I haven't been this excited about my birthday since I turned 21! COMPLETE

[RobynPrincess]

I'm a bit late to the party but really enjoying your report!

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

My DH and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary there in July. We were there 2 years ago and loved it. Everything was great. Here's to hoping that this year is still magical for us. My parents are keeping the kids for the day so it could be a very romantic kind of meal (that we never get anymore) if the ambiance, service and food are all in perfect working order that night. Here's to getting some pixie dust for us. Sorry yours wasn't magical.

 

[kastoney]

Thanks for the yachtsman insight. There is nothing worse then over cooked steak. I prefer medium but usually order medium rare just because I prefer pink to brown. But for that much money they should be able to get it right.

 

[SmallWorld71]

The food looks good, but that puppy steals the show! So cute!
And congrats on the graduation. My son graduates on June 1st. Where did the time go?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

The food looks good, but that puppy steals the show! So cute! And congrats on the graduation. My son graduates on June 1st. Where did the time go?

Agreed with everything (except the part about having a son haha). Great reviews, adorable puppy pictures, and congratulations!

Sorry to hear about the negatives, like Yachtsman. Honestly, I feel like all the signatures are inconsistent, and considering their (constantly rising) price point, that's a problem. However, I did enjoy the weird egg dish at Raglan Road and Cali Grill's goat cheese ravioli.

Just had time to catch up on your report, as I'm at the airport headed to Orlando for the 24 hour event (hopefully, if my flight isn't delayed any further)! Also, I managed to secure a last-minute ADR at BOG. It'll be my first dinner there, and I'm not expecting great things, but at least it's in the park. Now hopefully I can stay awake for it, since I won't be getting any sleep tonight.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Oh Barb... you spin things so much better than I do!! This meal stunk! And no.. I don't think the being soaked influenced that opinion at all. Yachtsman is forever out of our dining line-up. I'm still thinking about writing to Disney on that one!

Hmmm... Can't wIt to read your take Paula! Based on a bad steak with Andrew in August and our looooonnnnngggg poor service meal in December I won't have YSH on my radar at all for a while. It's a shame because we had one if our best Disney' meals there a while back

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Enjoy graduation Barb. My Andrew doesn't graduate until 6/28 and I am already feeling the melancholy! Tonight is his senior prom. May hijack and post a quick pic!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Phew, I fell behind quickly. Okay where to start...

I totally agree with you about AK. I used to be a fan but after the past two trips I don't care as much. Not the best food options. The same thing kills HS for me too.

Love the puppy! Cute name and great reference. When I first saw the name I was thinking you were a big Grey's Anatomy fan since those are two main characters names, but It's a Wonderful Life makes more sense.

That's a shame about Yachtsman. I keep wanting to go back there but I just can't justify the prices. At least Jiko was a great signature experience for you. I really love it there as well. Looking forward to eating there in September.

I continue to be on the fence about The Plaza, but I really do have to check it out sometime. Your review makes it sound very appealing!

 

[vettegirl]

I am just like you always order the filet. Too bad they didn't cook it correctly. We may eat there in December, if we do it will be a same day reservation. I also love the rolls and honestly could eat just them with a bowl of their wonderful lobster bisque and be quiet happy.

 

[tdashgirl]

I'm definitely on the fence about YSH now. I'm sorry but when you're paying those prices ...

 

[Linda67]

Hope the graduation weekend is going well Barb
Eek, sounds like YSH wasn't such a great experience for you all
The first time we ever ate at YSH it was just fantastic but I really don't think we would be heading back there any time soon either :-(

 

[daisymomof4]

Your BUS leaked? Oh my! Sounds as if you were as soaked as we were - but we were on the parking lot tram!! It was a 'buy-new-clothes-for-our-kids' kind of soaking, and it sounds like I could have bought you some new pants too.

Sorry about the unpleasant dinner at Yachtsman. To spend so much time and money and not walk away satisfied stinks. At least the company was good

Enjoy the weekend and congratulations to your son on his graduation!

 

[lizzyb]

Great reviews so far. Looking forward to the rest.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

Hi Barb, sorry to hear YSH wasn't up to snuff, hope they get their act together. We are planning to eat there in Oct., they used to be our favorite place until we discovered Narcossee's last year. Since we are on free dinning in Oct. and the Food and Wine is happening then, we decided we didn't need as many TS so we are eating at 2 signatures, Yachtsman and Narcossee.

We will certainly keep a look out for you in Oct.

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi Paula and welcome back! I bet you are right about the ice tea, as I don't care for either Nestea or Gold Peak. Actually I pretty much only like fresh brewed and Snapple peach tea. You and Hunter got me started on an iced tea kick this trip beginning my first night at California Grill. I ordered it many times after this and the only one that I recall not liking very much was at the Plaza.

I'd already forgotten about your mouth burning incident at the Plaza. Ouch! I did enjoy the fries, but I think my expectations were set way too high after all the rave reviews on the live thread. I was expecting the earth to move or angels to sing...something along those lines.

If you decide to do a Trip Report rather than a Dining Report, please let me know when you start. I rarely venture away from the Dining Reviews section of the boards so I'd appreciate the heads up. Feel free to post a link here.

I've decided to stick with it being under Dining Reviews as so much of it will be about food. But it will have other trip details (that I can remember) as well.

You and everyone else can find it here!
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3282317

 

[Karlzmom]

One more review and then I must take a break from the DIS boards for the weekend. My son will be graduating from high school tomorrow and his graduation party is on Sunday afternoon, so I'm going to be very busy for the next few days.

My plans for Tuesday evening were to begin by meeting up with Paula and Hunter at the Wilderness Lodge bus stop to catch a bus to the Yacht Club (with a transfer at Magic Kingdom). As we were standing there waiting for the MK bus that seemed to never come, it began to rain...a light rain. The bus finally came and we boarded, but the light rain continued...inside the bus. It seems the bus had sprung a leak right above Paula and me so we continued to get dripped on during the ride to Magic Kingdom. But that was just the beginning of the fully-clothed shower that the three of us experienced that evening. Unfortunately when we got to Magic Kingdom we were caught in a torrential downpour while transferring from our bus to the Yacht Club bus, which of course were not anywhere near each other. I had an umbrella which was immediately twisted like a pretzel by the first gust of wind, but at least I was able to keep my head from getting completely soaked. Paula was not so lucky and looked like she had just stepped out of the shower. But she was a great trooper and forged ahead to our destination, the Yacht Club.


...Now I'm sure that having dinner with a wet bottom put a "damper" on this meal for me but there were other things that caused this visit to the Yachtsman Steakhouse to be very disappointing. But before getting into these "lowlights", let me first show you a couple of my meal highlights...

On now to the Entrees...






I have always ordered the same entree at YSH, and tonight was no exception...



8 oz. Black Angus Filet Mignon with Cabernet Wine Sauce and Mashed Potatoes


A closer view...




I have had success here in the past with ordering this cooked medium well and having it served with a slightly pink center. However, this time that wasn't the case. There was not even the slightest hint of pink left, so I would say that this steak was "well" past medium well. Though the steak was a "fail" for me, the mashed potatoes were as great as ever...so buttery and delicious!



I don't seem to have a photo of the Dessert menu, but again may not have even seen one since we were each presented with this complimentary dessert for our birthdays and anniversary...




I liked two of these and the others were tasted and left on the plate.


Like our December visit to YSH (when we had a large group of 10), our server again seemed somewhat disorganized and very slow. By the time we finally received our checks the restaurant was pretty much empty...




Our ADR was for 7:30 and the time on my check is 10:10. That seemed like a long time given that we did not order that much food. But on the positive side, at least my bottom was pretty much dry by the time we finally left the restaurant.


So in conclusion, Yachtsman was once my second favorite signature restaurant. After two disappointing visits now, it has fallen way down on my list of favorites. Out of respect for the five previous great dinners that I had there, I will probably give YSH one more try during my next trip in October. If it fails to deliver for a third time in row though, then I'll be taking a break from Yachtsman for awhile. ​

Next up: Breakfast at Kona Cafe

$48 for a steak that isn't cooked properly.....at a place that claims to be a steak house. Sad when you have to mention the mashed potato to come up with a happy. Not being critical of YOU, but was there an offer to fix the over cooked steak? I understand not wanting to be *that person* and send a meal back, but seems like an engaged server would have picked up on the fact that you were not that into your meal and maybe even seen that you were served overcooked meat (or at least asked if it had been cooked to your liking).

We've never tried YSH, reviews like this are a factor in not racing to try it. The pricing at Disney are high enough that I don't have a lot of tolerance for the risk of a less than optimal meal. How to cook a steak seems pretty basic....

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[smile4stamps]

$48 for a steak that isn't cooked properly.....at a place that claims to be a steak house. Sad when you have to mention the mashed potato to come up with a happy. Not being critical of YOU, but was there an offer to fix the over cooked steak? I understand not wanting to be *that person* and send a meal back, but seems like an engaged server would have picked up on the fact that you were not that into your meal and maybe even seen that you were served overcooked meat (or at least asked if it had been cooked to your liking).

We've never tried YSH, reviews like this are a factor in not racing to try it. The pricing at Disney are high enough that I don't have a lot of tolerance for the risk of a less than optimal meal. How to cook a steak seems pretty basic....

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I'm not Barb and I apologize Barb if I'm overstepping here... I was at this meal and IF our server had been around at all then it might have been apparent to him that we were not happy with our food but alas sightings of him were very far and few between. This was my husbands and I's 4th time giving this restuarant a try and this was the FINAL nail in the coffin despite the fabulous rolls!

 

[Couchy]

Bummer Barb! Wil and I had a wonderful first meal there but since then ... not so much... service seems to be an issue. Enjoying your reviews.

 

[emmysmommy]

First off, congrats to your son for his milestone achievement with his graduation. I hope you had a fun party!

Your newest member of your family is adorable. I love the reference to It's a Wonderful Life. I showed Michael the photo of your pup and he had dog envy now.

Commenting backwards for your reviews for which I'm catching up...
YSH: I didn't realize that your filet was overdone as well. I thought my meal was a big fail but I felt it was my fault by accepting the overcooked piece of shoe leather. So disappointing that our server didn't show up and see how everything was in a timely manner so we could show him the overcooked steaks. But those onion rolls.... they can distract me from anything.

Plaza Restaurant: One of my MK favorites - next to Liberty Tree as well. Although not this time. Very wise choice to go with the sundae instead of the banana split!

GFC: For some reason I knew you'd order the French toast. I agree with you, I don't need a menu for that place since there's nothing else that I order for breakfast! Glad you enjoyed it again.

Jiko: I really enjoyed our first meal with you, Paula, and Hunter. I don't think we received dessert menus but it's all a blur by the end of the evening.

It was very kind of Linda to treat us to the sparkling wine and have a virtual toast to friends near and far.

 

[jabead]

I love the Plaza!
The fries there are just the best!

I'm still a bit "on the fence" regarding the Plaza. I liked it but can't really say that I loved it. I think I need to try it a few more times before I can decide on which side of the fence I'm going to fall.

Hi Barb. I wanted to let you know I have really enjoyed your reviews. I have come to the conclusion I am truly a Disney junkie as I was reading reviews while waiting in lines at my happy place.

I also wanted to let you know that Flying Fish changed their menu once again and that the pork is now lamb. My husband and I split the steak and truffle Mac and cheese which both were amazing. The adult milkshake was also out of this world along with the onion bread. That being said I want to thank you again for all you have done with reviews. If it wasn't for you we would never had tried FF. We already have reservations for our trip in Nov. it was that amazing.

So glad to hear that you enjoyed your dinner at Flying Fish. Thanks for letting me know how it turned out. My last experience there had a bit of a rocky start, but in the end it was one of my favorite meals of the trip.

Congratulations on your son's graduation!

Bailey is adorable (love the name- I had an Irish Setter named Bailey (for the liquor not the movie)

Great recaps- Sorry your trip to YSH was disappointing!

Thank you! Bailey is such a sweet puppy. Yesterday we had about 80 guests at my son's graduation party and she met nearly all of them. Needless to say, she was a very tired puppy last night...and so was I.

Great review of the Y! I'm sorry it wasnt the best dinner!

I'm a little torn on going back there next time too - we haven't been to Le Cellier since our first trip in 2009 and I have heard that the mushroom risotto was replaced with a pea one, and just doesn't sound tasty..at all...

So, if we don't do Y or Le Cellier, what would a 3rd option be for a good steak??

We'll already be doing Flying Fish (but not for steak...)

thoughts...suggestions??

HAVE A FABULOUS GRADUATION PARTY!! My oldest had 3 more years and then we'll be throwing him a HS grad party too - I'm sure those years will fly by!!

On this trip I had three filets (my steak of choice). YSH was my least favorite because it was overcooked. Coming later in my report will be my reviews of the filet at Le Cellier and Shula's...both will be much more favorable!

And yes, the years do fly by so very fast. Our son is the youngest of three. I can't believe that in just a few months our "baby" will be going off to college. It seems like just yesterday that I was changing his diapers.

Too bad yachtsman wasn't at its best, yep that's one over cooked steak. Hoping it is fabulous for you come October. Congratulations on your sons high school graduation and have a fabulous weekend : )

Thank you, it was a great weekend...although bittersweet.

And I'm really hoping that YSH redeems itself on my next visit there, as it was recently one of my favorite WDW restaurants. I think that if I have my steak cooked medium instead of medium well and have a better server (we had the same one on our last two visits) then that might just do the trick and YSH will return to my "A" list once again.

Oh Barb... you spin things so much better than I do!! This meal stunk! And no.. I don't think the being soaked influenced that opinion at all. Yachtsman is forever out of our dining line-up. I'm still thinking about writing to Disney on that one!

In all honesty, I can't really say that my food stunk at YSH. But then again, mine was probably better than most at our table. However, I don't think that that's my tale to tell...I will leave that to you and Brenda. I'm not ready just yet to give up on Yachtsman. I had a great meal there in March 2013 but then the last two times have not been good, mostly due to service issues. So I'll give it one more try (probably in October) and if it's again bad then it's three strikes, you're out.

I love Yachtsman's sweet tea and rolls! Sorry service was so disappointing and the bus leaking. We were stuck at T-Rex for 2 hours that night just trying to wait out the downpour.

How was your meal at T-Rex? I've never been there but it seems like a pretty cool theme.

I am so sorry to hear about your experience at YSH. We haven't eaten there in a few trips because of an unmagical meal there but my DS begged me to make an ADR there this trip so thought we would give it a whirl. (sorry to mention him again but this next trip revolves around his wishes...anyway, we stayed at YC last trip and his eyes would roll back into his head as we walked so many times past the delicious smells emanating from YSH. When we got home, he searched for pics, the porterhouse and truffle mac and cheese sealed the deal for him. He has informed me he is willing to share with me. )

I've had several great meals at YSH so I'm not ready to cross it off my list just yet. Hoping that both my meal and yours are more magical the next time around.

I'm a bit late to the party but really enjoying your report!

Welcome to the party and thanks for coming!

My DH and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary there in July. We were there 2 years ago and loved it. Everything was great. Here's to hoping that this year is still magical for us. My parents are keeping the kids for the day so it could be a very romantic kind of meal (that we never get anymore) if the ambiance, service and food are all in perfect working order that night. Here's to getting some pixie dust for us. Sorry yours wasn't magical.

I know for a fact that YSH is capable of providing great food and service. I hope they come through for you with both for your anniversary dinner, Karla!