Dining plan gripe...

[magicmouse2]

I am trying out the dining plan for 7 nights this year as we can add it on to DVC now

When planning my restaurants I noticed that Brown Derby is 2 TS credits. I checked the menu on allears and their dinner entree price is about the same price as L'originale Alfredos entree but Alfredos is only 1 TS credit

I guess you really have to do research if you want to get your monies worth with the plan.

As a result I am using my dining plan credit at Alfredos instead as I think its better value. IMHO I dont think there is a park restaurant worth 2 credits. However I am willing to use 2 credits for Yachtsmen Steakhouse. What does everyone think ?

 

[shellybaxter]

I think the Brown Derby "thinks of itself" as a fancy, special restuarant. When we were there they even made a point to tell us we were eating at one of Disney's nine (I think it was nine) Signature restuarants. They said this meant we would be eating top quality food with excellent presentation and preperation. While I enjoyed the Brown Derby and felt the food was probably good enough to be a Signature restuarant, I would not return. I just didn't find anything I loved enough to go back.

I enjoy Alfredos, but don't think it warrants two table service credits, or the prices of some of the entrees. It is a one credit restuarant and I believe that was a good choice. But I wouldn't judge a restuarant by the credits it requires.

I wouldn't pay two table credits for Yachtsman either. When we were there the service made us feel really uncomfortable. When we checked in they left us standing in the hallway. They didn't even say we'll be with you in a minute. The host just walked away from the podium. The waiter was effcient but not friendly and he seemed to be looking down his nose at us. We were not on the dining plan (not that that should matter) and order enough food (apps, entrees, a side,and dessert) to warrent a large tip.

On the oposite side I'd pay three TS credits for JIKO. Its consistantly outstanding with excellent food and great service.

I guess my point is, don't read too much into the number of dining credits a restuarant requires when trying to decide on the quality of the restuarant. I've eaten at two credit restuarants I've love and two credit restuarants I'll never go back to. I think Kona Cafe has some of the best food on property, but its only a one credit restuarant.

 

[bicker]

When planning my restaurants I noticed that Brown Derby is 2 TS credits. I checked the menu on allears and their dinner entree price is about the same price as L'originale Alfredos entree but Alfredos is only 1 TS credit I guess you really have to do research if you want to get your monies worth with the plan.

That's always the case, with everything, not just things related to WDW, and even then it's not always so clear-cut. For example, AFAIK, I'd rather spend twice as much money at Brown Derby than eat at Alfredo's. I've read so many more bad reviews of Alfredo's, written by people for whom I've established that I share many personal preference with. YMMV.

Even given the really poor service we received at Brown Derby last month, I have to give them credit: the food was superlative. Excellent preparation; excellent presentation.

 

[magicmouse2]

So really paying out of pocket would be better value for BD ?
Glad to hear a good Jiko review that is on my to do list.
Its hard to judge with all the reviews. EG SCI-FI usually get the 'you're safe with the burger' type review but it one credit the same as the continuously praised 'le cellier'

 

[bicker]

Le Cellier has its share of detractors (myself among them) and the number is increasing as, apparently, there's been a decrease in consistency. Regardless, I think you're correct about comparisons: Equating Sci-Fi and even a restaurant that I've had several bad experiences at, like Le Cellier, isn't reasonable, in my mind. (A bad meal at Le Cellier is better than a good meal at Sci-Fi -- that sort of thing.)

And that really raises a critical point: If you're going to choose Dining Plan restaurants based on their menu prices, you're not necessarily going to yield the best experience. While you might not get the "biggest bang for the buck" financially, choosing where you eat based solely on what you'd like to eat, you're probably going to appreciate the end-result better that way.