Birnbaum's all time favorite restaurant in WDW.... the Wave?

[asdfghjkl13]

I was reading Birnbaum's 2011 WDW Guide and I read that The Wave @ CR was awarded by Birnbaum's guide that it was the best all around restaurant in Disney. Is it really that good? I've seen some good reviews for it on here but not that much. If this is the case then I might have to try it someday....

 

[Uncleromulus]

Must be a misprint---
It's good, but hardly great. Breakfast is especially "average".
Did that ranking include any other factors such as price, location, etc.?

 

[OKW Lover]

Hmm, Their opinion doesn't seem to agree with most of what I've seen here on the DIS. For any restaurant, you may want to read the dining reviews here when trying to decide.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Best does not equal favorite.We like it a lot due to convenience to MK and a good solid menu with moderate prices.Is it asgood as V&A,Jiko,AP etc...?No but it is one we hit every other trip.Maybe they just liked the food convenience,theming,service and price as a whole.

 

[steamboat_rachel]

you can read my thoughts about that guide here If you want a real guide, I would go with the Unofficial, so much more useful in my opinion

 

[kamikazecat]

I can see how they would award The Wave. It may not be the best when you include the signature dining restaurants but it is very good for a non signature dining experience. My family tries to eat dinner there at least once a trip. The food is wonderful, the atmosphere is very relaxing, and the location is very convenient.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I can totally see that, we have been there twice and the food is amazing. The experience is like a signature but it not as costly.

 

[KYMickey]

Wincing to consider is that they have a very small menu in comparison to most of the restaurants in WDW. This may or may not be an issue for you depending on how picky members of your party are. Their drink menu is actually longer than the entree selection menu!

 

[nytimez]

The cynic in me suspects they may be trying to send more traffic to that restaurant... maybe it's not quite meeting targets and needs a little boost.

 

[Pugmalion1]

The Wave? Really?

I guess Birnbaum's really likes unimaginative menus served in dining rooms that appear to be well-decorated fallout shelters.

The Wave does have a fantastic lounge, though. I'll give them that.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I don't think its that surprising. For 1 TS meals, its delicious and a very upscale experience.

 

[aba06001]

I agree that it may not be the absolute best in terms of number of offerings, BUT the menu items that are served are top nitch in my opinion.

With California Grill upstairs it is often overlooked, but for the price, location and outstanding Disney quality service it is in my top 3 NONsignature restaurants.

In this case I think it doesn't have the Disney magic of a lot of sit down restaurants and instead is something similar to a typical restaurant outside of WDW.

On a side note...BIG fan of their desserts! 3 small desserts that are actually one serving each combined on a single plate, perfect for a sweet tooth.

 

[wallawallakids]

The Wave was the worst place we have ever had dinner at in WDW. Seriously. It was so bad. I am not sure how that place can win an award for food. Lastly, our server was seriously not nice, and even a bit snobby. I will never go back.

 

[minnie mum]

I was reading Birnbaum's 2011 WDW Guide and I read that The Wave @ CR was awarded by Birnbaum's guide that it was the best all around restaurant in Disney. Is it really that good? I've seen some good reviews for it on here but not that much. If this is the case then I might have to try it someday....

Really impossible to comment on their rating without knowing the criteria they based it on. We have found the food to be better prepared than a lot of the other non signature restaurants on property, and the service has never been an issue for us, unlike many other places where it is either rushed or severely lacking. I have no problem with the ambiance, either. Add these factors, and for us it means we would be happy to eat there anytime.

I saw one post suggesting that they were pimping for the restaurant to drive business their way. Since they aren't owned by Disney, and have had a very long history as a reputable guide, I find the suggestion,um, unlikely.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I like The Wave. I go there when I don't feel like going to Contempo Café or when we arrive late. Would I rather go to California Grill or Victoria and Albert? Yes. But it's better than most other TS restaurants in that area.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I think it's one of the better non-signature non-buffet non-character meals in Disney.

 

[NewRVLady]

Stephen Birnbaum died in 1991
who knows who is writing those guide books?

 

[Micca]

I don't know about the Wave, but the Birnbaum guide hasn't been relevant since the 80s.

 

[ChrisNY2]

I think it's an ok restaurant. The breakfast buffet is pretty tasty. But it could really be a Hilton or Westin restaurant anywhere. It's nothing special, in my opinion.

 

[laurapitcher]

Ive found Birnbaum's to be super biased -- it's not my favorite guide book to use in trip planning. I recommend using The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.

But no, The Wave is very, very average.