Just returned after a 10 day trip. I know there is much debate as to whether the quality of service and food has suffered and so I thought I would add my thoughts.
We ate at several of our favorite restaurants. The table service restaurants include Le Cellier, Kona (lunch and dinner) , Boma, Liberty Tree (lunch), Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Rose and Crown, and Concourse Grill.
First we noticed that a few restaurants required diners to order all courses at the beginning of the meal. I did not like this. I felt like doing so was like ordering at a fast food restaurant while sitting down. The restaurants this occurred at include Concourse Grill and Liberty Tree.
Adding to the feeling of being in a fast food restaurant was the speed of each meal. Appetizers were brought out in a matter of minutes (usually less than 3). The appetizers were quickly followed by the entree and dessert. Dinners which usually served as a time of rest and enjoyment now last less than 45 minutes. I remember sitting and enjoying a meal with conversations with the wait staff. Now its here's your order - EAT and GET OUT!
The food has suffered. It seems every year more and more restaurants get moved off of our "must do" list and onto our "don't do" list. After this trip we will give a much deserved rest to Concourse Grill, Rose and Crown, and Coral Reef. Some restaurants were okay and barely passed "will we do this again?" standard. These were Liberty Tree and Kona. (Although our waiter at Kona for lunch- Kai was fantastic)
Exceptions to this were Boma and LeCellier. Our dining experience - service and food - in both places was excellent.
Now the counter service meals. I was pleasantly surprised with several CS meals. They include Everything POP, Tangerine Cafe, Wolfgang Puck Express, Earl of Sandwich.
This is the first time we participated in the meal plan. Our experience leads us to believe that the counter service is comparable and sometimes better than the table service restaurants. In addition, some of the food looks the same at both levels of restaurants. For example the cheese cake at Concourse grill looks and tastes very similar to the cheese cake at several counter service restaurants.
As a result, next visit we probably won't do the dining plan. We will eat more at counter service restaurants.
We ate at several of our favorite restaurants. The table service restaurants include Le Cellier, Kona (lunch and dinner) , Boma, Liberty Tree (lunch), Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Rose and Crown, and Concourse Grill.
First we noticed that a few restaurants required diners to order all courses at the beginning of the meal. I did not like this. I felt like doing so was like ordering at a fast food restaurant while sitting down. The restaurants this occurred at include Concourse Grill and Liberty Tree.
Adding to the feeling of being in a fast food restaurant was the speed of each meal. Appetizers were brought out in a matter of minutes (usually less than 3). The appetizers were quickly followed by the entree and dessert. Dinners which usually served as a time of rest and enjoyment now last less than 45 minutes. I remember sitting and enjoying a meal with conversations with the wait staff. Now its here's your order - EAT and GET OUT!
The food has suffered. It seems every year more and more restaurants get moved off of our "must do" list and onto our "don't do" list. After this trip we will give a much deserved rest to Concourse Grill, Rose and Crown, and Coral Reef. Some restaurants were okay and barely passed "will we do this again?" standard. These were Liberty Tree and Kona. (Although our waiter at Kona for lunch- Kai was fantastic)
Exceptions to this were Boma and LeCellier. Our dining experience - service and food - in both places was excellent.
Now the counter service meals. I was pleasantly surprised with several CS meals. They include Everything POP, Tangerine Cafe, Wolfgang Puck Express, Earl of Sandwich.
This is the first time we participated in the meal plan. Our experience leads us to believe that the counter service is comparable and sometimes better than the table service restaurants. In addition, some of the food looks the same at both levels of restaurants. For example the cheese cake at Concourse grill looks and tastes very similar to the cheese cake at several counter service restaurants.
As a result, next visit we probably won't do the dining plan. We will eat more at counter service restaurants.
I have to laugh a bit when people write about the best ribs, burgers or whatever - in most cases it's all the same throughout - cooking method and a few added toppings, seasonings, give or take!! For me, that Peco's Bill burger tastes awesome because I am tired, hungery and hot! It's the same burger at Donald's in AKL but the entire atmosphere of the park is different, it's 11:45 AM and though it tastes fine - Peco's wins!!
