Noise levels in some restaurants

[tmorse65]

We had dinner at MGM's Hollywood and Vine and I could not believe the noise level. We could barely speak to each other and the noise was almost painful on the ears.
Wondering if anyone has ever tested decible levels in some of these places. Seems almost loud enough to cause hearing damage. Will have to bring ear plugs next time.
Boma at AKL was pretty loud as well.
We also renamed Whispering Canyons at WLodge Screaming Canyons.
I think it's a shame that the food is so good only to have the experience spoiled by such loud noise. There must be some way to lower the levels or do they want it this way?
My favorites are Artists Point, Brown Derby (have the grilled tuna medium rare, unbelievable) and Jiko, but we can't always spend that much.

 

[bicker]

There does seem to be a correlation between how much you spend and how pleasant and relaxing of a restaurant experience you enjoy. However, there are some exceptions: Flying Fish and California Grill are both expensive and can often been loud as well. By the same token, the moderate resort restaurants are often less expensive (except Maya Grill) while still being pleasant and relaxing.

 

[civileng68]

It's somewhat true.

Now, we've still had loud times in higher priced dining, but, the cheaper places are where people take their children as the kids have more fun ,but, I agree............the noise levels can just ruin your experience.

My wife and I (dont flame, this is our opinion after years of being AP holders and going alot), have found a more relaxing and enjoyable experience by leaving the parks, and going to a nice off-site restaurant and enjoying, relaxation, peace and quiet.

 

[Rneighh]

We ate Kona Cafe for the first time on our recent trip. NEVER AGAIN!!! It was very loud.

Renee

 

[Karnak]

I expect the WDW restaurants to be noisy because of all the excited children, and very often, characters walk around adding to the excitment. If relaxation were important to me while visiting WDW, I would, as someone suggested earlier, go outside the world to eat. (Or eat at the California Grill.)

Actually, I think it's fun to watch (and hear) the hustle and bustle of crowds enjoying themselves. Part of the fun (especially on my solo trips), is people watching.

Never thought to rate the noise level at any restaurant at WDW, but if memory serves, perhaps the Crystal Palace was the loudest. (And lots of fun to watch the crowds as well.)

Enjoy.

 

[Vivianne]

I expect it to be that way during busy meal hours. DH and I enjoyed ourselves at the Kona Cafe for a late breakfast. Of course, most people were at the parks. Try dining a little earlier or later. Unless your there during peak times.


Yea, 400th post. I hope I've said something of value to this point.

 

[Minnie824]

If you want quiet...go to restaurant marrakesh...you could hear a pin drop! Which, unfortunately, was not what we wanted with our 19mo who wanted to make noise. We didn't really care for the food, but it was definitely quiet.

 

[2pinkpiglet2]

Sometimes it does depend on your dining time. Day of week has some effect, too. Especially in the value season. We ate at California Grill for my birthday and were lucky enough to be seated in the back room. Wonderfully quiet!

 

[Ears2You]

Many restaurants are very noisy, some louder than is safe for a person's ears for a long amount of time- regardless if they are at Disney or not. There are a few things you can do to limit the amount of noise you hear while you are at a restuarant- or any noisy place for that mattter. For one, sit at a corner table. It will be easier to hear if sit with your back to the corner. Also, try to stay away from the kitchen and serving areas. These are the easiest things to do.

Another reason why the nice restaurants are possilby not noisy may be becuase they are more nicely decorated. I believe Hollywood and Vine does not have carpet (I could be wrong b/c I have never eaten there). Carpet also helps to reduce the noise level. Even things like cotton table cloths (for the most part at nicer restaurants) and curtains/drapes help to keep the noise level down. All of these items mentioned above help to absorb the noise levels in a room and reduce reverberation.

 

[civileng68]

Honestly I expect noise but, I think it gets to a point where it's a little un-nerving. As the OP, there are times where when it's so loud that you cannot even talk to the person at your table (my wife and I were yelling to talk at Prime Time).

Noise is fine, but when you can't even hear people at your table, it's too loud, and to me, un-enjoyable.

I find that restaraunts like LTT are loud but not overly loud. But some are just rediculous.

 

[ncbyrne]

In our experience, the loudest restaurant was Chef's deFrance in Epcot. We sat in the front near the window and it was so noisy we couldn't enjoy the meal. The CM said it was because of the tin ceiling - perhaps she was right, but in any case, we won't be dining in France again.

 

[Quinn222]

I agree that a noisy restaurant is unpleasant, however, in most cases it's not the restaurant that's noisy, it's the people in it. All it takes is a few loud parties and everyone around them raises their voices to be heard and it just escalates. You'll find it more in less expensive restaurant because you'll have more kids whose parents aren't inclined to enforce 'indoor voices' and there is going to be less noise deadening decoration. It's a vicious cycle.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

This past early December I had a character breakfast at The Crystal Palace.
I was solo. If I did have a companion with me, we would not be able to hear each other. The architecture is fabulous, but the acoustics were bad.
It was terribly noisy, and very hectic, and it was the perfect recipe for really bad indigestion. I would not do that one again !

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Coral Reef is one of the loudest, right up there with 'Ohana to me.

 

[bicker]

When did this happen? I remember Coral Reef as a relatively quiet restaurant.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When did this happen? I remember Coral Reef as a relatively quiet restaurant.

We were there in January and it was very loud. Lots of kids and the glass aquarium walls don't absorb the noise. Maybe since the Dining Plan took off?

We were seated along the back wall facing the aquarium and could hardly hear each other talk.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you want quiet...go to restaurant marrakesh...you could hear a pin drop! Which, unfortunately, was not what we wanted with our 19mo who wanted to make noise. We didn't really care for the food, but it was definitely quiet.

We love the food at Marrakesh, and I agree that it is quiet most of the time (and blessedly COOL when it is hot outside), but I'd be hard pressed to consider the belly dance act noiseless.

Yes, there *is* a belly dance act, with an actual belly dancer with scarves and bare belly and everything. (DH likes to joke that most men must not realize this, or the place would have a lot more traffic.) Most of the dancers will come and take a little girl out of the crowd to dance if there is one there -- it's cute as can be.

My vote for noisiest restaurant goes to Chef Mickey's. You can actually hear the dishes clanking from inside the monorail when the doors open. We've always been afraid to try the place because of the noise (well, that and our DS flat refuses to eat anywhere near a character.)

 

[DeterminedOne]

Other loud restaurants - Planet Hollywood, Narcoossee's, Fulton's CH, Portobello YC. As someone else mentioned I think some of it has to do with whether the place is carpeted.

 

[k5thbeatle]

The Coral Reef is one of the loudest, right up there with 'Ohana to me.

Ditto that! The sounds seem to echo off the glass and amplify it!

 

[DrTomorrow]

civileng68 - no flames here. We've found (emtpy nesters, AP holders, DVC owners) that dining on-site at WDW is just not for us. The noise is a minor issue; we just don't feel that we get value for the money. There are exceptions: when we celebrated our 25th Anniversary w/dinner at 'Ohana (special place to us) we asked to be seated away from the races, and got a great - and pretty quite - seat by the window overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon. But we usually eat dinner off-site - quieter, better food and lower cost.

IMHO - YMMV