Cruise Food VS Disney World Food

[jjje]

I think in terms of variety the parks win out simply because there are more places to choose from. The ship food gets a big point from me though because you never once have to worry about something being in your budget. You can eat ice cream ten times a day without ever thinking "Ouch! That adds up!" I think that's a nice vacation perk. As to quality? Meh. I had hits and misses on the Magic and I've had hits and misses in the parks. Overall I enjoy them both pretty equally.

 

[Aoi_Bara]

I think this is really all about personal preference. One isn't really better than the other bc there is a million different experiences. Personally, I feel like its the cruise hands down, but that's due in part bc there's so many options easily available and more personal service. I also find it more consistent. But again, it all depends on personal choice and tastes. It's kinda like comparing cheesecake and soufflé: both are awesome, it just depends what you're into.

Couldn't have said it better!

 

[starousse]

We're doing a land/sea trip in May. We have always done the Deluxe Dining Plan, so now I'm nervous that after eating at all of the great signatures, were gonna be a little disappointed in the food once we get on the ship.

 

[crisi]

I tend to agree, but don't get me wrong, we enjoy eating in the MDRs.
But when dining at WDW, at restaurants like the; Flying Fish, Shula's, The Yachtsman, Bluezoo & Victoria & Albert's, the MDRs just don't compare. You'll need to jump up to Palo & Remy to be on the same level. Just my 2 cents worth.

So do I, I just make sure to set my expectations appropriately. This won't be "the best steak ever" - it won't even make the list of great steaks I've had - but it will be enjoyable, the service will be good, the atmosphere fun. I think cruises are great "practice meals" for kids and fine dining.

But if I want a fine dining vacation, I'm going to San Francisco or NYC or somewhere else with GREAT restaurants. I'm not getting on a cruise ship - or going to Disney. I'm a "foodie" but I'm not a food snob.

 

[AMB1]

I agree that the DCL food is comparable to the buffets and 1 TS credit restaurants in the World, but not as good as the signature restaurants.

That being said, I still enjoyed dining in the MDRs on the ship more than dining in the parks on the dining plan. I appreciated being able to have appetizers and soup/salad with dinner in the MDR. I found many of the appetizers more flavourful than the entrees. Dining on the ship is less stressful than using the dining plan, which increased my overall enjoyment.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I agree that the DCL food is comparable to the buffets and 1 TS credit restaurants in the World, but not as good as the signature restaurants.

That being said, I still enjoyed dining in the MDRs on the ship more than dining in the parks on the dining plan. I appreciated being able to have appetizers and soup/salad with dinner in the MDR. I found many of the appetizers more flavourful than the entrees. Dining on the ship is less stressful than using the dining plan, which increased my overall enjoyment.

I think there's a lot of 1 credit restaurants in WDW that hands down beat the MDR on the ships.

My mom's lamb at Kona was outstanding (the ships was good but didn't come close to the Kona version); at GF Cafe, I had shrimp and grits which were far better than any seafood (non-fish) meals I had on board. At WDW, we avoid the over-hyped, kid centric restaurants and have had many innovative and interesting meals.

And a sit down breakfast at just about any WDW restaurant is 10x better than what I've experienced for breakfast at the sit down restaurant on the ship (on the ship, I found the buffet or a cold, continental breakfast from room service to be the better choices).

 

[polygal]

I prefer the food at Disney World. The table-service meals that I've had at Disney World are 100 times better than the food that I just had on the Dream. I got off of the Dream last Thursday and I was very disappointed in the food.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I prefer the food on the ship. True, its not the best food I've ever had but that's okay. I've found plenty of things that are delicious. If I get something not up to par I can just get something else and it doesn't cost me more. I don't have to fight the urge to throw up the food I just ate when presented with a crazy high check to pay for food that wasn't worth the price. By a long shot.

Cruise food isn't going to be home cooking. I don't vacation to eat anyway.

I'll take the cruise food any day over WDW food on location alone.

I've eaten at 1 signature WDW restaurant twice: once on my dime and once on theirs. Think about that. One. There's a reason for that.

 

[lilpooh108]

Yes I though Palo on the Wonder was pretty weak. Better than Olive Garden, but not by much.

Yes, Olive Garden, Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill. That's what it tasted like. We tried it twice thinking the first time was a fluke.

It wasn't until we had Palo on the Magic did we finally understand what the fuss was about. The Palo food on the Magic was really excellent. Miles above the Palo experiences/food we had on the Wonder.

It might have helped that we were in Italy already, and our server said that the ship just got stock resupplied (the antipasti stuff). I guess all Palos get shipments from Italy but maybe by the time it gets there it's not that great.

Beyond the antipasti, the main entrees on the Wonder Palo were disappointing as well.

 

[ludari]

Food taste better on the cruise because it's free unlike when I visit WDW.

 

[liv908]

I felt the DCL food better dining experience than the Disney Parks.

Over 16 years ago I cruised Celebrity Cruise Line and Costa. Felt the food was great on these two lines. I do feel food was much better on Celebrity than DCL, but this is in comparison to 16 years ago. Not sure what CC food is like today.
I have not tried Palo/Remy and only dined in regular MDR's I must admit.

 

[MillauFr]

I would love to know what Olive Garden you people eat at that is "just under" Palo. All the ones I've eaten at (back when I lived in suburbia and we didn't have good options) are gag-worthy while Palo was delicious!

I actually have never been to an Olive Garden. I don't believe they have any in Seattle. I was guessing what the Palo food would compare to.

Comparing it to an average run of the mill Italian restaurant in Seattle, Palo just doesn't cut it. I remember when the Palo server brought the Antipasto course out and started raving about the different meats and cheeses I thought this will be good. Wrong. It paled in comparison to the Italian meats I get at Whole Foods. Here in Seattle if you want good Antipasto you go to Salumi in Seattle. It is run by Mario Batali's father and the man is the king. I can't get enough of his meats.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Wow! Good to know. I'm going to Seattle to see Twinkie for my first trip ever out there next week! yay for Twinkie Week! (it only comes twice a year)

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Food taste better on the cruise because it's free unlike when I visit WDW.

Food and soda are not "free" on the cruise - they are included in your cruise fare. I didn't just pay $3800 for a cabin and everything else they are throwing in "for free".

 

[ludari]

Food and soda are not "free" on the cruise - they are included in your cruise fare. I didn't just pay $3800 for a cabin and everything else they are throwing in "for free".

My comment was made in jest.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Food and soda are not "free" on the cruise - they are included in your cruise fare. I didn't just pay $3800 for a cabin and everything else they are throwing in "for free".

Nothing in life is free not even "free dining" at WDW but it sure feels more like free when you can get refills and are not constantly signing slips reminding you how much your spending. I think most people are educated enough to realize that anything labeled as "free" has simply been included in the cost elsewhere.

Other cruise lines have "soda cards" and that does not feel free at all.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Other cruise lines have "soda cards" and that does not feel free at all.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

On RCCL, I purchased my soda card before the cruise so it was included in my cruise fare. I still didn't consider it "free" but it was no different than DCL (except that on RCCL, the flavour choices were diverse and there were over 100 flavours of soda/beverages to choose from).

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Yay! 'Free' pizza for everyone!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I would say that Cabanas beats any WDW buffet hands down, except for breakfast I think you can get a better breakfast in WDW like Boma or Crystal Palace are my favorite for breakfast.

Pizza on the ship was 1000 times better than any pizza in WDW!!!

The MDRs I think have a slight lead compared to overall dining in WDW but if you look at specific WDW restaurants there are some I would prefer, like Via Napoli, Ohana, and Boma in my opinion are all better than the MDRs. Theming has a lot to do with the dining experience also. WDW restaurants are much better themed, even AP I'm not really impressed with. Although being in AP on pirates night I thought was better than the normal experience.

I've never eaten at Palo or the other one, I really don't like dressing up and being able to wear shorts to dinner makes my food taste better.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

The pizza on the ship was good. I STILL LOVE Pizzafari at AK. Its tradition. We just have to go. I suffer the consequences for DCL pizza & Pizzafari. (bring my handydandy probiotics.)