is Yachtsman really that bad now?

[abminer]

We're going to do one signature meal in October and I presented DBF, who is pretty picky, three choices: Yachtsman, Cali Grill, and Flying Fish. He ranked them in that order. We've never been to any of these and I am excited by all of them. Considering he doesn't eat seafood and that we'd like to spend an evening hanging out at the Boardwalk area (never done that either), Yachtsman is the natural choice, but it seems the recent reviews aren't as good as they used to be.

Can anyone whose been recently share their experience? Is it worth a try?

We would likely be paying oop, btw.

 

[Condorman]

Yachtsman is fine. I'm not sure which reviews you've read, but it does a very good job by Disney standards. Anyone who tells you it's not as good as Shula's, Ruth's Chris, etc. doesn't know what they're talking about, considering those are half-baked chains that don't do steaks very well to begin with. Flying Fish is the better of the Boardwalk options, but if your friend doesn't do seafood it's a no go. However, FF does have an excellent NY strip on their menu, so it might be worth considering.

 

[catne]

well, here's one who will tell you to skip Yachtsman...we were seriously under-impressed by the "signature" steaks here. Blah. Service was OK...decor a big nothing, and ambiance non-existent (tables way too close together for a signature priced place.) Cancelled additional reservations we had to eat at Yachtsman again because first time was totally so-so.

Cali Grill was just OK with us...food was good, but didn't think it was "signature" quality, either. And while we realize you're paying for the view, too...well they had the blinds closed almost the entire time we were there, so no view.

Flying Fish on the other hand...wonderful. Great decor, great service, great food. Been there twice in last year and loved it both times.

Another signature we really liked was Hollywood Brown Derby at DHS.

 

[kate_wdw]

My family has been to the Yachtsman Steakhouse three times and have enjoyed it every time. We love the ambiance (calm and quiet) and the setting (in the YC/BC/BW area), and have had really good meals. Admittedly, I not a huge steak connoisseur, but I think their garlic rolls, appetizers, sides, and desserts are delicious. The desserts, in particular, are among the best on WDW property (IMO), especially the creme brulee and the trio of chocolate (yum!).

As a sidenote, my family had the Deluxe Dining Plan on our last trip, and the California Grill was our least favorite Signature restaurant. The room was really loud (which I expected), the service was terrible, and the food was pretty underwhelming. I felt like it absolutely did not live up to the hype (not for us anyway).

 

[deej696]

Yachtsman is good, but not great. As Condorman said, it's great by Disney standards. We've dined there twice in two years and the first experience was pretty lousy. We went back last month, and had a much better experience. I would gladly return, but don't expect a true prime steakhouse in atmosphere or food.

 

[River Country]

Why not try LeCellier or Cali Grill, 2 of my favorite

Awsome steaks and sides

 

[3pletprincesses]

We were there twice last month and really enjoyed our meals. The food was well cooked and really good. I would go there in a heart beat. Our service both time was outstanding. The only thing we found strange was the fact that at 5:30 it was more quiet then 9pm. It on my list of must do for my girls only trip in August

 

[DefLepard]

Why not try LeCellier

Yeah right, try getting a ressie

I love the Yachtsman

 

[kraeurb]

We love Yachtsman and are going back for our trip in November. FF was good when we went about 3 years ago. But the last 2 time we went, not so much. I'm not saying it was horrible, but we much preferred Yachtsman.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

yachtsman is our absolute must do! we've never had a bad meal there! service has always been fantastic. our last 2 times at california grill seemed to have gotten worse--it's turning into a fireworks show instead of a great meal. flying fish was great, but we prefer yachtsman.

 

[Silver Queen]

We would rank the three restaurants you mentioned as follows:
1. Flying Fish
2. Yachtsman
3. Cali Grill

We would certainly return to Yachtsman again. I had a steak au poivre that was excellent. The only issue that I had with the restaurant was that we were seated directly under an air conditioning vent and it was freezing. There were no other tables free so our server gave me a table cloth to put around my shoulders.
For what it's worth we recently had dinner at Le Cellier since they became signature and feel that it is in no way in the same class as these other restaurants, so II definitely wouldn't stress out about getting a ressie there.

 

[madalex]

My last dinner at Yachtsman was in Oct 2010. It was wonderful. Steak was delicious, service was excellent and the ambience was lovely. It's well worth a visit if you have never been there,

 

[PoohsFan1]

We ate at Yachtsman's when we were there last month and loved it just as much as the first time we ate there. However, if I had to rank the order of the restaurants that you are looking at going to it would be 1) California Grill - food is awesome and there is nothing like the view 2) Yachtsman's Steakhouse - food and service is top notch 3) Flying Fish - never eaten there before but of course this could change. I wouldn't worry about it, and like other reviews, you just have to take it with a grain of salt. Enjoy!!!!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Honestly if your curious about the place, give it a try. You will find all sorts of varying opinions about restaurants on this board. I think i've read a negative review about almost every restaurant in disney....we obviously cant agree on everything now can we? what a boring world that would be! I tend to dislike a lot of restaurants that people rave about (such as le cellier, chef mickeys, & tony's). I always book ressies based on the menu and atmosphere. Dont go anywhere with high expectations as you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. When you see a negative review, I wouldnt pay too much attention to complaints about things like rude server or manager, atmosphere, etc. As this could have easily been an off day....and what some people see/experience may not actually be the case for someone else. You might think the dish is too salty but i think its perfect. Another example: my sister thought the server was rude, but thats not how i saw it at all. she thought it took to long for the drinks to come, I didnt think it took too long at all. You get my drift. Look at the menu's & pics online and decide for yourself if this is something your interested in. If i had to cancel a ressie everytime i saw a bad review, my head would be spinning.

 

[joecatz]

Yeah right, try getting a ressie

I love the Yachtsman

We're going next week, and I had no problem getting into LeCellier for dinner. In fact, I've been able to switch times consistently to manage a 6:05 reservation.

Aside from the charachter breakfasts and CRT, (and possibly O'Hana for dinner) it's been incredibly easy to book recently. The closer you get to your date, the easier it is, but LeCellier, to be honest, since turning into 2 entitlements for dinner, has been very, very easy to book dinners.

 

[nrpofp]

We ate at both 2 weeks ago. Le Cellier was good. Yachtsman was great. Try the Porterhouse.

 

[Donald&Tinkerbell]

said his steak was better at Blue Zoo last January. We also agree that the Cali food is not up to the prices, but if you want to watch the fireworks without being in the crowd, it's great. I had seafood at the YC so I can't say. I rarely eat beef out because he doesn't like seafood. DH also likes the steak at FF.

 

[LowesChevy]

We had a bad experience here last October, but the three previous years were wonderful.

I noticed there was a change in the restaurant manager as of last year-Mark Hoeevnars was the previous manager. I really think that had a alot to do with the decline in food and service. The whole restaurant changed and we had awful service. So bad in fact that a customer service representative called me back after a formal complaint.

I am hoping that this year will be back to normal or even better!

 

[jakeybake]

We love the Yachtsman and have never had bad meal or experience there.

And I disagree with previous posters, we love the decor of the place. It is very understated, which in WDW is hard to find. We always request a table in the back section by the windows overlooking the pool area. I find it very relaxing and really beautiful.

J

 

[Hopefully]

Yachtsman is one of only 2 restaurants in all of WDW we won't EVER return to. (H & V is the other). We tried 3 times and no more.
The atmosphere is nice and the service was great, but we just didn't enjoy the food.