Restaurant regrets

[FutureMrs.Incredible]

Not trying to change your mind, but I've seen multiple reports that Prime Time has toned down the razzing in the past few years. I'm guessing they got enough complaints like yours to change things. We went in July and our server mentioned no elbows on the table and that was it. It was otherwise like a regular restaurant. My kids even got Clean Plate stickers even though they definitely did not clean their plates lol. I was fine with it because my 6yo can be a little sensitive and she probably would not have liked it if the server started teasing her too much. So sorry about your bad experience!!

That makes a lot of sense and makes me feel better. Maybe someday we'll try it again.

 

[Eastern]

Ale and Compass. The service was bad and no one liked their breakfast. $200 down the drain.

How many people were dining? That's a lot for breakfast there.

 

[alltwelve]

Tiffins. I think we just hyped it up way too much in our heads or something after reading all the wonderful reviews of it. Admittedly, our server was incredibly nice, but the atmosphere and food just didn't live up to the hype and insane price. We have tried out the Nomad Lounge next door to Tiffins a couple of times however and have really enjoyed it!

 

[pwdebbie]

Disclaimer -- Our last visit to WDW was in 2015.

I will never go back to Coral Reef. Food was disappointing and two precious hours were wasted in there. Gave it three shots and every visit was disappointing.

Be Our Guest was also a disappointment. Our food was awful, we left hungry and ended up getting cinnamon rolls just to feel like we'd had a meal.

 

[jim01]

Le Cellier- Crammed in a dark spot, needed our phone light to see our meals. Rushed the whole meal (second time we tried, same outcome). Steak was good, just not anywhere close to $50 good. Not sure on the quality of the meat they use to be honest. Apps ok, dessert ok. Most overhyped spot in all of Disney IMHO
They could use a refresh of the place, actually could have used one 10 years ago

same, It was very turn and burn when I went there. If you are spending that much you want to hang out and enjoy it a bit. Plus you are seated very close to other people. I also enjoy table linens, the bare tables makes me feel like I am at Applebees.

 

[JFDIS]

How many people were dining? That's a lot for breakfast there.

Four adults, three toddlers and a baby. We had a lot of great meals that trip (Il Mulino, Hollywood Brown Derby) but that meal was awful.

 

[vakamalua]

As much as we enjoy the music, Raglan Road is always a disappointment. The placed is so packed with tables, you feel like you're sitting with 200 of your 'best friends.' It's really loud (even when the music isn't playing & deafening when it is); you can't carry on a conversation or even think. The food is meh faux-Irish fare; it comes out almost as soon as you order it which means they have pre-prepared & pre-plated the popular dishes.
Have gone there a few times with friends that like it, but I think even they're done with it; maybe next time we'll try to have a drink at the bar and leave after a tune or two.

 

[GraceMonica]

Coral reef. Food was meh. We were sat far from the tank and so even the atmosphere wasn't good. Service wasn't great either.

The plaza disappointed us back in October. The food wasn't that great and the service was lackluster. Definitely the worst meal that trip.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Hollywood and Vine two years ago. No Bueno. Bad buffet. B-A-D. That said we always give bad experiences a second shot to piss us off.

 

[Stephy811]

May be in the minority...but we were very disappointed in Narcoosees. Meh food, subpar service. Just didn‘t have the special occasion vibe we were hoping for...especially for what we paid. I also agree that LeCellier was a one and done for us too...I’d much rather get the filet and soup at the festival booth! Those are the best part anyways!

 

[leebee]

Jaleo. I know people love it and I love Spanish food but they oversalt the Paella. The charcuterie was great but overpriced. I wouldn't go back. Tried it twice.

We went to Jaleo two weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Two of us each had a cocktail, each had a glass of wine, shared 4 tapas, and it was $117 with tax, before the tip. Considering what is and where it is, I didn't think it was terribly expensive, and we were both satisfiable full.

Our biggest restaurant regret is Kona Cafe. It used to be great (I'm talking maybe 15 years ago) but the last two times we were there, the entrees were just plain overcooked. Chicken so dry it was sawdust, scallops so overcooked they were like dry cotton. Sure, we had the entrees replaced, but even they weren't that good. Kona is now off our list.

I'll add Oga's to my "not again" list. We had standing space at the bar, for the 45 minutes they let us stay. Drinks are expensive (even by Disney standards) and the fuzzy tauntaun has some sort of numbing agent in it that made it impossible for me to drink it. I still got to pay for it ($16) but it was not drinkable. I don't like buzzing/burning feeling on my lips, tongue, gums, and throat, thanks. I think Oga's is a cool concept, but... it's not. It's loud, there isn't a lot of the "Star Wars bar scene" vibe that I was anticipating. Maybe if Chewy and Han Solo walked in... but we won't go there again.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Our biggest restaurant regret is Kona Cafe. It used to be great (I'm talking maybe 15 years ago) but the last two times we were there, the entrees were just plain overcooked. Chicken so dry it was sawdust, scallops so overcooked they were like dry cotton. Sure, we had the entrees replaced, but even they weren't that good. Kona is now off our list.

I agree that Kona Cafe used to be great and has declined in recent years. Used to be one of my favorites, and I often went twice per trip. A few years ago they got rid of my favorite menu items (such as the Polynesian plate lunches), and while the menu keeps changing from time to time, I haven't been crazy about their options in recent years.

 

[MissionMouse]

I think we could have one restaurant of regret in each one of our trips. Sometimes based upon the service, comparison to other dining experiences during our vacation, or based upon the food or character/atmosphere of the restaurant.

Examples:
Ohana -love sitting in front of their grill station. Dislike sitting behind the grill station making you feel more part of the lounge vs. table service restaurant.
Whispering Canyon Cafe - waiter obsessed with one table at the expense of all other tables, as this table had a list of all the gags and they wanted to see them all. All other tables forget any interactions, bottomless shake...where it had a bottom...you got one. Other refills or bottomless menu items...forget it. Struggled just to get the bill.

 

[lziol]

Tony’s Town Square. I was warned about this one but it looked so cute they I wanted to try it. It was only okay.

Also on a previous trip we were so disappointed by BOG breakfast. It was a madhouse and very expensive.There were so many people and the food was not great. Never again!

 

[tony67]

We went to Jaleo two weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Two of us each had a cocktail, each had a glass of wine, shared 4 tapas, and it was $117 with tax, before the tip. Considering what is and where it is, I didn't think it was terribly expensive, and we were both satisfiable full.

Our biggest restaurant regret is Kona Cafe. It used to be great (I'm talking maybe 15 years ago) but the last two times we were there, the entrees were just plain overcooked. Chicken so dry it was sawdust, scallops so overcooked they were like dry cotton. Sure, we had the entrees replaced, but even they weren't that good. Kona is now off our list.

I'll add Oga's to my "not again" list. We had standing space at the bar, for the 45 minutes they let us stay. Drinks are expensive (even by Disney standards) and the fuzzy tauntaun has some sort of numbing agent in it that made it impossible for me to drink it. I still got to pay for it ($16) but it was not drinkable. I don't like buzzing/burning feeling on my lips, tongue, gums, and throat, thanks. I think Oga's is a cool concept, but... it's not. It's loud, there isn't a lot of the "Star Wars bar scene" vibe that I was anticipating. Maybe if Chewy and Han Solo walked in... but we won't go there again.

Yeah this is what happens when people who are not really fans of star wars design a start wars park.
Im not particularly a fan myself to be honest, but I do want to check it out.
Based on what I have read what it was meant to be and what it is are a total disappointment.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Hollywood and Vine, Brown Derby... both totally underwhelming and lackluster for the price.

Prime Time & Whispering Canyon - hate the antics.

 

[igrsod]

We've never had a disastrous meal at Disney... and we've eaten too many meals to count.
There are a few restaurants that we did and would probably never do again as they were underwhelming and not worth a revisit for our family.

1. Be Our Guest Dinner
2. Citricos
3. Tony's Town Square
4. Sci Fi
5. 50's Primetime
6. Hollywood and Vine

I would never write a restaurant off for a bad server, as those change all the time. I judge it based on the quality and price of the food.

 

[igrsod]

That makes a lot of sense and makes me feel better. Maybe someday we'll try it again.

It's funny because our family liked the razzing. We prepared our kids for it, so they were ready. They loved seeing their Dad get in trouble and having to stand in the corner.
Some great memories, that they still talk about into their 20s. BUT, we have gone back and had bad experiences there with policies, waitstaff and less than good food... and NO razzing... boring.
So we mostly avoid this restaurant now. We've found others in HS that our group enjoys better.

 

[Merlin's Magic]

May be in the minority...but we were very disappointed in Narcoosees. Meh food, subpar service.

This was our experience. The food was overcooked, and the waitstaff pretty much ignored us. This was about 10 years ago, but we should have known something was up when the restaurant looked half empty.
Others -
Liberty Tree. Food was okay, not great. The place needs more bathrooms.
Coral Reef - we did not appreciate standing there waiting 20 minutes past our reservation time so a party of 10 could drop in and get seated without a reservation.
BoG was meh. The atmosphere was certainly lacking. It had only been open a year or so and already panels were missing from the ceiling and it was looking rundown. However, it did have the one kid's meal my 10yo was willing to eat because it was food he was familiar with, even if the portions were small. Most other places he ordered an adult meal and left half on the plate.

I'm honestly really easy to please when it comes to food and atmosphere. But bad service combined with bad food is just going to ruin everything.

 

[TikiRob]

*checks upcoming 50th ADRs*

...dang.