Any other DVC folks tired of Disney TS Dining??

[JimC]

Where is Bahama Breeze and Seasons?

Seasons 52
7700 W Sand Lake Rd
407-354-5212
www.seasons52.com

Bahama Breeze
8735 Vineland Ave
407-938-9010
www.bahamabreeze.com

 

[disneynutz]

We vacation at WDW 3 or 4 times per year. Every visit we scratch another WDW restaurant off of our return list. There aren't many left worth even going to.

It's obvious that Disney is now catering to the newbies that don't know any better.

It will be interesting to see what happens as they continue to reduce the discounts and deals.

Bill

 

[edk35]

Seasons 52
7700 W Sand Lake Rd
407-354-5212
www.seasons52.com

Bahama Breeze
8735 Vineland Ave
407-938-9010
www.bahamabreeze.com

Thanks

 

[dianeschlicht]

For better steaks, try Charley's. Yeah, it's a little pricey, but at least you get what you pay for.

DH says Turf Club has the best steaks in the area! I have a tough time eating at chains because of food allergies, and at least Disney will work with you on that if you go to the signatures. Of course, the "central kitchen" dining that is at many of the locations negates getting anything taken care of for allergies other than telling you what you can't order.

 

[Donut23]

When Disney gutted the DDP by eliminating the appetizers and gratuity a few years ago, we basically switched to eating offsite.

Our experience so far (5-6 trips) has been that the food is better (although some Disney outlets still do a good job), the variety is infinitely better, reservations are either very easy or not needed, and the cost is less than any comparable Disney plan or discount.

We like to do a mix of dining on vacation, from casual to fine dining. The elimination of the appetizer ruined many of the signature dining places for us, and we'd much rather eat at Charley's or Columbia offsite than any of the signature places. For regular dining, we prefer the wide assortment of chain restaurants offsite to the everything-cooked-in-the-central-kitchen food onsite. And for casual, you can't beat some of the quick and easy places offsite.

We now usually eat only one character meal onsite. Last week, we didn't even do that, although we did eat an early walk-in dinner at Le Cellier which proved to be a mistake.

BIG ditto from DH and myself. .....and the last two times I dined at Le Cellier I became physically ill.

Offsite is becoming more and more attractive.

 

[Tiger926]

DH and I never thought we'd say this as we are Disney freaks, but we are almost there too. Each trip we seem to cut a restaurant too - a few trips later, we might add it back, but sometimes, not.

We love making ADRs and planning out our days, and since we go for almost 2 weeks each summer in the stifling heat, we like sitting down in a TS for a break. But, the food and service is subpar at most places, so we've been trying to incorporate different menu items. This works sometimes (you'd think it wouldn't be that hard to mess up a sandwich or burger at lunch, but they've done it), but other times, not so much.

For this trip, we have 14 TS scheduled for 11 nights and 10.5 days (arriving late night on 1st day, and leaving at noon on last day). We have 2 TS scheduled for several days as it's baby's birthday (he'll be 3), so we had to incorporate a few extras in there. The rest of the time, we will be attempting to eat in our villa. This is a lot for us, but we are giving it a shot as our BWV waitlist came through, so we have 1 bedroom for a longer time period now.

We have tried off-site and weren't impressed either, especially as others have said we have food allergies/sensitivities. They look at you like you have 3 heads, so we stick to on-property. After spending 2 hours waiting to be seated for Bahama Breeze, for a very subpar meal (food and service), or getting food poisoning (confirmed by doc) at a buffet, we will stay on-site for the next few years until kids are a wee bit older.

All in all, I guess for all of us as DVC members who've pretty much eaten everywhere, WDW dining is starting to get tired. They do seem to be catering to newbies and DP members - some restaurants we won't even step foot into, yet people are lined up at the door.

We are grateful for DVC and the full kitchen, and so based on my other threads, we have been encouraged to try eating more in our villa, and that is what we are going to do! This will allow us to take a break from some TS places, and damper the boredom a bit. Hopefully, between trips, it will allow for a fresh perspective when we dine at those TS restaurants the next time.

Hubby and I used to be all about Disney dining - we've done DxDP several times with the kids, but not so much anymore. We've also eaten at Signatures, and not been that impressed either. I just realized this week, that the tired feeling we had for TS restaurants was starting to make us tired for Disney and DVC itself, and that was problematic, so by adjusting our dining, we are going to have time to enjoy the parks and resorts more. Plus, we'll save money too!

Interesting thread, Tiger

 

[Tara]

We still enjoy the Signature Dining spots...

Same here - they usually offer favorite items that don't change and items that change seasonally or when the chef feels like it. If I were eating at all 1TS credit type places, I think I'd get pretty tired pretty fast. There are so few that I think are enjoyable and they all serve portions that are way too big, so I'm often asking for less food or wasting a lot.

AND I don't cook at home, but I do enjoy making some simple meals (spaghetti, tacos, etc) in our villa - it's like camping, but nicer.

 

[ssawka]

We are not burnt out from Disney TSes yet as there are still many that we have not tried. I am however sick of the buffets and most likely will never go to another one! However, the only "must do" TS for us every trip is 'Ohana. We also really enjoy Whispering Canyon Cafe (not so much for the food, but because DD can just be herself!), but we just started going there, so we'll see.

One thing I do have to give Disney credit for is the way they accomodate dietary needs. Before our last trip, DD was diagnosed with Celiac disease and we were a bit nervous about eating TSes. Well Disney accomodated her needs like no other restaurant we've been to back home. The "special menus" they created for her were just amazing. In fact, when the chef at 'Ohana brought out her "special desert" everyone in the dining room was watching him carry it out and were wondering how the could get one. It was basically this tower of "desert shishkabobs" with alternating brownies, ice cream, bananas, and strawberries, with a big cotton candy "poof" on top. I have pictures that I can upload when I get home.

 

[TinklednPants]

Clearly the quality and selection of food at the world has gone downhill. But out of sheer convenience we still eat most of our meals onsite. We are using the villa kitchen more and more though and will likely start venturing offsite as well (but no Olive Garden.....you'll never catch me eating at Olive GArden...blech ).

 

[Crystal_27]

We have our favorite restaurants that we hit every time, but we are still new enough Disney visitors that we find a couple of new restauarants to try every trip too. We've actually had good luck with Disney dining, and I actually look forward to our TS meals at the World.

 

[edk35]

Clearly the quality and selection of food at the world has gone downhill. But out of sheer convenience we still eat most of our meals onsite. We are using the villa kitchen more and more though and will likely start venturing offsite as well (but no Olive Garden.....you'll never catch me eating at Olive GArden...blech ).

Not an Olive Garden fan either. We have a couple of "mom and pop" type places here that are so much better than OG. I would not go to one in FL either.

 

[n2mm]

I have to say...that I am having a hard time coming up with any great dining plans. My dd and I sat here and combed through the menus on All Ears and I am so over some of these meals and not sure what we will do next month. We booked Le Cellier and we will probably eat at Liberty Tree for lunch (dinner blech) but we are skipping character meals...been there done that so many times. Plus the prices for those buffets are !!!! I am actually looking forward to trying a few places offsite since we are actually driving for this trip. I think if it were just dh and I at WDW (who knows when that day will come ) we would eat at some places we would not eat at with kids. However we have eaten at so many of the popular/regular places I am kinda burned out on TS meals at Disney.

I know we will eat quick breakfasts and snacks in our 2 br villa. We usually order pizza in one night from Flippers or Giordanos. I have NEVER cooked a real dinner in our villa. Not sure I am ready to do that on vacation either.

I could've written this post because I feel the same way. Our favorite list gets smaller and smaller after each trip. I've been trying to work on my September and November trips, but just can't find anything that we want. Our last trip was 2 weeks early May and the places we ate at were so uneventful. Not terrible, but not good. The places we like really let us down (GF Cafe', Turf Club, Cap. Grill, Lib. Tree, Kona Cafe) We find ourselves going to LeCellier, Coral Reef, 50s PT, and B&C on a regular basis, but also go to publix to get subs and to target for some ready made items (salads, chicken). We actually have no need for the ddp because I can't find any place I want to eat at. Maybe it's because we go alot and are burned out. This year we've already gone on 3 trips and still have 2 more booked. Last year it was 6 trips. Crazy! We don't do buffets at all anymore. The food is very average and the prices very high. We actually did Trails End on the last trip and the price has gotten so much higher over the years, it's no longer a great deal.

 

[lucyem]

Personally I always thought most Disney food was sub par. They do have a captive audience and the dining plan has made people even more captive. Having the Disboards and their food recommendations has helped us find better food. But one of the reasons we went with DVC was to have more freedom when it came to eating.

How would I go about getting a list of local places to eat and food shop within a quick drive from WDW? Not to mention a map? Or is there not one? Also is there a good map of WDW itself for driving anywhere?

 

[Anal Annie]

We still like Boma and Tony's.... There are still sooo many places we haven't had the time to even try though (like LeCellier & Turf Club). We liked Cap'N Jacks for lunch the time we tried it... We always try to slip in at least 1 or 2 new (to us) places each trip. But since we only do 3-4 TS meals per trip AND we have to hit our favs like Boma it's hard to experiment as much as we'd like. We'll get thru them one day.

 

[eliza61]

First, let me say up front. My grandfather and uncle owned a soul food restaurant for much of my life, I grew up working summers there so I'm a bit skewed.
Second, the last few years I've been a vocal critic of disney restaurants (some times to some serious flaming). Sorry, I just think the quality of the food has dived tremendously.

Disney restaurant overall, are mediocre at best (my opinion) especially at the prices they charge. I don't accept the argument that they are good considering how many people they serve, simply because I live and grew up in NYC where a times square establishment will serve equally as many people, great food all the time.
Outside of a few signature restaurants, the food is tepid at best and some times down right lousy (Please tell me how Tony's has gotten away with their food for so long).
We will make a few adr's for convenience sake but isn't that a lousy reason to pick a restaurant.
We do have favorites but usually they are more favorites for the decor not the food. For example we like scifi diner but we pretty much go for the atmosphere and stick with burgers and fries.

Our favorites are Artist Pointe in the WL and the Yacht galley in the Yacht club. Le Cellier which seems to get so many raves here on the dis, was pretty much a dark Outback. any time the soup was better than the steak in a steak house, you have a problem. LOL.

 

[momx2]

I know what you mean OP. Still here and we only planned a few TS meals, trying to cut expenses. We went to a few we hadn't tried. Olivas...okay; Portabella in DTD...not very good or just okay; Ragland Road...awful, actually sent back our soup and left, scallops were pretty good though. Next trip is shorter and DD is taking a friend so we are going to do more character meals for them, but we are generally tired of them. Although, we do love Crystal Palace for breakfast still.

 

[eliza61]

Personally I always thought most Disney food was sub par. They do have a captive audience and the dining plan has made people even more captive. Having the Disboards and their food recommendations has helped us find better food. But one of the reasons we went with DVC was to have more freedom when it came to eating.

How would I go about getting a list of local places to eat and food shop within a quick drive from WDW? Not to mention a map? Or is there not one? Also is there a good map of WDW itself for driving anywhere?

I actually started listing places over a period of time, if I can find what I did with the thing I'll pm you.

Basically, start out with citysearch.com and go to Orlando. it's a great interactive tool to map out restaurants within a quick 15 min drive. You may have to mapquest a few addresses to get the lay of the land but I honestly never had a hard time finding places and always had easy drives.

 

[dianeschlicht]

First, let me say up front. My grandfather and uncle owned a soul food restaurant for much of my life, I grew up working summers there so I'm a bit skewed.
Second, the last few years I've been a vocal critic of disney restaurants (some times to some serious flaming). Sorry, I just think the quality of the food has dived tremendously.

Disney restaurant overall, are mediocre at best (my opinion) especially at the prices they charge. I don't accept the argument that they are good considering how many people they serve, simply because I live and grew up in NYC where a times square establishment will serve equally as many people, great food all the time.
Outside of a few signature restaurants, the food is tepid at best and some times down right lousy (Please tell me how Tony's has gotten away with their food for so long).
We will make a few adr's for convenience sake but isn't that a lousy reason to pick a restaurant.
We do have favorites but usually they are more favorites for the decor not the food. For example we like scifi diner but we pretty much go for the atmosphere and stick with burgers and fries.

Our favorites are Artist Pointe in the WL and the Yacht galley in the Yacht club. Le Cellier which seems to get so many raves here on the dis, was pretty much a dark Outback. any time the soup was better than the steak in a steak house, you have a problem. LOL.

Right on! We have crossed more places off our list than we have added. We do like Turf Club though, and Artist Point is still a great place. We also like Jiko, but I see the quality there declining as well. The new Cat Cora place on the Boardwalk was okay last trip too.

The only in park sites we will eat anymore is Teppan Edo and Flame Tree BBQ.

 

[perdidobay]

How would I go about getting a list of local places to eat and food shop within a quick drive from WDW? Not to mention a map? Or is there not one? Also is there a good map of WDW itself for driving anywhere?

Dining guides:
http://orlando.diningguide.com/
http://dinesite.com/city/city-16425/
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2820082-orlando_restaurants-i



Maps:
http://orlando.diningguide.com/orlando_map.htm
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-map-191501911-map_of_orlando_fl-i;_ylt=AprBzlZSqcZ9vJdFw1FizgxXFmoL

WDW Map:
http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#5...to&lat=28.404225&lon=-81.580575&z=14&pid=5874

 

[edk35]

First, let me say up front. My grandfather and uncle owned a soul food restaurant for much of my life, I grew up working summers there so I'm a bit skewed.
Second, the last few years I've been a vocal critic of disney restaurants (some times to some serious flaming). Sorry, I just think the quality of the food has dived tremendously.

Disney restaurant overall, are mediocre at best (my opinion) especially at the prices they charge. I don't accept the argument that they are good considering how many people they serve, simply because I live and grew up in NYC where a times square establishment will serve equally as many people, great food all the time.
Outside of a few signature restaurants, the food is tepid at best and some times down right lousy (Please tell me how Tony's has gotten away with their food for so long).
We will make a few adr's for convenience sake but isn't that a lousy reason to pick a restaurant.
We do have favorites but usually they are more favorites for the decor not the food. For example we like scifi diner but we pretty much go for the atmosphere and stick with burgers and fries.

Our favorites are Artist Pointe in the WL and the Yacht galley in the Yacht club. Le Cellier which seems to get so many raves here on the dis, was pretty much a dark Outback. any time the soup was better than the steak in a steak house, you have a problem. LOL.

The reason I go to the Le Cellier..is for the SOUP and CHOCOLATE MOUSSE dessert. Oh and add in those yummy breadsticks.