Depressing.

[Acklander]

No chip on my shoulder. When I go out to eat 9 times out of 10 I order steak. At the Coral Reef I had done this for years and always recommended it to friends. The first year of the DDP, it was as wonderful as ever. The next year the steak was not good-tough and it didn't have a good flavor. I thought maybe it was a fluke so I gave it another try on our next trip. It was the worst yet. Go to Piccadilly orf Golden Corral and order a steak. It will taste better than the steak I had at the Coral Reef. It seems like maybe the quality of the beef is not as good as it was a few years ago.

exactly. They had to lower the quality of the food, to make it fit within the dining plan costs. Since they have less money to work with in putting out the meal, they are going with lesser quality foods.
Like I said earlier, this is fine for the masses, since so many people sign up for the dining plan, and it's fine for Disney since it helps fill their hotel rooms, but not so great for our family since we like quality food and are willing to pay for it. So, instead of getting my steak at a place like Coral Reef, I drive 10 minutes away from Epcot to Charlie's steak house and buy my steak there. That works for me.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Speaking as a local and someone who hasn't to Disney as a tourist in many years, the fact that Disney has a 180 ADR window is ridiculous. I mean...I can understand wanting to have a nice dinner/lunch or two during the vacation but come on! I will never understand why this is such an attraction at WDW but Disney has made this the norm and people look at you funny if you say you're going w/o ADRs twenty years in advance.

It would be nice to eat at a Disney resort restaurant but that's virtually impossible for someone who is local. They need to go back to first come/first served like it used to be. :sad2:

Amen to this 100%. It's nearly impossible for us to get ressies ANYWHERE unless we plan our 180 days. We tried to book Ohana for our anniversary and exactly 180 days out and it was booked. Tried to get ANYTHING at Ohana in that time frame...nothing.

We can never do a spur of the moment dining experience unless we're thinknig Casey's.

 

[sbell111]

While I do think the quality at the higher end of the restaurant spectrum at WDW has been hurt by the dinning plan (and especially free dining) I think there is a lot of an over reaction on the issue. The restaurant board makes it sound like it is impossible to get a decent meal at WDW and that just isn't the case in my experience.

All I care about is getting a decent, healthy meal while I am down there and I have not had any problem finding that on property. I go down there for the attractions and the restaurants just serve the basic need of having to have food throughout the day. I don't concentrate on the restaurants as a focal point.

I also don't base my expectations heavily on dining reviews, especially of strangers. Everyone who posts on this thread can sit down at one big table, order the exact same meal, have it prepared the exact same way and have very different experiences. Some people have different criteria for what is good, some different expectations of service, many different tastes, and so forth. Unless it is a friend who I know has similar taste to me someone else finding the food "not up to par" doesn't really mean all that much.

I completely agree. Well, except for the 'healthy' bit.

 

[Acklander]

I suppose comparing the "new" Disney to the "old" Disney is lost on those who either haven't been going for as long as some of us or for whom the table service restaurants might be a new experience. Same with the upkeep, or lack of, around the resorts and parks. Perhaps we're being unfair to compare things with times gone by. I can appreciate that WDW is a business and any business needs to make a profit, but quality control should be a major issue for any good company. It's not just about profits.

I've been going to Disney since 1974 <gulp> so I understand where you're coming from. When Disney first started out, the food wasn't that great. It tasted like it all came from the same kitchen, so no matter where you ate, the menu was pretty much the same. When Epcot was built they branched out a bit on variety, and then a big expansion on variety and quality when they started building all the hotels. It's like they were trying to appeal to all the different demographics. So actually, it appears to me that they're coming back to where they started.

As far as the stuff like, painting all night long so no one has to see it during the day, and nothing ever looks worn, or the leaving the stores open until every single person has left on their own accord - sure that was nice, and it made Disney special - but it didn't make financial sense. Those are by-gone days. It doesn't effect just Disney, but every business.
A friend and I were talking about this the other day in reference to hospitals. I remember back in the 70's I needed minor surgery. The procedure then was to check into the hospital the night before, they wheeled me down in the same bed I slept in to surgery in the AM when they were ready for me, and I was back in my room all comfy, cozy for a night of observation and pain pills before being discharged the next day. I had the exact same procedure as an adult a few years ago. This time, I was told not to eat anything after midnight and to check in at 7AM at pre-op. There I waited with a large amount of people as we were called in one at a time. When it was my turn, I was knocked out/had my surgery, was observed for a couple of hours by the nurse and discharged to my husband to drive me home. While it was a lot more comfortable the old way, it didn't make sense financially, and didn't make a bit of difference medically in the big picture. Same with Disney, it was nice to have a freshly painted whatever, but it didn't really make a difference as far as my vacation experience went.

 

[rie'smom]

I've been going to Disney since 1974 <gulp> so I understand where you're coming from. When Disney first started out, the food wasn't that great. It tasted like it all came from the same kitchen, so no matter where you ate, the menu was pretty much the same. When Epcot was built they branched out a bit on variety, and then a big expansion on variety and quality when they started building all the hotels. It's like they were trying to appeal to all the different demographics. So actually, it appears to me that they're coming back to where they started.

As far as the stuff like, painting all night long so no one has to see it during the day, and nothing ever looks worn, or the leaving the stores open until every single person has left on their own accord - sure that was nice, and it made Disney special - but it didn't make financial sense. Those are by-gone days. It doesn't effect just Disney, but every business.
A friend and I were talking about this the other day in reference to hospitals. I remember back in the 70's I needed minor surgery. The procedure then was to check into the hospital the night before, they wheeled me down in the same bed I slept in to surgery in the AM when they were ready for me, and I was back in my room all comfy, cozy for a night of observation and pain pills before being discharged the next day. I had the exact same procedure as an adult a few years ago. This time, I was told not to eat anything after midnight and to check in at 7AM at pre-op. There I waited with a large amount of people as we were called in one at a time. When it was my turn, I was knocked out/had my surgery, was observed for a couple of hours by the nurse and discharged to my husband to drive me home. While it was a lot more comfortable the old way, it didn't make sense financially, and didn't make a bit of difference medically in the big picture. Same with Disney, it was nice to have a freshly painted whatever, but it didn't really make a difference as far as my vacation experience went.

This has more to do with insurance companies and also because MRSA is on the rise hospitals. If you become infected with this, you might end up much sicker than you were before you entered the hospital.

 

[Acklander]

This has more to do with insurance companies and also because Mersa is on the rise hospitals. If you become infected with this, you might end up much sicker than you were before you entered the hospital.

I was just using that as an example because a friend and I were just talking about how much it's changed - just like my mom couldn't understand why HER mother spent a week in the hospital after having a baby, when she only needed 3 night, and I only needed 1 night (and I'm sure my great grandmother wondered why my grandmother needed to go to a hospital at all LOL).
But you see it everywhere. At stores, and restaurants, and hotels, and banks, and so on..... I know I've seen it at work - the limiting resources to a little bit less than is needed instead of more to cut costs.

 

[Jennasis]

FWIW, I've been going to Disney since 1979 (well, technically since 1976 but I was in utero at the time!).

The steak I ate two weeks ago was fan-freaking-tastic. I made my ADR's a little less than 180 days out (cause I goofed on the math and didn't realize my window had opened). I got every reservation I wanted.

I promise as soon as I see the rampant decline in quality everyone is talking about then I will join in the chorus of "what the deuce??" But for now, I'm happy as a clam, loving the discounts and plans, and still loving Disney.

I must be huffin' the pixie dust but in this case maybe ignorance IS bliss?

 

[eliza61]

While I do think the quality at the higher end of the restaurant spectrum at WDW has been hurt by the dinning plan (and especially free dining) I think there is a lot of an over reaction on the issue. The restaurant board makes it sound like it is impossible to get a decent meal at WDW and that just isn't the case in my experience.

All I care about is getting a decent, healthy meal while I am down there and I have not had any problem finding that on property. I go down there for the attractions and the restaurants just serve the basic need of having to have food throughout the day. I don't concentrate on the restaurants as a focal point.
.

I wish I could be like that. for me my vacation is a sum of many parts. While I don't go to Disney specifically for the food, I do have to be there for 9 nights and on any vacation I would like to have food that is at least as good as the stuff I make at home. Sorry, Tony Town square is pretty blaise as far as Italian food goes. I can make my own non descript sauce, why would I want to eat out and get it?

So no I'm not concentrating on restaurants as a focal point but at the end of a long day of park touring, I want food that is more than "some thing" to fill me up. For me granola bars could fill a basic need. I'm a pretty sensory person. quality means a lot. If I stay on site, a shabby room is upsetting. so the argument "I just sleep there, I'm not in there a lot" wouldn't work for me.
Same argument for the rides. I don't go to disney for the rides specifically because let's face it, if you're into thrill rides Disney is not the best at that and the other attractions are becoming ridiculously hard to even get on unless you have a strategy worthy of the d-day invasion.

rides+resort+restaurants= a fabulous vacation, so if one part of the cog is missing it takes away from my overall enjoyment. Nothing worse imo than going out to dinner and coming home with the "eh, that was ok". Just like if I went to disney and it rained every day. all these things can effect a vacation.

While I too take reviews with a grain of salt, I also look at the severity and the frequency of a particular review. When I hear 75% of people claim the best thing about a steakhouse is the Cheddar soup, yet that same steakhouse charges $35 bucks for it's rib eye or strip steak, that says a lot to me. once again why go to a steak house if the steak is going to be non descript.

So yeah, I guess at 32 dollars a pop, I want just a tad bit more than "decent" or "edible"
Pretty much why the last 2 trips out of the 9 night stay, we ate dinner on site maybe 3 nights. for the same amount of money we were able to rent a car and have waaay better quality meals.

 

[rie'smom]

FWIW, I've been going to Disney since 1979 (well, technically since 1976 but I was in utero at the time!).

The steak I ate two weeks ago was fan-freaking-tastic. I made my ADR's a little less than 180 days out (cause I goofed on the math and didn't realize my window had opened). I got every reservation I wanted.

I promise as soon as I see the rampant decline in quality everyone is talking about then I will join in the chorus of "what the deuce??" But for now, I'm happy as a clam, loving the discounts and plans, and still loving Disney.

I must be huffin' the pixie dust but in this case maybe ignorance IS bliss?

Where did you have a good steak? I'd like to make an ADR.

 

[Jennasis]

Where did you have a good steak? I'd like to make an ADR.

California Grill (on the dining plan and worth two credits I assure you). Even better than my steak (which was hard to imagine) was the veal my sister ordered (and I do not like veal). Seriously one of the finest meals I've ever had.

When we were there in 2008, the mushroom filet at Le Cellier was astoundingly good (not a fan of the cheddar cheese soup).

Also this past trip, the braised short ribs at Chefs de France were divine as was the pot roast at 50's Primetime and the bottomless skillet at Whispering Canyon.

 

[Metro West]

Amen to this 100%. It's nearly impossible for us to get ressies ANYWHERE unless we plan our 180 days. We tried to book Ohana for our anniversary and exactly 180 days out and it was booked. Tried to get ANYTHING at Ohana in that time frame...nothing.

We can never do a spur of the moment dining experience unless we're thinknig Casey's.

I don't think you missed anything by not going to Ohana...I was disappointed when I went last summer with a friend who was visiting. She made the ADR early that year but we still had to wait when we arrived. The food was good...for the most part...waiter was a little pushy and was trying to rush us through the meal. The worst part was being stuck at a table right beside the children's conga line. There's nothing quite like small children staring at you and making a lot of noise with those shaker things when you are trying to eat. I won't go there again.

 

[rie'smom]

California Grill (on the dining plan and worth two credits I assure you). Even better than my steak (which was hard to imagine) was the veal my sister ordered (and I do not like veal). Seriously one of the finest meals I've ever had.

When we were there in 2008, the mushroom filet at Le Cellier was astoundingly good (not a fan of the cheddar cheese soup).

Also this past trip, the braised short ribs at Chefs de France were divine as was the pot roast at 50's Primetime and the bottomless skillet at Whispering Canyon.

Thank-you.

 

[Topper]

We have dinner reservations for Christmas Day and, as an afterthought, decided it might be nice to stay overnight. Realizing we were not going to get any AP or resident discounts, we expected to pay more for a room, but the best they could do is an All Star (VALUE?) for over $300 for one night! Uh, we'll drive the hour to get home...

I show the ASMu for $159 for that night.

 

[snapppyd]

While I do think the quality at the higher end of the restaurant spectrum at WDW has been hurt by the dinning plan (and especially free dining) I think there is a lot of an over reaction on the issue. The restaurant board makes it sound like it is impossible to get a decent meal at WDW and that just isn't the case in my experience.

All I care about is getting a decent, healthy meal while I am down there and I have not had any problem finding that on property. I go down there for the attractions and the restaurants just serve the basic need of having to have food throughout the day. I don't concentrate on the restaurants as a focal point.

I also don't base my expectations heavily on dining reviews, especially of strangers. Everyone who posts on this thread can sit down at one big table, order the exact same meal, have it prepared the exact same way and have very different experiences. Some people have different criteria for what is good, some different expectations of service, many different tastes, and so forth. Unless it is a friend who I know has similar taste to me someone else finding the food "not up to par" doesn't really mean all that much.

That's fine, but not everyone feels the same way. My Dh and I are a little "older". We have been on all the attractions hundreds of times. For us, staying at a deluxe resort and have high quality food is the highlight of the trip. We like to spend most of our time now at the pool (Beach Club) and eat a nice dinner.

One of the reasons we loved Disney was because it was always "like new" since we started going in 1981. It's sad for some of us to witness a decline in quality, whether it's the food, the service, the paint on the rails, etc. It's not as if prices have gone down for annual passes, etc.

 

[pigletgirl]

These are all interesting thoughts. I booked my ADR's last week and DF thought I was crazy. I told him if we wanted Ohana among some other things we need to book our ressie NOW.

I do wish Disney was more 'go with the flow'..heck its vacation!! But obviously that is more chaotic...

We will be doing some offsite activies so we'll get to eat at other establishments outside of Disney.

As for the prices you do pay more for the same meal because you're paying for Disney essentially. They can charge what they want because people will pay that amount.

 

[snapppyd]

I suppose comparing the "new" Disney to the "old" Disney is lost on those who either haven't been going for as long as some of us or for whom the table service restaurants might be a new experience. Same with the upkeep, or lack of, around the resorts and parks. Perhaps we're being unfair to compare things with times gone by. I can appreciate that WDW is a business and any business needs to make a profit, but quality control should be a major issue for any good company. It's not just about profits.

We have dinner reservations for Christmas Day and, as an afterthought, decided it might be nice to stay overnight. Realizing we were not going to get any AP or resident discounts, we expected to pay more for a room, but the best they could do is an All Star (VALUE?) for over $300 for one night! Uh, we'll drive the hour to get home...

The bottom line is that while discounts, dining plans and vacation packages are great for many people who could not otherwise have a WDW vacation, many others are expected to underwrite the cost of those and nobody is getting the WDW experience that made it special some years ago. Everybody loses except Disney, and this could be the beginning of the end for them, too!

I am in total agreement with you!

 

[DawnCt1]

I've been spending some time over on the restaurants board and it's getting pretty depressing. Having been to WDW six times in the last month or so, I can personally see the changes for the worse. It's not just in the dining, but in just about every area. Sometimes the changes are subtle, sometimes not. I'd be interested in hearing thoughts and ideas on the situation.

DH and I went to WDW for the first time in 1976. We started making family trips and when annually since the early '80s. While there have been vast "real estate and technical improvements", a lot of the personal touches, the individuality of the restaurants and the creativity of the meals has plummeted. Dining out is an important part of the experience for us. So I agree with you.

 

[sbell111]

My wife and I have travelled all over the world. Dining has never been the priority. If we want to have a really good meal, we can make it at home. The purpose of a vacation is to have a good time and possibly do/see something new.

That being said, I can't think of a single time that I have been disappointed with the food at WDW. I guess the closest was with the buffet at Trail's End, but truthfully, the food was fine. I simply wasn't in the mood for it.

 

[mhsjax]

Ah. I think I figured it out.

I honestly do not ,and really can't fathom how other people manage to, notice or care about such unbelievable minutia like paint chips on trim.

Stuff like that (to me) does not a vacation make.

Food, however, is important to us and like I said...we ate some of the best meals of our lives two weeks ago ON the dining plan.

Service is important to us and we received excellent service from top to bottom (with the exception of Universal but I understand that others have had great service there so I am looking forward to going back next time and having better luck).

Apparently YMMV. I'd say this attitude 'round here lately that Disney has gone to the dogs and we-won't-be-going-back-for-a-good-long-while/ever would be a boon to the rest of us (ie...shorter lines) but the place is crowded as ever.

But I am really sorry your experiences haven't been what you'd hoped and you want to go elsewhere.

We have problems with it because it wasn't always like this, it is going down hill. I still love WDW but I believe and so do alot of people that I know that Walt himself would be mad as heck if he saw what was going on.

We just got back, we didn't do dining, had enough of that. Anyway, never enough trams running, not enough monorails running, at MK 4 rides were not working, at HS Rockin Roller Coaster was down. All of these thing one at a time, no big deal, but when they keep increasing the price for things, then I expect a higher return, and that includes adequate trams and monorails and rides that don't break down, and I don't mean the ole, please stay seated, this ride will start at any moment, I am talking about the turning people away and telling them that the ride isn't working problems.

I have been going to WDW for 30 years several times a year, so maybe it is more noticeable to me, but it is 100% going in a downward direction.

As far as the crowd level, Most of it is European and I heard alot of complaints for US citizens this time, stating it was time to move on to other vacation spots.

I hope it improves, we are taking a break for about the next 10 years. but I do hop to take my grandkids there in about oh, maybe 15 years or so.

 

[FireDancer]

Amen to this 100%. It's nearly impossible for us to get ressies ANYWHERE unless we plan our 180 days. We tried to book Ohana for our anniversary and exactly 180 days out and it was booked. Tried to get ANYTHING at Ohana in that time frame...nothing.

We can never do a spur of the moment dining experience unless we're thinknig Casey's.

I have found that even when they say there are no reservations there often are or the wait is short. I go down a lot in January for marathon weekend and lived in FL for 2 years with an AP and while I have never tried to walk up to Le Cellier at 5:00pm on a Saturday with a party of 8 I am very often able to walk up to many places and get a seat in under 15 minutes.

It does require trying to dine at off times (2:00 or 7:00 instead of noon or 5:00) and might mean you can't get the exact place you want but I have found that during no-peak times getting a place is much easier then it appears on these boards.