For those who experienced WOC dining... WCT vs. Ariel's Grotto info

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

So I have a ressie already for WCT WOC but I'm reading peoples experiences and have read that WCT got rid of the antipasto platter. I just called Disney dining and was told that they menu should be antipasto and salad. Considering the price difference between WCT and AG, I'm thinking of changing. I haven't really read anyones experience at AG so I'd love to hear your experience at either resteraunts.

 

[Raindown]

So I have a ressie already for WCT WOC but I'm reading peoples experiences and have read that WCT got rid of the antipasto platter. I just called Disney dining and was told that they menu should be antipasto and salad. Considering the price difference between WCT and AG, I'm thinking of changing. I haven't really read anyones experience at AG so I'd love to hear your experience at either resteraunts.

The WCT was great. Eating upstairs was nice quite and removed from the busy park. I think you'll have a great experience at either, it is the WoC queuing that is the nasty part.

 

[franandaj]

I'm interested in hearing peoples reponses too. I have a WCT for July 7, and just read a horrible review and it sounds like they are very disorganized at the show. I specifically waited almost a month so that they can work all this stuff out, so I hope to hear some good reviews here!

 

[ScottJayhawk]

The show just opened and the crowds are huge - even Disney needs some time to adjust and improve - hopefully they will! They usually do.

 

[mvf-m11c]

The dining experience at AG was nice. We had our reservation at 5 and it was insane, there were a lot of families waiting to eat at AG for WoC. We only had to wait for a few minutes when we were seated.

We sat inside the restaurant and there were a few people having there dinner inside, until it was 6 when more and more people were at the tables inside and outside the restaurant.

The food was nice, but not outstanding. The appetizers had a different of choices. The entrees that my DA and I could have been better. She had the red fish and I had the tri tip, it was okay, but it could be better. Then dessert looked really good to eat since they made a white chocolate film of dumbo, Pocahontas and the center the WoC logo on a film style design. The it her desserts were okay, but the white chocolate film picture was good.

The overall dinner was good, but not outstanding. When I ordered the tri tip they didn't say how wanted it cook. They brought it to me medium well. It almost if it was already cooked and just waited to be served. It was warm when I received it and it wasn't long when we got the appetizer first.

But for the FP, it would have been better to try the picnic package since it is cheaper and the viewing area is close to the dining viewing area.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Thanks for everyone's info. I wish I could make a decision.... I've heard so many mixed reviews about the food at both places.

 

[cccdisney]

We did the WOC package at AG on Saturday, 6/12. We were a group of 4 adults. We decided on the veggie/cheese antipasto appetizer. I believe the other one was cheese/cured meats/fish??? They also served sourdough bread.
The appetizer was okay. All of us ordered the tri-tip and enjoyed it. Wasn't the best I've had but we all cleared our plates. Three of us ordered them med-well and one well-done. All of them came out as ordered.
The dessert tray looked better than it tasted. Once again not bad, but not spectacular either. But we were so full at that point also we didn't care. We all ordered soft drinks and then they also brought us coffee with our dessert (we had to ask for it though). This was all included in the 36.99 price. I have a Premier AP and they took 15% off the bill.

Our dinner ressies were for 5pm. We were seated promptly and service was good. I can't remember what time we were done but it was around 6:30. The ticket said to line up for the preferred viewing area between 7:30 - 8:30 so we decided to ride Toy Story Mania before lining up. We waited quite awhile for that ride so we didn't get to the viewing area until 7:45pm.
All the CM's in the WOC area knew were to direct us. We had to "go through" quite a few CM's before we reached the CM "in charge" of the Preferred Viewing area. We were in the Blue section (not sure if all the preferred viewing is in that section or not). We were given the choice of "wet" or "not wet". Because we were 4 women who planned on shopping after we chose "not wet"! Our view was dead center, but farther back. The area was not at all crowded which was nice and we didn't have a problem seeing because of that.
Would I do it again? Yes! However, probably not with my kids. (We will stick with Fast Passes with them). I have two "Disney Adults" kids, ages 10 and 12, that would not have touched anything on the appetizer platter and probably only the steak on the entree and not the potatoes or veggies. It's hard to justify spending $36.99 on them eating so little when we can get Fast Passes and get a good viewing area.
Hope that helps!

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I changed our reservations from WCT to AG today, but not sure if I did the right thing. I originally picked WCT because it seemed like a nicer restaurant and I liked the sound of menu better, but there were so many reviews that said the food was pretty blah. I'm not sure how much we'll like the theming of Ariel's Grotto (is it too kiddie?) but the food does look better and people seemed to have like it better - plus it's cheaper, and now that the antipasto has gone from WCT, it's more food at AG.

I just hope we did the right thing! Either way we get to see the show and that's really the only reason we're doing the dining package!

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

So the appetizer is gone for good at WCT?

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Does anyone know what the menus are at each restaurant?

 

[cheshiregirl]

I originally chose WCT as well based on the fact that I really liked some of the things on the old menu and generally enjoyed the restaurant.

I thought that Eeee-va's review of WCT from the first night looked okay--not spectacular, but okay. However, lurkyloo's review of WCT from the second night of WOC dinner had me running for the hills. Not a single course was the same as what Eeee-va was served and they had ordered the exact same thing!

That being said, I made a "back up'' ressie today for Ariel's in case WCT does not get their act together in the next few weeks. We have 5 weeks left before we go and trust me, I will be watching this thread very closely!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

While my reservation is for WCT, I'm going to call tomorrow and try switching it to AG. Since I eat at AG once per trip, I was thinking of going for something different, but none of the desserts at WCT sound good to me. Besides that, the desserts at AG appear different from what I've had there before.

 

[Eeee-va]

The decor at Ariel's Grotto is not kiddie at all. I believe the space was originally intended to be like an upscale adult restaurant but no one came!

cheshiregirl, your back-up reservation idea seems very smart to me.

We got an "appetizer" that was the crustini thing I mentioned. Basically a small piece of sun-dried-tomato (?) toast with garlic spread.

Our menu otherwise mostly matched the one currently listed at http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_tratw.htm except there was no starter at all (except the aforementioned piece of toast!). We also had an option of Balsamic-braised Short Ribs with Roasted Vegetable and Cannellini Bean Stew. Our Seasonal Berries were not listed as having a Balsamic reduction (I don't eat strawberries so I can't comment).

I know by the second night the tiramisu had been replaced by some sort of vanilla pudding-thing and the New York Strip Steak had become something else too! I think the menu was just printed up so they could likely change it often.

If you have nothing better to do, here's my review with all my food pictures...but again, I know the steak and desserts were completely different just one day later.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2486373