Fulton's Crab House questions

[Pluto14]

I have heard great things about this place, but in all the 10 times we've been to WDW we have never been there. This year we are taking immediate family, extended family, and meeting my Grandparents and Aunt (who are coming over to Orlando from Tampa to meet us for a nice dinner). My grandparents, I'm afraid, will faint when they see the prices, but they are such seafood lovers that I'm sure they will enjoy it. Can I safely tell them that they will get a great amount of food for the money they will be spending? Are the portions good? Also, are the salads and sides extra? From the looks of the menu, it looks like those things are ala carte?

Please tell me a little bit about this restaurant! Thanks! Also, are ADRs accepted at DTD restaurants like Fulton's? We'll have a party of 10.

Kris
Joe
Katie

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We had dinner at Fulton's in October with some friends. (They also drove from Tampa to meet up with us. )

Fulton's does take ADRs but I am not sure if it is at 180 days or not. We just had a party of 5 so ADRs are not limited to large groups. We really enjoyed our dinner and our server was great.

The prices are high, and appetizers, salads, and some sides are priced separately. I think on certain entrees a side is included.

Our friends and I all had the snow crab which was very good and the portion was a nice size. DH had a sampler platter of some sort and he felt like the portions were small but he is a big eater. DS was sitting between us so I didn't get a good look at his plate.

We didn't get dessert at Fulton's - we went over to Ghirardelli for ice cream.

 

[catheren]

Fultons has gotten some great and bad feed back from posters.

Unfortunately, I cannot recomment Fultons.

The seafood is mediocre at best. It's an overpriced Red Lobster.

The restaurant is dirty; even the windows!

The servers were rude and even had the nerve to tell my DH that "it's customary to tip 20% or more at Fultons"!!! when he delivered our bill.

 

[sportears]

People have different taste in foods, and chefs change from year to year at almost every Disney restaurant, so my opinion should be considered very lightly. We ate at Fultons almost 9 years ago, and our party of 5, 2 GPs, DW and DD and myself had the same opinion. Our meal was very average. A lot of time has passed. I would recommend looking at all of the reviews you can for the restaurant. If only 50 to 75% of the reviews are positive, I would consider that a red flag. If the majority of the negative reviews are centered around service, you may place a higher weight on the positive reviews.

 

[apostolic4life]

I am not sure where catheren was dining, but let me assure everyone that Fulton's Crab House is not like a Red Lobster. I know everyone has a different view of value, but it seems to me that your review was probably based on a bad service experience. I would have had to tell the server who demanded "20% or more" for a tip to please refrain from speaking because every stupid word you allow to slip from your lips shrinks your "20% or more" tip!

As for cleanliness, I know when we visit Fulton's the place has been spotless. The food was superior in my opinon (just for the record, I am an Executive Chef and tend to be hyper critical of food). I would have to reccomend the Snow Crab Claws & Cioppino. If you go, don't skip out for dessert elsewhere either; the desserts at Fulton's are excellent.

My wife just said she thinks Fulton's is overpriced: she is not a fan of seafood so she has not been totally swooned by this restaurant. I will agree it is a price prohibitive venue for many, but I think a great meal and exceptional service are worth the cost.

 

[RadioFanatic]

My dh and I go every trip. We only skipped Fulton's on one trip (our Jan. 2005) and we were very sorry we did and vowed never to do it again.

I think there is a lot of food. We usually get appy's and entree and I always bring at least half of my entree home. I usually get the bisque which is DELICIOUS. This last time I got the calamari for my appy and there was so much that it was enough for 2-3 people and was delicious. I always get the crabcakes which I also love. My dh always gets raw oysters for his appy and the crab legs - all of which is a fave. We have never had bad service and just absolutely love this restaurant. They also seem to handle large groups great. We love it so much, we're bring my IL's there on our next trip even though we are on the free dining plan and it's not on it. It's just that worth it to us.

They do make reservations 180 days out - but it has to be exact or less - they don't do the 180 + 10 days like the other restaurants do. We already have our reservations.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I agree with catheren. This is one WDW that I have vowed I will NEVER try again. I actually felt violated when I left there! It was a huge disappointment.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Here is my review, if you would like to see it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=808624

Many people love Fulton's. I have also heard people criticize Boma...and that is one of my all time favorites. My point is...everyone has different tastes. So, I do think you should try it and see for yourself. Make sure you post a review when you come back!

 

[sportears]

Maybe one step above. It all depends upon what your're interested in. If your truly want an outstanding seafood meal, about $90-$95 per person, I would go to the Flying Fish at the Boardwalk. If you're looking for an okay seafood dinner, about $40-$45 a person, go to Fulton's.

 

[RadioFanatic]

see and I thought Flying Fish, although okay, was not worth it for the money - we went 3 times and on this last trip decided that was the last time.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Fulton's was a big letdown. If the server would have spent half as much time ensuring he got our order correct as he did telling us how great the restaurant was, it would have been an improvement.

Four adults:

1. Orders filet medium rare with a side of potatoes - filet came out well-done, potatoes were asked for three time before finally coming out after all other food was eaten.
2. Orders lobster - came out correct.
3. Orders strip well done with a side of grilled shrimp - strip came out rare, shrimp came out fried.
4. Orders grilled shrimp with rice - Fried shrimp over french fries was served.

Go to Flying Fish instead.

 

[apostolic4life]

As I stated previously, I seem to be seeing more of a gripe about quality of service and price vs. food issues. I think the food prepared (even if it is the wrong food; a server error ) is done well and a good value for the price of the meal. As sportears said, if you want "outstanding" you need to pay that kind of price. This is at least a three star quality restaurant, so expect to get the appropriate pricing. If you want four or five star quality, go to another restaurant and take lots of disposable cash!

The service seems to be lacking from what I am reading here. I feel bad for those who get stuck with servers who are not professional and lack the skills to do the job properly. Again with another analogy: when you go to Fulton's you expect to have higher levels of skill than you can get at TGIFriday's.

I am still a fan of Fulton's and would advise anyone to try it, but if you are receiving bad service, PLEASE make someone aware during the meal so it can be resolved!!!!!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

If you have time, please read my review. Although I also received poor service, my gripe was all about the food!

 

[apostolic4life]

If you have time, please read my review. Although I also received poor service, my gripe was all about the food!

I read your review, and I hate to hear about your terrible experience. I was wondering what time of the evening you were there?? The quality of the food you received is without excuse!! It sounds to me like you got the bottom of the barrel when it comes to size & quality of the seafood offered in your meal. If you were a later reservation and the food was of questionable quality, as the Exec. Chef I would have personally come out to the table and explained the situation. I would much rather throw out something than to serve it and have such negative reviews floating around about my restaurant. If the Chef sent out a questionable item, shame on him!! He makes us all look bad!

Be sure to make the complaints known before you leave - better yet, before they can bring your check. This will give them the opportunity to be stand-up people and make it right before you have time to get furious!!

 

[catheren]

The "Red Lobster" quote is a New England thing ....since we are used to fresh off the boat seafood.

It's used when a New Englander has been to a restaurant with poor quality seafood. Red Lobster Restaurants aren't know for quality and they don't make it in New England -- do to the mediocre seafood.

Like a stated before Fulton's gets love/hate postings on this board. As others have stated and I agree....it's totally up to the tastes of the individual.

FF and Narcoossee's are better.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi Apostolic!

Thanks for your input, it is nice to hear from someone "in the biz!"

I am guilty of not wanting to come off as "a complainer." I don't want to seem like I am looking to get my meal comped. If there is something specifically wrong...a steak overdone or a wrong side item brought out...then I have no problem speaking up. But, I hate to say, "I feel everything you have brought us is sub par!" You are 100% right, though, they need to know so they can correct it. I did write the company that owns Fulton's...I cannot remember the name of it at the moment...I am drawing a blank. Anyway, I emailed them with my experience. I told them of our disappointmnet, and I made sure I did not only bash the restaurant...I spoke of enjoying the lounge, that the hostesses were friendly, etc. I only complained about the slow service and the poor food quality. I never heard anything from them again. I was surprised by that, I would think I would at the very least receive a generic "thank you for your comments" email, ya know?

Anyway, DH and I agree that we will have cocktails at The Stone Crab Lounge again...we really enjoyed that atmosphere! But as far as dining there...there are just too many wonderful restaurants at WDW that we LOVE (Jiko and Blue Zoo come to mind) that we just can't risk spending are hard earned vacation dollars at Fulton's again.

ETA-Oh, and to answer your question, we dined at about 7 pm that night. It was our anniversary dinner, too!

 

[slug]

I've lived in New England my whole life and eat seafood here all the time. That being said, I think Fulton's is one of my favorite restaurants at Disney.

However, some of that may be the nostalgia effect b/c growing up, my parents took me to the Empress Lilly every trip.