Does anyone not care for any of the food at Disney?

[disneypolybride2008]

try the breakfast character buffets, they're great! I also recommend LeCellier for steak, and more non-buffet TS. If you get the dining plan you may feel better if you meal isn't that great because atleast you wont have paid the normal price.

 

[postesf]

Narcoosee's was excellent! For a good steak, I LOVE the steak at Cali Grill! Because it is so expensive, DH and I shared last time and I decided from then on, I would get own next time since it was so good! lol!

I love me so O'hana too! Fabulous potatos and bread. The Chicken wings are good too. I've heard great things about Kona Cafe, but haven't tried it yet. It is on my list for my upcoming trip.

My Sister's all time favorite is the Flying Fish.

We normally do one CS per day and one TS per day.

I hope find some next time that works for you!

 

[davinakb]

Vegas is BLESSED you get true gourmet, buffets no less, for $30 at the finer Casinos...You're spoiled Nothing wrong with it... By the way that groove is Signature dining

ITA Casinos can offer such a bargain on food since they make $ on gambling. Signature is pretty much all we do at WDW (love that DDE, I mean TiW discount!).

I see I'm not the only one that feels the CS food is just not so great.

Most CS places leave a lot to be desired IMO (kinda like sports arenas, blah overpriced fast food). Signature and table service is the way to go, but of course the cost/value/quality ratio may still seem off to you Jenny-momof3. It's a resort after all, and WDW certainly charges for it. Agree with others, check the menus for Jiko, Narcoosees, CaliGrill, Bistro, AP, Le Cellier, Flying Fish, etc. and see if you find food more to your liking. FWIW.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

I wouldnt say that we dislike Disney food but I must admit that I have never been WOWed by it either. I think I'm always slightly dissapointed.. I think part of it is reading the reviews here- many make the food seem like the most "amazing" food they have ever eaten. I will eat something at WDW and think of all the places that I have had the same type of food that was so much better and ( usually cheaper).. And, then I will read more reviews and go to a WDW restaurant again and think maybe I will be WOW'ed this time and again it is usually just ok , edible and enjoyable but just ok.

 

[irisira]

Someone may have posted this already, but if you're staying at the Beach Club, you may want to try The Yachtsman, which is next door at the Yacht Club. It's a steakhouse, and it's really phenomenal.

Across the way at the Boardwalk, you may want to check out Flying Fish. I know you said you don't like seafood, but they have other options on the menu as well, and once again, the food is really great.

Beaches and Cream is great for simple and delicious hamburgers and hot dogs. It's the only place on property, IMO, that has great burgers (though, I've heard, the Big River Grille has good burgers, too - they're also on the Boardwalk).

You may want to take a look at Jiko (in the AKL) as well - they have this filet plus mac 'n' cheese on the menu that is really good, and a lot of the dishes, though "seemingly exotic" have a lot of earthy flavors that a steak-lover would really dig. Check out the menu. It's one of my favorites on property.

Finally, don't know if anyone's mentioned the Brown Derby, but that's another great choice.

I agree that Chef Mickey's is horrendous. You're paying for the atmosphere.

 

[Silver Queen]

this has been an interesting discussion. In our opinion the food at Disney has been basically good, but certainly not outstanding. We're pleased with the variety that's offered there (compared to 25 years ago) and we always try to remember that Disney's specialty is entertainment and recreation. This is where they excel. With that in mind I think that they do attempt to do a reasonably good job with dining. This comparisonn reminds me of a friend who criticized Animal Kingdom because she felt the Bronx Zoo was better. They shouldn't be compared, one is a zoo and the other is an entertainment park with animals. (I actually prefer AK.)

 

[Colleen27]

I wouldnt say that we dislike Disney food but I must admit that I have never been WOWed by it either. I think I'm always slightly dissapointed.. I think part of it is reading the reviews here- many make the food seem like the most "amazing" food they have ever eaten. I will eat something at WDW and think of all the places that I have had the same type of food that was so much better and ( usually cheaper).. And, then I will read more reviews and go to a WDW restaurant again and think maybe I will be WOW'ed this time and again it is usually just ok , edible and enjoyable but just ok.

I think disappointment would be pretty much guaranteed with that kind of thinking. Disney isn't other places - of course the food is going to be more expensive for what you get, and no matter how hard they try, they are limited by the need to appeal to average American families and by the demands of serving large crowds. But when you compare Disney to other family-friendly vacations - family-oriented cruises, other theme parks, 'tourist traps' like the Wisconsin Dells, even Atlantic coast beach towns - the food is excellent. And when compared to other theme parks, the prices are comparable for better selection and quality - I'll gladly buy an overpriced sandwich and pastry at Main Street Bakery, and rather than thinking about what that meal costs at our neighborhood bakery, I'll be thinking about the last $8 hockey-puck burger I had at Cedar Point or the $3 bottle of soda I had at the last baseball game I went to.

 

[irisira]

I think disappointment would be pretty much guaranteed with that kind of thinking. Disney isn't other places - of course the food is going to be more expensive for what you get, and no matter how hard they try, they are limited by the need to appeal to average American families and by the demands of serving large crowds. But when you compare Disney to other family-friendly vacations - family-oriented cruises, other theme parks, 'tourist traps' like the Wisconsin Dells, even Atlantic coast beach towns - the food is excellent. And when compared to other theme parks, the prices are comparable for better selection and quality - I'll gladly buy an overpriced sandwich and pastry at Main Street Bakery, and rather than thinking about what that meal costs at our neighborhood bakery, I'll be thinking about the last $8 hockey-puck burger I had at Cedar Point or the $3 bottle of soda I had at the last baseball game I went to.

IAWTC.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I think Disney does their best to give us variety in the restaurants. I was there for 5 days in July and only ate one burger...and that was by choice! I actually felt like having a burger for lunch that day at Cosmic Ray's...but I had several other choices there had I wanted something else.

I ate some of the more "unique" CS meals...Flame Tree BBQ at AK; Tangierine Cafe in Morocco at Epcot; chose the Chicken salad at Pizza Planet at DHS and loved it. My expectations of Disney food were basically that it would be run of the mill theme park food, run of the mill buffet food at the character meals but we would get by just fine. We were pleasantly surprised at how great the food was there and how much variety there was as well. The year before we went to Lancaster, PA for our vacation and we took the kids to Dutch Wonderland where the food was disgusting. The "grilled chicken breast" was not even edible. A ground chicken patty would have been a few steps up from what they called "grilled chicken breast". So these were my expectations of theme park food.

We also knew the food was expensive at Disney (like any other theme park, ball park, etc.). So we opted for the dining plan since the meal and snack credits fit into our normal vacation eating patterns and we wanted to do several character meals. We knew how much we were spending on food before we went and that helped a lot to have a budget planned out (which we prefer to do for vacations). I also did tons of research on these boards to find out the best CS locations at the parks, and the best foods to order or try at certain restaurants. That also helped tremendously.

One thing I will say...I had some of the best breakfast buffets at Disney that I ever had before!! Much better than the breakfast buffets I have been to on cruise ships!

 

[savvy?71]

Did someone mention Vegas

We go to Vegas once a year and I dream about The Spice Market Buffet (inside Planet Hollywood, formerly The Aladdin) every night until I get back there.

I can't compare Vegas buffets to Disney (or any of the dining experiences there); Disney is such a totally different experience. But I can see how people dining in Vegas often might react to dining in Disney.

I am aware that I am probably eating mediocre food much of the time, but being so happy there, and watching my children be so enchanted, makes it all taste like the fruits of the gods

That said, there is wonderful Chick-Fil-A off-site, that hits the spot for me every time

 

[irisira]

MK- crystal place (breakfast), MSB, dole whip
DHS- nothing, maybe water,
epcot- le cellier, school bread norway
AK- flame tree
ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE= jiko
BEACH CLUB=Beaches and Cream
BOARDWALK=ESPN Club ( nachos, chicken wings and burgers, yum )
CONTEMPORARY=California Grill
POLYNESIAN='Ohana
Marketplace= Earl of Sandwich

Great suggestions, I agree!
Have you ever tried the Brown Derby? If you like Cali and Jiko (two of my faves), I think you'd like it.

 

[Lynn5700]

Well no wonder..you ate at Hollywood and Vine. lol JK

We love the food at Disney!! Omg I pig out so much when we go lol!

Sorry you did not enjoy the food.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I had a very similar experience and ended up ordering a lot of kids meals. I get extremely picky as soon as I leave the North East and I'm put off by pretty much everything.
What do I normally eat in the Parks?
Grapes, Unsalted Pretzels, Dole Whip and Kids Grilled Cheese with Grapes/Carrot Sticks. I try to leave the park and go to a neighboring hotel to grab lunch. I really dislike eating in the parks.
If I'm at Hollywood Studios I like Rosie's Vegetarian Cheeseburger and the BLT Soup at Sci-Fi Dine In.
We've eaten at a couple of TS restaurants and I have to say that I really loved 'Ohana and I would go back there again.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I wouldnt say that we dislike Disney food but I must admit that I have never been WOWed by it either. I think I'm always slightly dissapointed.. I think part of it is reading the reviews here- many make the food seem like the most "amazing" food they have ever eaten. I will eat something at WDW and think of all the places that I have had the same type of food that was so much better and ( usually cheaper).. And, then I will read more reviews and go to a WDW restaurant again and think maybe I will be WOW'ed this time and again it is usually just ok , edible and enjoyable but just ok.

Yes, reading the reviews here, you'd think some people have never had a decent steak or a Belgian waffle ever before in their lives. The over-the-top gushing is really a bit extreme. I mean, I'd never walk out of Outback or IHOP and rave for days about the food there, and that is pretty much the food quality [at best] at most of the WDW restaurants. It is comperable to chain places.

There is a Lebanese Taverna in my town, and they are a bit better than the Moroccan CS. There are a couple of good Irish pubs that are better than Raglan Rd. There are Japanese steak house chains that are on par with Teppan Edo (so I've already seen the onion volcano at least 3 times at home & it wouldn't be a thrill to see it there). Without the build-up that everything gets here, I would probably find the Disney food yummier, but the extreme fans [what do you guys eat at home - Stouffer's and Hamburger Helper?] do build expectations too high.

 

[Kit'smommy]

DH and I pretty much stick with signature dining at the resorts or go to the better restaurants in Epcot. We usually have really good experiences.

IMO, counter service is awful. I am still ticked at Disney for changing Tusker House in AK from counter service as that is the only place I liked at all in any of the parks for a quick bite. Also, I think all of the restaurants in MK are terrible for dinner.

 

[Brian Noble]

We tend to focus on "experience" places. As with many others, for almost any cuisine you might find at WDW, we have a place that does the food better here in my little town---and, usually, but not always, less expensively.

But, I don't have a restaurant here with a floor-to-ceiling aquarium, or a drive-in movie theater with carhop service, or a buffet hosted by a five foot tall mouse.

 

[xipetotec]

Well let me start by saying I don't think you need a flame suit. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. That being said, sometimes it's just missing the good ones. ESPECIALLY considering what you like. Straightforward Steak and Potatoes and American food, I would go to Le Cellier ( I know, Canada, but fairly simple well made food ), Big River Grille and brew Works for a great cheeseburger.

I used to really enjoy the CS meals at WDW, but after this past trip ( march 2008 ), I've found myself really turned off because of their attempt to make the food "more healthy". The burger patties taste boiled, the hot dog buns are terrible. It's really too bad. ( And I am referring specifically to the CS places, Big River was still good as always ). If it stays that way, I can see myself staying away from the CS. At least from the burgers and hot dogs altogether.

Sorry you had such a bad meal time

As far as where we ate...


Magic Kingdom~ Crystal Palace, Cosmic Rays, Pinocchio Haus, Pecos Bill

I did enjoy the chicken at Cosmic Rays and DH has a taco bowl at Pecos that he raved about.

Epcot~ Electric Umbrella, Liberty Inn and funnel cake ( those were delicious )

DHS~ Hollywood and Vine, Toy Story Pizza Planet, and hot dogs some place but I can't remember where

AK~ Pizzafari, Flame Tree BBQ

I did enjoy Flame Tree

Also ate at Chef Mickey's which was just beyond horrible! Worth the price for the characters though. And also at POP food court a few times.



I am a picky eater... and I will admit that. I don't like ethnic foods for the most part. No asian, mexican, seafood, etc. So typical american food is what I like. Good steak, potatoes, hamburgers, chicken, pizza,etc. The buns of the burgers and hot dogs tasted weird to me. The pizza was tolerable but not a favorite. The "prime rib" ( if that's what they want to call it) at the buffet's was just plain awful.

We did rent a car and ate offsite a few times. But It was usually more of a hassle than it's worth because we wanted to stay in the parks. Plus... once off property we didn't like the area so much.

I'm sooo looking forward to our next trip and really want to have some better experiences dining wise. I'm not opposed to spending money on a good meal... if it is in fact good!

I would love any suggestions you guys could give me.

 

[Tnbob]

Ok! I finally found people like me! I go to the World 3 to 4 times a year with my DW and DGC. The DGC will eat anything, ditto for DW but me....I like plain American food, the plainer the better. We have been going off property to eat more and more latly.
We loved Boatwrights for years then the menu changed, chef changed and then the biggy, the California crowd needed low this and green that and taste went out the window.
I like meat and taters,corn,peas and the like. I don't like sprouts, aspargras and skin or cheese in my mashed taters, plain mashed potatoes! I don't want mushrooms in anything, I want one cheese pizza, I don't need veggies or fruit in my pizza or some exotic cheese. I don't want whole wheat bread with my burger or low sodium anything. I want butter, not what ever it is that is suspose to be healthy.
I know I'm not the smartest or articulate person in the world but I like what I like and I don't need some smartsy artsy type telling me what is good for me. When they pick up the bill they can dictate the menu. Thank you for your attention in this matter.

 

[Dani C]

I have had one meal at Disney that I could not even force myself to eat. I think that whether you like the food depends on what you choose as well as what you expect to receive.

 

[Nom]

I could very well be wrong, but I'm gonna guest the thread starter is from very small town, USA. I know several disney servers, and I've been told many times, that small town folks are the ones who often complain about the food. They are just set in their small town ways, and not open to new ideas.

I've actually found just the opposite to be true! It you're from a metro area (like I am), the food at WDW (esp in the World Showcase) is really a pale substitute for good, ethnic restaurants that I have all around me at home.

I think it is more the 'big city folk' that don't find WDW food all that spectacular. For example, many rave about Cali Grill but it was so crouded for food I could find at home. But if someone lives in a small town and does not have access to that kind of food, I can see how it would seem really special.