Just Back 3/5/16...some AMAZING meals, disappointment at Signatures. (TONS OF PICS!) FINISHED

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for the notes. We, too, have found a diminishing value (and I use that word lightly) in Signature dining. We aren't big eaters, so small plates are good for us; however, the price for those smaller portions keep rising to beyond sustainable levels for us. We still hit a couple most trips, but now we plan better and often order appetizers, share an entree, then perhaps split a dessert. Still, I agree that a puny serving of steak or other protein should have healthier portions of sides. Sides are the one primary area where I see the Signatures flailing--they make them sound amazing but the execution doesn't live up to the hype. Small, simple sides that seem more at home in a diner. We've had good success at Jiko, though we don't order fish from most Signatures. Artist Point mostly delivers these days (again). We haven't gone to CG since its refurbishment primarily because of the extremely high prices and the noise which was always a bit of an issue for us in the first place. We avoid MP after a terrible meal there a year+ ago. Overall, we find better values, and often food, in regular TS eateries: Sanaa, Yak & Yeti, and numerous places in Disney Springs. In fact, we're almost to the point where we'd rather eat at DS than in the resort or park restaurants.

 

[Jetta8300]

Thanks for the notes. We, too, have found a diminishing value (and I use that word lightly) in Signature dining. We aren't big eaters, so small plates are good for us; however, the price for those smaller portions keep rising to beyond sustainable levels for us. We still hit a couple most trips, but now we plan better and often order appetizers, share an entree, then perhaps split a dessert. Still, I agree that a puny serving of steak or other protein should have healthier portions of sides. Sides are the one primary area where I see the Signatures flailing--they make them sound amazing but the execution doesn't live up to the hype. Small, simple sides that seem more at home in a diner. We've had good success at Jiko, though we don't order fish from most Signatures. Artist Point mostly delivers these days (again). We haven't gone to CG since its refurbishment primarily because of the extremely high prices and the noise which was always a bit of an issue for us in the first place. We avoid MP after a terrible meal there a year+ ago. Overall, we find better values, and often food, in regular TS eateries: Sanaa, Yak & Yeti, and numerous places in Disney Springs. In fact, we're almost to the point where we'd rather eat at DS than in the resort or park restaurants.

That sums up my thoughts exactly. I don't understand how someone can charge $50 for a 3.5 oz steak and 2 tsp of risotto. This was seriously the size of something at a food and wine snack booth, maybe even smaller. This is not how the signature "meals" have been in the past. It was not a meal. I agree that "sides" are where they are failing. The sides on the plate are non existent. And that's what annoyed us the most. To serve literally 4 pea pods as a side, or 2 tsp of risotto should be an embarrassment to them.

Like I said before, I am no stranger to signature type dining in the real world. Cleveland OH is a a foodie town, with tons of places similar to these, and we have no problem spending that for something that's worth the price. Someone mentioned NYC type dining, that's what I'm used to. And I have NEVER in my life been served a meal that small. Never. And never before in Disney, ever. It was absolutely laughable and just turned us off to the whole signature dining experience in Disney.

 

[SSRFred]

Thank you for the reviews and amazing photos. We tried Yak & Yeti for the 1st time last month and loved it. I can't believe we never tried it before. As other people have said, we also haven't been to CA Grill since the refurbishment and have no plans to go back. We haven't been to Jiko in years and your review will keep me from going back. I'd rather go to Sanaa. As signatures go, we have been a little disappointed lately. We are trying Artist Point this summer since the recent reviews have been so good. Your thoughts on Skipper Canteen and POR restaurants make me want to try them all. Tokyo Dining has been a family favorite for a few years now. There is no way we can skip it when we are at WDW.

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you for the reviews and amazing photos. We tried Yak & Yeti for the 1st time last month and loved it. I can't believe we never tried it before. As other people have said, we also haven't been to CA Grill since the refurbishment and have no plans to go back. We haven't been to Jiko in years and your review will keep me from going back. I'd rather go to Sanaa. As signatures go, we have been a little disappointed lately. We are trying Artist Point this summer since the recent reviews have been so good. Your thoughts on Skipper Canteen and POR restaurants make me want to try them all. Tokyo Dining has been a family favorite for a few years now. There is no way we can skip it when we are at WDW.

Sanaa is wonderful, and it has become one of our go to restaurants. Last time, we just did the bread service with some wine, and that was perfect for a lunch. . .inexpensive, too. AP used to be consistently superb, but they hit a rough patch for a few years. With the change in chefs a year and a half or so ago, they seem to have gotten their footing back. However, we had a very mediocre meal there around New Year's. We went back just three weeks ago, and it was excellent. I have some issues with a few of their entree sides, but overall, they appear to be on an upswing. Tip: if you do dessert, opt for the donuts. Way better than the berry cobbler which used to be topnotch but now is too dense and has too little fruit.

 

[cyndiella]

Just wanted to add that your pictures of the food are VERY good! I could almost taste the food just from the pictures!!!

 

[ariane37]

Just found your report All the pictures are great!

We ate dinner at Boatwright's a couple years ago while staying at POFQ, decided to eat there last minute. What a great decision! Seeing your pictures and reading your review has made me want to go back

Cali Grill DH and I went there for the first time in January on our adults-only trip and unfortunately we were disappointed. Our apps weren't that great and neither was DH's entrée. However I had the same entrée that you did and I did really enjoy it - from the look of your picture I got WAY more risotto than you did! Weird........I will say we thoroughly enjoyed the view of Wishes from GC, but not enough to go back. However, we also did Tokyo Dining for the first time on that trip and LOVED IT!! Shocked us how much we enjoyed dinner there! Like you we'd heard so little about it, and weren't that excited when we booked it but we plan to go back with the kids in Nov. and have been singing it's praises all over the Dis since we've been back. We watched Illuminations from their balcony - beautiful
Glad you ended up with lots of great meals!

 

[jen73]

wow, what great reviews and pictures! Making my ADRs in 6 days and starting to work on our list of maybe's and no's. Your reviews added some to each list! And by any chance do you have a review or POR? That is where we are staying in Sept, it will be our first time there. Any tips or advice? Feel free to PM me if need be. thanks!!

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Than you for a very candid and open review. Your picture quality is excellent and I have enjoyed reading your perceptions and opinions. Everyone is different and I am relieved to know that I am not the only one who is not enamored with Jiko and I'll admit another Disney secret - I don't love Tusker House either. Which is fine because there are so many other options that it I can find my own treasures. I loved reading your excellent experience at Boatwrights. We love POR and have stayed there a couple of time back when it was Dixie Landings (it might always be Dixie Landings in my heart) I have read this and even though I have only been back four days I have decided I need to go back. I am starting to think these four and five day trips I've done just are not long enough and I need a 10 day stretch to really leisurely and Tokyo Dining just hit my radar. I also wanted to do CG for my birthday and you've made me feel better about missing it. Thanks for taking the time to share with us! Great reviews.

 

[AJA]

Love your pics and report.

 

[Jetta8300]

wow, what great reviews and pictures! Making my ADRs in 6 days and starting to work on our list of maybe's and no's. Your reviews added some to each list! And by any chance do you have a review or POR? That is where we are staying in Sept, it will be our first time there. Any tips or advice? Feel free to PM me if need be. thanks!!

I did a review of the hotel on Trip advisor and added about 30 pictures! But I didn't post anything on the DIS boards. It was just overall fantastic and I can post a few pictures on here now that the dining review is done. It was just amazing, it kind of had the same charm to me as Main Street in the magic kingdom. It has a very "Disney" feel to it without being childish... It's hard to explain.

Our room was absolutely adorable, we stayed in the alligator bayou section (probably since we asked to be placed far away from the construction). The pool was still being worked on when we were there, (it's finished now) as well as roof work being done in the mansion's section which will be finished in June. We didn't notice much of the construction though, and we enjoyed the walk to and from breakfast from our room. We had a rental car, and I actually made my husband park at the main building so we could walk to and from the main building and our room during breakfast.

I would say for advice, make use of the ferry to downtown Disney. We used this 3 times, one night after dinner we took a nighttime trip to Ghiradeli, and it's so pretty. The boats run about every 15 minutes or so and it was really convenient. I'd also try to eat at Boatwright's. We loved it! We loved the alligator bayou section but both sections were just extremely pretty. If you're eating at the food court for breakfast, I'd suggest getting there early. There were always more than enough tables no matter what time, but at 9:00 the lines can be pretty long. 8:00 and before is ideal. I will post a few resort pics during my son's nap time

 

[MrsSkellington]

It was seriously wonderful. Ask to sit in the "upper section". Its prettier by the fireplace . Everyone around us was like "YUM this is amazing". I don't know if you've ever stayed at POR before but I could write a novel about how amazing the stay there was.

I've never stayed there. Last year, we were at the Contemporary. Interesting, but cold. I'm excited about POR.

If you're eating at the food court for breakfast, I'd suggest getting there early. There were always more than enough tables no matter what time, but at 9:00 the lines can be pretty long. 8:00 and before is ideal. I will post a few resort pics during my son's nap time

This is great to hear. I read somewhere else that the food court was always busy. We're up by 7am at home, so hopefully we can get in and out early.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Thank you so much for the reviews. The pictures were great. We were thinking of trying Jiko next time - I think we won't.
Great job!

 

[Stefecatzz]

Dinner at Boatwright's Dining Hall at Port Orleans Riverside (our hotel) was fantastic. The cheese plate was the best cheese plate I've ever had (pepper jelly to put on everything?!?!). I'd go back just for that. But the entrees were VERY good. Everything was cooked perfectly and the crawfish mac and cheese was much better than the "mac and cheese" side at Jiko. This place got very busy as the time went on. They were not taking more walk ups until after 9:00. We stayed here but would come back even if we didn't. But definitely make a reservation if you can.

French Onion Soup

Thanks for all the great photos & reviews!

I am looking forward to trying some things at Boatwright's. That cheese plate does look pretty good! I haven't seen too many good reviews about it & tend to be afraid to try what is called 'Creole' or 'Cajun' food after having lived near New Orleans for several years. But I Love French Onion Soup!! It looks like a HUGE portion unless that picture is deceiving. It definitely looks like a nice bowl sized portion, not a cup. And I'm all about a good Crawfish Mac & Cheese!

 

[Jetta8300]

I've never stayed there. Last year, we were at the Contemporary. Interesting, but cold. I'm excited about POR.

This is great to hear. I read somewhere else that the food court was always busy. We're up by 7am at home, so hopefully we can get in and out early.

We felt the same way. This was the hotel we picked on our first trip to Disney, and continues to be the hotel we liked the least. It just felt a cold, and business-like instead of feeling like vacation. We felt the exact same way returning to the hotel this trip for Cali Grill. It brought back some great memories, but we thought, meh. Just is not somewhere we would stay again with all of the other great options. Most of the people in Cali Grill were also large groups of drunk business men I think due to a conference they had going on at the time. It was LOUD.

Thanks for all the great photos & reviews!

I am looking forward to trying some things at Boatwright's. That cheese plate does look pretty good! I haven't seen too many good reviews about it & tend to be afraid to try what is called 'Creole' or 'Cajun' food after having lived near New Orleans for several years. But I Love French Onion Soup!! It looks like a HUGE portion unless that picture is deceiving. It definitely looks like a nice bowl sized portion, not a cup. And I'm all about a good Crawfish Mac & Cheese!

The soup was a very large portion. In fact everything was! I believe you can get a side of the crawfish mac and cheese alone as well. It was on the menu. It was PHENOMENAL. The cheese plate was worth the trip alone and it was a meal in itself.

 

[sleepydog25]

Despite agreeing with the OP on several items, and even though I have strong opinions on certain restaurants, I do always caution people to make decisions based on menu choices, location, cost to value ratio, and most importantly, personal experience whenever possible. For example, I wouldn't necessarily decide against Jiko, Artist Point, Sci-Fi Diner, or any other restaurant simply because I'd read or heard bad things. Any restaurant has bad nights whether it's from the menu or service or ambiance. We had a horrible experience at Monsieur Paul, and chances are we'll never give it another chance; yet, I wouldn't expect anyone to not go strictly based on our one night's review. . .unless that was a deciding factor after reading other bad reviews or deciding the cost wasn't worth the possibility of having a mediocre meal. Nothing beats personal experience, and that's part of the fun of dining at Disney. One person's wonderful Skipper Canteen meal may be another's worst meal of the trip. Bon appetit!

 

[Jetta8300]

Despite agreeing with the OP on several items, and even though I have strong opinions on certain restaurants, I do always caution people to make decisions based on menu choices, location, cost to value ratio, and most importantly, personal experience whenever possible. For example, I wouldn't necessarily decide against Jiko, Artist Point, Sci-Fi Diner, or any other restaurant simply because I'd read or heard bad things. Any restaurant has bad nights whether it's from the menu or service or ambiance. We had a horrible experience at Monsieur Paul, and chances are we'll never give it another chance; yet, I wouldn't expect anyone to not go strictly based on our one night's review. . .unless that was a deciding factor after reading other bad reviews or deciding the cost wasn't worth the possibility of having a mediocre meal. Nothing beats personal experience, and that's part of the fun of dining at Disney. One person's wonderful Skipper Canteen meal may be another's worst meal of the trip. Bon appetit!

I definitely agree with you... We have had some amazing meals at places that don't get the best reviews. I would also encourage someone to try everything themselves. I'm mostly cautioning about the actual portion sizes of the signatures. Tastes vary, and everyone likes different things! But the portion sizes and value at the signature restaurants are definitely severely lacking. So going in with that expectation may help someone, especially if they're looking for something to fill them up.

 

[Jetta8300]

wow, what great reviews and pictures! Making my ADRs in 6 days and starting to work on our list of maybe's and no's. Your reviews added some to each list! And by any chance do you have a review or POR? That is where we are staying in Sept, it will be our first time there. Any tips or advice? Feel free to PM me if need be. thanks!!

Here's a few pics for you...

 

[sleepydog25]

I definitely agree with you... We have had some amazing meals at places that don't get the best reviews. I would also encourage someone to try everything themselves. I'm mostly cautioning about the actual portion sizes of the signatures. Tastes vary, and everyone likes different things! But the portion sizes and value at the signature restaurants are definitely severely lacking. So going in with that expectation may help someone, especially if they're looking for something to fill them up.

Oh, I agree completely, and I appreciate your comments and reviews. It just struck me that occasionally readers will post they won't go seemingly just because of one poor review, and I didn't feel that was your intent at all. I do think it noteworthy to mention portion sizes in addition to other criteria as you have done so well.

 

[dac7265]

The next morning was our relaxation day, no parks. We went to Kona Cafe for breakfast after sleeping in, and of course, it was amazing as usual. Not a lot to say other than, WOW!!! Everything was of course fantastic. We had the Pineapple Macadamia nut Pancakes with a side of fruit, and hubby had the Big Kahuna.

Our family enjoyed Kona, I loved the Tonga toas

 

[kemith76]

I appreciate all your pictures and few review. Sometimes a picture is more helpful in making a decision on where to eat. I think we will now add Yak and Yeti to the agenda for our May trip. I'm struggling a little with places that we have not been that I believe would appeal to our family of four. And completely unrelated, I wanted to ask what camera you use? It looks like it might be a point and shoot maybe? I want to leave my super heavy one at home. Thanks! Kelly