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

[dismichael]

I think you are just looking at a specific few restaurants. For example, the very definition of 50's PTC is to be like home-cooking. That doesn't mean that the food can't be presentable and delicious as well. After all, you are paying top dollar for it.

 

[BillSears]

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

Same here!!!! Bring on the fancy unusual things. I'm always interested in something adventurous while eating.

 

[heatherandnick]

I agree with many PPs that the dining experiences are part of the reason we go to Disney. DH used to be an extremely picky eater...pizza, meat, and more pizza. After enjoying the restaurants at Disney, he will eat ANYTHING! It is such a treat for me and I have Mickey to thank!

As others have said, there is plenty of "normal" food for you and your family. However, might I suggest that you "step out of the box" a bit on your vacation. You might be surprised in the things you will love if you just give them a chance, Don't judge a book by it's cover!

 

[wintershawl]

I guess it depends where you go. My husband and I are very picky eaters, and appreciate the "simpler" side of food. We just aren't adventurous eaters.

As others have probably said, the best thing to do is to find the menus of the restaurants (www.allears.net) and see which restaurants suit you best.

This always works well for us! I have plenty of TS meals that the DH and I will eat at.

 

[TDC Nala]

Fortunately WDW offers a variety. Some guests prefer plain food and some want to do it up a bit. If all WDW offered were burgers, casseroles and plain steaks with baked potatoes I'd never go back there.

 

[Euphoria027]

Erm, it's just you.

 

[Lightgician]

Yeppers, its probably you. Its fun to try new foods and food experiences. Fancy looking doesn't always mean strange flavors, You're on vacation, give some new experiences a tryout.

 

[amykay9377]

I'm on Team Too Fancy as well - LeCellier was within our comfort zone, but pushing it slightly (I got my filet's sauce on the side). I agree with you though, that a lot of the Signature Dining and maybe half of the Casual Dining are on the Fancy side.

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.

That's a great way to think about it....IF YOU HAVE THE DINING PLAN or can afford to drop $50 a person on a meal you may or may not like. I'm not willing to shell out $100 on a meal we don't LOVE, so I would rather just not go. But, again, if you are doing DDP (especially during FREE DDP), take advantage and try new stuff - that's how we were able to try LeC. It seemed too fancy to us, but it was 'free', so we tried it.

DH used to be an extremely picky eater...pizza, meat, and more pizza. After enjoying the restaurants at Disney, he will eat ANYTHING!
As others have said, there is plenty of "normal" food for you and your family. However, might I suggest that you "step out of the box" a bit on your vacation. You might be surprised in the things you will love if you just give them a chance, Don't judge a book by it's cover!

I used to be (and still am) the same as your DH, but I'm wading in. We took a cruise in 2005 and I promised myself that I would try everything that was offered to me. By doing that, I was able to try stuff I'd never had before, and realized that just because a scallop is served in it's shell, it's still a damn tasty scallop!

OP, when reading the menu, break it down into components: Char-grilled oak scented filet of beef is "grilled steak" and yukon cheddar au gratin is 'cheese potato gratin'. Just upscale. This helps me bring the meal to my level and think 'can I eat this'? It helps a lot.

 

[Jubaby]

Our family tends to be "plain" meat & potatoes eaters. But we have found plenty of food we like at WDW. Some of our favorites have already been mentioned like Le Cellier, Whispering Canyon, 50s Prime Time, and the Buffets.
Another couple of restaurants we like are Liberty Tree Tavern, and Garden Grill.

However, we try to plan at least one or two more adventurous places each trip and have found things we like at other places as well. Nearly all the places have at least one "safe" choice on the menu for the very pickiest eaters. And we have been happily surprised at our dinners, other have left us a little disappointed, but at least we have some funny memories to share.

Our next trip we are trying Coral Reef and Via Napoli.

My suggestion is to look at the menus on allears.net. Pick a few safe choices, and then discuss with your party one or two that they would be willing to try.

To me travelling should be about doing something different once in a while. And we have some great memories, and been pleasantly surprised with some of our "new" things.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

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.

It was bad enough when Jiko's signature dish for adults was a piece of steak with mac n' cheese.

I agree that the food should be more diverse and unique. I don't want something uninspired and ordinary at WDW; for years they heavily promoted their world class dining scene, and their offerings should live up to that.

Besides, half the restaurants at WDW already offer mostly safe cuisine. See: all TS at MK, Garden Grill, Le Cellier, Rose & Crown, Les Chefs (arguably), Biergarten, Sci-Fi, Prime Time, Hollywood & Vine, Rainforest, T-Rex, Planet Hollywood, Ohana, Chef Mickey's, Whispering Canyon, Beaches & Cream, ESPN Club, Trail's End, etc. Even then, many Americans are comfortable with Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, and Italian food, adding even more places to the list of safe eateries.

 

[JenSop]

Add me to the list of not-fancy-enough!

I can get regular plain food at home. I don't want it at Disney. But then again, I am NOT a meat and potatoes kind of gal. (Not that I dislike meat and potatoes, it's just not any where near my first choice. I eat maybe 2 hamburgers a year - not my thing.)

My fave restaurants are the ones at AKL and AKV - Jiko, Sanaa, and Boma. Plus, we love Kouzzina, Yak and Yeti, Kona Cafe, and Chefs de France. California Grill was also great!

I would never eat at a place like 50's Prime Time - but then again, I don't like meat loaf and mashed potatoes.

I find there are TONS of restaurants that are "too plain" for us, so we don't go there.

 

[kmedina]

I would go for it and try something new. You can always take off the extra stuff that makes it look fancy if you do not like it. Everything underneath is usually pretty good. I usually take the extra garnishings off (after tasting them of course), but my husband usually eats them.

 

[squirrel]

It must be the way I order as I have never had a sauce on my steak.

I always sub out the side(s) for french fries, once I had rice because it came with cashews at Coral Reef.

I will admit I'm picky. I like my food plain-no sauces.

I did ask at 1900 Park Fare for a plain chicken breast (they had them in some kind of sauce on the buffet). They had no problems grabbing one from the kitchen for me.

 

[JZCubed]

If Olive Garden and Red Lobster are fine dining for you, then yes, many of the foods at Disney are fancy. But if you eat at a places that have mesclun greens and foie gras, then Disney might not be fancy enough.

Disney offers something for everyone. But my biggest disappointment for Disney is the lack of a good burger.

And if you think the foods you're seeing are too fancy, then wait 'til Disney restaurants start incorporating the next food craze of molecular gastronomy on to their menus.....maybe in 10 years.....

 

[aubriee]

Add me to the list of not-fancy-enough!

I can get regular plain food at home. I don't want it at Disney. But then again, I am NOT a meat and potatoes kind of gal. (Not that I dislike meat and potatoes, it's just not any where near my first choice. I eat maybe 2 hamburgers a year - not my thing.)

My fave restaurants are the ones at AKL and AKV - Jiko, Sanaa, and Boma. Plus, we love Kouzzina, Yak and Yeti, Kona Cafe, and Chefs de France. California Grill was also great!

I would never eat at a place like 50's Prime Time - but then again, I don't like meat loaf and mashed potatoes.

I find there are TONS of restaurants that are "too plain" for us, so we don't go there.

Same here! I don't eat burgers or sandwiches at home. I also don't care for potatoes any way they are made (fried, mashed, scalloped, baked, etc). Yuck! When at Disney, I always ask to substitute a veggie for any potato side and have always been accommodated. I'm also not a big fan of 50's Prime Time, but will go there occasionally just because I love their peanut butter/jelly shake. I always have a hard time finding an entree there though.

My favorite restaurants are all the ones at AKL, Yak & Yeti, Chef's de France, California Grill, Flying Fish, and Artist Point. I'm also a fan of the lamb at Yachtsman, but don't care for their steaks, because we get much better steaks here in Texas at our local steak houses.

 

[Pugmalion1]

That's a great way to think about it....IF YOU HAVE THE DINING PLAN or can afford to drop $50 a person on a meal you may or may not like. I'm not willing to shell out $100 on a meal we don't LOVE, so I would rather just not go. But, again, if you are doing DDP (especially during FREE DDP), take advantage and try new stuff - that's how we were able to try LeC. It seemed too fancy to us, but it was 'free', so we tried it.

You would rather not go, that's exactly what I said. If you don't think you're up to exploring new tastes and foods to which you are unaccustomed, then stick with what you know and trust. There are plenty of options outside of the more ethnic eateries that cater to a more standard fare, and there's no reason to expect the more adventurous restaurants to cater to that whim.

On a more personal note, we have not and will not ever use the dining plan. We are by no means a rich couple, but I have no problem with shelling out $100 for a well-cooked meal at a more upscale establishment if I think I'm getting a good meal in return, Disney or not. I kind of resent the implication that it's not worth doing so unless you're getting it for free.

I'm on vacation, and I want to splurge, not that I necessarily consider spending an occasional hundy on a good meal for two to be splurging. I would encourage anyone with the means to do so to drop a little cash at their finer local eateries from time to time, and I wholeheartedly advocate exploring new things when on vacation, culinary or otherwise. Life is more fun when you experience it.

 

[AggieTexan]

I don't find the menus to be too adventurous or fancy at all. It seems to me that even the less "mainstream U.S. palate" restaurants have some choices that would appeal to meat & potatoes folks.

We eat out quite a bit at home, and living in a big city we have a huge range of cuisine available to choose from. I like to try new things when we're out for dinner or on vacation. For the most part, when we're at home we eat for sustenance, but on vacation good food and wine is part of the whole experience. I don't want to eat the same way on vacation that I do at home!

 

[jm106]

I think there is something for everyone if you look. I wouldnt mind it a bit fancier myself but I love to cook and make a variety. I want to try new foods on vacation and experience places I might not chose at home. I can make a burger or chicken any time, why not find a new way to make it or a totally new food. No one in my family is picky, although my preschool kids do eat better then DH especially veggies. I am excited for dh to try some things in Boma that I wouldnt make at home until we know if we like it and yet he will enjoy whispering canyons skillet since he likes that kind of food as well. I am not in love with that food but I am open to new places and the experience it brings. Enjoy spending some time looking at menus and be open to trying new foods. If you arent sure, ask whats in the dish or ask for no saucer/sauce on side.
Hope you find something new and exciting!

 

[bluejasmine]

I understand what your saying.. I know that just looking at some of the menus before seeing the food alot of it sounds fancy but really its fancy names and presentation. Remember just about ask server to omit almost anything if you need.

WDW prides themself in their presentation of everything. For kids tho maybe stick to places where you know they will eat, like maybe Tonys if they like spaghetti or LTT where you can basically get Thanksgiving dinner, Prime Time where you can get home cooked food and WCC where there is bbq or the buffetts like CP, CM. Family style dining at Garden Grill in Epcot where they bring you all the foods family style. I think you should try something new for your family tho, if you cant find anything on the menu that sounds good, ask can I get that chicken just plain seasoned with salt and pepper? Can I get my son just grilled cheese and fries?

I prefer to get something different when I go out to eat. Im someone who doesnt want spaghetti or simple things like that b/c we eat enough of that at home.. I do however always enjoy a good buger or pizza..LOL but in moderation..

 

[catne]

vast majority of the food is not fancy...just presented up prettily, and fancy-schmancy wording on the menu. The menu descriptions started getting to me so I find myself googling the various words they use. And then I find out this word means a type of Mexican tomato, that word means a particular shape of pasta, that word refers to a basic meat gravy made with wine...most of the time the fancy sounding dish turns out to be meat & potatoes. Or meat & pasta, etc.

And you can alway order without the sauces. We've been with people who ate no sauces on meat, plain potatoes, etc. They'd get steak & fries almost everywhere we went. Or steak & plain mashed potatoes. Or steak & raw carrot sticks if no plain taters available. The chef still managed to do a little decorative presentation, anyway (parsley/curled sliver of green onion & cherry tomato on a skewer topping the steak. so it looked pretty, but was easily removable.)