Signature? Worth it?

[bluwater]

Maybe this has been posted before - sorry if it has.

Last August, when we went to WDW for free dining, we dined at several Signature restaurants. They were good...but seemed just shy of the mark where they were worth double dining credits. I felt like I could have been just as happy with single-credit places. Flying Fish was the worst of the lot.

Does anyone feel that any of the Signature places are really worth the 2 credits? Would you really give up 2 full TS meals in exchange for 1 meal in one of the Signature places?

I cannot remember one...

Best meal we had was at Jiko - it was almost worth 2. Others...not so much.

 

[okwminnie]

Of course, this is a matter of opinion, but my DH and I both feel that Narcoosee's is worth using 2 dining credits. We have been on the dining plan (but not on the free dining) for our last few trips, and have enjoyed wonderful meals at Narcoosees. We have also dined at Artist Point and Yachtsman, and although enjoyed good meals, not worth 2 credits - again, just our opinion.
We will be there in December and are looking forward to our lobsters!

 

[iluvpluto27]

Personally, I just prefer the overall experience, including food quality and service and signature restaurants and would give up 2 TS credits for them. We had the DDP last year for 21 nights and did 5 signature meals, we enjoyed them so much more than 1TS places we booked the DXDDP so we can dine in one almost every night of our upcoming trip.

However we don't have children, so fine dining is a big part of our holiday and we have no problems sitting through a 2 hour meal every night. As an aside, the atmosphere at Flying fish wasn't quite what I was expecting from a signature meal, service was atrocious but I thought the food was fantastic!

However as to if they are worth it monetarily on the DDP now, without the appetiser included, I don't think you get value for money anymore.

 

[beroh2253]

I don't know if this is a signature but is 2TS the Hoop De Do I think is worth it you get the App (salad), entree, desert, all the beer or wine you can drink and also get to see a show and includes tax and tip.

 

[tiger4me2]

I think Narcoosee'sis worth the 2 TS pp. try going each time we go.

 

[JimMIA]

For 2008, I don't think any 2 TS is worth it on the regular DDP. Experiences from previous years are irrelevent because the whole landscape of DDP has changed.

Considering that neither the appetizer (one of the best features of many "Signature" restaurants) nor the gratuity are included, I think Signature is a bad deal now.

We enjoyed it before when everything was included, but now it's kind of a double-gyp. First of all, you don't get the appetizer, and secondly, you have to pay the tip on prices which are grossly inflated to begin with.

Whether it's worth it on the Deluxe DDP, I haven't calculated. My guess is, it's not.

If you want some excellent dining experiences, I'd either eat offsite, or pay OOP for those meals.

 

[WishesQueen]

For 2008, I don't think any 2 TS is worth it on the regular DDP. Experiences from previous years are irrelevent because the whole landscape of DDP has changed.

Considering that neither the appetizer (one of the best features of many "Signature" restaurants) nor the gratuity are included, I think Signature is a bad deal now.

We enjoyed it before when everything was included, but now it's kind of a double-gyp. First of all, you don't get the appetizer, and secondly, you have to pay the tip on prices which are grossly inflated to begin with.

Whether it's worth it on the Deluxe DDP, I haven't calculated. My guess is, it's not.

If you want some excellent dining experiences, I'd either eat offsite, or pay OOP for those meals.

I agree, I just cancelled all my signature ressies, I assumed that because I was using 2TS I was at least getting appies. When I called she confirmed that no appies were included.

I love the signature restaurants and if the DDP is affortable I will definitely try it next year and enjoy them, but for now there are some really great restaurants that are only 1 TS.

 

[jdb1232]

I agree with the bad deal on signature restaurants, We have always used the DDP, we have a list of favorites the we return to yearly. This past trip we tried the Flying Fish for a change. It was our first signature rest. and our last. Don't get me wrong it was good, but not that good. The Coral Reef and Le Celliar were hands above the old Flying Fish. The worst part was that we forgot about the signature part and when we went to Coral Reef the next day we had to swallow a $243.00 lunch bill because we were out of Table Services, Ouch...

 

[WishesQueen]

Ouch is right!!!

Also don't forget Tutta Italia. Friends of ours just back and said it was amazing and we're all Italian Americans from NY so it had to be good. We trying it this trip. I have also heard great things about France.

We also thought Wolf Gang Puck Cafe was Awesome!! Its worth to pay OOP for an appi or two they were great!!!

 

[jdb1232]

Thanks for the advice, we haven't tried either one yet.

 

[amyy]

Thanks for posting this. We are doing the California Grill in August. If I ate there with the menu posted on All Ears I would pick the hand crafted spinch ravioli for $23 and dessert for $10. I guess I would be better to pay out of pocket rather then 2 credits. For some reason I assumed we would get the First Course with the DDP.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Only the Deluxe plans include appetizers with adult meal credits for 2008, which for us, was all the more reason to upgrade to the deluxe dining plan (plus the additional 2 TS credits a day).

 

[WishesQueen]

Thanks for posting this. We are doing the California Grill in August. If I ate there with the menu posted on All Ears I would pick the hand crafted spinch ravioli for $23 and dessert for $10. I guess I would be better to pay out of pocket rather then 2 credits. For some reason I assumed we would get the First Course with the DDP.

The Disney reservation agent suggested to sit in the lounge at the Cali Grill. Its part of the dining room over to the right. I think its a bar and some table scattered around.

Also, I know alot of people sit at the counter in the Cali Grill. We can't do that with the kids.

Just another suggestion!!

 

[bluwater]

WishesQueen,

Are you saying that you can sit in the lounge and get the same food for only 1TS credit, as opposed to 2?

 

[JimMIA]

WishesQueen,

Are you saying that you can sit in the lounge and get the same food for only 1TS credit, as opposed to 2?

I hope not, 'cause it ain't happening!

 

[WishesQueen]

Come to think of it, I should have asked that!! She was trying to accomodate me because they were booked for the time and day I was interested in. I decided not to go there at all, so I am not sure of that question.

I do know people that ate at the bar, they just grabbed some sushi and a glass of wine and paid OOP!!

Sorry, I can't help with that question, if I call to change any of the ADRs I'll ask!!

 

[disneyquilter]

For 2008, I don't think any 2 TS is worth it on the regular DDP. Experiences from previous years are irrelevent because the whole landscape of DDP has changed.

Considering that neither the appetizer (one of the best features of many "Signature" restaurants) nor the gratuity are included, I think Signature is a bad deal now.

We enjoyed it before when everything was included, but now it's kind of a double-gyp. First of all, you don't get the appetizer, and secondly, you have to pay the tip on prices which are grossly inflated to begin with.

Whether it's worth it on the Deluxe DDP, I haven't calculated. My guess is, it's not.

If you want some excellent dining experiences, I'd either eat offsite, or pay OOP for those meals.

I agree, the next time we go to the World, we are paying OOP for our signature experiences.