It is one of my favorite meals at WDW. I get cravings for it between visits. I have one right now thanks to your post!

[DisFlan]

Just had a couple yesterday. Price is now $9 each. Weren't they cheaper b4?

Yup, they used to be $8 (and I think they may have started at $7). But, wow, they're sure good.

Dining has been sliding for quite awhile. The dining plan has been around forever, but it wasn't pushed as much as in the last few years (we used it way back in the early '90s and many years after that). So the DP itself isn't the main reason for the decline. Dining started to slide noticeably when free dining entered the picture - and its associated cutbacks in menus, tips, offerings, appetizers etc. The advantage of the original, paid-for DP itself has been pretty much gutted. The current CM cutbacks because of the economy aren't helping, either - service and quality goes downhill.

We no longer buy the DP. If you have an AP, the Tables in Wonderland (DDE) card is probably a better deal. It is for us. We can order exactly what we want - at a discount. (I'm one of those "salad/appy, wine and dessert" people.)

DisFlan

[granmanh603]

The soup and 1/2 sandwich option was eliminated several months ago. That really upset my DH because his favorite CS meal in all of WDW was a cup of veggie chili and 1/2 of a Lighthouse (hummus) sandwich. It takes a lot to upset him, but that did and he even fired off an email to someone at WDW to urge them to bring that option back. In the meantime, we get one Lighthouse sandwich and a bowl of chili and split it between us.

I can't tell if you tried that sandwich and didn't like it or just didn't like the sound of it. It does sound strange: hummus, broccoli slaw and tomato on hearty bread (used to be olive bread but they changed it a while back). If you have not tried it, DON'T!!! It will only make you miserable when you have to wait months to get back to WDW to have another one. When making our dining plans for a future trip the first thing I do is figure out which day we'll be going to CHH so I can get my Lighthouse sandwich fix. It is one of my favorite meals at WDW. I get cravings for it between visits. I have one right now thanks to your post!

Sorry I didn't mean to insult anyones taste, I did not try, I was just picturing that hummus dip, isn't it like mashed up beans??? but maybe I will try...still they took away some other choices of sandwiches because I know what I used to get with it was gone and I had to get chicken fingers, they were ok but I have to admit I didn't feel too well later in the day. I also think they changed the salad I used to get there....I guess I just don't like change and I really didn't find any of the changes for the better....and sorry again about the hummus thing. Carol:goodvibes

[LisaS]

Sorry I didn't mean to insult anyones taste, I did not try, I was just picturing that hummus dip, isn't it like mashed up beans??? but maybe I will try...still they took away some other choices of sandwiches because I know what I used to get with it was gone and I had to get chicken fingers, they were ok but I have to admit I didn't feel too well later in the day. I also think they changed the salad I used to get there....I guess I just don't like change and I really didn't find any of the changes for the better....and sorry again about the hummus thing. Carol:goodvibesNo need to apologize! I mainly wanted to confirm that they hadn't messed with my favorite sandwich. I don't know what I'll do if they either ruin it by trying to "improve" it or take it off the menu.

They have made several changes to the menu at CHH, including eliminating at least one popular sandwich (can't remember which one but I read several complaints on the Restaurant board when someone first posted about the menu changes). CHH offers some unique menu items so I really wish they wouldn't make these kinds of changes.

[princessvacg]

The soup and 1/2 sandwich option was eliminated several months ago. That really upset my DH because his favorite CS meal in all of WDW was a cup of veggie chili and 1/2 of a Lighthouse (hummus) sandwich. It takes a lot to upset him, but that did and he even fired off an email to someone at WDW to urge them to bring that option back. In the meantime, we get one Lighthouse sandwich and a bowl of chili and split it between us.

I can't tell if you tried that sandwich and didn't like it or just didn't like the sound of it. It does sound strange: hummus, broccoli slaw and tomato on hearty bread (used to be olive bread but they changed it a while back). If you have not tried it, DON'T!!! It will only make you miserable when you have to wait months to get back to WDW to have another one. When making our dining plans for a future trip the first thing I do is figure out which day we'll be going to CHH so I can get my Lighthouse sandwich fix. It is one of my favorite meals at WDW. I get cravings for it between visits. I have one right now thanks to your post!

I so agree with you!! I get the meal plan every year, eat at all of the great places and my favorite meal is at this counter service restuarant! my family had to hear about it for the the first 7 days of our trip. We did not eat there until day 8! Now I have to wait until July to eat there again! They have the best Tuna Salad Sandwich in the world. I also love the hummus sandwich and of course the veggie chili is fantastic. Now I am hungry!!

[JoEllen]

The poor quality of dining is why we are eating dinners off site next week for our trip. We have plans to eat at Bahama Breeze, Macaroni Grill, Bonefish and Carrabbas. We only have one ADR and that's for Rose & Crown in hopes to view Illuminations.
Disney needs to step up their quality again!

[Uncleromulus]

Actually dining at the Signature restaurants is probably as good as it ever was--.
As for SSR. There were a few (very few)of us who, when they opened, pointed out at that time that AP wasn't going to cut it and a full service restaurant was needed. They in fact HAD one (Seasons) at the old Disney Institute.
But no.We were blown right out of the water by an avalanche of response that no one really wanted a full service spot when DD was just a stones throw away.
And look what happened. They opened Turf Club, rather poorly designed because it wasn't really planned for. And now a clamor for faster breakfast service at an overcrowded AP.

[CraftyMouse]

Sorry I didn't mean to insult anyones taste, I did not try, I was just picturing that hummus dip, isn't it like mashed up beans??? but maybe I will try...still they took away some other choices of sandwiches because I know what I used to get with it was gone and I had to get chicken fingers, they were ok but I have to admit I didn't feel too well later in the day. I also think they changed the salad I used to get there....I guess I just don't like change and I really didn't find any of the changes for the better....and sorry again about the hummus thing. Carol:goodvibes

It's actually mashed up chick peas. I haven't tried the sandwich at the CHH, but hummus is delicious! Definitely give it a try.

[shellybaxter]

I certainly hope so. All that noise.

.


Why must we make fun of people who don't spell well? There are legitimate learning disabilities that make spelling difficult. I never liked it when kids made fun of the special ed students in school either