Establishing a consensus

[Micca]

With thousands and thousands of people visiting WDW restaurants each day, is it reasonable to think there would be a consensus agreement on the quality of the restaurant?

When you read the threads here at the Dis, there aren't too many restaurants that receive consistent reviews. Also, tastes are so subjective. Just wondering Perhaps when serving thousands of people each day consistency isn't possible?

 

[webray]

I think it has more to do with people's tastes.

The people that visit disney come from all over the world, all different walks of life. Some save for 10 years so they can afford one trip in their entire lifetime..some can come multiple times per year and always stay concierge in a deluxe resort.

Some people are used to burgers and fries...some caviar. Some people try either of these things for the first time at WDW.

So, I wouldn't ever expect to get consistant reviews.

 

[CamColt]

I wouldnt expect consistent reviews.

As noted, everyones tastes are different. A perfect example is that I know most people rave about V&A. However, none of the food Ive ever seen mentioned there would appeal to me.

Also, like any restaurant, WDW restaurants can have a bad day. Things can and will go wrong whether its with the service, food, or even other diners nearby. Just about anything can add to "ruining" a meal.

I also think the mindset of the diners can have a lot of input on what they think of a certain meal. An example of this is a few years ago we went to Mama Melrose. While I enjoyed it, family members who had never eaten there before were underwhelmed by it. This was on our travel day and we all ate a big lunch after arriving so we werent very hungry by dinner time. We were tired too. Well we went back a year later, under better circumstances, with just my mother. This time she thought it was the best meal of our trip.

This is why I always think people should try restuarants for what they think they might like. Even if other have had horrible experiences there, I think its worth it to see for yourself. Im sure we could get at least 1 bad and one great review for each restaurant in WDW if we tried.

 

[goofy4tink]

I totally agree CamColt. Most people rave about CG and I can take it or leave it. Same thing with SciFi. I heard varying reviews here so figured I'ld check it out for myself. I did, and I won't go back. But I am in the minority. I feel that if you check out the menu and it has food that you normally would like, chances are that you will like it in WDW. If you're trying something new, like say Marrakesh, then be prepared for a whole different experience.

 

[Epcotgal8]

I think there are many reasons you probably won't get a complete consensus on a restaurant. As mentioned, individual tastes are all different. Plus, some people are adventurous and some would like to be but really aren't. I know I've made the mistake myself of reading great reviews of a place and even though I can see there is not a lot on the menu for us, based on the reviews we tried it and we came away hungry. I love to try new places but only if I really think there is more than one thing on the menu that we would order because menus change. I also think that a lot of things within a restaurant whether in WDW or at home can affect consistency. There are local places we frequent and love but occasionally get a disappointing meal. It may be a change in management, maybe a server who is new or overwhelmed or overworked, or lackluster kitchen help that day...who knows? But at least we go often enough to know that isn't the norm. If it was the first time we had eaten there we might not go back. That is why you read negative reviews about some WDW restaurants. Let's face it, we all want to have fun, good food, and good service when we are spending lots of money on vacation and a bad meal feels like a waste of time and money. It can happen anywhere though.

 

[tar heel]

When I'm considering new WDW restaurants, I try to look at reviews by people who like the same restaurants we do. For example, if someone says the food at Chef Mickey's was fantastic (We thought it was mediocre) or the food at Boma too spicy (love it), I assume that that person's reviews will not be helpful to us. When a reveiwer loves restaurants that we also love, I try to see what he/she says about places we've not yet tried.

 

[jjsmom]

I agree completely that restaurant reviews are just someone's opinion, which is why I don't hang out on this board much. But, I do like to hear about service experiences (really good or really bad) because restaurant service is a direct reflection of how things are going at WDW in general. Grumpy wait staff? That could mean that particular restaurant is very busy (because park attendance is up) and someone is making them work longer hours. Is a particular restaurant starting to nit-pick customers with it's policies? (See the nearby SPOODLES thread), that could be a sign that things aren't going so well.

The one thing that is always in the back of my mind is that Disney will take us all for granted because we're going to eat almost all meals on site.

MY REALLY BAD EXPERIENCE:
Feb '04-Electric Umbrella, Epcot (I know, it's counter service; it's not like I spent a couple hundred bucks to experience this joy). Me, my MIL, DD ordered lunch. At the end of the order, I said"may I please have no mayo on my sandwich?" To which she very rudely and loudly replies, "YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT BEFORE I SENT THE ORDER TO THE KITCHEN; NOW I HAVE TO GET UP AND GO BACK THERE AND TELL THEM THAT YOU DON'T WANT MAYO!!" Well, everyone around us heard her and looked at me. No one could believe their ears. I said "I'm very sorry, I was distracted because she (MIL) & I were discussing who was going to buy lunch." I was in shock. I was so flabergasted I called my fellow WDW freak co-worker and she said I should go straight to guest services and report her. I didn't, because it was my last day and there wasn't a moment to waste.