How do you really feel about WDW and the food

[MickeyNicki]

What kind of vacationer are you? Feel free to post away!

 

[Harambe]

Well, it's not so much thath that's the reason I go to Disney, But for me the restaurants are the attractions! My family does the rides, and I do the restaurants. They are happy to come along with me, tho.

I plan about 6 or 7 ADRs for our usual nine-day trips. Some favorites, some new ones.

New for this summer:

Beirgarten
Ragland Road
Olivia's

Old favs:
Cape May Buffet
Sci Fi
Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch
Kona Cafe

 

[TigerKat]

I think you know me well enough to know that I'm all about the food and drink. I plan everything around that!

 

[TDC Nala]

At this point I am far more interested in the restaurants than in the parks. But that does not necessarily mean I have to make ADRs. If I am meeting people to eat, we make them. If by myself, I'll drop into a lounge.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I think you know me well enough to know that I'm all about the food and drink. I plan everything around that!

Girl I know you! You and I are exactly alike!

At this point I am far more interested in the restaurants than in the parks. But that does not necessarily mean I have to make ADRs. If I am meeting people to eat, we make them. If by myself, I'll drop into a lounge.

I know what you mean, we have been to WDW so often that our goal is to try all the TS and CS places instead of checking out every ride and attraction!

 

[markm0926]

We make dinner a big deal on our Disney vacations.
It so nice to go out to eat at an excellent restaurant every night of our vacation.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Wouldn't say it's the reason we go to WDW, because there's better food destinations out there. We like the total package. If they didn't have good food options available, we wouldn't go there for more than a day visit.

 

[bicker]

A lot of it has to do with who we're with. We typically switch off, bringing family and going just as a couple. On the "just as a couple" trips, and the family trips when we're all older adults, then dining is a more of a feature of the trip.

 

[2crazy4disney]

Our first family trip was in August 2006 w/free dining. We are going again this August w/free dining, only way we could afford it. The character interaction at these TS are great. The whole family loves them. Food isn't that bad either, it is the only way we would be able to go to these restaurants is with FD.

Driving from NY with 3 kids, DH and me (DW).

 

[shellybaxter]

I chose the first choice but also don't like the way its worded. We don't go just for the food, but we do enjoy the food as a part of our experience. We have at least one (some days two) ADRs for each of our days. Our next trip we will be at Disney for 15 days and have 21 ADRs and plans for offsite dining two days. Going for so long we are able to enjoy the parks in the mornings, the pool/naps in the afternoon and meals in the evenings. Some days we will have an early breakfast before the parks open and some days we will not go to a park, sleep in, and have a late breakfast.

 

[Lamandpercy]

So looking forward to DxDP for this year. The CM who made my ADRs was great, I had 32 to make and he never sounded fed up or exasperated with me. I can't wait to get there and eat all my favourite Disney treats. Pork tenderloin at Cali Grill here we come!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

I am with all those on here who cannot wait to try each and every restaurant on property. Delux dp is the way to go!! Best thing that ever happened according to my family when we visit WDW....

 

[ammo]

Food is the one thing about WDW that truly puzzles me. Actually, the attitude of people toward the food is what puzzles me.

People usually expect the absolute best from Disney when it comes to the parks -- attractions, cleanliness, customer service -- everyone expects Disney to clearly outperform all of their competitors.

But when it comes to food, many people blissfully overlook the glaring fact that you can get better food for less money in almost any city in the country. Probably the most egregious example of this is San Angel Inn. Every American city has good, inexpensive Mexican food, so why would you gladly settle for WDW's overpriced, mediocre offering? And the steaks at LeCellier are consistently topped by the steaks at Shula's, which is located pretty close in the Swan and Dolphin. This difference in people's expectations seems inconsistent to me (unless you happen to be enjoying free dining).

There are a few foods/restaurants in WDW that we find to be a decent combination of uniqueness, quality, and price, so we will make one or two ADRs each trip. But I want to spend my money in areas where Disney is the best (or a good value) -- and the food usually does not make the cut.

Now, if you want to promote WDW food from the standpoint of convenience, then I complete agree (assuming you are able to get seated). It is much more convenient to eat on site. But I don't think we should confuse convenience with quality and value.

Edited to add that we will also make an ADR for the Candlelight Processional so that we are guaranteed a seat for the show. But this is about the show, not the food.

 

[TDC Nala]

Maybe the food is better in other cities. But my friends don't live in those cities or want to meet up in those cities and the Adventurers Club isn't in those cities either, and we usually go there. I go often and I don't need to concentrate on the parks.

I usually go to the signature restaurants anyway. I am not thrilled anymore with pretty much anything that costs under 2 dining plan credits (and I am not using the dining plan)

 

[Figment's Friend]

Disney dining is not our only reason to visit the World, but it's definitely something we plan and look forward to just the same as our favorite attractions! We've done the Dining Plan since it's been offered and love it, love trying new places and eating at our favorites. When it's time for me to make my ADR's I pretty much throw myself a little party! Not more than a couple times have I ever been disappointed with Disney's food, it's always a great experience and also a great way to relax a little bit when you're in the parks all day. We consider our TS our 'break times'. Their restaurants have the greatest themes and really transport you just like the parks; it's so much fun.

 

[mskayjay]

I love the variety, quality, and most everything about the restaurant options at WDW. My biggest gripe, the thing I absolutely positively hate is the need for all this ADR nonsense. I loved the old days when you could decide at 4PM that you wanted steak(*or whatever strikes you) and go to a good steak house without obsessing that you didn't have an ADR. I am not the kind of person who likes to plan out 4 months in advance what my dinner will be! lol I remember the first time we came up against this, having no clue that there was a free dining program running we tried to do a walk-in at Liberty Tree. Oh my the looks we got! Its just so much hassle. I don't like having to wait for a table per se either, but I would much rather do that than have to book this far out. Personal choice.....

One of my other gripes about dining there is the outrageous cost of liquor. I am sure it is tied to not wanting folks to get snockered but $9 for a glass of wine from a $12 bottle of wine is crazy. The add-on for the wine option on the dining plan is also way too high. We live in wine country so I know what a decent bottle costs and they are just gouging. I've often said that if Walt were still alive he'd be furious over how unaffordable WDW has become for so many families and the extensive use of cheaply made, overpriced souvenirs from China at the parks....... okay thats another topic.....lol

 

[MickeyNicki]

One of my other gripes about dining there is the outrageous cost of liquor. I am sure it is tied to not wanting folks to get snockered but $9 for a glass of wine from a $12 bottle of wine is crazy. The add-on for the wine option on the dining plan is also way too high.

The price of wine and cocktails is expensive all over, not just at WDW. Look at some of the restaurant chains...martini's are $10 or more!

 

[mskayjay]

Well aware of that but I haven't already paid an admission price to get access to the restaurant charging me for that $10 martini! lol My mother lives in Palm Beach and I managed a restaurant in the Hamptons for years so I am used to high prices. I think Disney needs to be a little more considerate of how much change they pick out of folks pockets. Just my personal opinion......

 

[pta-mom]

We LOVE DW!! We LOVE the rides & attractions, the shows & fireworks, the pools & hotels, we LOVE it all!! And, we LOVE the food!!! We do not typically eat out a lot at home so for us to do ten to twelve days of Disney dining is a real treat & part of the experience for sure!

 

[TDC Nala]

Well aware of that but I haven't already paid an admission price to get access to the restaurant charging me for that $10 martini! lol My mother lives in Palm Beach and I managed a restaurant in the Hamptons for years so I am used to high prices. I think Disney needs to be a little more considerate of how much change they pick out of folks pockets. Just my personal opinion......

I don't feel I can expect them to charge less than other restaurants or bars in cities or tourist areas do. Here in DC wine, beer and liquor in restaurants doesn't cost any less than it does at WDW. The way to cut down on liquor costs is to drink at home, but that is not a lot of fun.