Is Garden Grill not rotating?

[Dug720]

I saw elsewhere that Garden Grill was currently not rotating - and the speculation was that the lack of available dates might be to fix whatever is wrong. But the article mentioning it did not say if it was just at the time they saw it that it was not or if they went back on another day and it was not.

IMHO, part of the draw is rotating around and seeing parts of The Land - it wouldn't be the same to sit and look at the same thing the whole time (and oy if you're at a table overlooking the house and hearing the dog the whole time you're eating).

Anyone know if it's definitely not rotating at any time right now? I totally get that it could break down any given day, but if it's a "not moving until we close for a while and it gets fixed" thing, I'd rather keep the other ADR I have on Epcot Day.

 

[morganms22]

We were there over Christmas and it was not rotating. We faced the hostess podium (lobby area) and we could barely see a glimpse of the characters behind the booth. I had to hoist my one year old up just to see them...it was quite honestly the worst meal experience we had during our stay. I would wait to go back when things are more normal there.

 

[Dug720]

We were there over Christmas and it was not rotating. We faced the hostess podium (lobby area) and we could barely see a glimpse of the characters behind the booth. I had to hoist my one year old up just to see them...it was quite honestly the worst meal experience we had during our stay. I would wait to go back when things are more normal there.

Thank you!

 

[mlayton14]

I wouldn’t go near the garden grill if it didn’t rotate

 

[Dug720]

I wouldn’t go near the garden grill if it didn’t rotate

Agreed. Which is why I was asking if it was still stationary. Sounds like it is. My other Epcot dinner option it shall be.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wonder if they stopped turning it as a Covid precaution. To keep from putting you into air space recently occupied by others.

 

[Cheburashka]

I wonder if they stopped turning it as a Covid precaution. To keep from putting you into air space recently occupied by others.

I don't think so. We ate there this past July and it was rotating. Sounds like a mechanical issue. And I agree, it's a deal breaker.

 

[Dug720]

I wonder if they stopped turning it as a Covid precaution. To keep from putting you into air space recently occupied by others.

Doubtful. From the report I saw it had been upon re-opening. It also goes slowly enough that shouldn't be a problem. Definitely no moreso than being behind someone on a roller coaster - even masked.

The definite speculation seems to be that it is mechanical - and may be why there are dates where it seems to be unavailable.

 

[jemtx]

I can still book it during March.

 

[Dug720]

I can still book it during March.

Interesting. There was a time when it was not showing up at all.

Still cancelling - I doubt they would skip charging the fee if you walked away from an ADR because it wasn't rotating.

 

[jemtx]

Interesting. There was a time when it was not showing up at all.

Still cancelling - I doubt they would skip charging the fee if you walked away from an ADR because it wasn't rotating.

Yes, it’s showing up through February & March (lunch & dinner). I agree that the rotation is an essential element & understand not wanting to risk the cancel fee. Hope they fix it soon, but glad Epcot has lots of other good restaurants.

 

[B-Ride]

I wouldn’t go near the garden grill if it didn’t rotate

Seems like a weak reason to eat bad food. Have a good meal somewhere else and then spin around in circles.

 

[jemtx]

Seems like a weak reason to eat bad food. Have a good meal somewhere else and then spin around in circles.

Is the food that bad??

 

[Cheburashka]

Is the food that bad??

No. We ate lunch there in July and it was noticeably good. And we've had breakfast there pre-Covid, and it was very good. Some people are just negative.

 

[jemtx]

No. We ate lunch there in July and it was noticeably good. And we've had breakfast there pre-Covid, and it was very good. Some people are just negative.

Good to hear. Was thinking of trying it on our next trip...

 

[jemtx]

No. We ate lunch there in July and it was noticeably good. And we've had breakfast there pre-Covid, and it was very good. Some people are just negative.

How is the character interaction? Is it awkward/difficult for pics when they’re behind the booths? We’re deciding btwn H&V and GG for a character dinner.

 

[Cheburashka]

How is the character interaction? Is it awkward/difficult for pics when they’re behind the booths? We’re deciding btwn H&V and GG for a character dinner.

I liked having them behind us because I was able to snap unmasked pics of my seated son with them in the background. You do have to be quick with pics, though, as they don't linger the way they used to.

 

[jemtx]

I liked having them behind us because I was able to snap unmasked pics of my seated son with them in the background. You do have to be quick with pics, though, as they don't linger the way they used to.

Thanks

 

[B-Ride]

Is the food that bad??

I wasn't commenting directly about the food having never eaten there. My comment was more based on the poster saying they wouldn't eat there unless it was spinning. That led me to think they thought the spinning was better than the food.

 

[Dug720]

I wasn't commenting directly about the food having never eaten there. My comment was more based on the poster saying they wouldn't eat there unless it was spinning. That led me to think they thought the spinning was better than the food.

No, I don't think the rotation is better than the food. But part of the experience is rotating through The Land and not staring at the same thing - or being stared at by people walking by or waiting for their table - your entire meal. (And yes, I know in a non-rotating restaurant you have the same view the whole time, but part of the draw of GG is the advertised rotation.) In my experience, the meal takes about one rotation cycle on average.