cruise food vs. wdw food

[Disney Planner Mama]

For all of you castaway club members: I've been hearing a lot of conflicting reports about the food on the cruise and realize its probably just a matter of personal taste. But in an effort to try and get a better understanding....

1) How do you rate the food on the cruise (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best)

2) what are your three favorite restaurants at WDW?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

We last sailed on the Magic in May 2004, and I'd give the food rating and 8. Therefore, I can't comment on the new menus which seem to have a lot of negative reviews. (I'm one who enjoys a meal that I don't have to prepare. LOL!)

My three favorite restaurants at WDW:

1. Hollywood Brown Derby at MGM
2. Cinderella's Breakfast at MK
3. Alfredo's at Epcot

 

[rotary2808]

We were on the Magic in Sept. 04. The food on the cruise is awesome. I would rate it an 9.

Favorite WDW restaurants:
1) Hollywood Brown Derby
2) Sci-Fi Dine In Theater (for the atmosphere)
3) Chef Mickey's

 

[Rence]

I have sailed DCL twice.

The first time DCL was still fairly new and I thought the food was just OK, I was disappointed because everyone always raves about cruise ship food.

Second trip was a year or so ago and the food was much much better. I would rate it in the 8 to 9 range.

Then a few months ago I went on Celebrity, which many people say has the best food of the major cruise lines. My opinion was that DCL and Celebrity were neck in neck. Each line did some things better than the other, but overall it was similar quality.

 

[allears]

We've been on 5 DCL curises and a bunch of WDW trips. The food at all of the up scale restaurants at DW are great. As for the cruise, we've always rated the food 9 to 10. First of all you've already paid for it, so you don't have to worry about what you order. Two, some body else is cooking it, thirdly, if you don't like anything, just tell your servers and they'll get you something else even if it is a special order. And finally, if you have room you can have a second entry or multiple desserts.

We've always been thrilled with our meals, the variety, quality etc. etc.. We also appreicate the kid friendly items, which my youngest loved.

 

[NCRedding]

I've sailed DCL five times since 2001, with the most recent trip being Sept. of 2004. I would rate my meals on DCL as 8.5 to 9. The meals have always been served appropriate temperatures, and with a flair.

Favorite WDW restaurants: LeCellier; California Grill; Chef de France

 

[geffric]

We have been on 3 DCL cruises - with number 4 next spring.. our fav was the first cruise.. my youngest , who only eats mac n cheese, burgers, pizza and watermelon was very worried about going on the cruise and if he would be able to eat any the food. The first night we were at Parrot Cay and the server was wonderful. He brought my son a large platter of freshly cut watermelon slices and a big plate of mac n cheese..


After that we have always liked the food.. it is not 5 star restuarant but it is very good in my opinion...

 

[Ariel&Flounder'sMom]

Okay, I'll play:

Definitely, a 9 on cruise food. We thought it was great. Palo, of course, was the best. But the rest is presented beautifully, and tasted really good - we thought. I don't know why some people are disappointed with it. Of all of our appetizers, main courses, desserts, and salads, we were disappointed in only one. Maybe we don't have as good of "taste" as others.

I've only been to a few places in WDW, but BOMA is fantastic. The Brown Derby is good too.

JMHO....

 

[ljql_5969]

Haven't cruised DCL yet but I can comment on the WDW restaurants. (the rest of you made me nostalgic and hungry!)

#1. Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano (MGM)
#2. O'hanas (DH fav!)
#3. Biergarten

 

[kplatt]

Can't vote for WDW food as haven't spent much time there, but one thing that impresses me on the cruises is the QUALITY of the meals taking into account the QUANTITY of food being cooked for every meal.

I can't fault the kitchen -- sorry, galley -- for not sending out meals that are always a 10 when they're trying to serve hundreds of people almost simultaneously. I can't even produce a 5 for my family of 4!

I have learned to trust the servers' suggestions, and have never hesitated to send back a plate that is disappointing (not that I remember doing that more than once or twice).

Keeping my QUALITY/QUANTITY theory in mind, it's easy to understand why Palo's is so special -- really on the level of a first-class gourmet restaurant.

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02
Carnival Destiny (don't ask) 12/03
Booked on Magic Eastbound repositioning 8/05

 

[AspiringCindy]

I would rate the food on the cruise an 8 or 9...but I haven't eaten at Palos! I have heard that they are definitely a 10!

My favorite restaurants at WDW are:
1. LeCellier
2. Ohana's
3. Chef's de France

 

[mom_rules]

I rate it a 7, Palo dinner an 8 and Palo Brunch a 9.

I totally agree-try the servers suggestions and never hesitate to send it back if it's not to your liking.

WDW restaurants: California Grill, Spoodles and the Yachtsman Steakhouse
(closely followed by Hollywood Brown Derby, Blue Zoo, Le Cellier and Wolfgang Pucks)

 

[Mickeyhugger]

one thing that impresses me on the cruises is the QUALITY of the meals taking into account the QUANTITY of food being cooked for every meal.

I can't fault the kitchen -- sorry, galley -- for not sending out meals that are always a 10 when they're trying to serve hundreds of people almost simultaneously. I have learned to trust the servers' suggestions, and have never hesitated to send back a plate that is disappointing (not that I remember doing that more than once or twice).

Keeping my QUALITY/QUANTITY theory in mind, it's easy to understand why Palo's is so special -- really on the level of a first-class gourmet restaurant.

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02
Carnival Destiny (don't ask) 12/03
Booked on Magic Eastbound repositioning 8/05

Very well said.

 

[Muushka]

Setting aside the quantity factor, from a pure quality standpoint:

I give the Magic (dining rooms) a 6 (oh no! I feel flames!!!)

My husband gives it a 7

We give Palo a 10 and Pluto's a 9 (for what they serve it is tastey!).


We have only been on 1 cruise.

We have been to WDW countless times. Favorite restaurants are:

1. Ohana for dinner
2. Cape May for breakfast
3. Pecos Bill for lunch

 

[RichNKatHolly]

After one cruise I would rate the food a 9. Well prepared and presented and best of all the kid's menu always has at least 1 item that is not your standard kid's fare. My kids ate pork, fish fillet, etc. Great break from nothing but chicken fingers and pizza. Unfortunately we missed the first 2 dining days due to a stomach bug but it was great after that. On the 4th night the best of menu was excellent, a 10.

Favorite WDW places:
1) Brown Derby
2) Anything at WS in Epcot!

 

[ironwill1979]

I'm pretty easy to please, so I rank DCL food as a 9.

My 3 favorite WDW restaurants would have to be in this order:
1 - Boma @ Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
2 - Restaurant Marrakesh @ Epcot
3 - O'hana @ Disney's Polynesian Resort

 

[salbythec]

DCL: I rate it a 9. Palo a 10

Our favorite WDW restaurants are:
1. Le Cellier
2. O'Hanana
3. Boma'

 

[mrsltg]

Hold on, let me zip up the flame suit....

Ok, the fact that I'm not cooking it or that I can have as much as I want does not make me tingle at the thought of DCL food. I'd give it a solid 5-6 - average. I rate it the same as I rate Friday's or Macaroni Grill and the like - the food is fine, usually. Nothing spectacular, nothing awful, just middle of the road, regular, it's alright, kind of food. I did enjoy the Palo's brunch immensely and room service was pretty good, too (again, for what it was). I was not hungry on the ship, but I wasn't stuffed, either. I did think that the wine list was nice and enjoyed several really good glasses throughout the cruise.

At WDW my favorite restaurants have been
1. Jiko's
2. Le Cellier
3. Citrico's
4. Marrikesh
5. Pecos Bill's (a good burger is a good burger...)
6. 'ohanas
7. My dh is chiming in with Liberty Tree Tavern

Erin

 

[lbgraves]

I rate the food on our two 7 day cruises 8-9. There were only two things that I didn't really care for & a replacement was brought out very quickly. The dining experience to me has ALOT to do with the service and we have been fortunate enough to be able to request the same server on our second cruise. Rudy definitely made the over all experience a 10. Palo...well, we went for the first time last cruise for both dinner & brunch & I give that a 12.

We have been to MK for a total of two days and DTD as well but never ate there. We have only eaten at the place with the singing alien at MK. We don't spend alot of money on food at the parks when we know we will be treated on the cruise in a couple days.

 

[lunsusie]

We have cruised twice with DCL, most recently in March 2005. I would rate the food 8.5. Menu selections were good, as was the presentation.

Our favorite restauarants at DCL are:

(1) Le Cellier
(2) Olivia's
(3) Kona Cafe