Positive things about your meals.

[BabyPiglet]

I've been getting wrapped up in all the negative, yucky stuff being said about WDW dining. So I need to hear some positive things. Talk about your favorite restaurant, your best server experience, anything positive!

Thanks.

 

[LowesChevy]

This past October, Citricos was the experience that stood out. Our server Bruce has been at Citricos since it opened as Flagler's originally. He was extremely attentive and courteous throughout the entire meal. He was talkative and friendly, so we asked him about the restaurant and how long he has been there.

He seemed to give all his tables equal attention and service, but maybe a little more to us.

He refilled the wine, brought me more soda and water when I needed them. The food came out at the right times and was presented with care-not just thrown on the table. He was also back within a few mintues to check on the meal to ensure everything was done properly and hot. It was a great evening.

I am going to really make an effort to write down and remember cm's names from now on.

 

[KatMark]

When there this past September, we had a positive experience at all but one of our sit down meals. At LeCellier, beside the food being outstanding as always, our server was out of this world. There were only two of us, but she also had a table of 8 and a table of 6; we never had to flag her down for anything--she was there with refills on our drinks, asked us if we needed/wanted more bread, our meal was served in a timely fashion and she brought out a cupcake for my birthday. I wish I could remember her name (it is probably jotted down somewhere at home). We also had great service and good food at Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch, Plaza Restaurant for dinner, Mama Melrose for dinner and Crystal Palace Character Breakfast.

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

Thank you for asking this! I think sometimes people get so caught up in the bad, they forget to remember the good.

I've never had a totally terrible meal at WDW (I think that is worth noting). Last time we were there we went to Chefs de France (is that the right name?), and I thought our waiter was snotty and couldn't believe when he brought milk for my 2 year old in a glass with no straw (and acted like no one had ever ordered milk in his restaurant before)! But, I remember our food being really good.

I should note our last trip was 4 years ago, so I know things change, but dinner at CP was better than expected (I still remember the adobe pork was yummy) and the character interaction was well organized. I always enjoy CG (my DF said the filet was one of the best he has ever had, and he knows his steak) and our waiter was great with our kids. AP was a hoot, our waiter reminded us of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, he stood very erect and spoke rather precisely. But, he was very attentive, and when my DH admired the cedar plank roasted salmon, he brought us out some cedar planks to take home!

We also ate at WCC and had a satisfying experience (despite what I've read lately). The last night we ate at Tony's. We had ADR at GG, but had to cancel when DD freaked out at characters at CP and then had trouble finding ADR elsewhere. It wasn't the best Italian I ever had, but it was good, and our server was very nice.

We are going again in 7 1/2 weeks! This time without my parents, who like to eat well (hence CG, AP and Chefs last time), so we are slumming a bit this time. We are trying 50's Prime Time, the Princess breakfast at Norway, GG, Tusker House, Kona Cafe, LTT and Restaurant Marrakesh. Hopefully we'll find something to enjoy at all of them.

 

[Hootch]

are positive. We don't frequent the higher end restaurants as much as I like. The meals are centered around things the kids will like. With that in mind I still have enjoyed most aspects of our meal over the last couple of years.

We have done CP dinner, CM breakfast and CRT lunch each of the last two years. I'm not real big on the CM breakfast but the characters are a lot of fun. (My daughter loves Pluto.) The CM dinner is very good for a buffet. There is a wide variety of food to choose from. CRT is probably overpriced (ok you can omit the probably) solely for the food. For the atmosphere and utter joy on my daughter's face, it is not overpriced. The food was actually pretty good both times. We have done a few others. Some are worth the atmosphere and less so the food. Expectations are important.

I have never had a rude or indifferent server. More likely we had people that were above average in service. The poor guy in Prime Time started into routine just as my daughter started a melt down. He recognized the problem and when I finally came back into the restaurant with her he was working to get the food served as quickly as possible.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

We had lots of positives on our last trip (and I'm one of the first to gripe about "wheat" buns for a hot dog made out of a pig's lips and buttholes or for a burger where I have to question what kind of meat the burger is ... as in I doubt this was nice, lean ground beef.)

Biergarten. We went down on a Sunday morning, and just on a whim, I called the day before, Saturday, to see what might be available for lunch at Epcot. Biergarten was. We'd never eaten there, but DH & I are on this German food kick. We can't get enough of it.

Our meal and service was SOOO much fun. And we had no idea you sit with strangers for your meal. Like, REALLY sit with strangers. DH & I were seated with the NICEST couple. We ended up staying for a looooong time, ordered more beers and just had a blast with our new friends, Wayne and Vince. We ended up seeing them all over Epcot throughout the rest of the day and night. And this place is a really good value, too.

Bistro de Paris was another gem. DH & I live just under two hours away, and we go down for short weekend trips and week-long stays every four to six weeks. We're there A LOT. We were both raised as Disney kids and really haven't gone more than a couple months without a WDW visit since we could talk. Bistro de Paris is one restaurant that hasn't been affected by what so many of the other restaurants appear to be affected with (i.e., excruciatingly-high costs for what you get, portion size getting smaller and smaller and loss of creativity in menus).

And even with all the wheat vs. white disappointment, the wheat bread on a pannini is VERY good! I don't care for what's being served with the dogs and hamburgers, but wheat on a tuna sandwich at Columbia Harbor House or on a pannini at Pinocchio Village House, IMO, makes both a much better value since you're seriously full after eating.

 

[magicalcouple]

I could go on and on about my love for Disney Dining- and all that I am still awaiting to experience! It is SO hard to go experience new things when i want to return to so many of the restaurants that I OH so love!

Marrakesh- Food & Atmosphere- Delicious AND Fun!
Rose & Crown- Outdoor Seating with wonderful food and desserts
Mama Melrose- despite always getting truly the worst table there EVERY time, I still enjoy it because the food is yummy.
Brown Derby- Cobb Salad...need I say more?
Liberty Tree Tavern- FANTASMIC character interaction!
The Plaza- wonderful sandwiches, reasonable prices, cozy atmosphere

I could go on and on....but the meal that hooked my DH was the Coral Reef in 2005. It was HIS first visit to the world (certainly not mine!) and we went to the Coral Reef. We ordered the Chef's Selection lunch menu that the offered at the time and our server's name was Mulan. She was the cutest thing and the food was outstanding. We got a table by the aquarium and my husband was hooked.

I HEART DISNEY!

 

[Pakey]

Ca Grill, Jan 2008.

After a long wait for a table, we were seated at a window table (had not requested it) facing the castle about 30 minutes before the fireworks went off. Gary, our wonderful waiter, had some great suggestions for a bottle of wine for the 4 of us to share. It's always nice to get someone knowledgable about the wines they offer and his recommendation turned out to be an excellent choice.

The electrical water pageant went by and Gary came to our table and told us the story of Walt's love for this pageant and that no matter how outdated it gets, it will still play as a tribute to Walt. Having never been a fan of the water pageant, I now at least can appreciate it.

We had a great time, were able to watch the fireworks from our table (in approx 20 visits to this restaurant, this is only the second time we've had a window seat) and enjoyed some outstanding sushi, along with the company of my husband, my lifelong best friend and her husband.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Almost always we have positve meals at WDW. Last trip we went to Biergarten for 1st time in many years and it was great fun. We had dinner at CRT which was marvelous...wonderful prime rib. Sci fi was disappointing as was Coral Reef. Crystal palace was good as was Chef Mickey although both are loud.This is such a personal choice I think everyone has their own opinion of what it should be and what it is.

 

[Tricia1972]

Fun! This will be a good exercise in if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all about it.

I am going to try to say something good about every restaurant that we went to in 2007...

April 2007
LeCellier - Fantastic server! Wonderful Atmosphere, Fillet so tender I could cut it with my fork and it melted in my mouth. Beautiful and fun!

Kona Breakfast - The Polynesian is a pretty resort and I am glad that I got to see it.

Victoria & Albert's - Most amazing dining experience of my life. Period. I wish I could afford to eat here every time we went to Disney. Service, food, atmosphere, everything was just PERFECT.

Mama Melrose - Excellent Steak Gorgonzola. Anniversary cake I purchased was a nice extra touch and well exceeded what I paid for. Truly pixie dust. We had great fun sharing the magic and paid it forward by gifting the rest of the cake to a family of 5. What fun!

Boma Breakfast - The special juice was quite tasty.

October 2007
Spoodles Dinner - There was a really nice guy who was busing tables that kept coming by and making the kids laugh. A touch of Disney magic.

50's PTC Dinner - Cousin Mikey was AMAZING!! What a fun server and absolutely perfect for the role at 50's. He made the whole night.

Chef Mickey's Dinner - It was fun to see our DS turn 2 with Mickey and the gang.

Liberty Tree Tavern - Very nice comfort food. Very cute atmosphere and great character interaction.

Mama Melrose - Chef was wonderful and really worked with me. I wanted the steak Gorgonzola but because I am pregnant, no Gorgonzola for me. He made sure I was taken care of and had an amazing meal.

Whispering Canyon Cafe - How nice to have bottomless milkshakes

Cap'n Jack's - Very fun to get two lobster tails on the DDP

Narcoosee's - what a pretty view to enjoy my red lobster at. The personalized menus for my birthday were a surprise and a very nice touch.

Les Chefs de France - Yummy French Onion Soup

Jiko - FANTASTIC Service, wonderful atmosphere and great food. Wonderful evening all around and what an amazing server!! Also, silly, but I love the bathrooms here. Very luxerious feeling, not at all like the other Disney restaurants (except V&A)

Chef Mickey Breakfast - WONDERFUL character interaction. The kids (and we) had a fantastic time playing with the characters!!

Crystal Palace Supper - Very pretty restaurant. Nice assortment of dessert choices.

 

[TDC Nala]

Jiko's ostrich flatbread was awesome.

(Chef's Special flatbread - may not be there anymore)

 

[bleeps]

It is regularly (and accurately) said that people's expectations are higher when they go to WDW than any other time, anywhere else they go. I *honestly* believe (and said in a kind, gentle voice and with good will in my heart) that if everyone applied the same *standards* that they expect/demand at Disney to all their other dining experiences, they'd never eat out and restaurants would be closing in droves.

Yes, it costs good money to experience WDW. Yes, the restaurants are charging you a premium for the overall experience. And, yes, on any given day at any given restaurant, someone may indeed have poor service or a truly poorly made meal. I'm not claiming that it never happens.

But what I'm (finally ) saying is that if you go to WDW and expect to have a really good time and enjoy yourself, then you will -- and that includes meals. We've been to the World 4 times and are going again this October. We've stayed onsite and eaten all meals (save a SeaWorld trip here and there!) onsite. We've used the DP twice and are using it again in October. We've certainly had meals we liked better than others, had CMs who were amazing and CMs who were just trying to get through their day, but we've never left unhappy. We do TS meals, Signature meals, CS, food carts, the whole nine yards (and we do eat out a fair bit and at a wide range of price levels at home, too).

Don't worry. Be Happy. Choose your meal locations based on your research, on menus, on where you are at the time when you need to eat, and have a great trip.

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

We just got back last week. Had totally awesome meals at Kona, Teppan Edo (the new place in Japan) and of course V & A's.

 

[Tricia1972]

It is regularly (and accurately) said that people's expectations are higher when they go to WDW than any other time, anywhere else they go. I *honestly* believe (and said in a kind, gentle voice and with good will in my heart) that if everyone applied the same *standards* that they expect/demand at Disney to all their other dining experiences, they'd never eat out and restaurants would be closing in droves.

Yes, it costs good money to experience WDW. Yes, the restaurants are charging you a premium for the overall experience. And, yes, on any given day at any given restaurant, someone may indeed have poor service or a truly poorly made meal. I'm not claiming that it never happens.

But what I'm (finally ) saying is that if you go to WDW and expect to have a really good time and enjoy yourself, then you will -- and that includes meals. We've been to the World 4 times and are going again this October. We've stayed onsite and eaten all meals (save a SeaWorld trip here and there!) onsite. We've used the DP twice and are using it again in October. We've certainly had meals we liked better than others, had CMs who were amazing and CMs who were just trying to get through their day, but we've never left unhappy. We do TS meals, Signature meals, CS, food carts, the whole nine yards (and we do eat out a fair bit and at a wide range of price levels at home, too).

Don't worry. Be Happy. Choose your meal locations based on your research, on menus, on where you are at the time when you need to eat, and have a great trip.

I think we may agree.

I believe that occasionally the build up for the food leads to the big let downs. I only dined at two or three locations that I felt that the food was the same or better than what we eat at home when we go out to eat at a regular restaurant. When built up on boards to the 'best meal ever' I think it can be a letdown when you receive average or adequate at Disney. Because you're at Disney the letdown is amplified. The happiest place on earth should be the best place on earth.

(We too dine out frequently while at home and don't discriminate in price ranges either)

 

[BabyPiglet]

It is regularly (and accurately) said that people's expectations are higher when they go to WDW than any other time, anywhere else they go. I *honestly* believe (and said in a kind, gentle voice and with good will in my heart) that if everyone applied the same *standards* that they expect/demand at Disney to all their other dining experiences, they'd never eat out and restaurants would be closing in droves.

Yes, it costs good money to experience WDW. Yes, the restaurants are charging you a premium for the overall experience. And, yes, on any given day at any given restaurant, someone may indeed have poor service or a truly poorly made meal. I'm not claiming that it never happens.

But what I'm (finally ) saying is that if you go to WDW and expect to have a really good time and enjoy yourself, then you will -- and that includes meals. We've been to the World 4 times and are going again this October. We've stayed onsite and eaten all meals (save a SeaWorld trip here and there!) onsite. We've used the DP twice and are using it again in October. We've certainly had meals we liked better than others, had CMs who were amazing and CMs who were just trying to get through their day, but we've never left unhappy. We do TS meals, Signature meals, CS, food carts, the whole nine yards (and we do eat out a fair bit and at a wide range of price levels at home, too).

Don't worry. Be Happy. Choose your meal locations based on your research, on menus, on where you are at the time when you need to eat, and have a great trip.

100% agree.

 

[stellablue]

Oh we had LOTS of great experiences with WDW dining during our trip a few weeks ago! Some highlights:

-Beaches & Cream: We only had about a 10 minute wait to be seated. Our server Maria was so sweet and great. Food was yummy!
-Captain Cooks: Very clean and food was fantastic and they sold Dole Whips!
-50's Prime Time Cafe: To sum it up in one word...Smores!!
-Boma: Food was fantastic and service was great. Very cool atmosphere!
-Mara: They haven't gotten rid of those chicken strips have they?? Great CS!
-Biergarten: This place was tons of fun! I loved the atmosphere and the band. We had a great server (young girl, forgot her name) and food was fantastic!

I am a huge fan of WDW dining

 

[kxmeeh]

we met mulan at coral reef too. she wasn't our waitress that night, but my dd 6 certainly loves the princesses. she wore her mulan costume that night, and our server said, well, we have 2 mulan's in the building tonight, and introduced our 'mulan" to the real mulan working that night. it was pretty neat. My daughter loved that she shared the name. We do love that resteraunt. We have our second visit this coming July, and when I asked the girls which rest. they want to try this time, the only unanimous vote was coral reef. the food was great, even if you don't like seafood. it was a great, relaxing dinner after 3 hours on the plane on our first night.