Disney Dining Going Down Hill?

[Dancind]

Going downhill? Most definitely. We've been going regularly for ten years now, and we are about done. Still enjoy the parks and the DVC resorts, but a big part of our trip was the food. And the wine. Obviously, F&W is our favorite trip.

I'd say steadily downhill for the last four years (free dining?). It's little things, like the replacement of the crusty french rolls at Chefs de France with regular old french bread you can buy at the grocery store. Ok, that was actually a big deal.

If you could find a picture of a sushi roll from Ca Grill from 3-4 years ago, or a pic of the filet, you will see a huge difference. Not in the price, though.

DD and I went to Via Napoli in January, just a few months after they opened. They had already taken several interesting items off the menu, and what we had was very bland.

DH and I truly enjoyed the Hacienda last fall, now I'm afraid to go back.

We still love Flying Fish, Il Mulino, even California Grill. But we can't eat at these places every night! If we had unlimited funds, Victoria & Alberts would be a regular spot because I'm pretty sure it is still good. Though it's sad to hear they can't accommodate a dessert request because I would need a lower sugar one.

We spent a week at Napa Valley this year. What an eye opening comparison that was, price wise and quality wise. And Napa is almost as big of a tourist destination!

Still debating about F&W this year. Just can't decide. Find myself wishing DVC had a Napa Valley resort.

 

[RedM94]

I think a good example of what I am talking about is Le Cellier. We love Le Cellier. We have not eaten there since it was changed to a signature. I just looked at the menu. It looks the same as it was before the change. I'm sure it is the same filet, but now it is a signture meal. If I'm wrong about the menu not, changing much I'm sure someone will let me know.

When we go back in September I'm thinking we will look more toward the signature restaurants. I was in Disneyland in May and I remember thnking to myself, as I was eating my CS Burger, that the food is much better at WDW. When I was in WDW last weekend, I had the same burger. UGH!!!

I will say this, the meal we had at Club 33 in May, was second to none!!!!

 

[Agri]

I think a good example of what I am talking about is Le Cellier. We love Le Cellier. We have not eaten there since it was changed to a signature. I just looked at the menu. It looks the same as it was before the change. I'm sure it is the same filet, but now it is a signture meal. If I'm wrong about the menu not, changing much I'm sure someone will let me know.

The menu has definitely changed. It might not have changed on the WDW website, but I know it was posted here and much discussed.

When we ate there in December we were told that part of the change meant that they could source their own beef. So instead of having to get meat from just any ol' cow, they could order actual Canadian beef.

I've heard many times that the filet is one of, if not the most popular entree there, so it would make sense that they would keep it on the menu. The quality of the ingredients of the dish have probably improved, though.

TBH, when we ate their in December we decided it was our last time for awhile (regardless of being able to take a trip) because its not as exciting anymore. We were pleasantly surprised the first time we ate there, but we like what we can get at home just as much and I can make the soup. Heh.

 

[RedM94]

The menu has definitely changed. It might not have changed on the WDW website, but I know it was posted here and much discussed.

When we ate there in December we were told that part of the change meant that they could source their own beef. So instead of having to get meat from just any ol' cow, they could order actual Canadian beef.

I've heard many times that the filet is one of, if not the most popular entree there, so it would make sense that they would keep it on the menu. The quality of the ingredients of the dish have probably improved, though.

TBH, when we ate their in December we decided it was our last time for awhile (regardless of being able to take a trip) because its not as exciting anymore. We were pleasantly surprised the first time we ate there, but we like what we can get at home just as much and I can make the soup. Heh.

I have not eaten at Le Cellier since September 2009, when it was only one sit down credit. Did the quality of the filet or the other meals double when you were there in December now that it is two sit down credits for one meal?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I have not eaten at Le Cellier since September 2009, when it was only one sit down credit. Did the quality of the filet or the other meals double when you were there in December now that it is two sit down credits for one meal?

Le Cellier wasn't a signature in December - it only became one in March.

And it's not possible to say LC's quality "doubled" with the change to signature dinner, because we as diners cannot measure quality in an objective numerical way. However, Le Cellier was already one of the better 1-credit locations, and I can honestly say the quality of my Le Cellier signature dinner exceeded the quality of my last meals at Citricos and Brown Derby, and some of the new menu items (lobster chopped salad) are delicious.

 

[TotoToo]

Absolutely. It has been on a steady downward slide toward mediocre at best for years. Ever since they basically decided to throw out all outside operators and do it all themselves using cast members it is bland, tasteless, nearly all preprepared, reheated junk I wouldn't pay $.10 for anywhere else. It gives the oft derided "fun park food" a good name.

We refuse to eat at any Disney "restaurant" now as we have much better place to enjoy good food at much lower prices. They do many things extremely well but food is not one of them. Go off site and enjoy restaurants that do it as their calling in life - enjoy Disney for what they do well - attractions & shows.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I think the food is still really good at Disney. Some of the best meals I've had yet were on my last trip.

 

[MrsLS]

I don't think so. We go a lot and only eat at TS and for the most part everything is good to excellent. The steaks on property I do agree are not very good with the exception of the signatures.

I also don't think the dining plan has anything to do with any decrease or no decrease. Food prices are going up/have been going up so any changes to menus are the result of the price increases. Otherwise the would charge more for things and people would complain about that.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

This is because it is a victim of the Basic Disney Dining Plan!

Unfortunately, many people on the DDP, whether they pay for it directly or paying a higher rate for their room and getting "free" dining, look to the highest price items on the menu. This is based either on the attitude of "I paid for it and can get whatever I want" or "as long as it's free, let's get the best items".

For example, at The Wave there is a $16.00 difference in price between the lowest price adult lunch entree and the highest price dinner entree. Each restaurant receives a fixed dollar amount credit for each meal sold under DDP. Each restaurant has to make a profit.

As food costs go up it takes more money to operate a restaurant.

So as things progress more and more of the higher end cost items will vanish.

The signature restaurants do not have so much of a problem as they get paid double the regular restaurants.

If they ever do away with the Basic DDP within about six months you will find a lot more high end selections at all the restaurants.

 

[Okh]

We went in May with the DxDP and I'm a food snob. The ONLY meal that we had that I could say was truly bad was Chef Mickey's. It was AWFUL. Beyond that, our meals ranged from serviceable (Raglan Road) to profoundly good (California Grill) but nothing bad or inedible.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I've been eating the CS burgers at WDW for a lot of years. I've always enjoyed them. This time the roll was terrible and the patty seemed like it had a lot of filler.

The buns were changed due to Disney's "healthy eating" initiative. They've also made the move to eliminate trans fats which has changed a lot of Disney recipes and suppliers.

 

[iloveeeyore]

The buns were changed due to Disney's "healthy eating" initiative. They've also made the move to eliminate trans fats which has changed a lot of Disney recipes and suppliers.

HAHA! That "healthy eating" initiative is a great big joke, as they continue to offer 3-4-5 desserts/day on their dining plans, and refusing to allow salad or soup to replace the dessert! (I'm counting "snacks" as "desserts" which they inevitably are for most people).

We had been reading about the quality of Disney dining in decline all last year, and we went in summer of 2010 with VERY low expectations. Well, we were pleasantly surprised at every single venue, including Chef Mickey's, where our dinner was MUCH better than the one we had had in 2006. Maybe it was our low expectations...maybe it was the TIW card...maybe it was our collective celebratory mood...but we had good to wonderful meals all around. I'm looking forward to our next trip (next year?) for comparison's sake, but it will be difficult to compare, as we hope to try different places (except HDDR, which never disappoints).

 

[eliza61]

Is it just me or is Disney dinning going downhill? We visited WDW, for the ninth time in September 2010. We always purchase the DDP. We have always enjoyed both the sit down meals and the counter service food.

. We are seriously considering cooking our meals in our room, or doing the deluxe dining so that we can do all signature restaurants.

Agree or disagree, I would love to hear your opinion.

TIA

This is my standard answer.

Disney non signature restaurants are not made to be "good". they are design to give you mediocre to poor meals at best.

Many visitors to wdw want cheap (or free) meals. they will say over and over that you are not there for the restaurants. Disney is simply giving them what they want.
On no other place on the planet could you call Tony's good italian, Le cellier good steak or CRT good food.


We primarily eat off site or in our villa. I do not mind paying high prices for food, in fact I tend to expect it but I absolutely hate, loathe and despise going to a restaurant and coming out feeling like I just ate at "applebees".

No the food is not inedible or horrible but think about it, how sad is that when we get thankful that the food is not "horrible". IMO, that collective feeling says a lot.

 

[Agri]

This is because it is a victim of the Basic Disney Dining Plan!

Unfortunately, many people on the DDP, whether they pay for it directly or paying a higher rate for their room and getting "free" dining, look to the highest price items on the menu. This is based either on the attitude of "I paid for it and can get whatever I want" or "as long as it's free, let's get the best items".

For example, at The Wave there is a $16.00 difference in price between the lowest price adult lunch entree and the highest price dinner entree. Each restaurant receives a fixed dollar amount credit for each meal sold under DDP. Each restaurant has to make a profit.

As food costs go up it takes more money to operate a restaurant.

So as things progress more and more of the higher end cost items will vanish.

The signature restaurants do not have so much of a problem as they get paid double the regular restaurants.

If they ever do away with the Basic DDP within about six months you will find a lot more high end selections at all the restaurants.

We were on a dining plan on a trip as early as 1990, possibly even 1987. I was 5, so I don't really remember that trip clearly. =p We ate at the Brown Derby and V&A that trip and used credits. My dad is/was a complete tightwad, so anything regarding money was discussed at great length.

I honestly do not think the dining plan is the largest effect on the decline in food. The dining plan has been around in one form or another for many years.

I'm sure the people who are on it do choose the most expensive items on the menu, but its not like items on the menu are sold at cost. Or anywhere close to at cost.

The opposite is true for most visitors NOT on a dining plan. They'll skip the TS restaurant as being "too expensive" or they'll gravitate towards what is most affordable. I would imagine this is also part of why there aren't too many expensive items on most of the menus. It might save them money on the DP people, but it'll also save them money on the non-plan people. I think its also why the QS menus at the more popular places have expanded in the past year - like the new hotdogs at Casey's.

I really don't think Disney would be promoting the DP as much if they were seriously undercutting their restaurants like everyone likes to suggest. My first thought would be that the most expensive item probably comes the closest to making you break even on any given day with the DP and that most choices probably net WDW more of a profit.

I think the truth of the matter is that overall food costs have increased substantially over the past 10 years and that corners have to be cut because no one wants to pay more than they already are for food at WDW when they've already paid over $100 just to be there.

 

[RedM94]

The buns were changed due to Disney's "healthy eating" initiative. They've also made the move to eliminate trans fats which has changed a lot of Disney recipes and suppliers.

So those healthy but love to splurge and indulge during vacation have to eat healthy all the time. Those who indulge all the time now have to eat healthy only when they are on vacation.

 

[Agri]

So those healthy but love to splurge and indulge during vacation have to eat healthy all the time. Those who indulge all the time now have to eat healthy only when they are on vacation.

It's not completely true. I'm sure the healthy eaters choose apples instead of Mickey bars most of the time. Or they buy their own cheaper produce and then use the snack credits for things to take home. =)

Also, during Food & Wine many of the booths samples are snacks on the dining plan. I'm sure lots of foodies and healthy eaters choose to travel and use the dining plan during that time of year just for that reason.

The unhealthy snacks definitely outweigh the healthy ones, but that's in part due to the Florida heat. Healthy stuff is much more perishable than stuff that's packed with preservatives. Of course, money is another factor. I don't think someone is as apt to spend a credit on an apple that's $1 back home than for something more expensive.

When we've used the dining plan, I've used the credits for things I can take back home, so while it might appear I'm making unhealthy choices, the fact that I consume them over at least two months' time makes the choice more healthy.

 

[RedM94]

This is my standard answer.

Disney non signature restaurants are not made to be "good". they are design to give you mediocre to poor meals at best.

Many visitors to wdw want cheap (or free) meals. they will say over and over that you are not there for the restaurants. Disney is simply giving them what they want.
On no other place on the planet could you call Tony's good italian, Le cellier good steak or CRT good food.


We primarily eat off site or in our villa. I do not mind paying high prices for food, in fact I tend to expect it but I absolutely hate, loathe and despise going to a restaurant and coming out feeling like I just ate at "applebees".

No the food is not inedible or horrible but think about it, how sad is that when we get thankful that the food is not "horrible". IMO, that collective feeling says a lot.

I love this post, because during dinner last Sunday evening I thought even Applebees would be better.

My only point of this post was that we didn't have a single decent CS or TS meal during our stay last week. I'm just trying to make our trip this September better. It sounds like DDP and signature TS meals, or cooking in our Villa.

We used to always look forward to dinning at WDW. In fact, we used to rave about the food at Disney. We have seen a steady decline. We are leaning toward the deluxe dinning plan.

Thank you to everyone for your input.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

My teen son and I talked last night and he said the food last time was really bad. I hope this go around is much better.