Horrible food is what I remember about Disney.

[hollyb]

Why do you think that is? DH and I were not impressed at all. With all the people going I would think they would have great food. We are hoping that this trip will have better luck.

 

[curiouser]

Why do you think that is? DH and I were not impressed at all. With all the people going I would think they would have great food. We are hoping that this trip will have better luck.

Did you go to the same Disney World I do?

I LOVE the food at Disney! My favorite part of planning is deciding my ADRs!

 

[maxiesmom]

Where did you eat? Disney does have some fancy restaurants, but you have to make an effort to find them. Most of what they serve is park food, made to move the guests thru their restaurants in a fairly quick manner. Did soemthing traumatic happen that this is your first memory of Disney? If so, do tell!

 

[Tina]

Care to elaborate? Where did you eat? What did you order?

 

[Christine]

My experience is fairly opposite. I always have fond memories of good food. But I tend to stick to the signature dining and the "different" stuff. Last trip we had excellent meals at Citricos and Artist Point. We also have good memories of Boma and Kona Cafe.

We have "not so good" memories of Chef Mickey's and Liberty Tree Tavern.

At home, we enjoy places like Carrabas and a local chain run by Great American Restaurants (Mikes American Grill, Carlyle, Coastal Flats). We enjoy the signature dining as much as these places. We don't care for TGIFriday type places (Chili's, Olive Garden, etc). Just so you know where I'm coming from.

Just curious--where did you eat on your last trip?

 

[Laurajean1014]

Why do you think that is? DH and I were not impressed at all. With all the people going I would think they would have great food. We are hoping that this trip will have better luck.

Please tell us more. The comment can be silly when we don't know when you visited WDW last, where you ate, what you ordered. If you read the restaurant boards, you will find the good and the bad.

My personal favorites:

Flying Fish
Shula's Steak House
Spoodles
Olivia's
CA GRILL
Jiko
San Angelo Inn
and a few walk ups.

 

[melomouse]

Hi Holly -

I have found sometimes that perspectives on WDW are often relative to the geographical location of the poster. If you live anywhere near a large city and have access to finer dining, then there are likely only a half dozen Disney restarants that will come up to par for you. OTOH, if the chain restaurants are your idea of fine dining - WDW is equal and sometimes better.

Have a feeling this might lead to a lively discussion...

In preparation for my first Disney trip, a friend told me the food in Disney was "consistently average". At all the CS and many of the family/kid focussed restaurants, I have found that they are probably consistently a bit "above average". Your burger and your chicken fingers as well as the salads are tasty, but I consider them tasty nourishment as we are flying around the parks. Meals are more "stop offs" at CS for us - not what I would regard a "meal" that I'd be looking to appreciate and enjoy.

Ditto buffets - some very good selections, most average - but certainly a cut way above a Golden Corral.

New Yorkers likely won't find a great pizza in Florida, either. I wouldn't expect it. Ribs in Disney seem the same to me whether at WCC or the food court at a resort. They just change the sauce!!!LOL

My thinking is that Disney does a better than average job for the number of people served at an incredible number of venues, and that if you are looking for "fine dining", check out the signature restaurants. Maybe then you will be more "impressed"!!!

 

[mking624]

Being that are SO MANY eateries in Disney World, I have a hard time believing that there's absolutely no table or counter service that won't appeal to someone. You may have hit a few places you didn't particularly enjoy...but as the saying goes "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." With the amount of eateries available there, you're bound to hit something you don't like (I have a couple myself), but you're also bound to find something you do like.

 

[Pembo]

HI Holly. We remember horrible food at Disney too but I've learned (from these boards and experience) that it is all in where you eat. I did a lot of research, used the menus on Allearsnet and we were pretty happy with the food on our last trip. Of course we still ate too many chicken strips and fries (picky eaters in my family) but we were able to find some good food too.

 

[hollyb]

I think your right. We live in a great city in NJ and can also go to NY for good food. I can't remember all where we ate. I think I blocked it out on purpose. Thanks for the advice I will keep looking to see what we would like.

 

[Tina]

At home, we enjoy places like Carrabas and a local chain run by Great American Restaurants (Mikes American Grill, Carlyle, Coastal Flats).

Well, we're on the same page!! I frequent Artie's at least once a week. Its just a couple of blocks from my office. Their filet tips are a requirement in my weekly diet!! And the banana pudding....

Now you're making me hungry!!

 

[Christine]

Well, we're on the same page!! I frequent Artie's at least once a week. Its just a couple of blocks from my office. Their filet tips are a requirement in my weekly diet!! And the banana pudding....

Now you're making me hungry!!

OMG, isn't the banana pudding the best stuff you've ever had. I also like the Flourless Chocolate Waffle, although it is best prepared at Carlyle. For some reason, Mike's just butchers it.

I've only been to Artie's once--right before I went to a Prince concert at George Mason U. It is sort of out of my way! I would LOVE to be able to go every week!

 

[Ted and Holly]

I think your right. We live in a great city in NJ and can also go to NY for good food. I can't remember all where we ate. I think I blocked it out on purpose. Thanks for the advice I will keep looking to see what we would like.

The only places that I have a hard time remembering names are the counter service places.

With vague statements and "can't remember all where we ate", I have a hard time taking this seriously. I have to ask, why did you post this? Sounds like just something to get people going.

 

[kpm76]

Perspective is a wonderful thing too. I certainly have been to better restaurants that some found in WDW (expect for V & A's!!) but I am in WDW, so somehow the food just tastes better to me. It's like getting a hot dog at a baseball game. Good luck! I hope you find some places that appeal to you. Check out the menus on allears.

 

[Cruz Family]

I think your right. We live in a great city in NJ and can also go to NY for good food. I can't remember all where we ate. I think I blocked it out on purpose. Thanks for the advice I will keep looking to see what we would like.

We have dined at many great restaurants around the country including Boston, NYC, California, etc. and still find Disney dining a huge and wonderful part of the Disney experience. It is nice to take a break from the chaos of the parks and sit as a family, enjoy some food, and remember exactly what the importance of a family vacation is.
I know people who have been to WDW many times and never thought much of the food. Since telling them about the DIS and the many restaurants we have eaten at, a couple of them can not wait to go back. Infact one family I know leaves for the world tomorrow. It is all about doing a litte research first.

 

[Aimeedyan]

The only places that I have a hard time remembering names are the counter service places.

With vague statements and "can't remember all where we ate", I have a hard time taking this seriously. I have to ask, why did you post this? Sounds like just something to get people going.

I'm with you. Pop on a message board, say 'I only had horrible food at Disney', yet not say 1 constructive comment. No trip date, no restaurant names, no reasons, NOTHING. Not even asking for anything constructive in response.

I smell a troll...

 

[crisi]

I love restaurants and go to fancy ones, and not fancy ones.

I've had plenty of decent meals at Disney, and in the past five years, one GREAT meal (at Flying Fish, we had a great meal at Narcoosee's ten years ago, but our last trip didn't make great).

But we've had great experiences, and, frankly, when traveling with two little kids, at 5:00, anyone who sits me down in air conditioning and brings me a Cosmopolitan and something edible is going to get a good review.

I do think it depends on your expectations. We expect decent food, but - unless we are eating at a signature place - not great food. We expect to pay a little more than what we'd pay at home for the same quality of food, but not much more. Since we are from the Midwest, we can get both these expectations met pretty reliabily at Disney and are happy.

 

[tjmw2727]

Why do you think that is? DH and I were not impressed at all. With all the people going I would think they would have great food. We are hoping that this trip will have better luck.

All you remember about Disney is horrible food? Or all the food you remember eating at Disney was horrible. Either way that is a shame!

Take a peek at allears for the menus and maybe try planning for something different this time. Epcot has some wonderful choices in WS as do the resorts. AKL has two restaurants DH and I love and a family favorite is Ohana at the Polynesian.

Are you looking for some suggestions as to where others have enjoyed meals or speculation on why the food is bad? I personally don't think all the food is bad so I can't speculate with you. Although I have yet to find a counter service meal in MGM that we like!

If you are looking for suggestions let us know what you do like and where you are thinking of dining and maybe you can find some fun and enjoyable places this trip.

TJ

 

[Cruz Family]

I smell a troll...

I agree!

 

[lillygator]

troll, troll, troll!