Done with Disney dining

[bojangleshatdance]

Deleted.

 

[robinb]

I can appreciate being constructive, but sometimes I can also sit back and think "Man, I am so lucky that I was able to go to Disney and not only did I eat there, but I was able to dine at the best of the best while I was there."

And in other news - there are children who are literally going hungry this time of year, who have no heat at home, and who are glad that tomorrow is a school day because they will have heat during the school day and maybe a free school breakfast and lunch tomorrow. Some kids may be worried about what they will wear tomorrow, because they need to stay warm on the way to and from the bus stop, not to mention while they are on the bus. Some kids may be worried about the long weekend because it may mean extra days they won't get lunch and breakfast due to the holiday. If they do get a breakfast or lunch, it may not be a proper one. It is all a matter of perspective.

Sometimes, we need to take it all in stride. Complaining about a waiter sharing his or her life with us is not worth my time to get on a message board and complaining about. It is worth my time to say a prayer for them (and I am not overly religious).

I never understood this kind of argument that belittles someone's complaint by comparing it to something terrible like childhood hunger or 9/11. Every complaint or comment made on these boards, including your own about "first world problems", pales in comparison to those kind of real everyday issues and historical contexts. That doesn't mean that they are not valid in THIS context. You are the one comparing apples to oranges.

The last time I was at WDW, I had a taxi driver tell me about his life; his work schedule, how he misses and works for his family, and how the process of renting and working a taxi works. Those guys work really hard. I wouldn't want that life for anything. I didn't take to the dis and talk about it. I did say a little prayer for him though - I hope things look up for him. I heard similar stories when I was traveling through Baltimore earlier this year, so I am pretty sure that it is standard for the industry. And he wasn't doing it for the tip, as my company had pre-tipped him. He started talking to me because he thought I spoke french because of my name (and honestly, was irritated when I didn't - I have a very unique, regional french name due to both my maiden and married name). That lead to him talking to me about his immigration and what he was doing here, and his taxi work. Anyway, it isn't a pretty life. Sometimes, we all need all the positive thoughts we can get.

Meh. Taxi drivers are prone to chatting. Either to you in the back of the cab or to someone else on their hands-free phone device. I think there is a vast difference between a cabbie chatting you up about his family/etc and a server or waiter doing the same. A cab ride is a more intimate experience and you are stuck together in a small vehicle for more than just a minute or two. A server should be at your table in short bursts. They should be friendly and attentive but should not hang around your table making friends (unless you initiate the conversation). It always bugs me when the server sits at the table with me. It changes the dynamic of the relationship.

 

[ReganlovesWDW]

Hi all! I am the OP. It is interesting to read the different responses to what I said. I was merely expressing my opinion. What is amazing to me is how quickly some formed an opinion of me without ever knowing me. To read some of the criticism you would think that I was a spoiled, affluent, mean spirited self centered, arrogant individual, which is hardly who I am or my value system.

I enjoyed this vacation like none other because for this period of time, life was near perfect. For this period of time, each person in my family was truly happy. We greeted EVERYONE warmly. Whether it was a CM, taxi driver, unhappy parent, you name it.

My only regret right now is that I chose to speak on this forum and was persecuted for what I spoke. But that is the beauty of free speech. We are all entitled to it.

 

[loughmann]

Hi all! I am the OP. It is interesting to read the different responses to what I said. I was merely expressing my opinion. What is amazing to me is how quickly some formed an opinion of me without ever knowing me. To read some of the criticism you would think that I was a spoiled, affluent, mean spirited self centered, arrogant individual, which is hardly who I am or my value system. I enjoyed this vacation like none other because for this period of time, life was near perfect. For this period of time, each person in my family was truly happy. We greeted EVERYONE warmly. Whether it was a CM, taxi driver, unhappy parent, you name it. My only regret right now is that I chose to speak on this forum and was persecuted for what I spoke. But that is the beauty of free speech. We are all entitled to it.

Yes I don't look at this site a lot because I couldn't believe how many people were so cranky. People come here not to have someone judge their entire life. It's sad that this is what our country has come to.

 

[DPickering]

I never understood this kind of argument that belittles someone's complaint by comparing it to something terrible like childhood hunger or 9/11. Every complaint or comment made on these boards, including your own about "first world problems", pales in comparison to those kind of real everyday issues and historical contexts. That doesn't mean that they are not valid in THIS context. You are the one comparing apples to oranges. Meh. Taxi drivers are prone to chatting. Either to you in the back of the cab or to someone else on their hands-free phone device. I think there is a vast difference between a cabbie chatting you up about his family/etc and a server or waiter doing the same. A cab ride is a more intimate experience and you are stuck together in a small vehicle for more than just a minute or two. A server should be at your table in short bursts. They should be friendly and attentive but should not hang around your table making friends (unless you initiate the conversation). It always bugs me when the server sits at the table with me. It changes the dynamic of the relationship.

Good post robinb. Somebody pays for a meal they are entitled to enjoy it and if they have a complaint this is an appropriate forum. If I paid a couple hundred bucks for that experience I'd be unhappy. Anyone should . The idea that somebody can't give an honest review of a restaurant because there are problems in the world is antithetical to the purpose of this forum (sharing honest info about these restaurants) IMHO.

 

[Networth]

I have a trip planned for December I am keeping the CG because have had nothing but great food and service. Narcosee's is new to us but we chose is as the last meal on our trip that night. I have read mostly good reviews and it is semi-tough to get a reservation. Also we are staying at the Grand so being able to stroll to dinner is a nice bonus. I am thinking maybe I should change it for Blue Zoo hmm idk... Anyway thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[aubriee]

I'm not sure why the sarcasm. Isn't this the reason for these boards? To allow people to come and share their thoughts and experiences? In the big picture, no they aren't a huge issue when compared with things going on in the world. But, it's not such a bad thing to hear of other people's experiences.
I know that I am eating in fewer WDW restaurants than in previous trips. Why? The prices have skyrocketed while quality has suffered. The upper end restaurants haven't suffered as much as the one credit restaurants. The variety has been reduced. I'm sorry but that has been my experience to date. My trip next week? Eating at Nine Dragons for Candlelight Processional...it's the least expensive. Other than that, only a lunch at WCC before MVMCP. Used to have an ADR at least once a day, sometimes two! This trip of 6 nights? Just two for the entire trip.

Same here! I used to love the DxDDP and dining at a Signature restaurant each night and frequently a TS at lunch time too. We no longer do that. We just don't enjoy the WDW restaurants like we used to. Food quality has gone down, prices have gone up, and the DDPs are just not good deals for us anymore. The experience just isn't worth it anymore for us. For our eleven day trip last May I called at 180 days out and got at least one ADR for each day of our trip. However, after thinking about it, we canceled every single one of them, except dinner at BoG. We then decided at the last minute to walk into Mama Melrose, Liberty Tree Tavern, Biergarten, Yak & Yeti, and GF Cafe for lunch. We didn't have any problem walking in as a party of three. We then decided to eat offsite for dinner every night. We got much better food, for much cheaper prices. One of the ADRs I canceled was Ohana's. Instead we went to Fogo de Chao that night. My husband says he never wants to go back to Ohana's again.

For my Sept trip, I didn't make a single ADR, yet walked into Yak & Yeti, Boma, and Brown Derby with no problem. The rest of my meals were either CS lunches in the parks or I did dinner in my condo at Bonnet Creek or went offsite. My first day there, I went to Publix to get some things for the condo and among the things I picked up was a couple of marinated salmon steaks that I cooked one night, along with a salad, and a couple bags of microwaveable frozen veggies (teriyaki asparagus and some spring vegetable mix). While I was relaxing, sitting in bed, watching TV, and enjoying my delicious salmon dinner, I wondered why in the world I had wasted so much time and money on some of the WDW restaurants. Another night I stuck a sweet potato in the oven, then went downstairs at Bonnet Creek and used one of the grills to cook a thick pork chop and a couple slices fresh pineapple. I then added some cucumber and tomatoes to some bag salad mix, added the asparagus and spring vegetables that I had left over from my salmon meal, along with my sweet potato and pork chop. It was as good a meal as any I've ever gotten in a WDW restaurant and took very little preparation. Plus I was able to sit on my balcony and enjoy the view while I ate. I then was able to stroll back into the condo and immediately get into the jacuzzi, where I relaxed and nibbled from a tray of cheese, crackers, ham, and salami, while sipping on a wine cooler, about the time everyone else was rushing from the parks.

For our upcoming Dec 6th-16th trip, we don't have a single dining reservation and don't plan on making any. Well, we are going over to Celebration to eat at the Columbia Restaurant one night, might go back to Fogo de Chao another night, and have an offsite dinner show booked for one night. But nothing is set in stone. We are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek again and hopefully will get a nice view of the lake and fireworks. If we do, I am sure some simple meals will be in the condo again.

 

[aubriee]

deleted

 

[TDC Nala]

Wow has this gotten off topic. Not interested really in closing it yet, but the sniping needs to stop please. Complaining about a restaurant is not against board guidelines, but attacking someone because you don't agree with their complaint is. And arguing over the first world problems thing...please, this is a Disney board, not a world problems board. of course we're going to discuss if Disney restaurants are worth what we are paying for them (in our own opinions of course).

Going offsite is always a legitimate answer to the problem, if you see it as a problem. You can get better food at cheaper prices that way. But you need a car (I never get a car), and you need time. I know I'm also not spending time on vacation cooking my own meals, and eating them on my own in my villa doesn't sound that exciting. So I have Disney. I get to pick where to go and what to order though, because I don't do the dining plan. And there's the Swan and Dolphin. Nor do I make a lot of ADRs - I end up going wherever.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Great restaurants there for sure!

But I've found over many years that the food at BlueZoo, Shulas, and Il Mulino--tho probably "better" than at most Disney signature restaurants--is at least AS expensive.

And at Shulas anyway, MORE expensive.

 

[JimmyV]

Great restaurants there for sure!

But I've found over many years that the food at BlueZoo, Shulas, and Il Mulino--tho probably "better" than at most Disney signature restaurants--is at least AS expensive.

And at Shulas anyway, MORE expensive.

Shula's is not more expensive if you order carefully. Compare similar meals there and at Yachtsman:

• A Caesar Salad, Shrimp Cocktail and 12 oz NY Strip at YSH will cost you $78 ($12+$18 +$48). The steak will come with sides that you don't get to pick, (or, you may have limited options.) Total cost=$78 per person.
• At Shula’s, you get a Caesar Salad, Shrimp Cocktail and 16 oz NY Strip for $68 ($11+$15+$42) but no sides. So you will want to split some sides of your choosing, so add the price of half an order of Broccoli ($4) and half an order of Potatoes Au Gratin ($4.50). Total cost per person=$76.50 and you get a bigger steak and higher quality food all around.

 

[FlipHipster]

I'm discovering that dining has been the most stressful part of our last 2 trips. Mostly because we booked a lot of ADR's planned days around them and the food was really iffy. Some was really good, some was really bad. It was all expensive.

This past trip we ended up cancelling a bunch of ADR's and just winging it. It worked out much better and I feel like we finally know how to dine at Disney.

I was kinda disappointed to hear that Starbucks was coming to Main St. but a coffee and breakfast sandwich from SB was one of the best breakfast meals we had.

I thought Cali Grill atmosphere was nice, service was fantastic, view was great, food was ehhh, just ok. Spent over $200 on sushi and wine and can get much much better at home for 1/4 the price. But you can't see the castle from here so there's that.

I do feel like you have to try them for yourself to find out whether you like it or not. We almost cancelled Ohana because of a bunch of negative reviews, but we went and it was awesome. The kids even ate which is rare.

 

[MsThumper]

Hi all! I am the OP. It is interesting to read the different responses to what I said. I was merely expressing my opinion. What is amazing to me is how quickly some formed an opinion of me without ever knowing me. To read some of the criticism you would think that I was a spoiled, affluent, mean spirited self centered, arrogant individual, which is hardly who I am or my value system.

I enjoyed this vacation like none other because for this period of time, life was near perfect. For this period of time, each person in my family was truly happy. We greeted EVERYONE warmly. Whether it was a CM, taxi driver, unhappy parent, you name it.

My only regret right now is that I chose to speak on this forum and was persecuted for what I spoke. But that is the beauty of free speech. We are all entitled to it.

No flames here, I would like to thank the OP for their post.

My husband and myself enjoy going to Disney at least twice in the winter months. Part of the reason we go is to enjoy the signature dining. I won't go into our disappointment with some of the signature dining, for fear of, like you did, getting lectured on world hunger, how I should be grateful....etc. But I would like to say that your post has given us the idea to try the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin on our next trip in January.

 

[ReganlovesWDW]

Thanks Ms. Thumper! I do suggest trying the eateries at the Swan and Dolphin. If you have AAA, there is 20% discount as well but not for fine dining.

 

[Networth]

I can't imagine cooking on vacation. I am the chef in my family so I have to handle dinner 90% of them time. No way I am cooking on my vacation. To each is own

 

[MsThumper]

Thanks Ms. Thumper! I do suggest trying the eateries at the Swan and Dolphin. If you have AAA, there is 20% discount as well but not for fine dining.

Good to know, we do have AAA and we were also glad to see that some of the Swan and Dolphin eateries are on the Tables In Wonderland, which we purchased on our last trip.

 

[NickyKnack]

I thought Cali Grill atmosphere was nice, service was fantastic, view was great, food was ehhh, just ok. Spent over $200 on sushi and wine and can get much much better at home for 1/4 the price. But you can't see the castle from here so there's that.

Do you mind if I ask what are you're from? Nothing exact - just an idea so that we might get an idea what kinds of options you might have locally. I think that makes such a big difference across the board. For us we can't find better in our area. Around here Texas Roadhouse and Ryan's are a big deal. We have to drive an hour to hit real food, something I can't do every weekend - much less every day.

Which is not to discount your experience, it's just if you live someplace like New York or even another major city I can see how the options at home might make Disney look bad.

 

[ReganlovesWDW]

I am the OP not the person who wrote the sushi piece however I can tell you that I live 30 miles west of Philadelphia. While I don't venture into Philly for dinner, we do have a variety of wonderful restaurants in the surrounding areas.

I understand your question and it makes sense. My perspective is that the dining experience used to be so much better! It was only six years ago when the dining plan included an appetizer, entree, dessert AND gratuity. That was truly a value then.

 

[Marthasor]

I have to say I agree with you. We had a terrible meal at Narcoosee's and will never go back. Our Cali Grill experience was so-so. Ate at Flying Fish in August and while the food was excellent our server would NOT leave us alone. I was dining alone with DS5 and maybe he thought I needed an adult to talk to? No clue. I wanted to enjoy my dinner with my son and he would come to our table every 5 minutes or less and talk incessantly. It was incredibly annoying.

Le Cellier and Jiko have been consistently good for us and we enjoyed Citrico's. Monsieur Paul is excellent - if you haven't tried it, you should. It's nothing like the other Disney signatures.

But I agree, the Swolphin restaurants are consistently much better than Disney dining. Great food and great service. We've eaten at blue zoo a few times and ate at Il Mulino on our last trip - could never eat at Tutto Italia again after that! Even Fresh is good and the Fountain has fabulous ice cream.

 

[metzgardesign]

WDW restaurants have nose-dived. They are not....across the board....anywhere near the experiences they once were, even though the pricing would indicate that they should be better than they ever have been.

Our last two trips to Cali Grill were horrible (relative to how WDW presents the experience and relative to the price). One time the food was good, but the service was bad. Next time, the food and the service both sucked ***. Citrico's was our best WDW dining experience last trip, but also.....some of our more pleasant dining visits were when we really weren't expecting the best.....Boatwright's at POR was an example of that. I am thinking maybe next time (if there is a next time.......if WDW get's it's proverbial act together with the MB/FP+ mess....but I really am OK with not returning if they don't get it worked out) we may just visit more out-of-the-way, resort-based restaurants to see how some of them surprise us.

I will say.....Universal's onsite eateries, by and large....flat out hammered WDW's last trip. No comparison.