Olivia's vs DD

Shelly888

DIS Veteran
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
737
We are staying at OKW for 3 nights. I've seen mixed reviews on Olivia's. On arrival day we get to our resort around 3 pm and aren't going to a park. I figure by 5 we will be ready for dinner. I was thinking of trying Olivia's because unless we really like OKW we may never eat there, and some reviews call it a hidden gem.

I think(correct me if I'm wrong) we can take a boat to DD and was intrigued by both T-Rex and Ragland Road's menus. I haven't decide yet if we are getting the DDP or paying OOP.

Is there one that wins out hands down over the others? Is it worth going to DD to eat at either? We will be heading to EPCOT the next day, then MK the day after EPCOT.

:cheer2:Thanks for ideas!
 
I've not had dinner at Raglan Road, but I have had lunch and it was really good. I would consider going there. I've not eaten at T-Rex, but I did go in to see what it's like. It was really noisy (dinosaurs roaring). I gather Raglan Road had Irish dancing (not sure what time it starts), so it probably can get pretty load in there as well.

As for Olivia's; I've had dinner there. The bread is really good, but overall the food is okay. Overall it reminded me of food that I could cook at home. It fell into the category of been there, done that (once is enough).
 
Addressing them separately:
Olivia's is a nice place to eat. More like a home cooking kind of place. I wouldn't quite rate it as a "Hidden Gem" which, to me, implies a really nice meal. I would rate it as a very good place though. You'll find some really good, down-to-earth, food there at reasonable (for Disney) prices.

At DTD you can find just about any kind of dining experience you want. That ranges from counter-service quality food at sit-down restaurants, to some pretty nice stuff, at pretty nice prices. Personally, T-Rex/Rainforest/Planet Hollywood aren't my cup of tea. They tend to be mediocre food and service which you are supposed to overlook because of the "atmosphere". However, places like HOB, Wolfgang Puck's, Fultons or Portobellos will provide a memorable meal.

Just my opinion.
 

We are staying at OKW for 3 nights. I've seen mixed reviews on Olivia's. On arrival day we get to our resort around 3 pm and aren't going to a park. I figure by 5 we will be ready for dinner. I was thinking of trying Olivia's because unless we really like OKW we may never eat there, and some reviews call it a hidden gem.

I think(correct me if I'm wrong) we can take a boat to DD and was intrigued by both T-Rex and Ragland Road's menus. I haven't decide yet if we are getting the DDP or paying OOP.

Is there one that wins out hands down over the others? Is it worth going to DD to eat at either? We will be heading to EPCOT the next day, then MK the day after EPCOT.

:cheer2:Thanks for ideas!


We usually eat at Olivia's at least once each time we stay at OKW (and we've stayed there over 20 times). A lot of times we choose it because we've come back to the villa, crashed, want a decent meal, but don't want to go far. It is very comfortable. The food is good, but it's not Citrico's or the California Grill.

We've also eaten at Raglan Road and T-Rex. I liked Raglan Road for the food and the atmosphere. My DH said he doesn't need to go back. T-Rex is the Rainforest with different creatures. The food is OK, the place is noisy; the service is hit or miss. But my 2 year old DGS liked it. Go figure!
 
I've not had dinner at Raglan Road, but I have had lunch and it was really good. I would consider going there. I've not eaten at T-Rex, but I did go in to see what it's like. It was really noisy (dinosaurs roaring). I gather Raglan Road had Irish dancing (not sure what time it starts), so it probably can get pretty load in there as well.

We ate at Raglan Road last trip before the Irish Dancing started and it was super loud, just from the noise of the patrons. It was undoubtedly a full house based on our waiting 45 minutes beyond the ADR time we had. Chaotic loud. The food was wonderful, but the atmostphere was such that we probably won't be going back. I don't mind some busyness, but this was too much for me.
 
I have had two outstanding prime ribs at Olivia's and will be going back twice on my next trip :dance3:
 
I like Olivia's casual atmosphere, we usually eat there on arrival night! we travel in a party of 6 or 7 and we've always had good food. It's not a 5 star restaurant but then neither are the prices. They have, yes, excellent prime rib, a thick , moist pork chop my son eats each and every time and a lovely key lime pie! Lunch, great burgers and turkey sandwiches!

T-Rex, is much better IMO than Rainforest (same chain). Both times we had good food, pehaps a bit pricy, great ambiance, huge portions (chicken pot pie big enough for 3) and wonderful service!

RR, well the food is good, it is noisy but the one thing they have is this bread pudding with a sauce so good you could put it on a shoe and people would eat it! I don't find it a place kids enjoy though!
 
Interesting!! We are going with Olivia's Cafe for our arrival! I think it gives us an opportunity to try it, it sounds easier and more relaxing. We can walk around OKW, hit the arcade and possibly the pool up, and maybe get a night cap at the pool bar. :goodvibes Very exciting, I can't wait now!
 
I stay at POR and have discovered both Olivia's and the Turf Club at SSR a few years ago. Both gems.

I take the bus from DTD to OKW and have breakfast at Olivia's. Then I take the water taxi to DTD; you get off at the West side stop. I stroll through DTD to the Market Place stop and get o the water taxi to go to SSR.

I hang out there in the afternoon, go back over to Marketplace and then back to POR to catch the ME bus. It has been a nice way to end the trip.

Paradiso 37 is also very, very good - they have great apps, good cold beer and margaritas.

I have had appetizers once at the bar at Raglan Road and dinner once. I actually preferred the apps.

And one of the favorites to do the first day is get a sandwich from EOS, and then a chocolate sundae from Ghiradelli's.
 
We stayed at OKW in September and ate both lunch and dinner at Olivia's. The food was good, but not exceptional. The service was excellent. Our first choice for dinner in that area would be the Turf Club at SSR.
 
Our family really likes Olivia's on arrival day or for a nice relaxing meal after a long day in the parks. We've always had great service (John is the best!) and good food.
 
Our Ratings of Olivia's:
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: D
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: A
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: It is somewhat inconvenient to drive
or take a bus to OKW. The food uniqueness used
to be lovely, but DDP has forced the eatery to
slip greatly in the unique department. Although
pleasant surroundings, the food is only above
average for lunch and dinner, but breakfast is
quite good.
 
Our family really likes Olivia's on arrival day or for a nice relaxing meal after a long day in the parks. We've always had great service (John is the best!) and good food.

John was our server too last Tuesday. He is great! He recommended the Pork Chop(which I would have probably gotten anyway) and the Shrimp and Grits. We got both and we loved them! I need to get the recipe for the Shrimp and Grits. He gave us to-go soda with out being asked, and was just great. Olivia's will be on our do-again list next trip.
 
The Shrimp & Grits are unexpectedly excellent!

Olivia's get's my highest rating for service. The CM actually seem happy to be there.

The food is very good - not fine dining, but never disappointing.
 


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