How much for this thing?!

[MzDiz]

Maybe I read too many raves about the restaurants at Disney and reality ruined my dining experience, but I have to gripe a little. I was really disappointed in a few of our dinners. Even though we were on the dining plan, I couldn't help but stare at the check and say "there's no way it was worth this price!" I would have been outraged if I'd paid cash for most of the meals. I was so let down by Le Cellier. The prices were insane for what you got. Anywhere else in the real world, if I order a 22 dollar steak, I get a salad at least.
The service was below average at most places (except Boatwright's, they were great). Finding your server to get a drink or some more water was almost impossible. At every spot we went to, we waited what felt like an eternity for our check. They're making crazy tips on the dining plan, you'd think I could get some more coke.
I would have paid real money for both Boma and Biergarten though, they were wonderful.
Does anyone else feel like Disney's got it's head in the clouds about those prices?

 

[kellyf2626]

I am sorry to hear that you had some bad experiences. That is too bad. I know everyone has different experiences. For all the times we have been down there, and for all the restaurants we have eaten at....we have been lucky enough to only have fabulous experiences. I don't think Disney's prices are that outrageous. I feel like I am paying for so much more than just the food...the atmosphere, the service (I have only had excellent service), and the overall experience.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Sorry you had such a terrible dining experience. I have to say I've never had a bad meal or bad service while eating in Disney. As for the prices, I guess I'm used to them. We also have the DDE card which made a big difference for us. We do pay out of pocket. Maybe you get nicer service if they have to earn it? I don't know. Hope your next dining experience is much much beter!

 

[Micca]

Some of the food is sub-par considering the prices you pay. OTOH, the atmosphere and the locale make up for it in most cases.

 

[TAKitty]

This is interesting. We find that at Disney we always have the most attentive servers. I hardly put the glass down or the fork and they are asking if I need anything or want more of something. Have you gone to the movies lately? Now there is where I find expensive prices!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

The prices in the Disney restaurants is what prompted us to do the dining plan. I think their prices are way over reasonable. We don't usually wat at anything more expensive that Applebees or Ruby Tuesday's, which for the 6 of us is about $70 w/o appies and desserts. I can't imagine paying over $170 for the same food just because it's disney. So- Dining Plan here we come! We'll pay about what we would pay for just the entree and get the appies and desserts for free* (you know what I mean by free*)

 

[Luv4Disney]

This is interesting. We find that at Disney we always have the most attentive servers. I hardly put the glass down or the fork and they are asking if I need anything or want more of something. Have you gone to the movies lately? Now there is where I find expensive prices!

I couldn't agree with you more! The key is hit the matinees or wait until it comes out on DVD!

 

[cigar95]

Does anyone else feel like Disney's got it's head in the clouds about those prices?

Much of what you're paying for is the "captive audience syndrome".

If you're in the parks, you'll pay extra for the convenience of not having to leave, go to a restaurant, and come back. And if you're somewhere else at WDW, you're paying for the convenience of not having to leave the property and come back.

On top of this, there's the "vacation syndrome" - you're on vacation, you've already spent a lot of money for other parts of the trip, and the dining costs will seem relatively benign in the context of the cost of the whole trip.

That's why it's something of an apples/oranges comparison to compare the prices to the usual restaurants we might go out to on a Tuesday evening at home. When you're at Disney, it may be a lot more difficult and time-consuming to go to the same restaurant in the Orlando area. If you have no car, the Disney restaurants are all you've got.

 

[MzDiz]

By no means was our experience "terrible" or even bad. I plan on doing it again, just with a more realistic outlook. I expected so much more than we got. The food was decent, but nothing that really knocked my socks off. Everything I had was something I could have gotten locally - at half the price. I wanted to be wowed, darnit!

I also think the dining plan has a lot to do with the service you get.

 

[scrump]

I'm sorry to hear that your experience was so bad, I've always thought WDW servers were pretty great on average. I choose my WDW restaurants based on atmosphere, as that is the "it factor" for me that makes me feel I am in WDW. That would explain why Sci-Fi is a MUST for me, as the food is clearly not the main draw. I agree, there's not a lot of food at WDW that I can't get here at home, and as you mention, at lower prices. That's why the atmosphere is what drives my decision.

 

[crisi]

Maybe I read too many raves about the restaurants at Disney and reality ruined my dining experience, but I have to gripe a little. I was really disappointed in a few of our dinners. Even though we were on the dining plan, I couldn't help but stare at the check and say "there's no way it was worth this price!" I would have been outraged if I'd paid cash for most of the meals. I was so let down by Le Cellier. The prices were insane for what you got. Anywhere else in the real world, if I order a 22 dollar steak, I get a salad at least.....

Does anyone else feel like Disney's got it's head in the clouds about those prices?

Nope. The places I go for a $20+ steak, I pay for the salad seperately. Outside of Disney.

I think a lot of people aren't used to dining out - or are used to dining out at Outback Steakhouse or Olive Garden. That isn't the Disney model for most of its restaurants.

 

[MzDiz]

I eat out a lot. I'm also a culinary arts major, so I get a lot of food knowledge crammed down my throat. Maybe it's where I live. We're cheap in these parts and we like our salads.

 

[Esmerelda]

I can honestly say in 14+ trips...I really do not recall a bad meal nor bad service. We have been very blessed. Disney food is by no means cheap..but look at all the extras you are paying for. Look at the parks..the beautiful flowers...the parades...the fireworks...the characters in the parks and at the meals...the great hotels...the surroundings that are usually spotless..the tours..the spas...the concierge...the monorails..the buses...etc. Its all taken into consideration by me when I think of what something cost at Disney. Its also a place that we only get to visit once per year.

There is so much more to Disney than just we're having "a steak and a side salad".... I would much rather pay for a Disney meal and take in all of its ambience/great service and spend $120 than eat here near my home and spend $60 for the 4 of us to go out any night of the week. I work hard for my money and I like to spend my money having some great meals when my family goes to Disney...afterall...that's what life is about.....enjoying it.

If price is a major factor...there are many great ways to save money on eating while there. Rent a villa...pack a sandwich for lunch...go off property (very time consuming)...eat a late lunch as the dinner prices go up..etc. We purchased a DDE card and saved probably 4 times the cost of it last year while down there. It all depends on each individual person/family and how they wish to dine.

good day,
Esmerelda

 

[sajetto]

I really don't think their prices are outrageous at all. Here in my hometown the steak I like at Outback is 19.00 most filets at Disney are around 20.00 thats not much of a difference to me.

 

[jackmac]

Dining at Disney is resort dining. It's going to be a bit more expensive than your local restaurant, but every resort that you go to will also be a bit more expensive. I've never used the dining plan, I now have the DDE card, but I do feel that the dining plan has hurt the restaurants more than helped them. Le Cellier is a great example. It used to be an undiscovered gem but then it decided to only charge 1 TS for it's meals. Now it's always at capacity. I usually stay at the Boardwalk or the Beach Club and consequently use the restaurants there or in Epcot. I've always found the service to be exempleary. The restaurants that I frequent are the Yachtsman, Palio's, Flying Fish, Rose and Crown, Chefs de France and Bistro de Paris. Service is always great and I've found the prices to be fair. At all of these restaurants I expect to pay between $40 to $50 per person for drinks and dinner. But these are also our activities for the night (ok, so JellyRolls does get thrown in many night or Illuminations on the off nights). All in all I feel that the value for the money spent is there, others don't. The beauty of Disney is that you have many choices, from walk up Pizza and hot dogs to fine dining. You can choose what suits your taste, mood and budget. I never expect that the dining will be like I can get at home, but that's why I'm there. Enjoy

 

[ticktock]

MzDiz I agree with you. The first couple times I went to Disney as an adult I was very dissapointed with the food considering the cost. The only places I think have decent food are at the resorts. Jikos, Artists Point etc.. My husband still says, "This is OK but you could have made it better" and I think, he's right, I could have! Oh well, your on vacation, relax, accept your being fleeced and have fun.

 

[klmall]

I think the prices are for the most part fair and at least comparable for good food in my suburban area. Service at WDW is usually better and as some posters have said what I feel that I'm paying for is atmosphere and the whole Disney experience. We've had far worse service here at home on the average than at Disney.

Until they changed it to a princess-format this year one of our all-time favorite restaurants at any price was Akershus. You couldn't get that food anywhere near us and the service and ambience was so special.

We love the variety of foods, and opportunities to try different things so easily and think the value is acceptable. Perhaps being on the dining plan creates some issues I'm not aware of.

 

[Mike N Kathy]

Sorry to hear about ur experience We usually love all our meals and think its worth the money

 

[Briar Rose's Mom]

We have had good meals, so-so meals, and great meals. My husband always complains at the price. Even if it was a great meal, he still feels like he paid way too much for it -- except O'hana's for some reason he thinks the price, quality of food, and atmosphere are a good match. That's why I usually try to get the check. I know that I'm paying for the convenience of food in the park, the atmosphere (we do a lot of character dining), and yes the food too.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Sorry about your experiences. Just curious, where else did you dine? Like you said, maybe it's all the rave reviews you read on this board ... your expectations may have been higher than if you hadn't read them. Did you take a look at any of the restaraunt menus before you left home? Maybe you wouldn't have been as outraged about some of the prices. Speaking of which, I don't think Disney's prices are at all out of line, but that's JMO.