Just back from WDW - Has the food gotten worse or is it just me?

[drakethib]

Hi all.

Not trying to bash WDW as I usually stick up for them, we just got back from a great trip at WDW and my one complaint is the food. Maybe it was because free dining was going on and they were trying to minimize their losses, but we didn’t take part of free dining (we are DVC members) and paid full price.

At one time, I thought it was some of the greatest food to be had ever, now even the table service places are just ok at best. The Brown Derby is just overpriced cafeteria food. Counter Service Hamburgers and Nuggets haven gotten to the point of just being edible at best. The Rainforest Cafe was probably one of the best meals we had the entire trip.

The one thing at WDW that they did do well food wise was the Wishes Dessert party. Everything else is just getting disgusting.

I hear others speaking of this time to time but this is the first time both my wife and I agreed that the food quality has gotten ridiculous, especially for the price. I do understand I am in a theme park and know food will be expensive, but there has to be a common ground. My wife and I both have come to the conclusion that more offsite dining may be in order on our next trip. We ate offsite which we have never done before and maybe that is why this is more “visible” to us now?

Are my expectations to high?

 

[Eveningsong]

We love Disney Dining. We had great food during our last trip September 1 - 11, 2009, part of the free dining promo. We stayed at POP. We are also DVC members and pay for the dining plan when staying on points.

The best TS meal we had was at Sanaa, great food, great service, great location.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

We were at the World the same time, but didn't notice any bad food. Some of it was just "meh"--(Plaza) We didn't do any counter service, so I can't speak to that.

We too were unimpressed with Brown Derby this time. While I wouldn't call it "cafeteria food" it was just okay. Certainly not worth 2 credits this time.

 

[mikelan6]

Are my expectations to high?

No. I've always expected the best from Disney.

Have you gone to Guest Services and told them about your issues? Are you going to write to Disney to tell them?

 

[dizneedoll]

We visited this past February and I felt the same way about the food that you did. I don't think I had even one meal that I could call "good." Most things we ate (and we did some TS and some CS at both the parks and resorts) was just blah and a few dishes were down right awful. I agree with what you said about CS burgers and nuggets. My DS lives on nothing but chicken nuggets and he hated the WDW ones. I thought they were gross too. I'm going back next year and I'm really hoping it was just a fluke that we had lousy dining this past trip.

 

[dpuck1998]

I 100 percent agree. My first major trip back in 2003, the food was a highlight of my vacation. The last trip I went on the food was a huge disappointment. I can really see how the food has gone downhill since the dining plan was introduced.

 

[dizzy203]

Could it be because they are trying to cook in a more healthy way? I'm sorry but a hot dog is not that good on a wheat bun. Give me a good old white bun for my hot dog.

 

[dpuck1998]

Could it be because they are trying to cook in a more healthy way? I'm sorry but a hot dog is not that good on a wheat bun. Give me a good old white bun for my hot dog.

I'd say more likely they look at cost. If healthy was the issue they could offer another option for a healthy choice and keep the existing choices available.

 

[3guysandagal]

I can only go by our last few trips, and in 2006 the CS food at POR was pretty good, with a good selection, in 2007, not bad, but selection had dwindled, 2008, awful, and even less selection.
I actually took a burger back that was inedible.
Cosmic Rays was THE WORST MEAL we had in May 2009, none of us were impressed, and the boys simply didn't eat theirs.
Mind you, we only had burgers there, but at $8 a burger, you would hope it could at least be eaten.
Maybe they should start adding beets?
It would hide the taste of the "meat".

 

[dizzy203]

Maybe they should start adding beets?
It would hide the taste of the "meat".

 

[Paul in CT]

Did you dine at any of the resorts? If so, how did you find the food there where it is even more expensive?

Hi all.

Not trying to bash WDW as I usually stick up for them, we just got back from a great trip at WDW and my one complaint is the food. Maybe it was because free dining was going on and they were trying to minimize their losses, but we didn’t take part of free dining (we are DVC members) and paid full price.

At one time, I thought it was some of the greatest food to be had ever, now even the table service places are just ok at best. The Brown Derby is just overpriced cafeteria food. Counter Service Hamburgers and Nuggets haven gotten to the point of just being edible at best. The Rainforest Cafe was probably one of the best meals we had the entire trip.

The one thing at WDW that they did do well food wise was the Wishes Dessert party. Everything else is just getting disgusting.

I hear others speaking of this time to time but this is the first time both my wife and I agreed that the food quality has gotten ridiculous, especially for the price. I do understand I am in a theme park and know food will be expensive, but there has to be a common ground. My wife and I both have come to the conclusion that more offsite dining may be in order on our next trip. We ate offsite which we have never done before and maybe that is why this is more “visible” to us now?

Are my expectations to high?

 

[look1angel]

I wonder if it's all in the timing? I was at The Brown derby in Oct 2007 & had the BEST Cobb Salad ever! Went back with my husband in Dec 2008 & it was a huge disappointment! Going to give it one more try in Nov & see what happens.

Did the Cinderella dinner in 2007 on the DDP when gratuity was included & the food was surprisingly good, went back in June 2009 it was terrible & I ordered the same thing. Might have alot to do with the chef/cooks in the kitchen I'm sure. I wonder how often they change hands?

I will say Victoria & Alberts was incredible, then again so was the tab. Chef Mickey's has it's moments too.

Heard Boma was suppose to be good so we'll be trying that one out in Nov too.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Well, I don't know, but I just read an article that Disney is no longer going to be using all beef hotdogs!!!!!
They are switching to a beef/chicken mix hotdog at all food service locations in WDW.

First they switch to wheat buns, now they are changing the hotdogs. Might as well close Casey's up and put in another generic giftshop.

 

[3guysandagal]

Well, I don't know, but I just read an article that Disney is no longer going to be using all beef hotdogs!!!!!
They are switching to a beef/chicken mix hotdog at all food service locations in WDW.

First they switch to wheat buns, now they are changing the hotdogs. Might as well close Casey's up and put in another generic giftshop.

This would solve the backless chair problem at Casey's at least!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Aw, I certainly hope the food isn't going down hill. I have always thought most of the counter service was gross and overpriced...so no change there, but on our trip last December my husband and I both agreed that our meal at the Brown Derby was one of the best meals we had ever had period. I hope it is still just as good next trip because I am already dreaming of eating there again.

I am shocked that Disney switched to wheat buns though, that just surprises me, since I would think most people wouldn't want that. But I like wheat bread/buns better so that's a pleasant surprise for me

 

[3guysandagal]

Just to add.
We have had many fantastic meals on property.
And Brown Derby was one of them.
I hope it stays the same for Dec as we have 2 ADRs set up.
But we will not be back to Cosmic Rays.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Aw, I certainly hope the food isn't going down hill. I have always thought most of the counter service was gross and overpriced...so no change there, but on our trip last December my husband and I both agreed that our meal at the Brown Derby was one of the best meals we had ever had period. I hope it is still just as good next trip because I am already dreaming of eating there again.

I am shocked that Disney switched to wheat buns though, that just surprises me, since I would think most people wouldn't want that. But I like wheat bread/buns better so that's a pleasant surprise for me

I love the Brown Derby too. I ate there in May and it was delicious. LOVE the grapefruit cake.

As for the wheat buns, they switched I think a year ago. I know some people prefer wheat buns, I just don't care for them, I wish they would give you a choice. White or Wheat?

 

[DisneyEG]

We were there in August with the dining plan, the first time we've done that, and we were pleasantly surprised how good the food was. We went there thinking we would be eating theme park or even chain restaurant quality food.
We were wrong, some of the restaurant food was fantastic. Especially, The Wave, Chefs De France, Le Cellier, San Angel, Chefs Mickeys Breakfast, Narcoosees, even the buffet at 1900 Park Faire was good. We did have some meals that weren't so good loke Crystal Palace, ABC Commisary, Whispring Caynon. Overall though the food was great. Gained 8 pounds, been trying to lose it since I got back, halfway there. We can't wait to do it again and try some of the other restaurants.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I love the Brown Derby too. I ate there in May and it was delicious. LOVE the grapefruit cake.

As for the wheat buns, they switched I think a year ago. I know some people prefer wheat buns, I just don't care for them, I wish they would give you a choice. White or Wheat?

Yeah, I assumed they would give a choice, because I think I am in the minority, and most other people would prefer a white bun. - oh I was dying to try the grapefruit cake, but that visit I went with the pumpkin cheesecake (it was delicious), but I can't wait to try that grapefruit cake some day. Aw, now I want to go so badly!

 

[SamIAm21]

I'll be dining at Brown Derby on October 9th. I'm really hoping it's at least fairly good because I made the reservation especially for my sister in law who is a ,"foody". She's an amazing cook, and although not professionally trained has made some of the best food I have ever tasted in my life. She has the ability to taste something and tell you every ingredient, spice and nuance to the food. Besides the Food & Wine festival, I made us a reservation at the Brown Derby in hopes of her having a decent meal and being able to recreate the Grapefruit cake at home. She can do that.

She totally recreated Maggiano's gnocchi dish from scratch and makes it for me on my birthday!