Am I the only one that goes to WDW for the food???

[Figment1990]

While I agree that the food offerings at many of the restaurants has changed a bit recently (and not always for the better), I can definitely say that the food is a big reason we choose WDW over other vacations. When we were on our cruise a few years ago, we found ourselves wishing for Cali Grill, Marrakesh, Le Cellier, WCC, etc. We really enjoyed our food options in Vegas on our trips there, but mostly we love the variety at WDW and knowing that we don't have to drive to get there or back and that entertainment is just around the corner. WDW is definitely the "whole package" for us and part of that package for us is definitely sit-down meals. I also have not experience the poor service that some other have, so I am still super pleased with the CMs at the restaurants we eat at in WDW. It's especially fun at Epcot when the CMs are from the other countries.

 

[SydneyFalco]

Sure. The resorts and the dining are where the acts of contemplation happen, much moreso than at the attractions or crossing the parks. Those provide a buzz, but are more moment to moment than immersion, other than in a very general sense.

True, better food can be got, and average food can be got cheaper, but then again better rooms in better hotels can be got cheaper, too. Just not IN the place that is WDW. Frankly, the food in the 1TS places could still get more mediocre and the signature dining good get more expensive and I still wouldn't cut that part of the experience out of my vacation.

 

[disneyworldaddict]

I do but only for Boma. I don't spend a lot of time in the restaurants when I am there. Not only can I find better food for less money elsewhere but if you live anywhere near a large city variety is easy to find if you know where to look.

I live an hour away from Philly and Manhattan, is Manahattan large enough??
I have eaten in many nice and exotic restaraunts there...when my Dad who lives there pays for it, its expensive, even when you go out of the tourist areas. With Disney we get the DDP and we can eat in exotic places every night, for much cheaper than I could do in the city. Although, I must to agree that there are only 3 places in the world to get good Italian food; Italy, NY/NJ area, and in the homes of my father's family.

 

[dalt01]

"we" dont go for the food............but...........my wife is not a "rider" so it is the highlight for her. she would not go along if i did not get the dining plan...........hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[tami82]

All of my vacations are all about the food no matter where i go. That is part of the fun, looking forward to a nice meal. I had nothing but great food during our last visit and cant wait for our next trip. We had a great experience with the free dining plan. We had some great counter service meals for lunch and it was such an exciting feeling to know that later in the day we would have a nice table service meal to look forward which is something i would look forward to all day. I guess this was why it wasnt too hard for me to talk my husband into going back again this year.

 

[tony67]

We used to, back when the food was unique and good. Now we do more dining in our villa or CS meals on the fly because the food has become average. There are some exceptions but for the most part, we have been disappointed with the trend in this last decade.

I agree 100%. It could not continue the way it was once they added the DDP IMO.

 

[dalt01]

We used to, back when the food was unique and good. Now we do more dining in our villa or CS meals on the fly because the food has become average. There are some exceptions but for the most part, we have been disappointed with the trend in this last decade.

Average *and* expensive! I guess I wouldn't be so honked off at the averageness if I didn't have to pay so much for it. And don't even get me started on the price of buffets these days .

I agree 100%. It could not continue the way it was once they added the DDP IMO.

i read this a lot here and i always wonder, what are the expectations, do we expect things flambayed at the table with a song and a dance?, think coyote ugly with food, or, exotic fare that no one but the most sophisticated would even try? example; Le Cellier is a nearly impossible dinner ADR while Chefs de France, by comparison, is much easier. i would like to think i am a bit discerning and i feel that the food overall is quite adequate. and a buffet is a buffet is a buffet. and as far as the pricing, well, if it were out of reach we would not have to get our ADR's so far out.........but.........30 plus bucks for a buffet and automatic 18% tip for tables of six or more is a bit greedy.

 

[jdisnut]

I can't rightfully say I go to Disney for the food, but it's definitely a significant element. I honestly think I look forward to trying new restaurants or revisiting old favorites as much as I anticipate anything else about an upcoming trip.

After walking in the parks for hours each day, I work up a serious appetite, so dinners become an integral component of the vacation. Even when the attractions remain the same, my meals are always changing. Disney World is not just about four fantastic theme parks. It's a full experience, and dining is one of my favorite parts.

 

[jimmalru80]

For us food is at the top of the reasons why we go to WDW. The highlite of each day is dinner--and seeing the various resort hotels where we dine.

Have to agree. We plan our trips around our ADR's.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The food has become a total boring repetition from restaurant to restaurant. Years ago it was something to look forward to but since the DDP and free dining, Disney has chosen it's bottom line over quality and choices. If we splurge now it's to try inovative places like Todd English's Blue Zoo and Kimonos, otherwise it's just mediocre Disney food.

 

[CSJLJJK7]

We absolutely plan our trips around the food. The F&W festival especially. Since the advent of the DDP some restaraunts have "dumbed down", but our favorites HWBD, Le Cellier, Tokyo dining, Jiko, et al are still awesome and we plan our entire trip around those ADR's.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I wouldn't say the food is the only reason I go to WDW, but it is one of the highlights. And my meals are definatly what I plan the most.

 

[SiAmCrAzY]

I have to admit I would not go as often if it were not for the food! Here I am 5 days away from my trip and all I am thinking about is the food Did i make the right ADR's? Should I make myself try something new? Oooh that picture looks good maybe I should try that instead!

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

I can't rightfully say I go to Disney for the food, but it's definitely a significant element. I honestly think I look forward to trying new restaurants or revisiting old favorites as much as I anticipate anything else about an upcoming trip.

After walking in the parks for hours each day, I work up a serious appetite, so dinners become an integral component of the vacation. Even when the attractions remain the same, my meals are always changing. Disney World is not just about four fantastic theme parks. It's a full experience, and dining is one of my favorite parts.

Exactly - couldn't have expressed our thoughts any better!!!

 

[ilovejsparrow]

I wouldn't say I GO for the food, but it is definitely a huge reason why I love it so much! I have so many amazing memories (and meals!) from WDW and its fun to go back every trip. Plus Disney does such a good job catering to every taste- I am a meat and potatoes girl 100% and some of the best meals I've ever had have been at Disney World! Another reason why we keep on going back!

 

[Rosetta89]

WDW addict here!! he he I definitely love the food; you are not alone here as you see from all the posts Never had something I didn't enjoy eating there yet WDW is honestly it's own little world! And I can honestly say that I love the food looking forward to Biergarten since I left World addict 4life

 

[TillyMarigold]

i read this a lot here and i always wonder, what are the expectations, do we expect things flambayed at the table with a song and a dance?, think coyote ugly with food, or, exotic fare that no one but the most sophisticated would even try? example; Le Cellier is a nearly impossible dinner ADR while Chefs de France, by comparison, is much easier. i would like to think i am a bit discerning and i feel that the food overall is quite adequate. and a buffet is a buffet is a buffet. and as far as the pricing, well, if it were out of reach we would not have to get our ADR's so far out.........but.........30 plus bucks for a buffet and automatic 18% tip for tables of six or more is a bit greedy.

I agree! We're serious food snobs and eating out at fancy, unique, non-chain restaurants is our primary form of entertainment. We find the food at WDW to be incredibly varied and of very good quality at the minimum.

 

[tiredsigh]

It isn't our top reason. However, it does add bonus points to the option of going to WDW over somewhere else. I have severe food allergies to fish, shellfish, and tree nuts. It limits the places and foods I am willing to try in the real world.

At WDW, the TS chefs offer to make the food separately to avoid cross contamination. This is one of the very few vacation spots where I can feel safe eating.


It's a great perk. However, it's not the only reason why we go

 

[Art 1]

No, you are not. I go maybe 3 or 4 times per month just for lunch. Usually to Epcot.

 

[JCMHutch]

DH & I love the food! Picking restaurants and eating out are 1/2 the fun! We also enjoy the resorts, not just the parks. So much to do and so little time . . .