Overrated TS Restaurants?

[robinb]

Boma used to be - it seems like the quality and quantity of reviews has simmered down to "reasonable."

I think that's because Boma used to be VERY GOOD and is now just good. I noticed a change a couple years ago, starting with the soups. They all used to be out of this world! Beautifully home made with lots of taste ... I would go for the soups and the coconut tiramasu alone. Now, they all taste like cheap thickening agents like guar gum and corn starch. I suspect it's cheaper and faster to thicken a soup with that junk than to actually make a roux.

 

[crisi]

We went when Boma was supposed to be very good (2002 or 2003?). Its my biggest ever Disney dining disappointment and the one that taught me that when DISBoarders say that the food is the "best they've ever had" its a good sign that a restaurant is overhyped. Either that or there are a lot of DISBoarders who never manage to eat well.

In general, I've become really skeptical around here about anything anyone says is a "must" or "the best" - whether that is a restaurant or an attraction or a show - people simply have different tastes and come with different expections. Festival of the Lion King is a great show that I love and really try and see - its not much if you went to La Nouba the night before - which is my husband's issue - he would rather go all out for Cirque than waste his time with FotLK.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

OP here. This is interesting. I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way. I just find it is so annoying that getting ADRs are becoming such a pain at Disney for just what, I believe, are average restaurants.

Don't get me wrong though, I will go and eat and eat and enjoy it anyway!!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Narcoossee's, we first dined there in 1993 or 1994 (don't remember) and it was one of the better places, over the years the food and service seem to have taken a major dip.

we now are skipping this one to try a few others that we havn't done in a couple of years.

I also think that there is a LOT of mis-information about places to dine at WDW. Some of the reviews are done by persons that are probably doing it for no other reason than to post.

Sometimes you begin to doubt if they have even ate there, but have just copied a review from somewhere else.

 

[eliza61]

Le Cellier for us. (this is not a flame, the last time I said Le Cellier was nothing special, I was accused of "looking for negatives" )
It was ok, not bad. just after so many glowing reviews I was really expecting great steak. the steak was ok, but I've had just as good at my local steakhouse.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I completely agree. We are not on the dining plan, but willing to pay the inflated prices for the atmosphere and magic that is Disney. The average entrees served (basic chicken, pasta, and steak) shouldn't cost anywhere near what they charge ($25-40) for the quality that you get.

We feel all the TS restaurants are over-hyped, mediocre at best and way over priced. We never get the dining plan just for the above mentioned. Free dining is not free, just pre-paid and at that price I don't care how you call it, I'm not eating the TS food. I don't pay that kind of money for better meals and better service at home so I'm not going to do it in WDW. We're quite satisfied with CS and food courts and believe it or not, FW's buffet is fabulous. Back in the 70's and 80's, Disney dining was really good and diverse, Fireworks Factory, Pubelo Room, actual sit down and order off the menu other than the chicken, beef, fish deal. We prefer now, our picnic lunches made with groceries picked up in route, visit different food court for something we like, even Casey's hot dogs are better than most TS fares. Yes, after 42 trips over the years, TS has gone down hill more now that this Disney dining has come on board. I wish they would do away with the free dining and go back to open dining where a walk in is welcome and no ADR's' are necessary, it would make trips less stressful and more enjoyable.

 

[eliza61]

Does anyone think that thier opinion of a TS being overated has to do with where they live? Do those who live in Canada find Le Cellier overated because they have better Canadian steak houses locally?

I know they don't have a Cheese Steak place in WDW but if they did I would probably find it over-rated as I live in the Philly burbs and we can get a great cheese steak with a little drive.

You may have some thing there. I was born and raised in NYC plus my family was in the restaurant business until 5 years ago, so I give most of the restaurants at the world an OK. They are ok. I just don't understand how defensive folks on the boards get about that. A couple of days ago I said how I didn't think any of them were special enough for a 25th wedding anniversay I am planning, the flames I got you would I said the Pope was really a drag queen.

 

[eliza61]

We feel all the TS restaurants are over-hyped, mediocre at best and way over priced. We never get the dining plan just for the above mentioned. Free dining is not free, just pre-paid and at that price I don't care how you call it, I'm not eating the TS food. I don't pay that kind of money for better meals and better service at home so I'm not going to do it in WDW. We're quite satisfied with CS and food courts and believe it or not, FW's buffet is fabulous. Back in the 70's and 80's, Disney dining was really good and diverse, Fireworks Factory, Pubelo Room, actual sit down and order off the menu other than the chicken, beef, fish deal. We prefer now, our picnic lunches made with groceries picked up in route, visit different food court for something we like, even Casey's hot dogs are better than most TS fares. Yes, after 42 trips over the years, TS has gone down hill more now that this Disney dining has come on board. I wish they would do away with the free dining and go back to open dining where a walk in is welcome and no ADR's' are necessary, it would make trips less stressful and more enjoyable.

Lord Pepe,
Don't let the people here read this, it's almost blaspheme to say they aren't great!1

 

[Danislee]

As a kid I went to Disney a lot, before there was a Dining Plan, as I'm sure many of you have. I'm from a family of six and have always eaten like an adult. Until the dining plan, I never gave 'TS' restaurants a thought. (Well HDDR because we did this occasionally) But even as a kid I figured they must be pricey, because everything in Disney seemed to be. It used to be, "Oh, you're hungry"? "Here have a $6 turkey leg."

I do wonder if it would be fine to go that route again. However, now there is my pickier husband to think of. Looking at the prices for the restaurants, the tipping alone is what I'm used to spending on dinner. However, as my husband keeps remind me, it is vacation, and it is "free dining," so to speak. I think the Dining Plan is a great value in relation to Disney prices. However, as others have mentioned, in the outside world they can be quite outrageous. And even if it is free dining, it really would suck to get a bad meal. If the TS's don't seem worth it when we go in Sept we may try out the QS plan.

 

[minnie_michelle]

You may have some thing there. I was born and raised in NYC plus my family was in the restaurant business until 5 years ago, so I give most of the restaurants at the world an OK. They are ok. I just don't understand how defensive folks on the boards get about that. A couple of days ago I said how I didn't think any of them were special enough for a 25th wedding anniversay I am planning, the flames I got you would I said the Pope was really a drag queen.

Once again, completely agree. While we are willing to pay extra a few times for the magic of it all during our trip, but we purposely booked our "anniversary dinner" at a very well rated downtown Orlando restaurant. I didn't feel any of the TS or Signature restaurants were special enough for our 1 year annivesary.

 

[3boys4me]

Chef Mickey

 

[crisi]

You may have some thing there. I was born and raised in NYC plus my family was in the restaurant business until 5 years ago, so I give most of the restaurants at the world an OK. They are ok. I just don't understand how defensive folks on the boards get about that. A couple of days ago I said how I didn't think any of them were special enough for a 25th wedding anniversay I am planning, the flames I got you would I said the Pope was really a drag queen.

I think its a foodie thing. If you normally go out to dinner a TGI Fridays, Disney food holds up really well (but its pricey). If your expectations tend to be more toward the foodie end (and not necessarily Ruth's Chris or a Todd English place - just the sort of restaurants that are all over the place in Boston or San Francisco - there is a little cafe in South Minneapolis......) the vast majority of Disney food doesn't hold up.

 

[tinks_1989]

I love disney food i cant wait to be back on the disney diet but do I agree Coral reef wasnt any thing i thought it would be and was very disapointed with it last year

 

[jimmalru80]

'Ohana
Brown Derby

 

[Straughn]

In general, I find most of the TS restaurants in the parks to be overrated. I was disappointed in Le Cellier and the Italian one was one step above Olive Garden. I do think that the food at Citrico's, Jiko, FF and AP can be outstanding. Are they 5 stars-hardly, but they can be a solid 4. I think it depends on what you order, how crowded/busy the place is and how efficient your server is. I have had great meals at all of these and, with the exception of FF (always excellent), average ones as well. I used to be a huge fan of CG, but have to agree with the PP that it is always noisy and it is impossible to get seated anywhere close to your ADR time because of folks hanging out to watch the fireworks.

 

[ScottJoseph]

It's clear that the people who love Le Cellier are those who will not try anything other than steak and potatoes. Nothing wrong with that (well, there is if you're a restaurant critic like I am and like to see people try different things), but just because Le Cell is the only steakhouse in Epcot is no reason to give it undue praise. (Here's a recent review I did on the topic.) So, yes, I would have to go along with those who say Le Cellier is the most overrated table service restaurant in the World.

Scott
Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide

 

[photomama]

Chef Mickey's (breakfast)

 

[eliza61]

It's clear that the people who love Le Cellier are those who will not try anything other than steak and potatoes. Nothing wrong with that (well, there is if you're a restaurant critic like I am and like to see people try different things), but just because Le Cell is the only steakhouse in Epcot is no reason to give it undue praise. (Here's a recent review I did on the topic.) So, yes, I would have to go along with those who say Le Cellier is the most overrated table service restaurant in the World.

Scott
Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide

Whow Scott,
Thanks for the great link. We're going to be at the world for 10 days in August and we've got wheels!! Now I can plan some dining excursions outside the world.

Totally agreed with your review of Le Cellier.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

OP here. This is interesting. I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way. I just find it is so annoying that getting ADRs are becoming such a pain at Disney for just what, I believe, are average restaurants.

Don't get me wrong though, I will go and eat and eat and enjoy it anyway!!

Well it seems like it's a sport now

And I LOVE it, but that's just my super competitive nature I almost booked Le Cellier a couple nights of my trip for 6PM just because I could... but I reeled that craziness in and didn't... I don't LOVE that place, altough it's probably on the list for Sept 2010 only because it still has good value on the DDP.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

In general, I find most of the TS restaurants in the parks to be overrated. I was disappointed in Le Cellier and the Italian one was one step above Olive Garden. I do think that the food at Citrico's, Jiko, FF and AP can be outstanding. Are they 5 stars-hardly, but they can be a solid 4. I think it depends on what you order, how crowded/busy the place is and how efficient your server is. I have had great meals at all of these and, with the exception of FF (always excellent), average ones as well. I used to be a huge fan of CG, but have to agree with the PP that it is always noisy and it is impossible to get seated anywhere close to your ADR time because of folks hanging out to watch the fireworks.

At least you don't need an ADR planned 90 days out to eat at the Olive Garden

AND, you can usually get soup, salad and breadsticks for $5.95!!!