Garden Grill - worth it or not?

[freepixie]

We have been to Disney quite a few times over the years and I have always wanted to try the Garden Grill. Usually we don't end up with enough time for all our other ADR's and we never get around to it.

Please tell me - how is the food here? We already have an ADR for this summer to Liberty Tree Tavern - is the food like there or not?

Also, I notice on the menu is catfish - my mom and I are allergic to fish, would they be able to keep the fish off the platter (if the other food gets near the fish we would both have hives the rest of the vacation )

Any and all help is appreciated! I am hoping to build some ammunition to help convince the family to try here this summer!!!

 

[Atotty]

We went at Thanksgiving. The food was just ok. The service was the worst I've ever had anywhere. Character interaction was good.

I'm sure if you told them about your allergy they'd do soemthing to accomaodate you.

I don't *ever* get motion sick, but for some reason GG does it to me. We've been twice now....once years ago when they had the ice cream social and then this last trip.....and something about the rotating just does me in.

 

[sunny04]

Garden Grill was one of our favorite meals at WDW ever. We won a "dream" and were the "Gardening Family of the Day", so we had EXCELLENT character interaction. And the food was extremely fresh and tasty.

We love LTT as well, and the set up is similar. I think the food at GG was more fresh, but I don't know if I can say "better" because LTT is so good!

It would be very easy for them to leave the catfish off. As I said, it is set up like LTT, so they bring out the plates of food to you and it's all you can eat. Just tell your server no fish, and they can easily accomadate that.

 

[freepixie]

Thank you both so much for your replies! I really hope we can still try this, you never know how something truly is until you just go ahead and try it out! Thank you for the heads up about the motion - thats something I never thought about and I will keep in mind!

Should we tell the people on the reservation line about the fish allergy, or just to wait til we get there and tell our server? Its not that bad of an allergy, compared to some people who cant' have dairy or peanuts that makes it more difficult.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[tammyandtommy]

We tried Garden Grill for the first time last Sept. We loved it! I dont like buffets very much so the family style supper was a nice change! Have Fun!

 

[sunny04]

Should we tell the people on the reservation line about the fish allergy, or just to wait til we get there and tell our server?

I would do both. Put it on the reservation, but don't assume that they will notice it and tell the server anyway. That way you don't have to send food back and wait for new if they make a mistake.

 

[ajleone]

We love Garden Grill always great food! And its never an issue at any Disney dining to have food allergies accommodated for.

 

[ksbean]

We tired it for the first time in December and enjoyed our meal. The food isn't fancy but if you like meat and potatoes it's good. We especially like the cheesy potatoes. DH and I don't like fish so it was no problem for them to leave it off the platter.

I'd suggest telling them when you make the ADR about the fish allergy. And of course when you check in and to your server about your allergy. I've read so many things about Disney I don't recall if they do or do not have a special number to call about dietary needs. If your alergy is such you may want to check to see if they have one.

Karen

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

We almost canceled last trip, but we had a GREAT time and great service there!

 

[PattnFmly]

I've always wanted to go back there! Went years ago and loved it! I didn't notice the motion unless I "watched" the walls - but I'd rather look at my plate! Yum! Would love to eat there with family but not sure how they accommodate a wheelchair? I'll have to ask sometime.

 

[pat fan]

We eat there almost every trip and have loved it each time! I don't know if you have kids or not, but they have fun desserts for the little ones. One was worms in dirt, another was a sugar cookie in the shape of a butterfly that came with icing,gummies and m&m's so you could decorate it. The grown-up desserts might not be as "fun", but they are very tasty!

The characters have always been wonderful and the service was good also. We never noticed the movement, it is very slow so I really wouldn't be too concerned about that.

 

[PatsMom]

I've enjoyed the Garden Grill and never notice any motion. The food is decent - I liked it better than LTT. The characters were great. When my mother, sister and I had our trip together, they were great about posing even with all adults. For my sister is was probably the only trip to WDW she'll ever take so it was extra special to have those photos. We did have the catfish that time because DM and DS will eat just about anything. When DD and I go we ask them to leave the fish off the platter because neither of us will eat it and it just seems wasteful. They just bring more of the other stuff. Since its all you care to eat, when you ask for seconds you can specify what you want. Of course with an allergy, you should tell your server because they will need to take precautions in the kitchen to make sure the food is kept separate when the platter is made up rather than just removing the catfish from a pre-plated dish. But I don't think you'll have any trouble with a request as simple as that.

 

[freepixie]

Thanks everyone for your replies!! I plan to read this post to my family tonight and hopefully we can call and make our ADR! I've always wanted to see the characters in their farmer clothes - the pics I've seen are SO CUTE!

Thank you again! I appreciate all your insight and help!

 

[Renmusical]

My daughter and I finally tried Garden Grill last year after many years of visiting EPCOT and we really enjoyed it. She does not like fish and the waitress was very accomodating to our special requests. We even requested the childs food and dessert even though she was 12 at the time. Lunch is a nice time to go and if you get early seating you can see the characters numerous times!

 

[Heather1101]

We haven't been there since December 2004, but it was great that trip. Character interaction was the best of any character meals we've done. DH loved it and that is one of our "must-do's" in June. As far as the motion sickness from the rotating, I didn't have a problem. I am prone to getting car sick, plane sick...you name it, and the GG experience never bothered me one bit.

 

[jenjersnap]

GG is one of our fave character meals. My boys always request that one. We like it much better than LTT!

 

[jcwishes]

This is a must do for us. The food is very good and fresh. Character interaction is awesome and we have exceptionally good service our last time. This is one our girs ages 4-10 insist on.
Have fun

 

[PleaseStandClear95]

I gotta tell you - we always love the Garden Grill.

I ate there at least every other week when I was on the College Program in 95 and 96. Back when Chef Cathy was the head chef it was GREAT!!!

My family has eaten there every year we visit - however on our last visit in February 2006 the food was HORRIBLE. I have never had a meal that bad on property, not even at a counter service establishment.

AND I think the turntable was turning much slower than usual. We are usually able to get a full revolution in while dining but we did not even get 1/2 way around.

I have not yet decided if we will be skipping over this restaurant in the future.

 

[sugermouse]

It was good... but for the price, you have to ask yourself if you are willing to dish out big bucks for something you could easily make at home...

 

[Mkrop]

We almost cancelled this ADR and we were so glad we didnt. The food was really good and the character interaction was awesome. Our server was great too. The kids got a decorate your own cupcake for dessert. We didnt even notice the motion.

have fun