Loved WL, but not Roaring Forks

[rosiep]

I just returned from a split stay at WDW. Stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge; In the past I've also stayed at CSR, CBR, and POFQ. Of all these places I was surprised to find that the WL lacked diversity in the CS department. POFQ was slim pickings as well but POR (withing walking distance) made up for it.

Anyone else find Roaring Forks to be slim pickings?

 

[tndisneyfan]

I agree. We had stayed at CBR and POP. The first time we stayed at WL we were surprised at the lack of variety and the size of the "food court".

 

[Hopefully]

I think what you both experienced is the well known difference in the deluxe level QS offerings. The Deluxe resorts do not have, and do not intend to have, a "Food Court" like the values and even some moderates. It is a difference in the level of resort offerings. The Deluxe resorts offer a variety of sit down restaurants, not found at the Values.
Sorry you were not prepared for this difference.

 

[freewill]

OP: How did Roaring Forks compare to Mara at AKL?

 

[vicki_c]

So much is perception. We almost always stay deluxe and when we have stayed in a moderate, we had never used the food court until a trip about a year ago. So I think Roaring Forks is totally fine - never had a problem finding anything there. And when we did stay at POFQ, I was amazed by all the different choices for food there (you can tell I've never seen a value food court, I guess). So I think it's funny that you think POFQ was slim pickings, when I thought it had so many choices. And I think Roaring Forks is great too.

As the PP said, the deluxes have more limited offerings because there are other options for dining in the resorts.

 

[Nina1]

We always stay at the WL and have no problem with Roaring Forks. Actually, we really enjoy their sandwiches, salads and desserts. Also, I found out last year that I have Celiac disease (no gluten for me anymore), and last year's trip was my first GF dining experience at WDW. The manager at Roaring Forks was so wonderful. She made me probably the best CS lunch I had last year. I hope she's there this year.

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

My first deluxe was AKL and Mara was great. Super nice food court, lovely eating area, all that jazz.

Imagine my shock going from there to Poly...Capt. Cook's was a little small I think that's probably the same thing at WL. Just different from what you're normally used to. I found that the best thing to do was avoiding the CS at "busy" times and it was better.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

At the WL there are 3 restaurants to choose from, where there is only one at the value resorts so they made the restaurants smaller. I really liked roaring forks for a quick lunch, or late quick bite after we got back from the parks one night. The food is cooked to order so it's hot and fresh, that's all I ask for.

 

[GatorLady]

While I agree that there are not a lot of choices at RF, I think the quality makes up for it, especially the sandwich/salad selections.

We usually stay at the Lodge and choose to eat here on our DHS day rather than eat CS there.

 

[rosiep]

I think what you both experienced is the well known difference in the deluxe level QS offerings. The Deluxe resorts do not have, and do not intend to have, a "Food Court" like the values and even some moderates. It is a difference in the level of resort offerings. The Deluxe resorts offer a variety of sit down restaurants, not found at the Values.
Sorry you were not prepared for this difference.

OP: How did Roaring Forks compare to Mara at AKL?

I think this may be where my surprise arose from. I stayed at AKL last year and then again during the first part of this trip. I loved Mara. Foods like hummus and chips, fried shrimp and Falafel were available leading me to think that the Deluxes had extensive CS.

Hopefully: I understand your point. I believe most Deluxes have at least 2 full service restaurants assuming that their clientele would prefer that to CS.

Please know that the food itself at RF was perfectly fine, I simply thought it was small and lacked choices.

Aside from that, the Wilderness Lodge was absolutely beautiful.

 

[rosiep]

My first deluxe was AKL and Mara was great. Super nice food court, lovely eating area, all that jazz.

Imagine my shock going from there to Poly...Capt. Cook's was a little small I think that's probably the same thing at WL. Just different from what you're normally used to. I found that the best thing to do was avoiding the CS at "busy" times and it was better.

I guess Mara's ruining it for the rest of the Deluxe's CS!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

It's definitely small. I had asked over in the WL thread if Roaring Forks was enlarged since 2008. and it hasn't been.

It was a pain finding a place to sit for breakfast in there. My husband complained about it every morning.

It doesn't have alot of choices but we did like what we had. We mostly did breakfast and/or snacks there.

 

[MaryPA]

Stay at Boardwalk - It will make you appreciate Roaring Forks.

I LOVE BOARDWALK - I am not knocking it - no Counter Service really to speak of, unless you count the hot dog cart.

I would be happy to have something even close like RF at Boardwalk.

 

[Colleen27]

Yeah, Roaring Forks is really small when you're used to value/moderate food courts. It seems a lot of the deluxes are that way. We had the same "culture shock" with both the deluxes we've tried - the Beach Club's counter service is even smaller than Roaring Forks, but at least they have Hurricane Hannah's as well (which is pretty good if you can ignore the agressive birds).

 

[troynkasey]

I guess the way we look at it is if you want a counter service to sit down at, the boat ride takes you to MK for many other offerings. We like Roaring Forks for smaller meals or to take back to the room. Mara is nice because they have a lot of room to sit, but we make due with whatever is offered.

I think previous posters are correct that the deluxe resorts have a different focus on options to eat at. And I suspect when designed Roaring Forks was a cheap alternative and more of a "pop in and pop out" type of place. Notice Mara is bigger to reflect the slight change. Same as Artist's Point at SSR. Both have larger areas to eat because they've realized more people will eat there for breakfast or lunch and then use a sitdown meal for dinner.

 

[anjalee6]

I do agree that Roaring Forks is small, but given the fact that there are two other TS restaurants there, I think that is the reason, as others have mentioned. I know the choices are not extensive, but we never find a problem selecting different food items. That being said, when we went to AKL for the first time and went into the Mara we were shocked at the amount of choices they had in comparison. We definately like the Mara better, but Roaring Forks will do.

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

I guess Mara's ruining it for the rest of the Deluxe's CS!

YUP At least at the little places it is cooked fresh which is nice

 

[jstouder]

Roaring Forks has the best sugar cookies. They are dangerous!!!!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Roaring Forks has the best sugar cookies. They are dangerous!!!!

And muffins!!! I think the blueberry muffins were the highlight of my stay there.

 

[si-am]

RF is not only small but SLOOOOOW. We waited over 30 minutes in line for a cheeseburger there during our last stay in August.

Contemporary has the best "food court" of all the deluxes, I think, in terms of size and variety. Mara at AK is a close second.