bojangleshatdance
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2011
Deleted.
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).
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.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.
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.
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.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.
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.
Shula's is not more expensive if you order carefully. Compare similar meals there and at Yachtsman: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.
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.
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.
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.