Are the Signature restaurants worth paying OOP for?

[GPC0321]

I keep reading over the menus and looking at videos and pictures and reading reviews, and I just can't decide if it's worth it. It's almost like gambling because there's such a hefty price tag and if the food disappoints, that's a lot of money wasted. I know a place like CRT is a waste because the $$$$ is for the experience over the food. But what about places like Narcoossee's, Citricos, and California Grill. Worth the price OOP?

 

[JZCubed]

'Value' for high-end food is way too subjective for anyone here to answer for you.

Is the food at Disney Signatures always outstanding? No!

Is the food at Signatures better than the typical (non-Signature) sit-down place? Yes!

We used to believe that Signature meant that a memorable dining experience was possible, but we have since lowered our expectations.

 

[Farro]

Yes, I think so. We are from a big city with a great food reputation, and we still enjoyed our dinner at California Grill. Looking forward to that and trying Narcooosses's, and a few at Disney Springs (can't wait to eat at Rick Bayless's new place!)
on our next trip. We also really enjoyed Jiko.

I don't know, most decent restaurants are pretty pricey where we live, so I didn't find the service at Disney signatures lacking in anything.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would say of course...but it is very subjective, we don't do any dining plan and always pay out of pocket with the TIW card. My husband cares more about ambiance than the food and we love a good bottle of wine. I have to say we have rarely been disappointed. But we also spend 100 to 200 when we go out to eat at home so for us the Disney prices seem right in line.

 

[Madmummy]

I think some of the Signature restaurants, like California Grill, are amazing just for their location but they are expensive and whilst nice, the food isn't the best I've ever tasted. BUT if you skip (or share) the starter and just have a main course with soft drinks then the price shouldn't be too bad. For my family, eating in signature restaurants is a special treat and we try to eat at a different one every time we visit.

 

[Shanti]

I keep reading over the menus and looking at videos and pictures and reading reviews, and I just can't decide if it's worth it. It's almost like gambling because there's such a hefty price tag and if the food disappoints, that's a lot of money wasted. I know a place like CRT is a waste because the $$$$ is for the experience over the food. But what about places like Narcoossee's, Citricos, and California Grill. Worth the price OOP?

We really enjoyed our meal at the Yachtsman Steakhouse last year, and will be dining there again this year. Both the food and the service were good.

 

[minnie mum]

Worth is definitely in the eye ( or in this case, the mouth) of the beholder. Much depends on your expectations of the meal. For us the ambiance, service, and food quality of most of the Disney signatures that we have tried have certainly met our expectations. Cali Grill was unfortunately the exception for us, with a noisy room, indifferent service and a mediocre meal. But that one meal won't stop us from going to other signatures in the future.

 

[Pumbaa_]

We have a few on our must do and never do list. We enjoy at least one, sometimes more signature dining

Ff has never disappointed

We celebrated an anniversary at narcoossee. Our evening was perfect, literally. To the point I don't want to go back because it can't be that perfect again! Perfect table, great sever, view of the water parade and fireworks. So we have never returned, cherishing that special memory

Another special anniversary was yachtsman. A very special dinner, and we have gone back more than once. Great meal

Jiko is good, was not awesome and sent filets back as they were very undercooked. Good food, no rush to return

Citricos is in my no category. Only went once, my fish was very undercooked, the restaurant was freezing and service lackluster. Left hungry as I did not eat my entree and did not want to wait for a replacement, as my dh was done. An off night for sure, but never felt the need to go back and give them a second chance

Le cellier is s big fat nope. Sadly I remember way back when it was a special dinner. Now prices up for basically same meal, tables are way too close together for my comfort and just does not feel special

CG post rehab, no thanks, pass

AP was always a must do and a favorite. Less so in recent years, price increases and doing away with my absolute favorite took it off my list

Brown derby is a tough one. We prefer to dress a little for dinner. Harder to do n a theme park. Haven't been back in a long time.

Haven't been to any of the new Disney springs signatures yet, so can't comment there

Let us know what you decide and if you think it is worth it afterwards
Have fun planning!

 

[JerseyJanice]

We really enjoyed our meal at the Yachtsman Steakhouse last year, and will be dining there again this year. Both the food and the service were good.

We had my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary at the Yachtsman in 2012, and I'm still blown away at how awesome it was. It was a very special occasion, and the Yachtsman came through.

 

[GPC0321]

Guys, thanks for these replies so far! I'm glad to hear so many good reports on various signature places. I really want to try one when we go, mostly because I know my dad would love to eat a good quality meal in a nice restaurant. Not that many of the non-signatures won't be good meals too, just that if the signatures are a cut above and offer a nicer experience, I'd like to treat everyone to that experience.
Of course, my dream is to treat them (and myself!) to Victoria & Albert's. I'm still trying to convince myself I have time to save up for that. We're not going until next December.

 

[trambach]

Paying out of pocket gives you more control of your dining. Disney tends to have very large portions so having the ability to split an entree between two makes it more affordable and enjoyable, you can't do that on the DDP. I've had some great meals at Signature dining restaurants. Favorites so far are California Grill and Le Cellier!

 

[Minniesgal]

We think the Signatures are much better value than the ordinary restaurants, in fact there are so few of the TS we actually do now because many of the TS we feel the quality of the food isn't really worth the price and we prefer to pay a bit more for better food.

We love flying fish, The boathouse and California Grill.

We used to love Jiko and Narcooses. However, our most recent trip Narcooses was awful, like cold inedible food awful and Jiko was ok but bland. We have reduced our list to just the top 3.

 

[trambach]

We think the Signatures are much better value than the ordinary restaurants, in fact there are so few of the TS we actually do now because many of the TS we feel the quality of the food isn't really worth the price and we prefer to pay a bit more for better food.

We love flying fish, The boathouse and California Grill.

We used to love Jiko and Narcooses. However, our most recent trip Narcooses was awful, like cold inedible food awful and Jiko was ok but bland. We have reduced our list to just the top 3.

Oh no... I have an ADR for Narcoosee's at the end of the month. I hope that was rare occurrence... I'm also going to be dining at The Boathouse so I'm glad it's once of your favorites

 

[Pepper pots]

Over our six vacations since 2004, we have dined at nine of the signature restaurants at WDW..Only one did not live up to our expectations, and that was Le Cellier....On our last trip in 2014 we dined at three, Jiko, YS, and Artist Point..The total was just under $800 ( inc tip ) for the three signature experiences..Was it worth it?..We reckon yes, but I agree that it's not cheap...

 

[goofy4prez]

For me I say yes when it comes to signatures. Overall I am not a big fan of most of the TS restaurants in WDW that are not signatures. Sure there are a few exceptions, but for the most part I do very few meals that are not signature when it comes to dinner. My personal favorites are Blue Zoo (it is amazing), Tiffins (I was shocked), Flying Fish and Narcoossee's. The only Signatures that I would list as "Fails" for me are Le Cellier with it's dark, loud, cramped and rather average food and service and the other signature fail was Morimoto's. Morimoto was epic in it's failure. Everything from being seated and waiting 15 minutes to have a server address us, to wrong entree's delivered to having food spilled on one of us at the table without even as much as a manager stopping by to offer an apology.

 

[Accident]

It's all relative and timing is everything. If you come from an area with almost nowhere to eat but chain places that you traveled awhile to get too, it's going ot be outstanding food. If your coming from nyc and you normally fine dine, it's going to be horrible food.. *BUT* if you go a few days first where your pallet is adjusting to disney quality food then hit a signature on day 4 or later it becomes much better than what you have been eating the rest of the trip so far...

There is some exceptions but fine dining in orlando is not the same as fine dining in nyc.. it's getting better but it's not the same yet..

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I would say yes. The only one that isn't truly worth it for food alone is CRT, but you're paying for the castle and the princesses.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

I have dined at lots of signatures and always enjoy the experience and the food.
I've dined at Flying Fish, Cali grill, Narcoosee's, Citrico's, Yachtsman steakhouse, The Boathouse, and others.
I find that the food, service and experience is well worth paying a higher price at the Disney Signature's.
If you have any opportunity to dine at Victoria & Albert's do it. It is a truly wonderful, gourmet experience.
I dined there solo 2 years ago and loved every minute and bite!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I would say yes, always. But like others have said that can of course be subjective. as a twenty something a lot of our friends scoff at the idea of spending what my husband and I do on food at Disney (or on Disney in general really). The food has always impressed us. However we aren't picky eaters and don't really eat out at high end places much in our home city, so perhaps we just aren't accustomed to it. I think I also have a tendency to look at anything Disney does through rose colored glasses. A meal at a Disney Signature and that same meal elsewhere I might rate two different ways. I am usually in such a good mood when I'm at Disney that I can't be disappointed.

 

[Yahweh]

-yes compared to regular dining
-signature dining is better at the resorts than the parks