Disappointing meal at Fulton's

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hello there! DH and I just got back from our 3 day/2 night anniversary trip...our first trip without our DD6! We really enjoyed ourselves and I plan to write a trip report soon, about where we dined (Fresh for breakfast, le Cellier on night for dinner, and Olivia's for breakfast the last day) and where we stayed (OKW) and the anniversary surprise I got for my DH (a 45 min private golf lesson at Palm course.)

Our first night at WDW we decided to go to DTD. We had drinks at Fulton's bar "The Stone Crab Lounge" and enjoyed the ambiance. We will definitely go back to the lounge area.

We were taken upstairs and had a nice cozy booth, just as I had requested. Our server did not greet us for close to 10 minutes, but luckily we had our drinks with us, so we were fine. The service was extremely friendly, but extremely slow all evening.

We ordered a dozen oysters for an appetizer ($18.95) and they were great. We purposely ordered a light appetizer so we could pig out at dinner. We ordered the $70 "Crab and Lobster Extravaganza" for two...i think that is what it was called.

VERY DISAPPOINTING. We left there feeling like we just had an appetizer. The crab and the puny lobster were all watery and mushy, and to add insult to injury, the claws were not cracked very well and we had a hard time getting the skimpy meat out. The creamed spinach that accompanied it was ok, and also the hash browns...they were just "eh."
It is at moments like this that DH and I just look at each other and wonder what to do. I hate making waves, and so does DH. At the time, we kind of put on a brave face and just roll with it...we are trying to enjoy our evening. But when we got back to OKW we really felt ripped off. What bothered us the most is we know there are probably some good things on the Fulton's menu, but we will never know, because we will not return. There are just too many great places to eat, we won't try Fulton's again.

Thanks for listening!

 

[pbharris4]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience at Fulton's We've always had a great experience there. I've never had the Crab & Lobster exp. for 2 (but thought about it), but I won't get it now. I usually get the King Crab Claws and Lobster (which they broil for me) or just the King Crab Claws and they never disappoint!! You should have complained. It was a VERY expensive meal and maybe they could have either comped your meal or given you something else PLUS if they aren't told where it is that they are going wrong they will never know to fix it.

I can understand you not wanting to bother with it (been there myself a few times), but Fulton's is probably one of the most expensive restaurants around you should get great service for how you pay to eat there! We're going (again) in July and if I get bad service I am going to let them have it! (In a nice, mannerly way, of course ) I kind of feel like OK..we've had 3-4 great dinners there..I hope this one doesn't go bad. Don't let the one experience spoil you on them. Despite all that, I hope you and DH had a wonderful anniversary trip!

 

[torismom]

In April we ate here and it was awful. I have never had such bad food or service in my life. It started with where we were seated and they told us because of our party size (10) and that we had 5 kids with us this is where we had to sit. We were in the back of the restaurant behind the area where they put dirty dishes, drinks and put in the orders and etc.. It was horrible.
We were there for over three hours. Our waitress ignored us. Other waiters were coming over and entertaining the kids because it was taking so long. Our food sat beside us for 15 mins before it was served to us. It was cold.
I could go on and on about how horrible this restaurant is. We will not be returning.

 

[sugermouse]

Every time that we eat at Fultons, I get the feeling that we are being ripped off. The food is definitely good, but extremely overpriced. We are no longer going back.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Sorry you did not enjoy your meal. I am sure we all have been in that situation, whether it be a disappointing meal or resort stay, etc. (At the time knowing it was subpar and then with time to really discuss it realize how disappointed you REALLY were.)
Sadly, I just post my thoughts and chalk it up as a Live and Learn situation.
Still disappointing all the same.

 

[Took]

Our first experience at Fulton's was equally bad (and expensive) and we've never been back. I now wish we had complained at the time or written a letter later. I can't stand feeling ripped off. So, if it bothers you, do write that letter (for both of us!)!

took

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

pbharris-Yes, we did have a great trip. Thank you for asking! I will write a report about Le Cellier soon...that was a great meal! DH and I had a chuckle, because our entrees were each $35...so they totalled the price of the crab and lobster at Fulton's...yet this time (at Le Cellier) we were STUFFED! And it was quite tasty, too!

love2roam-Yes, I think you captured the feeling perfectly...we were disappointed, but almost do not want to speak of it at the time...we feel we can somehow salvage the evening. And we used those exact words..."Live and learn!" But I usually add "and then die and forget it all" at the end! LOL!

took, suger and tori...thanks for the responses!

 

[DeanDoug]

Gosh! I've always wanted to try Fultons... but just too pricey... I don't feel so badly now!

 

[tomerin]

last year we decided to splurge on one really nice resturant and we chose fultons. well the service and the appetizers were good but the main course was just average not awful just average. the bill was what was left the bad taste in my mouth. i just feel for the money we paid for the one meal we could have had 2 meals in other places. yes, i did feel ripped off also. wont eat there again

 

[AllyBri]

Two very places for fish at WDW are the Flying Fish and Bluezoo. (imo)
Happy Anniversary to you and DH.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Thanks for the information. We have had Fulton's on our list for several vacations now and I put it in the plan again for November. I think it will be put aside again for another time and I'll switch it with CRT dinner. That new Cinderella's Slipper looked delicious. Fulton's just gets so many mixed reviews that it seems to get ON my schedule, only to get taken OFF again!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

When I read the title of your post, I figured it was the service that was poor. And that 10 minute wait for your server is par for the course.
But it appears the food wasn't up to expectations (or the price) and that's not good.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hello Uncleromulus! I always enjoy reading your reviews! Have you eaten at Fulton's? I am sure you have, you've eaten just about everywhere on WDW property...and then some! LOL! I am curious about your opinions. I want to add that the 10 minute wait was not to have our order taken, but to be greeted by the server..."Hello and welcome! I will be with you in a moment!"

I think we should have gotten that greeting in the first few minutes...then I don't mind waiting to have my order taken. But we were greeted after 10 and our order taken after 15 or more minutes. There was also a huge gap between our app and entree, and we had to wait a long time for DH's second beer. I would not really have mentioned the service, because we are leisurely and do not mind waiting a bit for things (I am a former server and I know how hectic things get in the back of the house) but it just added to the over all negative experience.

And I just can't help myself...I STILL tipped 20%!

Allybri-we had a PS for FF the next night...but decided after our very light seafood dinner at Fulton's...we need some MEAT! But that is on our must try list, as is Blue Zoo. We walked into BZ during the day and could not believe how gorgeous it is inside. We meant to get back in there this trip to at least have a cocktail, but you know how WDW is...too many things to do with too little time!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Been there 4 times for dinner (two under extreme duress) and won't be going back. I posted some time back about service at Fultons and all the things that went wrong. Too long to put in a reply to your post, so maybe soon I'll try and reconstruct that thread. I always am critical of Fultons service and I suppose I should indicate why--

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks. I can do a search also. When you posted here, I didn't know if you agreed or disagreed with my opinion of Fulton's.

I would not have minded the small portion if the food was delicious. Likewise, the food was "ok" enough that if there was a lot of it, well, at least we could have left with full stomachs. We were disappointed on both counts, though.

 

[clkelley]

I'm sorry you all had such a bad time at Fulton's.

I ate at Fulton's last December and had a phenominal meal and superb service!!

I was seated upstairs at the steps. The view over the lake was incredible! Yes, it was expensive, but well worth it for me!!

I had the lobster bisque soup and the grilled gulf shrimp, except I traded the asparagus for their house vegetable mix.

Everything was outstanding!!!!

Carol

 

[LoraJ]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your meal. You should have said something.

My boyfriend and I have been to Fulton's twice and really enjoyed it. we had the best server on out last trip. He bent over backwards for us.

I had the filet mignon and my boyfriend had the crab claws. He even said "mmmm" when he took his first bite. never heard him say that before at a restaurant.