Just back. SO fun but DL food sucks!!

[kirstie101]

Oh wow I love the food at DL and DCA! Eating on the parks is one of my favorite parts of our vacation! Can't miss Plaza Inn, Hungry Bear, fortune cookie, Ariel's grotto....so many good places to choose from!

 

[DisneyIT]

Just got back on Monday. Luckily avoided the bad heat. Most noteable, even over WDW, is that DL food is so bad. There is very little variation between restaurants and its all very bland.

You are sooooo right, we have this issue a DL and try not to compare to WDW. We did find the Paradise Garden Grill had a Mediterranean kabob that was actually not bad, and the Jalepeno Cheese pretzels were good at one cart, but awful at another cart. It is very difficult to find decent food in the parks but DCA seems to be better than DL.

 

[mydisneymoney]

We had pretty mixed results at the Hungry Bear, enough so that it's not on our list for our next trip. Mostly the food was not very fresh (though when it was fresh, it was quite good). We are curious about the new menu (fried green tomato sandwich!), but are wary due to previous tepid meals.QUOTE]


I love the Fried Green Tomato sandwich. It is SUPER! I am not a fan of sweet potatoes but I did try the sweet potatoe fries and they were not bad but I would substitute the fries for onion rings IMO.

 

[ArchOwl]

DLR food can be hit or miss. Fortunately, there is a lot of good information on these boards that can help you find the gems. I actually think the DLR has come a long way in the past few years in terms of food. Back when I got my first AP (in the mid 2000s), there was hardly any variety at all. Now I can get decent salads and a lot more interesting food, as long as I know where to go.

It looks like the OP ran into a string of bad luck there with food choices. I probably would have steered them away from almost all of those places. Disney really should have a more consistent approach to food, but they are making changes to improve.

There are amazing food choices at the DLR (Napa Rose!) and there are some real duds. I hope the OP gives DL another shot. After all, I am sure it would be entirely possible to strike out at WDW if you weren't familiar with the food choices.

 

[figment_jii]

I agree that the OP had a run of bad luck. I like some of the food options at DLR.

To the OP, I'd check out the Disneyland Dining reviews thread (http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888) to see the range of food choices out there!

 

[sonnyjane]

It looks like the OP ran into a string of bad luck there with food choices. I probably would have steered them away from almost all of those places. Disney really should have a more consistent approach to food, but they are making changes to improve.

I think they need to work on making the quality consistent, but I know from reading on the boards over the last few years that while many of us, myself included, really like the new, interesting things they are working on, there are still many out there that don't like the new "avant garde" combinations at the restaurants or the veering from the traditional. Even though Hungry Bear offers yummy onion rings, sweet potato fries, and a zesty vegetable slaw, surely you remember reading the uproar about getting rid of the regular fries. And I have seen lots of posts over the last couple of years from people saying that their kids (older than toddler meal age) only eat chicken nuggets or plain mac and cheese, so there is surely a market for keeping some of that boring, bland food as not everyone has an adventurous palate, especially kids.

I think they need to work on improving their basics...the burgers, the pizza, etc. at the places that will retain those simple items, but I'm one of the people that really enjoys all of their new food offerings.

 

[ArchOwl]

I think they need to work on making the quality consistent, but I know from reading on the boards over the last few years that while many of us, myself included, really like the new, interesting things they are working on, there are still many out there that don't like the new "avant garde" combinations at the restaurants or the veering from the traditional. Even though Hungry Bear offers yummy onion rings, sweet potato fries, and a zesty vegetable slaw, surely you remember reading the uproar about getting rid of the regular fries. And I have seen lots of posts over the last couple of years from people saying that their kids (older than toddler meal age) only eat chicken nuggets or plain mac and cheese, so there is surely a market for keeping some of that boring, bland food as not everyone has an adventurous palate, especially kids.

I think they need to work on improving their basics...the burgers, the pizza, etc. at the places that will retain those simple items, but I'm one of the people that really enjoys all of their new food offerings.

I agree about the quality. I would love it if each restaurant area had both "standard" items and "novel" items. That way everyone in the group would be happy. If someone wants a burger and fries, they could have it. But I could still have my fried green tomato sandwich and veggie slaw! I think there are a lot of people who like the standard fare, but especially in California, people's tastes and preferences are changing. But it is definitely a tough balance. I wouldn't want to be in Disney's shoes. But I do know they are paying attention to the food issue, because I have been surveyed over the last year many times and out of the 5 or so surveys I have done, I think 4 of them were about food!

That is why I end up taking a lot of people over to DCA and doing the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta and Paradise Grill option. Someone gets cheese pizza, someone gets pasta, another gets salad, and more adventurous people get the skewers, etc. Heck, someone in our party went to the Corn Dog Castle and got one of those and ate with us.

 

[julsmom]

I agree with most of what everyone is saying. I think maybe 10 or 15 years ago I might have been more in the food target that Disney seems to be aiming for. I think my tastes are snootier than Disney prepares for.

 

[rmom]

Just got back on Monday. Luckily avoided the bad heat. Most noteable, even over WDW, is that DL food is so bad. There is very little variation between restaurants and its all very bland.

You're spoiled by WDW. WDW has an amazing selection. The customers they serve are different (DL - day visitors, WDW - vacationers). I wish they would bring some of the WDW oferings to DL.

 

[disneyismyheart247]

Hmm, funny. I've heard WDW has better table service but DLR has better quick service. I love the food at DLR, though I will admit I'm not all that impressed with River Belle Terrace. Seems you just had a bad experience. Hopefully next time your choices will have more luck

 

[holcomb-mania]

As a WDW vet, I tend to lean toward table-service restaurants, and for the most part we've been happy. I realize DLR is more counter-service focused, so I was adjusting my expectations. I hope I make the right restaurant choices.

For anyone familiar with WDW, is there anywhere in DLR similar to Sunshine Seasons in Epcot? It's an excellent counter-service place that I wish they'd copy in the other parks.

 

[sonnyjane]

As a WDW vet, I tend to lean toward table-service restaurants, and for the most part we've been happy. I realize DLR is more counter-service focused, so I was adjusting my expectations. I hope I make the right restaurant choices.
.

What do you have planned currently?

 

[Monica D]

I agree with the OP. This last trip I brought my own breakfast and lunch with me. I do love the snacks/sweets, and usually allow myself one per day. Other than that, I think the food isn't all that great.

 

[aan1701]

For anyone familiar with WDW, is there anywhere in DLR similar to Sunshine Seasons in Epcot? It's an excellent counter-service place that I wish they'd copy in the other parks.

Not really. In my opinion the closest thing would be the wharf at DCA where they have Soups, Salads, Mexican ((really bad Mexican if you ask me), Chinese (which I like but it seems not to liked here on the boards) and a Ghirardelli. I just got back from a 12 day trip to WDW. I must say I got the Bacon Cheese Burger at the Mara a few times and I thought it was fine. We at a a bunch of table service there (Thanks Tables In Wonderland). All were outstanding. Maybe I am not that picky. I don't know. I, overall, like the food at DL as well. Guess I am in the minority.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[DizMe]

I agree. I find things I like, but overall the food is pretty meh.

 

[ArchOwl]

I find it like it better than most large venue food services. I find more things I like at the DLR than most airports (save a few), stadiums, and conferences. I don't think it is quite fair to compare Disneyland to most restaurants since they serve more people in a few hours at Disneyland than my favorite restaurants do in weeks! And let's not even talk about the gross food I was served at my last conference.

There is good food at the Resort and some fine dining, but most of the food is for masses of people, which any caterer will tell you is hard to do well.

 

[Huff]

DLR is for those whom their main interest is inside the parks, rides, shows and attractions. The ability to walk between two parks, 3 resorts and DTD can't be matched at WDW. You can do more in less time at DLR.

WDW is for those that prefer longer more relaxing vacations. It's 23+ resorts with their own restaurants along with Epcots are hard to beat. There is far more to do outside the parks, boating, fishing, golfing, water parks etc. to make a long vacation possible.

That said neither is better than the other. We frequent both almost every year but for totally different types of vacations. Love the dining and relaxation of a slower paced vacation at WDW and love the in park atmosphere and ability to do more in less time at DLR. There are some great restaurants at DLR too, just not nearly as many choices as WDW.

 

[holcomb-mania]

What do you have planned currently?

On my radar:
Bengal BBQ
Blue Bayou
Big Thunder Ranch
Flo's V8
Naples (or Napolini)
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
Goofy's Kitchen

 

[julsmom]

On my radar:
Bengal BBQ
Blue Bayou
Big Thunder Ranch
Flo's V8
Naples (or Napolini)
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
Goofy's Kitchen

Just FYI, BTR has long waits, so be aware. And Flo's is really popular with the large Cars crowds. Just so you can be on top of it.

 

[mouseymommy]

Just FYI, BTR has long waits, so be aware. And Flo's is really popular with the large Cars crowds. Just so you can be on top of it.

We always make a reservation and are seated right away.