Best Suprise and Biggest Disappoinment?

[hildarumpole]

Best Surprise: Biergarten. We almost cancelled our ADR, but it turned out to a lot of fun and good food, too.


Biggest Disappointment: Ohana and Rose & Crown. All of the glowing reviews for Ohana had us very excited. The food wasn't very good and the service was the worst we've ever had at Disney. Rose & Crown used to be a favorite, but our most recent trip was a big let down.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Best surprise-Coral Reef. I'd heard mixed reviews, but since I was on the DDP, I thought I'd try it out. Love it!
Most Disappointing-Boma on my last trip. Luke-warm soup (it had a "skim" on it) and room temperature fru-fru potatoes.

Reading through these threads, I've noticed that for so many places, one person's disappointment is another person's best surprise.

 

[Merylj]

Biggest surprise - Coral Reef, great service, food and what a beautiful restaurant.
Biggest disappointment - CG early one evening, no atmosphere and poor food.

 

[Mr Man]

TS

Surprise hit: Ohana. We heard of the "terror of the children's parade", rushed food, undercooked/overcooked etc. Our experience could not have been better. Liked the drinks from the bar, loved the food (had to get an extra portion of the shrimp natch) & had a great view of the Volcano Pool/MK. Both DS's were entertained and amused continuously. We will do Ohana again someday (but must try Kona Cafe next).

Disappointing meal: WGP. This was our 2nd visit. 1st visit (2005) was so great that it really built up our expectations. 2nd visit (in Sep 07-yes free dining....), was like a different restaurant full of rude people who actually took pleasure in telling us what we couldn't order........and then taking forever to serve food that was definitely not our first choice. Doubt we will visit there again. In fairness, I have to say, their carrot cake is to die for (but can order this to go at WGP Express).

CS
Surprise Hit- Sunshines Seasons EPCOT. I didn't even know this place existed until last trip (waiting for our FP to mature for Soarin' and had some time to burn). Great food. Huge selection (ventures beyond burger / hot dog/Chicken tender fare).

Disappointing Meal:
Pizzafari DAK- Pizza quality.....feh..... but what really got my goat......they do NOT have a kid's meal pizza (quite possible the dumbest idea EVER). PBJ & cheez quesadilla? Why I oughta........ Should rename the place "Un-Pizzafari" or "Pizza for adults only-fari


YMMV

 

[magicalcouple]

Biggest Surprise: Marrakesh. I let my husband choose our Dining ressie for one particular EPCOT night, and he chose Marrakesh. I went, full prepared to hate every bite. I had the Shish kabobs and I tell you this- I crave those things still! So delicious!!!

Biggest Disappointment: Sci Fi. Do not get me wrong- the atmosphere alone draws me back from time to time....but our last meal there was just not what it should be. My spinach and artichoke dip was cold and had a random piece of a chip in it that looked as if it had been just sitting in it for hours....My husbands BLT soup was cold...it just was a touch experience. On the other hand, I've been there for lunch and loved my burger.

You just never know- that is how it goes with many meals at restaurants!

 

[crisi]

Disappointment: Boma - victim of DISBoards expectation inflation. It wouldn't have been bad had my expectations been reasonable, but I was expecting much better. (B&C is a close runner up for the same reasons).

Surprise: Raglan Road - was in DTD by myself after wrapping up a conference, toured the resorts and had to eat. Raglan Road was close and I generally don't like food from the British Isles, but close overcame the "I could walk down to Wolfgang Pucks or House of Blues" - it was good.

 

[scrump]

Best Surprise: Tony's Town Square. So many bad reviews, but we decided to try it because it was one of the few MK restaurants we had never been to. The service was great, the food was good and the theming was so cute! I loved it!

Biggest Disappointment: Le Cellier. The food was good, but nothing that we can't get around here (except for the pretzel bread), and the service was really annoying and the atmosphere was sub-par. I'd rather spend my time and money at other restaurants that have more of the "wow factor" for me.

 

[metsfan11]

Biggest Surprise- Whispering Canyon Cafe- I had heard good things about this TS restaurant, but I still was unsure. After I arrived, I felt at home with the loud antics and sarcastic waiter (who was GREAT!). We ordered the skillet, and they handled our allergy problem exceptionally well. The food was wonderful (including dessert), and it was a great atmosphere. Also, it was nice to be in the WL, which has an incredibly beautiful lobby. I would definetly come back to eat here.

Biggest Dissapointment- I was completely pleased with every place we went to. Only Disney!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Best surprise: Tony's. I was really expecting to be underwhelmed, but it was available so I went ahead and booked it. Turned out to be really good, especially the calamari and creme brulee.

Biggest Disappointment: California Grill. It was noisy, my pork was raw (and I know pork can be rare but this was more like raw), I sent it back to no avail. I also found it to be noisy and the way people fight for the chairs and tables in the waiting area was not pleasant. I think the atmosphere was just very disappointing, view or no view. I'd try it again but not anytime soon.

 

[Kata]

Thank you for all the great responses!!!!!!!!!!!!! It amazes me how so many people can give a restaurant a great review and then a lot of people will say it is was the dissapointment of their trip. We all have such different expectations and when we hear so many great reviews about a restaurant we sometimes expect too much.I am going to try Coral Reef in 12/07 and it really does get mixed reviews but I guess I will have to give it a try and see for myself.Thanks for sharing your opinions with me I really appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tiggersmom2]

Best Surprise - Crystal Palace. The fritatta was to die for and the mushroom chicken was divine!!! This is definitely not your standard buffet cuisine. The desserts were out of this world.....I still dream of that flan!!

Worst Place EVER....Marrakesh
I was so excited about this restaurant. If I had been on the dining plan I might not have grieved so badly over the wasted money, but alas, I was not on the DP. We both had the "feast". We had tasteless soup (I seriously had to dump half the salt and pepper shaker in it), a tiny little egg roll that was the beef appetizer thingy. The meal itself was unspectacular.....the chicken was dry, dry, dry, the couscous was good, but there was only a dollop and the lamb was wonderful but there was a pitiful small amount of it. The dessert was unforgettable, can't even remember what it was.

The bill was 110.00 before tax for 2 adults and a 4 year old (he had the nastiest pasta you could imagine). I will NEVER, EVER, EVER go back......bleh

 

[buckylarue]

My most recent trip, biggest surprise would have to be how good the lunch was at Liberty Tree Tavern. I was really unsure about this one, and basically just booked it because I had the DDE card and knew I would get 20% off, but I was most impressed! I had the soup of the day (tomato florentine, very tasty), the cider-cured salmon on grilled pumpkin bread with field greens and spaghetti squash (excellent), and the caramel apple tart with cinnamon ice cream (to die for!).
No real disappointments this trip, except for the fact that I had to cancel my Raglan Road ADR because I was too worn out that might. Oh well, just have to try it next trip!

 

[JRLINK3]

Biggest Surprise: Liberty Tree Tavern. To be completely honest, we only went here so that we could get early entry into the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Boy, what a surprise! The food was just so delicious! We are going again this year and just can't wait! The character interaction was so superior to the other character dining.

Biggest Disappointment: Hollywood and Vine. We had ADR and we still had to wait 45 minutes. The restaurant wasn't even full! When we did get in the tables were filthy and the buffet was not fully stocked. What we did have seemed like it's been sitting out for hours. We will never go there again.

Oh, and another disappointment was the dining on the Disney cruise. We were on the Wonder. The buffets were really good. But Animator's Palate and Tritons I will skip next time. They both got really good reviews too.

 

[OKW Lover]

Biggest Surprise:
'Ohana - rev 1

Biggest Disappointment:
'Ohana - rev 2

Disney took a really good, fun dining experience and turned it into just a blah one where you really can't enjoy yourself because of all the noise.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Biggest Surprise - O'hana suggested by everyone here. Me and DH loved this place. They were great finding something for the baby. It was a tad noisy but with a toddler at least we didnt have to worry about him being loud.

Biggest Let Down - Cali Grill. It was just plain terrible. Cold food. Very bad service (3 hours for a meal is a bit much) and that was before kids. I will probably never go back. Sad.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

Biggest surprise--Boma--I really liked the food. I was worried because I am not an adventurous eater but it was excellent.

Biggest disappointment-Raglan Road--the food wasnt good. The sirloin was tasteless. Just yuck-from appie to dessert.

 

[photobob]

Biggest disappointment

-San Angel Inn- The food was not good and the service was the worst I've encountered anywhere. We finished our drinks before we ordered our food. We asked three times for more drinks and they were finally brought 15 minutes after we had gotten our food. Our rude server who finally brought the drinks sat the drinks on the end of the table and walked off. The first time and only time I have ever not left a tip for a waiter.

Biggest Surprise

Coral reef-Loved the food, service and very cool atmosphere.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Disappointing Meal:
Pizzafari DAK- Pizza quality.....feh..... but what really got my goat......they do NOT have a kid's meal pizza (quite possible the dumbest idea EVER). PBJ & cheez quesadilla? Why I oughta........ Should rename the place "Un-Pizzafari" or "Pizza for adults only-fari


YMMV

I just wanted to comment on this. I thnk that Pizzafari doesn't have a child's pizza meal because everyone would purchase the child's meal! You can't make an individual pizza much smaller than they already are (child size) and if they make the pizzas a child's meal people would expect them to be cheaper. When we go to Pizzafari, Pizza Planet, or Pinocchio's if the girls want pizza, we buy one!

 

[Stacerita]

Biggest Surprise - Tony's. We had wanted to try it but after hearing some not so great reviews we were worried. But this place was great. We had an awesome server who was just wow. The food was yummy and portions were huge. And we thought the place was cute. We definately plan to keep going here.

Biggest Disappointment - Kona Cafe. I heard nothing but great reviews from this place. Everyone going on and on about how great it was. And it was just ok if that. Our service was horrible and the food wasn't all that. My meal was icky actually. The appetizer was alright, and the dessert was good. But other than that, its so wasn't worth the time it took to go there. I may give it another chance somewhere down the road, but not anytime soon.

 

[i3utterfli82]

Best Surprise was Coral Reef! We LOVED it! Excellent service too!