Is it me...or are some of the foods wayyy too fancy??

[BaysMom]

I have browsed thru the food picture threads - and maybe I am just a simple gal, but some of these foods make me ill to look at!!! I know that in the nicer restaurants, it isn't going to be all burgers and fries...but I don't find these things very normal looking! They def would not please my family. I have seen way too many "fancy foods" and not enough normal fare.
I was worried about only having the QSDP, but I am thinking I will be happier not having to be at a certain restaurant for foods that we won't like! We are used to easy and quick dishes such as pastas, baked chicken, pork chops, normal steak and potato, bbq, casseroles, etc!!

 

[JMD]

It's you.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Out of curiosity, what types of dishes are you seeing that you would describe as "too fancy"?

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We eat simply at home most of the time. I will cook 'fancier' on the weekends. But we love to eat fancy food on vacations! Disney dining is a huge part of our trip. We have tried so many things we wouldn't have normally tried at home, particularly my son starting about the age of 12.

If that isn't what works for your family, I would say to definitely consider the QSDP. There are some very good QS options, especially in EPCOT.

That is what part of what makes Disney, Disney ... there is usually something for everyone!

 

[emlisak]

Its not just you!! I'm a simple girl too as are my kids. I've found that there is usually something at each restaurant that I would eat (except seafood places). A lot of it is presentation. If you look at the menus and read the descriptions, they usually aren't as complicated as the seem in the pictures!

 

[Lynne M]

I have browsed thru the food picture threads - and maybe I am just a simple gal, but some of these foods make me ill to look at!!! I know that in the nicer restaurants, it isn't going to be all burgers and fries...but I don't find these things very normal looking!

"Normal" is in the eye of the beholder.

As a PP said, people have all sorts of tastes, everyone likes different kinds of foods. What looks awful to you no doubt looks delicious to someone else. WDW restaurants have to cater to a wide range of tastes and appetites, and if you check out the menus, you'll see that there are all kinds of dishes available, some simple, some fancy.

And remember, you can almost always ask for a dish to be made plainer. They'll gladly leave sauces off and substitute sides where possible.

Do check out the menus for both the table and counter service places, and then decide which dining plan is best for your family. If the quick service places look like they'll have more food that your family will enjoy, then by all means, go for the QSDP.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have browsed thru the food picture threads - and maybe I am just a simple gal, but some of these foods make me ill to look at!!! I know that in the nicer restaurants, it isn't going to be all burgers and fries...but I don't find these things very normal looking! They def would not please my family. I have seen way too many "fancy foods" and not enough normal fare.
I was worried about only having the QSDP, but I am thinking I will be happier not having to be at a certain restaurant for foods that we won't like! We are used to easy and quick dishes such as pastas, baked chicken, pork chops, normal steak and potato, bbq, casseroles, etc!!

Your reaction is just like my son's was when he went to WDW a couple years ago. He's not a very picky eater, but he came back and said that he had a hard time finding a sit-down place with "plain old regular food". However, he was very pleased with the Captain's Grill-he said it had "regular food", very good food, and excellent service.

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH used to think the signatures were too fancy...it is just food but with a fancy name. He was scared by haricot verts....they are just string beans LOL

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

i understand! i'm the picky and allergic one in our house, and based off of pictures... i used to be very nervous.

HOWEVER

they will fix it to be unfancy for you at san angel... i get a plain steak and rice and the soup with no avacado. other places that have weird sauces and sides... i get a plain steak and fries, or a plain steak and mashed potatoes. at the california grill i even get macaroni and cheese instead of my carrots yachtsman has a chicken noodle soup appetizer that's not on the menu... it's amazing!

sometimes if i need a suggestion... i ask the server what a child would eat there

 

[CathieArms]

I guess I really like it "fancy." I can get "normal" looking food anywhere at any time; but I really enjoy the presentation of the foods at Disney.

 

[OKW Lover]

Its you. I find that some of the foods are wayyy too plain.

 

[AugustDisney]

You should be able to find something to eat almost anywhere you go. Its Disney, so they are used to catering to all kinds of people! I am most nervous about Jiko with my boyfriend, because he has a more simple palate than me, but I'm sure he will find something. Don't be afraid to ask questions if something seems complicated. Sometimes the descriptions are "dressed up" more than the foods!

 

[sharona]

While I do like most "fancy food", I totally understand what you mean about the lack of "normal". Trying to find somewhere that had more than one food item for my meatandpotatoessauceontheside mom and my picky dd to choose from was not easy.

I can understand why they would have a more adventurous menu at the WS restaurants and the Signature restaurants, and it makes sense at AK and AKL with the African theme. But I have wondered at the lack TS restaurants with more simple menu offerings. I think one of the reasons LeCellier was so popular as a 1 TS credit meal was the availability of a steak and some familiar sounding side dishes.

 

[soulmates]

You might want to check out the buffet style dinners. There is more of a variety for you. We personally LOVE the fancier fare, but then, I watch a TON of Cooking Channel and Food Network stuff. I love different foods and will try just about anything. Luckily DP is the way!

 

[RMulieri]

I don't find it to be too fancy...Most of it is in the presentation.Even simple steak and potatoes can be made to look and sound really fancy on the menu

 

[smiths02]

I don't find it too fancy...

my FIL would not eat fondue when I made it b/c he didn't want to mix apples and chese

He was raised in rural VA and the mountains of NC...he didn't have pizza or salad until he joined the military at 18.

We went to Disney and ate at Crystal Palace (dinner), Boma (dinner), Ohana (dinner), Tusker House (breakfast), T-Rex (dinner), H&V breakfast, Sci Fi (lunch).

I think a lot of places look not "fancy" Liberty Tree Tavern, Crystal Palace, the Plaza, Sci Fi, 50s PTC...just to name a few

And Boma I was worried about but DH and I loved it, so we did it with FIL anyhow...it was not his favorite, but he found something to eat

So most of the buffets are fine, especially breakfast

Also, Ohana was the suprise favorite of everyone on the trip. (I booked it for me and just hoped that everyone would like it)

 

[Pugmalion1]

The restaurants at WDW that you feel are too fancy should be used to explore new culinary ideas, to sample things you are not used to and maybe find unfamiliar tastes that you enjoy. If you don't feel you're adventurous enough to go down that road, then I suggest you stay away from such places.

The menus in these restaurants don't need to be changed to be more palatable to less adventurous eaters. There are plenty of options all over WDW for that. I think a lot of people think that they are already going a bit too far in that direction as it is. If anything, I wish they would get a bit more interesting and diverse.

Let me tell you, the day I go to Jiko and find something akin to "an African spin on the traditional tuna noodle casserole" is the day I stop going to Jiko.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I'm on Team Things Aren't "Fancy" Enough.

Really, the vast majority of the restaurants have "safe" choices. They'll also accommodate you. You can ask for substitutions of sides or sauces on the side.

 

[HunnyJar]

If after reading the menus you are still iffy on the food. There are a few restaurants that service "comfort" style food. Whispering Canyon is very good, but I will warn you it can get loud in there. But the skillet might be something your family will like. 'Ohana is one of our favorites and it definitely isn't fancy. The buffets are great for picking and choosing what looks/smells/sounds good. Trail's End looks like it would be a good choice. Fried chicken and ribs, that's pretty basic. You can find things if you take some time and really look around. My husband is a meat and potatoes guy who doesn't care for "frou-frou" dishes and he has never had a problem with any of the restaurants we've been to at WDW. Course I know better than to make ADR's at Victoria and Albert's with him.

 

[DisGirl819]

I think its just right at most places. I find a lot of restaurants serve things too plain for me. I like all the sauces and sides that aren't typicial. I wouldn't be happy with a trip to WDW where all I could get are things like pork chops, casseroles, hamburgers, sandwiches and waffles. I like a larger variety of foods and I like to expose my kids to that variety.