Signature Dining Value

[Yahweh]

It seems that because regular sit-down restaurants/buffets have all increased a lot in price, the real value (In Disney terms of course) may be found within the signature restaurants when one is not on the dining plan.

I personally find the food at the signature restaurants so far and away better than the 1 credit restaurants, that the extra 20%-40% for an entrée, and 10-20% for dessert is in my mind a much better value. Especially when you include the level of service and ambiance, and the greater ease of nabbing a reservation.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I personally find the food at the signature restaurants so far and away better than the 1 credit restaurants, that the extra 20%-40% for an entrée, and 10-20% for dessert is in my mind a much better value.

Absolutely.

 

[CraigInPA]

I agree.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

Yes! We do more signature restaurants than anything. We are AP holders with a TIW card and don't do the dining plan. I think the "free dining" is one reason the prices are increasing. What do you think @TheRustyScupper? Any insider insight?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We are doing alot more signatures too. We still hit our regulars too.

 

[rwdavis2]

Agreed as well.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I've been a big believer in this for quite a few years once we dumped the dining plans for good. Better service, better beer and wine selections most of the time, better variety and more unique menus.

 

[supersnoop]

I find the appetizers to be the best part of signature dining. We usually split one or two and split a meal. So, signatures are less expensive that many "regular" meals for us.

 

[LSUfan4444]

No doubt. My wife, daughter and I usually start 2-3 apps (or two apps and some soup). Then we get a side salad for our daughter and my wife and I will split an entree and sometimes an entree salad as well depending on how hungry we are. I love the exposure to so many more menu items.

 

[hookedonears]

It seems that because regular sit-down restaurants/buffets have all increased a lot in price, the real value (In Disney terms of course) may be found within the signature restaurants when one is not on the dining plan.

I personally find the food at the signature restaurants so far and away better than the 1 credit restaurants, that the extra 20%-40% for an entrée, and 10-20% for dessert is in my mind a much better value. Especially when you include the level of service and ambiance, and the greater ease of nabbing a reservation.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Agree 100%, have been preaching this for years. With the exception of a few Character meals (not all), stick with Signature Dining or Counter Service. Stay away from regular Table Service, also the more atmosphere/entertainment dining there is, ie San Angel, Whispering Canyon, Coral Reef, etc. etc. etc., the worse the food is.

 

[Masonmj84]

We mostly stick to signature for dinners for the reasons stated elsewhere in this thread. The food quality and service is just soo much better than regular table service. We've also found the resort signatures are, on average, quite a bit better than park signatures.

Along those lines (and even though I don't use dining plans anymore), I can't fathom using 2 credits for a character buffet (as is rumored) or, for that matter, any buffet (including Boma). Even at 1 credit, we think it's a waste to do character dining for dinner because of the opportunity cost of missing out on a signficantly better signature dining experience (if you must do character meals, do them for breakfast).

All that being said, there are a few decent one credit table service restaurants. But they are few and far between.

 

[Yahweh]

I find the appetizers to be the best part of signature dining. We usually split one or two and split a meal. So, signatures are less expensive that many "regular" meals for us.

Because we are not big eaters (quality over quantity!), we rarely order appetizers; simply too much food with two mains. I've never actually considered ordering appetizers and splitting a main course. We are totally going to do that this trip!

 

[beansmom]

Because we are not big eaters (quality over quantity!), we rarely order appetizers; simply too much food with two mains. I've never actually considered ordering appetizers and splitting a main course. We are totally going to do that this trip!

we often get one appetizer and one entree plus dessert and we are stuffed at the end of the meal.

 

[Dean Marino]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

REAL Signatures are wonderful. Just be a bit wary of the "fake SIGS" at WDW that were "promoted" for economic reasons. My wife and I know which these are.... and we avoid them, and don't talk about them because it generates nothing but negative replies.

PERSONALLY - I would love to see TheRustyScupper detail the five lowest ranked "SIGS" on his list. Again, personal opinion - I suspect these would qualify on our PERSONAL "Fake SIG" list.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

REAL Signatures are wonderful. Just be a bit wary of the "fake SIGS" at WDW that were "promoted" for economic reasons. My wife and I know which these are.... and we avoid them, and don't talk about them because it generates nothing but negative replies.

PERSONALLY - I would love to see TheRustyScupper detail the five lowest ranked "SIGS" on his list. Again, personal opinion - I suspect these would qualify on our PERSONAL "Fake SIG" list.

I would like to see his list too

 

[Candycane83]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

REAL Signatures are wonderful. Just be a bit wary of the "fake SIGS" at WDW that were "promoted" for economic reasons. My wife and I know which these are.... and we avoid them, and don't talk about them because it generates nothing but negative replies.

PERSONALLY - I would love to see TheRustyScupper detail the five lowest ranked "SIGS" on his list. Again, personal opinion - I suspect these would qualify on our PERSONAL "Fake SIG" list.

I'd love to see this list too please!

 

[supersnoop]

All personal opinion - I'm not right, you aren't wrong....

REAL Signatures are wonderful. Just be a bit wary of the "fake SIGS" at WDW that were "promoted" for economic reasons. My wife and I know which these are.... and we avoid them, and don't talk about them because it generates nothing but negative replies.

PERSONALLY - I would love to see TheRustyScupper detail the five lowest ranked "SIGS" on his list. Again, personal opinion - I suspect these would qualify on our PERSONAL "Fake SIG" list.

I tend to put the signatures in two groups: Resort Signatures and Park Signatures. The resort signatures are far superior. I only go to The Brown Derby for the Chopped Cobb and Grapefruit Cake.

 

[Yahweh]

This would be my list of bottom five signatures, with 1 being the worst.


1. The Dining Room Wolfgang Pucks

2. Fulton’s Crab House (We’ll see how Paddlefish compares)

3. Cinderella’s Royal Table

4. Morimoto Asia Dinner (according to the reviews)

5. California Grill/Le Cellier /Hollywood Brown Derby


What to put at number 5 is very difficult for me. As I have had wonderful experiences at each, but also have be underwhelmed on the rare occasion. California Grill in particular I struggle with. We go every trip, and had both my best and most disappointing (not worse mind you) restaurant experience there. Monsieur Paul is one that I haven’t tried but am planning to this trip.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

This would be my list of bottom five signatures, with 1 being the worst.


1. The Dining Room Wolfgang Pucks

2. Fulton’s Crab House (We’ll see how Paddlefish compares)

3. Cinderella’s Royal Table

4. Morimoto Asia Dinner (according to the reviews)

5. California Grill/Le Cellier /Hollywood Brown Derby


What to put at number 5 is very difficult for me. As I have had wonderful experiences at each, but also have be underwhelmed on the rare occasion. California Grill in particular I struggle with. We go every trip, and had both my best and most disappointing (not worse mind you) restaurant experience there. Monsieur Paul is one that I haven’t tried but am planning to this trip.

What are your top 5?

 

[Yahweh]

What are your top 5?

1. Jiko
2. Artist Point
3. Flying Fish
4. Narcoossee's
5.
Bluezoo

This would be my list with a couple of caveats. Victoria & Alberts should be everyone's number one, but it's kind of a outlier as a signature..Definitely worth the money in my opinion. Second is California Grill could easy be my number one most times we are there. But two recent bad experiences kind of made me sour on it a bit. I'll still go to CG on my next trip and I expect to fall in love with it again though! How about you?