Discouraged by all the bad reviews...HELP

[anitad]

I think this may be our 10th year of WDW trips as a family (and our 15th trip scheduled for this summer) and we have enjoyed some wonderful meals. Our favorites are: For dinner, Califorina Grill, JIKO, Palio (in the Swan and I don't believe it's on the dining plan); Kona Cafe and Spoodles for breakfast. We also enjoy the Crystal Palace for breakfast. Dinner at Flying Fish and Spoodles (especially the tapas menu[which they may have recently discontinued]) have also been great. We didn't care for Whispering Canyon (just kept thinking why were we not down the hall at Artist Pointe) and chicken dishes at Spoodles have not been up to the acceptable mark for us. We also enjoy the breakfast at Chef Mickey's. My advice would be to read the menus and choose places that you think your family would enjoy.
Have a wonderful trip.

 

[janets]

Not much more to be said. I also agree that most of the successful dining is when you match the food to your family. That said, there is nothing wrong with branching out to try new and different things once in a while. By year end, we will be down 4 times this year and have a core of restaurants that we really like (Le Cellier being our fave) but after the first 2 trips this year, we moved one off. Interestingly enough it was the restaurant that was the absolute best experience we'd ever had (WCC in Feb for ds#1's birthday celebration) that couldn't possibly measure up when we went in April (different server who was training instead of the world class Bobby the Kid, patrons not really into the whole experience) so we'll move it off the list for September. We tried Coral Reef in April and really enjoyed the whole experience (even though it was the longest meal we'd had) and we're going again in September.

We had been staying way from San Angel but dh really likes it so we'll go. We did Boma last year, I loved it but dh is not a buffet type of person so we've held off for a few visits. Now we'll go back in September to that again too.

I think you just have to realize that dining at WDW is really no different than dining at a restaurant in your home town. Sometimes, whether we like it or not, the kitchen or the server has an off night and we're the unfortunate ones to be stuck with the "bad" meal. But overall, I think you will be happy with any of the varied choices you have before you. Enjoy the fun of planning.

 

[Tam1067]

I know how you feel because I had the same stress while trying to figure out our ADRs for our July trip. I was even second guessing our family's second favorite place, Chef Mickey's, because of a thread here about how bad that place is. But then I remembered that in our times at WDW, we've never had an awful terrible meal--really! Disney food is certainly fine, and the atmosphere is part of the experience. I tend to be fairly picky and so is DH, but we've generally been happy with the food. If you go in with the right attitude, meaning you do not expect haute cuisine, you'll be fine.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

what could possibly go wrong? There are SOOO many fun restaurants with great food at Disney, there's no reason to be stressed. If you have kids I particularly reccomend Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater @ MGM, Rainforest Cafe @ AK or DTD, the Coral Reef (would be 2 TS meals)... there are lots of other great places. Have fun!

 

[Hollymom1229]

In my trips, I have eaten at all of the below. The only 2 on this list I would not happily return to are Rainforest Cafe and Sci-Fi. RFC because we have one here by home and I don't go to Disney to eat at places I can do here. Sci-Fi was a great atmosphere, but the food was just a little too simple for us. WDW has great food and restaurants, you're going to have a wonderful time.

Bistro De Paris, Brown Derby, California Grill, Cinderella's Royal Table, Garden View Lounge, Jiko, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Ohana, Plaza Restaurant, Akershus, Whispering Canyon Café, Biergarten, Kona Café, Grand Floridian Café, Rainforest Café, Sci-Fi Dine In, 50s Prime Time Cafe, Boma, Chefs de France, Fulton's Crab House, Garden Grill, Liberty Tree Tavern, Victoria and Albert's, Concourse Steakhouse, San Angel Inn

 

[Glorydaz]

just wanted to add another tidbit to all the above.....we went to Coral Reef in February.....booked for 7:15. we arrived 30 minutes early and requested a table by the tank...waited 20 minutes but well worth it!! the divers that take the tour ( about 15 people or so) swam by while we ate...so did a huge sea turtle and some cool sharks and an enormous school of fish - it was the BEST experience ever!!!

they also have this dessert that is truly to die for .....it's called the Chocolate Wave and that alone is reason to go there!!!

Michelle

ps/ you sound like most of us who obsess about making the trip as close to perfect as possible...I understand but don't lose sleep over this ....read the menu's carefully and choose according to your family's likes .....

 

[KTSMOM]

Don't forget to check out allearsnet.com for the menus. That way you can get an idea of the food each place serves so you can make the best choices for your family.
I, personally, have never had a bad meal at DW. My faves are: Rose and Crown, Tangerine Cafe, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Columbia Harbor House, BBQ Flame Tree, Whispering Canyon and Earl of Sandwich. I've done HDR and it's def worth 2 TS credits. It's good food and entertainment!

 

[kidsister]

I just experienced the DDP, and I was very pleased.
Excellent service from every restaurant.

Only you know your families likes and dislikes...So first, before making an ADR, go to allearsnet.net and look at the menus for each restaurant you are thinking of.

Then, realize that DDP can cause you to make different choices than you would if paying cash. An example: the Sci Fi might be great for kids and 'atmosphere'....but is it worth a TS when you can get an awesome $30 filet mignon at Le Cellier with great $15 dollar appetizers and $8 desserts and great service for the same TS? In this example, I'd save Sci Fi for when you are paying cash.

There are also some excellent restaurants that take 2TS on the dining plan. My thought on these: look at the menu; most portions are large. Are there things on th emenu at that 2TS that would be 'sharable' in that you could use
2TS for two people at a 2 TS restaurant and get the 'atmosphere, food and service' for sharing between 2 people. (Is this confusing? )

I was really happy with Le Cellier, Wolfgang Puck cafe, Coral Reel....each of which only cost 1 TS.
For 2TS's for the HoopdeDoo, Luau...you are paying extra for the show not the food. The show is good, and I believe beer and wine is still included, so if you haven't done the show...and like shows...I think you'd be happy with doing at least one.

Personally, I think that buffet's are 'wasted' using TS, unless it is a character buffet and you've already said that doesnt' interest your family as much.

Remember, you can 'mix and match and share' your TS...so if there are 5 in your family, you can go to a 1TS restaurant and use up only 3TS if you want. (Since the appetizers are so big, often that is enough for either kids or ladies for an entree).

Next trip we are adding 1 TS choices of : Rose and Crown and Les Chefs.
We paid cash for CRTdinner and were really pleased (under $40per adult) but 2 TS per person? Hmmm, I don't know.

I'd also like to go to the 2 TS restaurants and split a meal, just to get a taste of the food and the service and atmosphere: Jiko, Citrico, CG, Bistro, Flying Fish. I like food and I like to eat, but I could easily 'share' a 1TS meal at Wolfgang's or Le Cellier.

I think the pressure you feel is understandable, but relax...the DDP isn't as hard as it looks and if you 'have a feel' for what's on the menu and how much it costs (I ordered filet mignon several times because it was over $30 and it isn't something I would normally order out if I were paying cash....so it allowed me to 'feast' on a 'red collar' budget.
Have fun with it and don't stress...you'll have a great time and I am sure, have great foodie experiences. Place more credence on the menus and on people who rec'd a restaurant when they were using the DDP at it instead of a rec from those who weren't on the plan.

 

[magiroux]

kidsister, even though I have never done or do I plan to do DDP anytime in the near future I just wanted to say what an excellent job you did explaining, in simple terms and using great examples, the ins and outs of how to get the most bang for your buck out of the DDP. Helpful people like you are what these boards are all about.

To the OP. I will just reiterate what others have said as far as going to the allears site. Several times I have almost booked restaurants based on rave reviews here. Then after looking at the menu, and knowing my own family's likes and dislikes, have decided against it. It doesn't matter how good the food is, if it not your family's "cup of tea" they will consider it a bad meal.

 

[crisi]

Then, realize that DDP can cause you to make different choices than you would if paying cash. An example: the Sci Fi might be great for kids and 'atmosphere'....but is it worth a TS when you can get an awesome $30 filet mignon at Le Cellier with great $15 dollar appetizers and $8 desserts and great service for the same TS? In this example, I'd save Sci Fi for when you are paying cash.

See and I think "I can get a great filet mignon at home (in fact, I can COOK a great filet at home). So maybe I'd rather have an experience I can't get at home rather than a steak I can get near home." And that's what you get at Sci Fi or Coral Reef. At the end of the day, as long as I didn't pay more for the plan than I would have out of pocket, its a good deal. I don't feel a need to maximize the delta between the plan and the menu prices.

(Which is one reason we'll never to RFC at Disney - we have one close to home. And the food isn't that good. But if I didn't have one near home, I might do the one in WDW).

 

[kcrew]

....There are also some excellent restaurants that take 2TS on the dining plan. My thought on these: look at the menu; most portions are large. Are there things on th emenu at that 2TS that would be 'sharable' in that you could use
2TS for two people at a 2 TS restaurant and get the 'atmosphere, food and service' for sharing between 2 people. (Is this confusing? )

Remember, you can 'mix and match and share' your TS...so if there are 5 in your family, you can go to a 1TS restaurant and use up only 3TS if you want. (Since the appetizers are so big, often that is enough for either kids or ladies for an entree).


I'd also like to go to the 2 TS restaurants and split a meal, just to get a taste of the food and the service and atmosphere: Jiko, Citrico, CG, Bistro, Flying Fish. I like food and I like to eat, but I could easily 'share' a 1TS meal at Wolfgang's or Le Cellier.

Thanks for the response! One thing that I keep reading about on these boards is the sharing of meals. It seems to be fairly common and acceptable at WDW?? I have never done this, and would not consider it at home, but have been thinking about it at WDW. Do the servers shoot you daggers when everyone doesn't order? Its kind of out of my comfort zone, but hey, when at Disney.....

 

[snowbunny]

Realize that DDP can cause you to make different choices than you would if paying cash. An example: the Sci Fi might be great for kids and 'atmosphere'....but is it worth a TS when you can get an awesome $30 filet mignon at Le Cellier with great $15 dollar appetizers and $8 desserts and great service for the same TS?

It's worth it if your kids have a great time and you have a great time. I don't choose restaurants strictly on the basis of how much they would otherwise cost and how hard I have to squeeze a dining plan nickel to make it scream, but that's me.

We went to Coral Reef for exactly the reasons mentioned earlier, the setting and the interest by the kids. The food was so-so but perfectly edible, and they loved sitting right next to the tank. It was cool and dark and absolutely refreshing in the middle of a hot sunny day.

Go where you want to go!

 

[4 DZNY NUTZ]

We also read all the reviews and I was worried about some of the choices we made. For example, all of the bad reviews we read about Ohana I was worried it would be horrible. We ended up loving it so much, we went back a second time on the same trip. Really, there will be good and bad reviews for all restaurants since everyone has different tastes. You just have to try them out for yourself. Good luck and have a great trip!!!!

 

[deany]

I am not alone! I didn't realize how many others are obsessing about the DDP. Normally, I would not get the plan and wouldn't worry one bit about where to eat but now that the plan is "free" with our trip, I am really fretting about it. I had better just relax and plan the best I can - after all, it is a holiday. And if one meal is not so good, I am certainly not going to starve!!

 

[lowie]

When I first booked the free DDP for my families 1st Disney trip I was soooo excited. I was like "WOW how do I narrow down these great choices". After scouting these boards for a couple of weeks, its changed to "how can I find 7 TS meals that won't be disasterous!"
The cast-DH, DM, DS's 6, 10, 10 and myself and we all love to eat (lots). I have eliminated all buffets because I want this to be a novel experience for my kids and we do buffets at home. I am open to family style though. (Once) Also, I don't think my kids care about characters. We won't have a car so need places reasonably assesible from POP or the parks. We have no interest in shopping so I don't know if DDT makes sense. Also debating whether to give up 2 TS credits for HDR. Please advise......

i just came back and did my reviews.. really only one restaurants food disapppointed us to the point of complaining, that PLUS the bad service and lack of characters. i wouldn't completely downplay the idea of buffets for dinner time, there are a lot at WDW that have varied and unusual menus, stuff you will never find at the local golden corral. also, when you spend a pretty penny on a restaurant, if you decide you love what you're eating, you can get up and try something new.
sorry but can't comment of the hoop de doo... never been there..
try to go for different stuff, things that interest you and don't worry too much over other people's opinions.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Thanks for the response! One thing that I keep reading about on these boards is the sharing of meals. It seems to be fairly common and acceptable at WDW?? I have never done this, and would not consider it at home, but have been thinking about it at WDW. Do the servers shoot you daggers when everyone doesn't order? Its kind of out of my comfort zone, but hey, when at Disney.....

We often share with no apparent repercussions from the server. No problems. In fact, often when I say my son and I are splitting an order, the server will bring it out on two plates--without my asking.
FWIW--We tip generously to cover the lack of an entree, although I don't think that's necessary.

 

[Magalex]

I agree with another posting to check out the menu listings at allears. Our last trip was in April 2005. I had ADR's at 2 places that sometimes get bad reviews. 1) Chef Mickey's and 2) Sci-Fi Diner at MGM. We enjoyed both meals. My 5 yr old DS just requested Sci-Fi again on our next trip in 2007. Of course he remembers the movies and sitting in the cars. But it is great for lunch. It is dark so getting out of the sun is good.

 

[wannabee]

We did the free dining last October and loved all our meals. We ate at Chef Mickeys- dinner, CRT- dinner, Mama Melrose, Ohana- dinner, Chefs de France and WCC.

 

[sunny04]

WDW has excellent food - period. You always have the chance of an off night, or an off server, just like at ANY OTHER RESTAURANT. But overall, WDW has the best food of anywhere we've eaten. We have been pleased at such a higher percentage than just normal restaurants at home. Rarely will there just be a disastrous event - unless you look for problems, then maybe more regularly. Some poeple do. But overall, choose restaurants that sound good to you, and you will do fine. Some places that others hate are our favorites. It's all a matter of opinion. Dining is my favorite part to plan, so enjoy it. It will not be a disaster, I can assure you of that.

 

[crisi]

WDW has excellent food - period....

I'd rather say "WDW has good food for the amount of money you spend." If you are used to the finer dining of a food city on an expense account (New York, San Francisco, etc.) the best restaurants in Disney don't measure up to the best restaurants in a food city. And if you are eating at the regular TS places - the food is "OK" if you are a foodie, but generally pretty good for the money. Part of my problem is that excellent food without a disclaimer is excellent food - not for the money, not considering you are in Central Florida in a theme park. And I've never had a burger at WDW that has beat the little cafe near my house (top grade angus beef on homemade foccicia with maytag blue cheese) and only one meal in WDW that is as good as the best restaurants at home (Flying Fish). And I'm from the Twin Cities - not a food town - I see how people from the Coasts with high expectations are doomed. Expect five star quality at Boma and you are doomed for disappointment. Expect a buffet that is better than Old Country Buffet and you will be dazzled.