Just returned from WDW and FP+ stinks

[Mad Hattered]

Also, I currently can't stop alternating thoughts between Earl of Sandwich and Flame Tree BBQ .... mmmmmmmmm

Flame Tree BBQ is the best QS ever!!! But then again, we can't park our cars in the garage because of all my BBQ smokers taking up space.

I pay my penance by making sure my wife's car is cleaned of snow and ice and warmed nicely before leaving for work. I like my toys.

 

[Shaden]

Flame Tree BBQ is the best QS ever!!! But then again, we can't park our cars in the garage because of all my BBQ smokers taking up space.

I pay my penance by making sure my wife's car is cleaned of snow and ice and warmed nicely before leaving for work. I like my toys.

I do all my BBQ in the Crockpot, but I can throw down some pretty awesome pulled Pork and Ribs ... but dang, I could go for some Flame Tree right now.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It isn't a complete list, either. Cosmic Ray's, BOG, Gaston's and Sleepy Hollow are missing just to name a few.

I'm still wondering what type of food some are wanting that they cannot find.

It may not be a type so much as quality? I would probably agree that while WDW's TS options are far better than DLR's, that DLR gets the edge in quality of CS. It's not that there isn't variety in both places, there is..we've just experienced better CS quality at DLR.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Well, I would imagine you would have to be pretty flexible with where and what times.

We're going late October - two of us, and probably won't make many ADR's at all. We'll just see what's open that day, we can eat later or even at the bar.
Epcot has the two small plates places, I think in Italy and Morocco?
I'm not worried.

If you will be there in late October, the food and wine festival will be going on at Epcot. Every country kiosk in the festival will have small plates of food (25 or so last year?) Eating around the world took the place of a few of our ADRs!

 

[Mad Hattered]

I do all my BBQ in the Crockpot, but I can throw down some pretty awesome pulled Pork and Ribs ... but dang, I could go for some Flame Tree right now.

You should really come visit us.....

We could go camping at Halloween

Throw a chicken on the smoker

Shred it and plate it up on a tostada

Drink some beer and then pass out like our cat (Scratchy McStinkbutt is her real name)

But yeah....I don't like FP+.

 

[leebee]

Not that I agree, but I kind of get the point PP was making when saying "only burgers and dogs" at MK. While not technically true, it can seem that way. Tortuga Tavern and Tomorrowland Terrace are only open seasonally, and sometimes not even then (I had to look at a park map to refresh my memory of these two places, and I've only taken 24 trips to WDW!). We don't eat at CHH because of DD's fish allergy, and found the food at BOG to be greasy and salty- and hopefully you don't mind waiting in line outside for 30 mins. to wait in line inside for 20 mins for QS food (March 2013). The "obvious" places to get CS meals in MK are Cosmic Rays, Casey's, and Pecos Bill's- and these look a LOT like "burgers and dogs," even more when you throw "chicken" in there, so I really can understand the PP's comments.

(FTR, I'd be the only one in my family to consider Gaston's; nobody except me was willing to grab a turkey leg and gnaw meat off the bone, so I don't see it happening at Gaston's, either!)

 

[sonofanarchy]

Columbia Harbour House:
Lighthouse Sandwich - hummus with tomato & broccoli slaw on toasted multigrain bread with potato chips $9.19
Anchors Aweigh Sandwich - white tuna with lettuce and tomato on toasted multigrain bun with potato chips $9.19
Lobster Roll - served with potato chips $10.19
Fried Shrimp Platter - Served with cole slaw and choice of steamed fresh broccoli, apple slices or French Fries $9.99
Chicken Breast Nuggets and Fish - choice of steamed fresh broccoli, apple slices or French Fries $9.29
Battered Fish Basket - choice of steamed fresh broccoli, apple slices or French Fries $7.99
Chicken Breast Nuggets (8 pieces) - Served with steamed fresh broccoli or French Fries or Apple Slices $8.69
Grilled Salmon - served with couscous and steamed fresh broccoli $10.99
Broccoli Peppercorn Salad - mixed greens, garden vegetables, chicken, broccoli, parmesan cheese, tossed with a creamy peppercorn dressing $8.59
Garden Harvest Salad - mixed greens, garden vegetables, green beans, carrots and chicken $8.59
Vegetarian Chili $4.79
New England Clam Chowder $4.99
Steamed Fresh Broccoli $1.99
Couscous $2.99

Diamond Horseshoe:
Entrees

Served with Apple Slices or Potato Chips
Barbecued Turkey Sandwich $9.19
Hand-carved Turkey Sandwich $9.19
Hand-carved Pork Brisket Sandwich $9.19
Tuna Salad with Croissant $9.19
Portobello Sandwich $9.19
Portobello Salad $7.49
Mixed Green Salad - served with hand-carved turkey or pork brisket

Pinocchios
Pepperoni Flatbread - $8.79
Barbecue Chicken Flatbread - $9.99
Caprese Flatbread - $9.99
Entrees

Italian Flatbread Sub - Italian meats, cheese, dressing and balsamic glaze $9.99
Mediterranean Salad - Mixed greens, chicken, mozzarella, roasted red pepper, red onion and black olives $8.69
Meatball Sub Sandwich - served with fries or apple slices $9.19
Chicken Breast Nuggets (8 pcs. served with apple slices or french fries) $8.69
Caesar Salad with Chicken - romaine, chicken and parmesan $7.99

Tommorowland Terrace:
Fried Chicken Sandwich - topped with lettuce, tomato, and ranch dresing, served with french fries or apple slices $8.99
Pasta Primavera $6.99; with shrimp $9.99
Pasta Alfredo with chicken $8.99
Lobster Roll - served with homemade chips $9.99
Beef and Blue Cheese Salad - served with Balsamic Vinaigrette $8.39
Citrus Shrimp Salad - served Mandarin Orange Dressing $8.19
Chicken Breast Nuggets - with french fries or apple slices $8.19

Tortuga Tavern:
Burrito - chicken or beef - with cilantro rice and black beans $8.39
Taco Salad - Crisp flour tortilla with seasoned beef $8.79
Beef Nachos - with black bean salsa $7.69
Vegetarian Burrito - filled with cilantro rice and black beans $7.79
Caesar Salad with Chicken $8.29
Toppings Bar with all entrees: tomatoes, cheese, lettuce and salsa

I admit I did leave the burger off one menu... though a hot dog not anywhere in site... and only ONE burger on the menu between these all. I didn't even bother with Be Our Guest... but again... NO BURGER!

I don't get why people keep saying all they have is burgers and hotdogs and chicken. There are many different options!

The problem here is, even in busy season, 3 of those places are rarely open. Last July, only Pinnocchio's (which sorry, is disgusting) and Columbia Harbor House were open.

 

[sonofanarchy]

It isn't a complete list, either. Cosmic Ray's, BOG, Gaston's and Sleepy Hollow are missing just to name a few.

I'm still wondering what type of food some are wanting that they cannot find.

Cosmic Ray's problem is that if you have people who want different food, you have to wait in more than 1 line. It's a ridiculous set up.

Gaston's and Sleepy Hollow aren't places to go for lunch.

Yes, there are more than Burgers and Hot Dogs. Sadly, none of it is very good. Columbia Harbor House is OK. Diamond Horseshoe is actually quite good, but it's rarely open. But to be fair to Disney, the food is no worse than any other theme park. And as others have said, Flame Tree is fabulous and Epcot, well, if you can't find good, different food over there, not sure what to tell you.

 

[Laketravis]

Give me a stuffed Mickey pretzel and I'm good until I can get to a resort.

I thought TT went buffet?

 

[Jennasis]

cosmic ray's problem is that if you have people who want different food, you have to wait in more than 1 line. It's a ridiculous set up.

gaston's and sleepy hollow aren't places to go for lunch.

yes, there are more than burgers and hot dogs. sadly, none of it is very good. Columbia harbor house is ok. Diamond horseshoe is actually quite good, but it's rarely open. But to be fair to disney, the food is no worse than any other theme park. And as others have said, flame tree is fabulous and epcot, well, if you can't find good, different food over there, not sure what to tell you.

1. fact

2. opinion

But I can't argue with someone if they just don't LIKE the offerings (as varied as they may actually be). If what they offer outside of burgers and hot dogs aren't appealing to you then yeah, it's a problem for you.

 

[robinb]

The problem here is, even in busy season, 3 of those places are rarely open. Last July, only Pinnocchio's (which sorry, is disgusting) and Columbia Harbor House were open.

Have you been to Pinocchio's recently? I enjoyed the flatbread pizza there when the pizza is actually hot. FWIW, I can't stand Tommowland Terrace (it ties for the worst CS on Disney property for me) or Tortuga Tavern (TMI, I know but it causes gastric distress).

 

[sonofanarchy]

1. fact

2. opinion

But I can't argue with someone if they just don't LIKE the offerings (as varied as they may actually be). If what they offer outside of burgers and hot dogs aren't appealing to you then yeah, it's a problem for you.

Like as in would I like it if it was good? Sure. But even when talking about burgers, they're terrible at Disney now. They used to be VERY good, as far as CS goes.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Have you been to Pinocchio's recently? I enjoyed the flatbread pizza there when the pizza is actually hot. FWIW, I can't stand Tommowland Terrace (it ties for the worst CS on Disney property for me) or Tortuga Tavern (TMI, I know but it causes gastric distress).

It's been a couple of years. Last time I was there I had a meatball sub, and it was very eh. Not awful, but not good. I've never seen Tortuga Tavern open, which is too bad because I like tacos, and those are pretty hard to screw up.

 

[Imhere]

Last time I ate a burger on Disney property was at the Concourse Steakhouse.

I vaguely remember eating a hot dog on property sometime in the 80's.

At MK for CS we usually hit CCH.

To be honest though, we usually don't eat CS at MK.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

The burgers really aren't as good any more. And we've had them several places in different parks. Pecos Bill's is okay because you have lots of toppings to pile on. Or at least you did when we were there last.
There used to be an excellent grilled chicken salad. We got it all the time at Pecos Bill's, but it was also available other places. All of a sudden it disappeared...........
We don't make advanced reservations in order to eat, never did. We aren't picky eaters, but other than World Showcase, it does seem to be the same menu just about everywhere. Never ate at Pinochio's and now I don't think I'd bother.

 

[wisblue]

It's been a couple of years. Last time I was there I had a meatball sub, and it was very eh. Not awful, but not good. I've never seen Tortuga Tavern open, which is too bad because I like tacos, and those are pretty hard to screw up.

So, you are saying that, a few years ago, one item at Pinocchio's was, in your opinion, not good.

You have no basis on which to say that Pinocchio's (with its revised menu) IS disgusting.

 

[Shaden]

You should really come visit us.....

We could go camping at Halloween

***Pictures removed****

But yeah....I don't like FP+.

Holy CRAP that was hilarious !!!!!!

 

[Camno's Mama]

I completely agree with you, OP. We had a similar experience back in October. We were able to occasionally make some changes the night before, due to smaller crowds and the fact that it was new. We kept saying that if we'd had our kids with us, it would have been beyond frustrating given that there is little room for improvisation. Also, we felt that it really takes away from the benefit of the PH. All stuff I'm sure everyone has heard before...

In fact, for the first time in 10 years, we are skipping Disney this year. We love it there, but for the money we spend, I feel the value has gone down. This was the nail in the coffin for me.

I'm hoping to maybe return in 2015, either when FP+ has worked out its kinks (or is even thrown out the door). We'll see. I'll be watching reviews like this one.

Thanks for your update!

 

[mom2rtk]

You should really come visit us.....

We could go camping at Halloween


Drink some beer and then pass out like our cat (Scratchy McStinkbutt is her real name)


But yeah....I don't like FP+.

How did I miss that!

You have a picture for everything, don't you!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Just popping in to say that we are not looking forward to a future trip using FP+.
We were major FP utilizers and we would pull up to 6-7 a day, as soon as the time on 1 FP said we could pull another, we always did! Not happy that we can only get 4 per day now.
Also now that we've gone to WDW quite a few times we finally started park hopping for our last 2 trips and liked it...I guess we won't be doing that as we can't pull FP's for multiple parks in one day.

We were planning a trip to WDW this Nov. and I told dh and the kids that we're gonna do something else this year. Between FP+ and the mine car ride opening this year, I figured we'd do DL or DCL instead to avoid any vacation aggravation.
Of course 2 of my crew picked DCL and 6 y.o. ds picked DL as he wants to go to Carsland. Dh said can'tt we just go to WDW??? Then I explained to to him about the FP+ ( I am the vacation planner, he just comes along for the ride)and he agreed with me. Since we already had a dummy cruise date we decided to go with the cruise for my 40th bday in Nov.

We'll save DL for next year or the year after when my youngest is a bit older and can tolerate the long flight from PA to CA better and when we have more $$$ so we can take 2 weeks to explore CA and the surrounding areas. I'm not gonna fly all the way out there just to go to DL and not do anything else, as we've never been west of the Mississippi before.

I also think some people love it as they never used the old FP system, so many people were dumb and thought you had to pay for it or did not want to invest the time to learn about it...whereas with FP+ Disney is promoting (like on the Mauros' Disney vacay special on Food network this past weekend) and making it a huge deal so it gets people's attention.