Dining Anxiety?

[jgplimdesign]

Wow. . .I just have got to know, am I the only one out there with dining anxiety?

Let me explain . . . (you'll probably all think I'm nuts!)

For the number of times I have been to WDW, this is the first time my husband and I have opted for the dining plan. We've always been OOP folk and did quite well that way----more QS dining with a few TS (done by walk-up no ADRs), perhaps. Carefree without worry about when we needed to be where and at what time to eat. . .blah, blah, blah

So. . .the offer came for Free Dining. Had to try it, right?

We booked long after the 180 waiting. . .so certain options were already filled. No biggie, really.

We've made ADRs for the Biergarten (2x), Les Chefs, Rose & Crown, Via Napoli, The Plaza, Crystal Palace, & Whispering Canyon Cafe. (have eaten at the Biergarten and The Plaza in the past)

Now I know that there is never a guarantee on food, service, wait time, etc. What's my anxiety about? I start reading all the reviews and comments and start second guessing my choices? I just got done reading about the WCC---and the last handful of reviews (recent ones, mind you) were dreadful. Normally, I wouldn't pay too much attention to such things. . .but this time I am. Same with Via Napoli. . . When I read someone got 'stuck' in the restaurant for over 2 hours and didn't even get to have their dessert----well, that near puts me over the edge. . . .well, not REALLY. . . (I exaggerate a bit)

Starting to think I'm going to have to ban myself from the Disboards until I get back?! (and maybe too, from checking the Disney site's reservation page to see if anything different has opened up----or if I should be considering other options. . .)

I guess we've been pretty relaxed over our last few trips----and it has been a very long time since I've felt this way about anything as far as WDW vacation planning. . . afterall, isn't the dining plan suppose to make things easier?

So. . .no, I don't really have a question here. I just wanted to vent a little. Certainly don't want to have to try and fall asleep tonight with my mind still swimming over ADRs?!

Feel free to offer up comments or tell me I need therapy. . .

 

[Lou Holtz]

Sounds like a new A&E reality show.

 

[Cinderella94]

Don't let reviews from others on the DIS sway you. Everyone will have their own opinion and you should definitely give them all a try. (FWIW, we've done WCC many times and love it every time)

 

[jgplimdesign]

I'm laughing. . .but go figure, it may just be part of the new season line-up!

 

[bobbiekins]

You are not nuts, I am in the same boat as you. You would not believe how many times I have canceled a reservation and booked another one based on a review here. After I changed our itinerary for the 7th time my MIL put her foot down and said enough! I wasn't allowed to change it anymore. I still want to though, lol.

Even though I changed a lot due to reviews the last time I changed it I decided to pick stuff based on what I wanted to experience and what my kids wanted to do. I have seen some pretty bad reviews for Park Fare but my daughter loves the Mad Hatter so we are going. If the food is terrible, oh well. At least she got to see the Mad Hatter and it will give me an excuse to stop by the bakery in the Magic Kingdom and get something delish from there Even though Via Napoli got bad reviews from some we are still going because I have to see those ovens up close and personal

I know I probably haven't helped you in any way but I wanted to share my experience with you because I have been there and understand how you feel.

 

[walkdmc]

I know this won't be popular, but I think you need to stay off the DIS, honestly. While the DIS is a very helpful planning tool, it also creates a lot of unnecessary anxiety.

Your reservations are fine. You'll have a great time. Stay off the DIS, until you come back and do a trip report!

 

[Nadjalu]

Here is what you need to consider:

First off....it is Free Dining right? So if 1 or 2 isn't the best in the world you haven't paid for it right???
Think of it as a free pass to find the best restaurants for you for the future.

Next, ALL restaurants have good and bad reviews. Stay on the dis long enough you will see them all. Here is the thing, they come in waves....it is like high school, this week we don't like so in so...next week that person will be in and another on the outs.
It is like a feeding frenzy, we see a post and immediately find common ground or opposite ground and want to reply.

So for me, every bad review is cancelled out by a good one.

I have learned go with the menus and your "style" of food you like. You won't be sorry.
Go with the "popular" place and there is a 50/50 chance you will be...why, because you are following the crowd.

Reviews are nice, but in the end one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Seriously....go with your gut. And if you have to stay away from the dining section do it.

Enjoy your trip and your free dining!!!

 

[verticalchaos]

Also keep in mind that for every negative review on here, there are literally hundreds of people who have had wonderful experiences at those same restaurants (sometimes even within those same time frames) but don't come on a message board to post about it.

 

[Agri]

People are more apt to tell about their negative experience than their positive - especially at Disney. People tend to have higher standards for Disney, so their negative experience might not be so negative to you.

Also, reviews aren't too helpful if you don't know the person giving it. If you don't have a similar personality as the person - and the same/similar standards of service - then their review isn't as helpful as someone who shares the same opinions/feelings as you do.

You also don't know if the person posting a negative review did anything about their problems. Instead of talking to the waiter or manager, they just chose to wait and complain on the boards instead. =p

Some people would rather sit and stew then speak up (for whatever reason from too shy to just expecting Disney to do better) - which leads to a lot of negative comments whether they're truly warranted or not.

 

[francie57]

I agree with several of the pp - most of the time you will hear negative reviews and hear nothing from us that have an enjoyable experience. We have been to all but two of the places you are going to (haven't been to Napoli and Plaza) and we have nothing but good things to say about them. Most are favorites of ours and we go to them each trip. Stop worrying and enjoy all the places you won't be disappointed.

 

[Moms]

Yes, you probably do need therapy ... but most of us do!

Com'on ... you are going to be on vacation in teh happiest place on Earth. Someone else is going to make your bed, clean your bathroom, do the shopping, cooking, and the dishes! All of the restaurants you have chosen are good, so forget about the reviews ... everyone has different tastes and expectations ... case in point I do not like (gasp) Le Cellier (gasp again!). Leave the ADR's alone and start worrying about important things ... like how to get to Soarin' to be in line FIRST!

 

[rubato]

It's ok. Take a deep breath. It will be fine!

The truth of the matter is that not everyone likes the same things. I disliked Le Cellier immensly. Everyone else raves about it. I am not a picky person at all and actually like most of the CS restaurants that everyone else dislikes. Enjoy, try things out. If you don't like them, you haven't wasted too much money (yes, free dining does cost you because you have to pay rack rate for your room, and, tip the servers). I am going to try Via Napoli on my next trip even after reading those reviews. I loved Biergarten the first 2 times we ate there, and then, didn't on this last trip. So, a lot of the bad reviews could just be from a bad night at that particular restaurant. And, if you don't like your dining experience, don't be afraid to bring it to the managers attention. I always do. Not to get something free, but just to let them know.

 

[momcloud]

Sometimes it is better to experience them for yourselves. What someone else is negative about, you may love. Everyone is different. Go into with a spirit of finding out what you like, not what others say. If I listened to all I read on the DIS I would never eat anywhere and might miss out on something wonderful. Be adventurous and enjoy yourself, don't stress!!!

 

[Laurin612]

You're not nuts (unless many of us are, too!)

I can't even tell you how many times I have changed my ADRS, tweaked times, etc.

 

[summerlady]

Every restaurant has good and bad reviews, people have different tastes, no? Just go, relax, have fun! And if a restaurant doesn't live up to your expectations, don't go back there again. If you decide that you and your family don't feel like showing up for an ADR, cancel and cash in those TS credits for a CS and snacks at your food court during your vacation. It's Disney, it's FREE dining, and it's cool.

 

[EeyoreEma]

Don't pay too much attention to the reviews. Go with your gut - if you think you'll like it, then try it. Everyone is going to have different opinions about food, therefore something you'd love would not be my cup of tea and vice versa. I don't care how many great reviews Narcoosee's gets, it's not somewhere that I feel a deep desire to try! I think that if you like the menus of the places that you've got reservations for then you'll be good.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I am so glad that you vented because I am driving my self (and family) nuts with second guessing our reservations..In fact I was just on dining reservations trying to decide whether to cancel sci fi. I think I am going to put down the reservations and leave them alone LOL. It is so nice to see all the reassurances you received

 

[5fromsc]

I feel the same way. I am way stressed out trying to figure out if I am choosing the right thing. I am doing all the planning for 2 families, a total of 8 people. Make me kind of crazy, what if I don't chose the right thing? I know it will all be fine, but I just want to make it the best vacation it can be.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Quote:'We've made ADRs for the Biergarten (2x), Les Chefs, Rose & Crown, Via Napoli, The Plaza, Crystal Palace, & Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Can't assure you on most of them...but I think they'd all be good. You read lots of bad reviews on here...but really if we are eating "free" in a nifty Disney restaurant how bad can it be?

I think Crystal Palace is good. Just the characters make it worth going to. I've eaten at Les Chefs & the food was good too. I could tell you about how it was freezing cold & we waited it seemed like forever to get seated & then our waitress spilled our drinks all over us....yeah..that really happened..but it was good eating & accidents happen everywhere.

I've second guessed myself on our ARD's till I about went nuts & then thought it'll be fun no matter where we eat. And as long as we get our Ohana dinners which we love [and lots of people hate] life is good!

Have fun & don't stress out & I think you'll enjoy all those meals!

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

People are more apt to tell about their negative experience than their positive - especially at Disney. People tend to have higher standards for Disney, so their negative experience might not be so negative to you.

Also, reviews aren't too helpful if you don't know the person giving it. If you don't have a similar personality as the person - and the same/similar standards of service - then their review isn't as helpful as someone who shares the same opinions/feelings as you do.

You also don't know if the person posting a negative review did anything about their problems. Instead of talking to the waiter or manager, they just chose to wait and complain on the boards instead. =p

Some people would rather sit and stew then speak up (for whatever reason from too shy to just expecting Disney to do better) - which leads to a lot of negative comments whether they're truly warranted or not.

Exactly! For example I was talking to a couple on the bus with two little ones about our shared experience at CRT and we had a very nice time and it was fun for us but our kids are older. They were upset that the characters didn't get down on the floor and play with their children for a good 10 minutes "the way they did at Disneyland in California" They went on to tell us how all of the characters kept the kids entertained and the adults could enjoy their meal as the result. I remember thinking "Holy Crudmonkeys! Who actually expects a full 10 minute interaction with a princess at CRT?" This is just an example of how my expectations and their expectations differed (and greatly so)

That said, I find most experiences fairly pleasant because I worked as a server in college and I understand when the kitchen is backed up or the hostess can't get the "squatters" to clear the table and I also know that raising my voice or getting my dander up isn't going to do anything so I just choose to enjoy the break off my feet and make small talk with people around me. Engaging others and learing about their experiences and history is fascinating to me. Even when that experience includes toddler and princess floor time stories.

Anyway, it's going to be great. You have some really fun places selected and I bet you're going to have a wonderful time!