Here now. Random observations.

[eeyoresmom]

Just some totally random observations from a very frequent visitor. HS is my least favorite park. With all the closures going on we had planned on skipping it this trip but went tonight just to see the fireworks. We ended up getting a fp for Great Movie Ride, walking on Star Tours and catching Fantasmic. There's still plenty there to fill a day. If you have never been or have only been a few times you won't even notice the closures. The quick service food situation is bad. I am usually a fan and think Disney offers some great qs options. The prices have gone WAY up on some items, the portions down. Not cool . Also, I have used my phone app pedometer this trip and have been averaging 9 miles per day.

 

[Robo]

Oh, that's so RANDOM!

 

[coolbrook]

I read yesterday that they are opening some fast food kiosks by the lake at HS to help with the food situation. The menus actually sounded good to me. We'll see what people think.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Rant time (you've been warned)...

We were at DHS on Thursdsay. DW decided she didn't want "grab and go" food again, so we went to the ABC Commissary. I challenge anyone to design a more inefficient process for delivering prepared food. It looked like they took random CMs from other parts of the park and said, "go fix lunches for people in a kitchen you've never seen." I saw workers wandering around in back with blank expressions and even a manager walking around with hands clasped behind her back and an approving expression on her face that suggested it was all running like a well-oiled machine.

At one point I saw a tray sitting with what clearly had to be our drinks all ready and waiting... then one worker came over and took two of the drinks and put them with another order. When our food finally came out, the worker looked around for the drinks and had to ask someone else to fill out the rest of the drink order. The "hot food" was already cold at that point. As near as I could tell, they had been waiting on the pre-packaged cold "Asian Salad" that requires no preparation at all. The "steak" DD10 ordered had been substituted with the used sole from a longshoreman's boot. She sawed on it with a plastic knife for five minutes before giving up. We dutifully ate the rest of our $68 worth of prison food and proceeded on our way.

By the way, I should point out that we were among the first guests to place orders after they opened at 11 a.m. I'd hate to see what it looks like during a rush. All I could do was laugh about it.

 

[rg35]

.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

I read yesterday that they are opening some fast food kiosks by the lake at HS to help with the food situation. The menus actually sounded good to me. We'll see what people think.

I had heard about those. I think DW might be a little more flexible about dining choices on Tuesday, so we may get to try these out.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Our qs meal in HS was poor but we've experienced the same at AK and MK also. Example, the combo meals at Yak and Yeti portions have got to be 30% smaller now that they are served in that plastic tray. The fajita plater at Pecos Bills is $15.Now we know enough to share and fill it out from the toppings bar but I was watching the faces of others reading the menu. Their prices have really risen.I really hope this is temporary.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I had heard about those. I think DW might be a little more flexible about dining choices on Tuesday, so we may get to try these out.

Walking by one of the stands or carts here last night ( don't remember which), I remember noting how tiny the food portions were.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Walking by one of the stands or carts here last night ( don't remember which), I remember noting how tiny the food portions were.

Expectations lowered.

 

[BlueFairy]

ITA with the OP. We found the current offerings at HS more than enough to fill a very nice day. Even had to make some hard choices on shows. And that was with skipping the headliners since they don't appeal to our demo.

As for QS - Backlot Express was expensive and sloppy but the service was good and portion sizes plenty large enough.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Our qs meal in HS was poor but we've experienced the same at AK and MK also. Example, the combo meals at Yak and Yeti portions have got to be 30% smaller now that they are served in that plastic tray. The fajita plater at Pecos Bills is $15.Now we know enough to share and fill it out from the toppings bar but I was watching the faces of others reading the menu. Their prices have really risen.I really hope this is temporary.

Higher Disney prices, temporary? Maybe when Shanghai posts a profit, 20 years from now, or maybe never.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Oh I don't expect prices to go down. If they get enough negative feedback maybe they will address the issue by increasing portion size and offering some more "average" priced entrees that aren't salads made predominantly with iceberg lettuce.

 

[Skip3key]

Have pretty much given up on quick service... think it is pretty much all terrible now. We try to do one nice sit down meal a day and keep the left overs to make another meal out of (seem to always get pretty good sized portions at most table service places), and also get a Garden Grocer delivery for breakfasts and snacks to keep costs down. Helps that we are DVC and have the benefit of a kitchen or kitchenette to help out for sure....

 

[mocame]

Rant time (you've been warned)...

We were at DHS on Thursdsay. DW decided she didn't want "grab and go" food again, so we went to the ABC Commissary. I challenge anyone to design a more inefficient process for delivering prepared food. It looked like they took random CMs from other parts of the park and said, "go fix lunches for people in a kitchen you've never seen." I saw workers wandering around in back with blank expressions and even a manager walking around with hands clasped behind her back and an approving expression on her face that suggested it was all running like a well-oiled machine.

At one point I saw a tray sitting with what clearly had to be our drinks all ready and waiting... then one worker came over and took two of the drinks and put them with another order. When our food finally came out, the worker looked around for the drinks and had to ask someone else to fill out the rest of the drink order. The "hot food" was already cold at that point. As near as I could tell, they had been waiting on the pre-packaged cold "Asian Salad" that requires no preparation at all. The "steak" DD10 ordered had been substituted with the used sole from a longshoreman's boot. She sawed on it with a plastic knife for five minutes before giving up. We dutifully ate the rest of our $68 worth of prison food and proceeded on our way.

By the way, I should point out that we were among the first guests to place orders after they opened at 11 a.m. I'd hate to see what it looks like during a rush. All I could do was laugh about it.

We had an almost identical experience as what is in bold but it was at Flametree BBQ. People were getting frustrated and upset. I was surprised because everyone raves about Flametree but it was the most unorganized and chaotic meals of the whole trip.

 

[hakepb]

We had an almost identical experience as what is in bold but it was at Flametree BBQ. People were getting frustrated and upset. I was surprised because everyone raves about Flametree but it was the most unorganized and chaotic meals of the whole trip.

I get where you are coming from. I find all QS at WDW to be inefficient and Flametree is a bit worse than average (plus it's not like they are throwing a rack of ribs on the smoker when you place an order)
Flametree became a favorite because it's decent BBQ, was the only QS serving BBQ, and if you happen to meander down to the pavilion by the river…you get treated to the most pleasant and relaxing QS dining spot.

With the ever increasing prices I can understand how the experience may seem odd.

 

[lovethattink]

Just some totally random observations from a very frequent visitor. HS is my least favorite park. With all the closures going on we had planned on skipping it this trip but went tonight just to see the fireworks. We ended up getting a fp for Great Movie Ride, walking on Star Tours and catching Fantasmic. There's still plenty there to fill a day. If you have never been or have only been a few times you won't even notice the closures. The quick service food situation is bad. I am usually a fan and think Disney offers some great qs options. The prices have gone WAY up on some items, the portions down. Not cool . Also, I have used my phone app pedometer this trip and have been averaging 9 miles per day.

We were at DHS yesterday too! It's actually our favorite park, even with all the construction and closures. The food at DHS is my least favorite! We rarely eat there anymore. However, last night we ate at the Backlot Express. I had the kid's meal waffle and chicken. Food came hot, burned my fingers. Tasted good. When I go to ABC Commissary, it's usually for a cupcake.

@eeyoresmom would you mind adding the date so that in the future we know when here now was? Thanks.

I read yesterday that they are opening some fast food kiosks by the lake at HS to help with the food situation. The menus actually sounded good to me. We'll see what people think.

@yulilin3 ate from a kiosk yesterday and posted pictures on a thread along with a review.

The carts were closing for the day when we finally made our trek around Echo Lake to check them out.

Rant time (you've been warned)...

We were at DHS on Thursdsay. DW decided she didn't want "grab and go" food again, so we went to the ABC Commissary. I challenge anyone to design a more inefficient process for delivering prepared food. It looked like they took random CMs from other parts of the park and said, "go fix lunches for people in a kitchen you've never seen." I saw workers wandering around in back with blank expressions and even a manager walking around with hands clasped behind her back and an approving expression on her face that suggested it was all running like a well-oiled machine.

At one point I saw a tray sitting with what clearly had to be our drinks all ready and waiting... then one worker came over and took two of the drinks and put them with another order. When our food finally came out, the worker looked around for the drinks and had to ask someone else to fill out the rest of the drink order. The "hot food" was already cold at that point. As near as I could tell, they had been waiting on the pre-packaged cold "Asian Salad" that requires no preparation at all. The "steak" DD10 ordered had been substituted with the used sole from a longshoreman's boot. She sawed on it with a plastic knife for five minutes before giving up. We dutifully ate the rest of our $68 worth of prison food and proceeded on our way.

By the way, I should point out that we were among the first guests to place orders after they opened at 11 a.m. I'd hate to see what it looks like during a rush. All I could do was laugh about it.

ABC Commissary changed their menu not too long ago, and took away what I liked to order there. I think the steak is hit or miss. I've been with friends when they ordered and got a good one. DHS is my least favorite park for a meal.

 

[whiporee]

Reminds me of the old story --

Two people are sitting at a Disney restaurant. They have unhappy looks on their faces.
"Goodness the food here is just terrible" the first one says as she takes a bite. "It's just awful."
"I know," the other one agrees. "And such small portions." *

*Stolen and paraphrased from "Annie Hall."

 

[mocame]

I get where you are coming from. I find all QS at WDW to be inefficient and Flametree is a bit worse than average (plus it's not like they are throwing a rack of ribs on the smoker when you place an order)
Flametree became a favorite because it's decent BBQ, was the only QS serving BBQ, and if you happen to meander down to the pavilion by the river…you get treated to the most pleasant and relaxing QS dining spot.

With the ever increasing prices I can understand how the experience may seem odd.

We actually did find a table down by the river and it was very nice. The problem was that after the chaotic ordering and receiving of food, we wondered from one pavilion to another, to another, to another, etc. until we found an open table. Loved the view but after the whole family wondering from pavilion to pavilion and the whole process, we just wanted to eat before it got cold! We did have a great view of the Rivers of Light area. I would've wanted that exact table to watch the show.

 

[eeyoresmom]

OP here. I just wanted to report in all fairness that our ts meals (tuttu italia, LTT and Skippers Canteen) were really good, food and value wise as far as Disney prices go. We did the prix fixe lunch menu at tuttu and that was by far the best meal we had.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We usually try to do our one TS a day in whatever park we are in, usually for lunch. I find the park QSs to be not so great. Then we'll do QS for dinner at the resort which tend to be a bit better in our experience.