Food Disappointment BIG Time...

[jdb in AZ]

Did anyone reorder something else

One night on the Wonder our waiter saw that I wasn't eating (some sort of seafood pasta that sounded much better on the menu than the way it tasted.) He offered to bring me something different. I wasn't hungry enough to press the issue, but he was concerned enough to offer.

 

[bakerworld]

did anyone find that after the dinner seating the food was a scare commodity?? Maybe we were looking in the wrong areas because the only thing we could find after like 9PM was the beverage station. If you slept thru dinner (guilty!!) it was like they had you on a diet. I was so hungry when I got off that ship - and no, I am not as big as a ship (size 12 @ 5ft 1in).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

did anyone find that after the dinner seating the food was a scare commodity?? Maybe we were looking in the wrong areas because the only thing we could find after like 9PM was the beverage station. If you slept thru dinner (guilty!!) it was like they had you on a diet. I was so hungry when I got off that ship - and no, I am not as big as a ship (size 12 @ 5ft 1in).

Room service is 24 hours.

 

[auntie]

did anyone find that after the dinner seating the food was a scare commodity?? Maybe we were looking in the wrong areas because the only thing we could find after like 9PM was the beverage station. If you slept thru dinner (guilty!!) it was like they had you on a diet. I was so hungry when I got off that ship - and no, I am not as big as a ship (size 12 @ 5ft 1in).

YES! I thought we were the only ones. This was our first cruise but we had heard so much about the food on cruises. Although, no one we knew had sailed with DCL. We were surprised at the limited availability..and selections.
Even upon our return when asked by friends regarding the food we had to admit it didn't appear to be nearly what was available on other lines.

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

Just got off the Wonder yesterday, and had a great time. Staff was amazing, the ship was gorgeous, and we are already looking forward to a future cruise. But with who...? Because we love good food and frankly, we didn't have much--hubby loved his lamb dish at Palo, and we both enjoyed brunch there, mostly eating the buffet items, but that's it.

I swear I am not as picky as this sounds, but I didn't have one single meal that I fully enjoyed on the ship. Bland, overcooked, lukewarm, over-salted, tasted like frozen food or school lunches. Even Palo overcooked my shrimp and steak (and the waiter failed to bring an entire course we had ordered, which only contributed to my disappointment).

Is this normal? What was your experience? I would love some perspective, because this is actually one of the sticking points in deciding if we want to cruise with Disney again or try another line. We love our Disney vacations for the decor, theming, and service; and we have read about people actually liking the food on Disney, so I had to wonder if somehow we got a bad kitchen experience on this cruise? Or if our idea of good food is vastly different from the reviewers we have read. For instance Red Lobster is NOT "good food" in our book, but we would eat there and find a thing or two that would satisfy. If our cruise on the Wonder were a restaurant, we would never go back.

So question for y'all who have cruised Disney before: tell me of your food experiences, good and bad. And for reference, what kinds of foods do you enjoy eating at home? For instance, if you regularly eat at McDonald's and Long John Silvers, and if you use that as a basis for comparison for "good food" then I have an idea of your personal 1-to-10 scale, know what I mean? It is not my intention to judge anyone's food choices and I hope that this thread will stay on topic without any personal barbs. I just want to gauge why I read so many good reviews of Disney food when my one experience was SO BAD--is this an isolated incident, or is it a case of taste/preference/perspective?

Reference-wise: Love to eat, hate to waste calories on bad food. Haven't enjoyed McDonalds since they stopped frying the french fries in animal fat, hate Olive Garden, can tolerate Macaroni Grill (does that translate to the west coast?), and for dinner tonight I made shrimp in poblano cream (with linguine). It was delicious.

And....got off the Magic a week ago tomorrow (sigh). It was our third DCL trip (always on the Magic, three years apart) and we had a wonderful time, but I have to say, the food was a bit of a disappointment. Palo, wonderful, Goofy's Galley for fruit and tortilla wrap sandwiches, yum, otherwise, meh. Although the menus have not changed drastically, they have made some modifications. I was happy to see the additions, but was disappointed when I ordered (for example, the turkey on the Prince and Princesses menu, the turkey was OK, but the stuffing was mush. The red snapper on the Til we Meet Again menu, too salty, and the sauce was more a broth and could have used alot more veggies).

All that said, I still gained weight (although only 3 pounds), and I am pretty sure we don't pick DCL solely for the food.

 

[vakamalua]

All that said, I still gained weight (although only 3 pounds), and I am pretty sure we don't pick DCL solely for the food.

NO ONE sails DCL for the food!

 

[Clotho]

NO ONE sails DCL for the food!

LOL! Well, to be clear, we didn't choose DCL for the food either. As I said, we choose Disney because we want that amazing service and "magic". But I did a lot of research on the food front, reading a lot of threads with photos and descriptions and reviews of the food, and I tried to order the things that I had heard the best feedback on. So I felt like I was heeding the advice of a lot of experienced cruisers who very much enjoyed those dishes. That was why I was wondering if I was losing my mind or if the food really was bad and that those reviews I got were flukes, or other ships with better chefs or what! So far it seems a combination of differing palates, AND that the Wonder is kind of the lowest on the scale among Disney cruises, AND that the overall quality has gone down in recent years and maybe some of the information I was getting was somewhat outdated.

I don't go on any vacation just for the food, but I'd be lying if I said that good, indulgent meals in beautiful and/or interesting surroundings wasn't part of the joy of a vacation. I got the beautiful and interesting surroundings at least!

 

[dlhvac]

LOL! Well, to be clear, we didn't choose DCL for the food either. As I said, we choose Disney because we want that amazing service and "magic". But I did a lot of research on the food front, reading a lot of threads with photos and descriptions and reviews of the food, and I tried to order the things that I had heard the best feedback on. So I felt like I was heeding the advice of a lot of experienced cruisers who very much enjoyed those dishes. That was why I was wondering if I was losing my mind or if the food really was bad and that those reviews I got were flukes or other ships with better chefs or what!

I don't go on any vacation just for the food, but I'd be lying if I said that good, indulgent meals in beautiful and/or interesting surroundings wasn't part of the joy of a vacation. I got the beautiful and interesting surroundings at least!

Well I've never had a bad meal in 6 cruises at palo or reny which was over the top but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen if the food isn't to your liking send it back or if you think you want to try something order a backup because upon returning to the US the leftover unused food is thrown into dumpsters at the port

 

[Itinkso]

LOL! Well, to be clear, we didn't choose DCL for the food either. As I said, we choose Disney because we want that amazing service and "magic". But I did a lot of research on the food front, reading a lot of threads with photos and descriptions and reviews of the food, and I tried to order the things that I had heard the best feedback on. So I felt like I was heeding the advice of a lot of experienced cruisers who very much enjoyed those dishes. That was why I was wondering if I was losing my mind or if the food really was bad and that those reviews I got were flukes, or other ships with better chefs or what! So far it seems a combination of differing palates, AND that the Wonder is kind of the lowest on the scale among Disney cruises, AND that the overall quality has gone down in recent years and maybe some of the information I was getting was somewhat outdated.

I don't go on any vacation just for the food, but I'd be lying if I said that good, indulgent meals in beautiful and/or interesting surroundings wasn't part of the joy of a vacation. I got the beautiful and interesting surroundings at least!

Just curious, when at WDW, where do you go for "good food?" I see you like Boardwalk and Polynesian - do you eat at all Signature venues?

 

[Clotho]

Just curious, when at WDW, where do you go for "good food?" I see you like Boardwalk and Polynesian - do you eat at all Signature venues?

Not all signature, no, but we do enjoy quite a few on any given trip. We really loved Yachstman's, hubby loves Le Cellier, had a great birthday dinner at Narcoossee's, and Le Chefs de France is wonderful. By contrast, Coral Reef delivered two bad meals and slow service and we no interest in going back, and California Grill seemed a little lackluster (like were shrugging and thinking "meh" at all our options, but I would try it again since the menu changes often enough), so not all signature restaurants have delivered superior experiences. Our favorite is getting crab claws at Fulton's and we go there every single trip! And there are so many we still have yet to try--something we look forward to doing on each trip, trying some new cuisine in some new spots. We still have never gotten around to V&A. There's time.

For everyday eating, we find a lot of great food at Sunshine Seasons in The Land, we love the cheese plate in France, the delicious options in Morocco (as good or even better than some places we enjoy here at home), and I would give a lot to have a big old turkey leg more often. Picabu is our go-to late-night eating when we're at The Boardwalk.

And frankly, we both like the food at Hoop Dee Doo, which is totally mass-delivered catered food in buckets...but it's served hot and yummy!

If it is served hot (or cold) and fresh, we are pretty happy, honestly. This is why I was drawn to Goofy's Galley and their wraps and fruit on our cruise--they were the freshest and served at an ideal temperature. I also enjoyed our one lunch at Beach Blanket, mainly because so long as I have some cold cuts, cheese, and fruit, I have a happy lunch.

 

[sissy_ib]

Not all signature, no, but we do enjoy quite a few on any given trip. We really loved Yachstman's, hubby loves Le Cellier, had a great birthday dinner at Narcoossee's, and Le Chefs de France is wonderful. By contrast, Coral Reef delivered two bad meals and slow service and we no interest in going back, and California Grill seemed a little lackluster (like were shrugging and thinking "meh" at all our options, but I would try it again since the menu changes often enough), so not all signature restaurants have delivered superior experiences. Our favorite is getting crab claws at Fulton's and we go there every single trip! And there are so many we still have yet to try--something we look forward to doing on each trip, trying some new cuisine in some new spots. We still have never gotten around to V&A. There's time.

For everyday eating, we find a lot of great food at Sunshine Seasons in The Land, we love the cheese plate in France, the delicious options in Morocco (as good or even better than some places we enjoy here at home), and I would give a lot to have a big old turkey leg more often. Picabu is our go-to late-night eating when we're at The Boardwalk.

And frankly, we both like the food at Hoop Dee Doo, which is totally mass-delivered catered food in buckets...but it's served hot and yummy!

If it is served hot (or cold) and fresh, we are pretty happy, honestly. This is why I was drawn to Goofy's Galley and their wraps and fruit on our cruise--they were the freshest and served at an ideal temperature. I also enjoyed our one lunch at Beach Blanket, mainly because so long as I have some cold cuts, cheese, and fruit, I have a happy lunch.

We are almost the opposite. Le Cellier was pretty good, Fultions was terrible, not fresh and not good sea food as far as we are concrend and we love sea food, and the food in Morocco is an insult to Mediterranean food. Le Chefs de France is pretty good Americanized French food and I would never pick up a turkey leg. Victoria and Albert's was one of the best meals we have ever had and would not miss it. Of course we would not expect that on DCL. As I understand it most people go to California Grill for the fireworks and not the food. For that reason I would not go there. I pick my hotel rooms by the view, not my restaurants.

As others have said, no one goes on a cruise for the food. In fact, no one goes to Disney for the food. Cinderella's Table is one of the hardest to get reservations at WDW and has some of the worst food. People who love Disney go there for much more than food.

 

[Itinkso]

Not all signature, no, but we do enjoy quite a few on any given trip. We really loved Yachstman's, hubby loves Le Cellier, had a great birthday dinner at Narcoossee's, and Le Chefs de France is wonderful. By contrast, Coral Reef delivered two bad meals and slow service and we no interest in going back, and California Grill seemed a little lackluster (like were shrugging and thinking "meh" at all our options, but I would try it again since the menu changes often enough), so not all signature restaurants have delivered superior experiences. Our favorite is getting crab claws at Fulton's and we go there every single trip! And there are so many we still have yet to try--something we look forward to doing on each trip, trying some new cuisine in some new spots. We still have never gotten around to V&A. There's time.

For everyday eating, we find a lot of great food at Sunshine Seasons in The Land, we love the cheese plate in France, the delicious options in Morocco (as good or even better than some places we enjoy here at home), and I would give a lot to have a big old turkey leg more often. Picabu is our go-to late-night eating when we're at The Boardwalk.

And frankly, we both like the food at Hoop Dee Doo, which is totally mass-delivered catered food in buckets...but it's served hot and yummy!

If it is served hot (or cold) and fresh, we are pretty happy, honestly. This is why I was drawn to Goofy's Galley and their wraps and fruit on our cruise--they were the freshest and served at an ideal temperature. I also enjoyed our one lunch at Beach Blanket, mainly because so long as I have some cold cuts, cheese, and fruit, I have a happy lunch.

Thanks! We practically raised our daughters at Disneyland and I researched like crazy before our first WDW trip and was very disappointed with Coral Reef and have never returned either. Other than that we have always had good everyday meals and celebrate special occasions at bluezoo or Flying Fish. Thanks to "your" thread, DD and I will order wisely in the MDRs by carefully considering the recommended dishes!!

 

[Tinknalli]

Someone mentioned overcooked shrimp. Interesting fact we learned on the Fantasy galley tour is that all shrimp on the ship are pre cooked. They used to be cooked on the ship, but there was an incident on the Wonder where there was cross contamination between raw and cooked shrimp when someone reused a container that had not been washed. Many people were ill from it. The policy changed and now only pre cooked come on board.

 

[Ntrain]

I got off the Magic last Sunday. It was my 2nd cruise, first DCL trip. I was very hesitant going in a cruise again, not a big fan of them but I wanted to experience Disney and we had a good time. The attention, characters, kids activities everything was great. I had a lot of issues with the food, I'm a vegetarian so probably that had a lot to do with it. I know how cruise food is so I was very open minded about it. It was more of a miss for me. I just don't remember having that many issues on my first cruise.

In my family I'm the vegetarian and DH and DS eat meat. When I cook is kind of a restaurant I cook a main dish then I do the extras like meat or my vegetarian side. DH and DS eat at McDonald's, once in a while we go to a chain rest but living in NYC you have so many options. We are very easy to please so I do not think it had to do with me being very difficult.

Dinner time there was only five options and out of those five I believe two were entrees. Most of the time everything was salty. Desserts were great. The mom from the other family that was dining with us she was also vegetarian she had some food allergies and her food was prepared differently before dinner, she will order the day before from the menu. Lunch was hard, the buffet was very limited and sometimes there was nothing for me to eat especially the steakhouse and seafood days. Sometimes there was just salad, fruit and some cheeses but after 2 days it gets boring and that is not the only type of food I eat. Goofy's alley was not bad. Pluto's house had a veggie burger and I do eat veggie burgers at fast food restaurants but this one I could not eat it. Tried Lumiere at lunch time and there were times with no options to eat. And if you would ask for a minor change to the plate it was impossible to get it. After that one I gave up on sit down lunch. The other mom at our table told me that she had the same issue at lunchtime. My husband felt the food was good overall, he felt lunchtime was not that great. He only had one issue once,but nothing else. Our servers were great, especially the asst server. They were so accommodating and they were nice to the kids. We had brunch at Palo, it was ok. There was issue with the hot dishes they prepare I was advised of the ones I could eat but then they had some type of meat/fish. I liked here more the buffet, do not know why. My husband enjoyed it. Desserts were great. We had a reservation for dinner, decided to cancel it.

After all this we already booked another DCL trip for next year on August. DH wanted to go in the Fantasy but there was no way I was going on another 7/8 day cruise. I wanted to try another line. Anyways, we are going on the Dream then WDW so he is very excited about that. My parents are going too. Putting the food issue aside, we had a good time, especially DS and I think DCL for families is great.

 

[FJS961]

Victoria and Albert's was one of the best meals we have ever had and would not miss it. Of course we would not expect that on DCL.

But Alas! Remy is very much like Victoria and Albert. It is V&A at sea!

 

[sissy_ib]

But Alas! Remy is very much like Victoria and Albert. It is V&A at sea!

I have heard that. I was more referring to the MDRs. I also have not had the chance to cruise on the Dream or Fantasy yet. My next Disney vacation (after my November Magic cruise) will be a week or so at WDW with a short Dream cruise just to check out the ship.

 

[FJS961]

I have heard that. I was more referring to the MDRs. I also have not had the chance to cruise on the Dream or Fantasy yet. My next Disney vacation (after my November Magic cruise) will be a week or so at WDW with a short Dream cruise just to check out the ship.

I highly suggest you dine at Remy, you will NOT be disappointed. Palo is decent but perhaps a little over rated. Personally I like the brunch more than dinner. I't nice to have the adult dining atmosphere.

I have been known to bash the MDR's especially after Palo and REMY but I recently sailed again, lowered my expectations and wasn't too disappointed. The presentations were nice and my server did a very good job of steering me toward the better items and away from the flops.

 

[Clotho]

Thanks! We practically raised our daughters at Disneyland and I researched like crazy before our first WDW trip and was very disappointed with Coral Reef and have never returned either. Other than that we have always had good everyday meals and celebrate special occasions at bluezoo or Flying Fish. Thanks to "your" thread, DD and I will order wisely in the MDRs by carefully considering the recommended dishes!!

I am so glad the thread was helpful to you! I know I have learned a lot and will know better how to make the most of my dining experience with DCL in the future.

 

[jahber]

Our server was Ozen from Turkey. He has been with DCL many years from what he said. He was very polite and professional, always a smile. He was not the engaging type with the kids with magic tricks, puzzles or napkin hat making but he knew the food backward and forward.

I caution you that his asst server is apparently new, very clueless with a huge language barrier.

We had Ozen on the dream. He was very (very) concerned about my satisfaction with the food and very polite. We might have considered requesting him, but we sailed on the Fantasy this
time. And we looked up one day...and there he was! He came over and spoke to us--I was floored that he remembered us. BUT, service with him was super slow. I don't know if it was his fault, but we were only a table of 4. Dinner could take 2 hours, easy. And we had late seating.
This past week we had Orun and Bojanna. They were excellent (and never once mentioned the word excellent!) and very quick. We were typically in and out of dinner in an hour and 15 to an hour and a half. Perfect! Orun never commented on my half-uneaten meals (the food was not always the best) the way Ozen did, never offered to bring something else. But I didn't really care. I never went hungry!!! He also arranged for my husband, who is Indian, to have Indian food every night. There's a set menu for the week and Orun was always quick with extra rice, etc. My husband said he would also consider requesting him next time.
I hope that helps!

 

[su_A_ve]

Fav restaurant in WDW is Le Cellier. Comparing the Dream this past August to Le Cellier last December, many nights food was better. It's not Victoria & Albert...

Also, as a comparison, Cabanas buffet is 1000 times better than any breakfast or dinner buffet at WDW.