San Angel Inn

[FastPass Dad]

We have always wanted to eat here because of the atmosphere. I've booked it several times on past trips WELL within the 180 day window and had no trouble finding a slot for just about any day/time. But based on all of the negative reviews, I have always ended up cancelling. This year we decided to just do it. I woke up on the 180 day mark and was at my PC by 8 AM and all I could get for the entire 8 days was a lunch res for 3:50 on day 1. The rest of the week had no availability. Is there a reason behind this resurgence? Is there a new chef, a new menu, did the quality improve?

 

[bphilb]

I'm doing the same thing on my next trip and am not cancelling despite the reviews. It's a great pavilion to be in so at worst I'll get to hang in there. What time of the year are going? If it's in December it may be because of Candlelight processional packages maybe. A lot of the EPCOT restaurants showed availability after my 180 days for the Eat to the Beat packages when they came out. It might be something related here. Hopefully someone knows more than me and can help.

 

[FastPass Dad]

We are going in early December.

I'm doing the same thing on my next trip and am not cancelling despite the reviews. It's a great pavilion to be in so at worst I'll get to hang in there. What time of the year are going? If it's in December it may be because of Candlelight processional packages maybe. A lot of the EPCOT restaurants showed availability after my 180 days for the Eat to the Beat packages when they came out. It might be something related here. Hopefully someone knows more than me and can help.

 

[MomOTwins]

I would just check again tomorrow. There is a reported glitch in the system today. I have not been able to modify my rezzies all day, and got pop ups saying that not all "experiences" on the website are currently available.

 

[Moliphino]

I would just check again tomorrow. There is a reported glitch in the system today. I have not been able to modify my rezzies all day, and got pop ups saying that not all "experiences" on the website are currently available.

That's true. I haven't been able to do anything on the website or app all day without getting an error.

 

[KenHutch]

You should never cancel an ADR over anybody's reviews. There are people on this board whose reviews I read almost religiously but they and I disagree strongly about some restaurants. For example we eat at Ohana twice each trip but there are people here who hate it. What you can learn from a lot of reviews is the food. You can read a lot of reviews and sometimes learn the negative reviews come down to one or two dishes and service tend to downgrade a lot of places. What I like you might hate so in the end everyone needs to bite the bullet and try many of these places for themselves.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

If you are that into others views then definitely try Tony's!

 

[FastPass Dad]

That's true. I haven't been able to do anything on the website or app all day without getting an error.

I would just check again tomorrow. There is a reported glitch in the system today. I have not been able to modify my rezzies all day, and got pop ups saying that not all "experiences" on the website are currently available.

It wasn't a technical error yesterday, I've been checking for weeks. It seems they are just booked up.

 

[LibrarianPrincess]

Even if you end up hating the food. The restaurant is simply beautiful. It's worth the atmosphere alone.

Ask for the tables by the river! Enjoy your trip and meal!

 

[rg35]

There's nothing bad about it. Sometimes the service is spotty, but we've never had any issues with the food.

 

[gharter]

Even if you end up hating the food. The restaurant is simply beautiful. It's worth the atmosphere alone.

Ask for the tables by the river! Enjoy your trip and meal!

Very true. Beautiful theming inside. Unfortuantely the tables are extremely close together and loud. And 2 of the worst meals we have had anywhere at WDW. We tried it twice and never again. I love true authentic mexican. This wasn't and was just plain bad.

 

[mrswillson]

This is my husband and I's FAVORITE restaurant. If I could eat here every night and get away with it I would!

The scenery is beautiful. Sitting next to the river, watching the boats go by, and listening to the festival ambiance and chatter from the marketplace is second to none. It's such a unique dining experience that it's worth a trip based on that alone (although we had a very good meal the last time we were there too!)

If you haven't gone already, go. Keep checking back with them for possible better openings if you need. I have had pretty good luck as the date gets closer in past experiences, hopefully you will as well.

 

[Elle23]

San Angel Inn is not a restaurant that gets booked up 180 days out. It is most likely due to them withholding ADRs because of the Candlelight Processional (as someone mentioned).

We ate there on our last trip. It wasn’t terrible but not one we would repeat every trip. The food wasn’t terrible.

Definitely give it a try and decide for yourself! If I listened to negative reviews, we would have never eaten at Coral Reef, and it was our favorite meal last time!

(I would dare say to try Tony’s for yourself....you may actually become the 3rd person who likes it! )

 

[Franrose]

Agree with PPs. I am going for a couple of weeks over Christmas, and had no trouble getting ADRs considered tricky for that period. But no San Angel... I think it will right itself when they decide how many they want to hold back for the Candlelight Processional, and then regular spots will pop up.

 

[Huff]

I ignore reviews completely. Disney has a rather diverse crowd from all over the country and the world. What one person loves the next can't stand. San Angel disappoints those who expect typical Mexican food you find all over the country. What most are used to is Sonoran style from northern MX. Thats your typical burritos, chimichangas, taco's etc. with salsa. While some of that can be found at San Angel for the most part you won't. We love San Angel. It's one of our go to's every trip. Great atmosphere and we've always had great food and service. My only complaint is the tables are rather close together but then, thats rather common at Disney.

There are many Epcot restaurants that are showing no availablility for late Nov. thru Dec. because as others have said, held awaiting release of the candlelight dinner packages. Once those are released ADR's should show up with or without the package. Last year this was June 29th I believe.

 

[LibrarianPrincess]

Very true. Beautiful theming inside. Unfortuantely the tables are extremely close together and loud. And 2 of the worst meals we have had anywhere at WDW. We tried it twice and never again. I love true authentic mexican. This wasn't and was just plain bad.

Didn't they add more tables? To fit more people?

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Last minute is your best bet. Last week I got a same day (same hour actually) ADR at San angel inn. It started to pour at Epcot around 11, and we decided we’d rather sit inside and eat. At 11:00 I got an 11:35 seating for my party of 4, and we had a delightful indoor lunch. I know San Angel gets a bad rap, but we like it. The margaritas are good, and so are the chicken tostadas (appetizer, but definitely large enough for one person’s lunch). And you can’t beat the setting. With an early lunch seating, it wasn’t crowded or loud at all.

 

[Huff]

And 2 of the worst meals we have had anywhere at WDW. We tried it twice and never again. I love true authentic mexican. This wasn't and was just plain bad.

I find it very authentic. Problem is that many people feel authentic means similar to Sonoran style commonly found at most authentic MX restaurants around the country. San Angel is closer to the southern MX style and people aren't used to that. May not be your style but we love it!!

 

[Scifidiner]

I consider San Angel to be like Coral reef or Sci Fi dine in, I'm there for the atmosphere. I really don't expect the food to be super great, and I'm usually not disappointed.

 

[maryj11]

I have done the same thing. I book San Angel then cancel. I keep wanting to try it then talk myself out of it. I keep going back and forth