So much Disney food is terrible

[Minnie1222]

The food was so bad and (to be fair) so disconnected from the cost.

I've seen this key phrase in many discussions about Disney food. It makes me wonder if the food is really that bad, or if it's only unworthy of its price.

 

[tguz]

I don't necessarily disagree but was just at Wailulu for the third time and each time is better than the last...and not particularly too expensive in relation to other Disney restaurants in the area. If at Poly...unless you're looking for a quick service...Wailulu is the place to be.

To be fair I still think Capt. Cook is really decent for a quick serve as is Gasparilla if you walk over to GF.

Does Cap't Cook still have the pulled pork nachos?

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

I've seen this key phrase in many discussions about Disney food. It makes me wonder if the food is really that bad, or if it's only unworthy of its price.

I don't think the food is necessarily bad it just doesn't justify the price tag. This was our reckoning moment a few years ago. La Hacienda, 2 people, 1 Flautas app, 2 shrimp taco meals and 4 margaritas. $265 with tip. The meal was very good but at the end of the day it was tacos and margs. I can get at home for half price. We no longer eat TS for dinner every night as the value just isn't there any longer. Thankfully we stay in a villa and do semi homemade meals now and enjoy relaxing AC time in the villa.

 

[japanese maple]

I have to be honest, you said you are ordering McDonalds for breakfast. I found the quick service breakfast on par or above McDonalds at each hotel we've stayed at. Poly, Beach/Yacht, Gran Destino.

is it fantastic? No. Horrible? No.

 

[alwaysplanningthenexttrip]

I love the noodles with chicken or shrimp at the Polynesian quick serve and also the tomato soup and grilled cheese at the Boardwalk - especially when they have added basil oil to the soup before serving. I do not like the vege/ impossible burgers at WDW though - the texture is too smooth.

 

[bluezy]

I don't think the food is necessarily bad it just doesn't justify the price tag. This was our reckoning moment a few years ago. La Hacienda, 2 people, 1 Flautas app, 2 shrimp taco meals and 4 margaritas. $265 with tip. The meal was very good but at the end of the day it was tacos and margs. I can get at home for half price. We no longer eat TS for dinner every night as the value just isn't there any longer. Thankfully we stay in a villa and do semi homemade meals now and enjoy relaxing AC time in the villa.

I agree. We rarely do TS anymore. When people who like to do TS for every meal at DW question that decision, I always respond with, "We have far better restaurants at home for much less money." I'd rather do things at Disney (like go on rides and go to shows) that I *can't* do at home. We've found several QS restaurants at DW that we enjoy eating meals at. Do they charge too much for the food they serve? Yes. But we've paid way higher prices for lesser quality food at many other amusement parks and sports/entertainment venues. A few years ago I got a bottle of water, a small popcorn, and a box of candy at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. It was $36 and that was *after* my Disney Visa discount. I'm ok paying $15 for an Aloha Pork Sandwich, french fries, and a drink at Capt. Cooks when I'm at Disney.

 

[NickC]

I've never had a truly bad meal at WDW. But, I've also never had a meal that I thought was a good value.
If the pricing was significantly less, I would think that the food is fantastic. It just comes down to value.

 

[eandt]

I've never had a truly bad meal at WDW. But, I've also never had a meal that I thought was a good value.
If the pricing was significantly less, I would think that the food is fantastic. It just comes down to value.

Same …. Only what I believed to be exceptional meals I’ve had there were at Narcoossee and maybe California Grill … otherwise it’s been average to good but definitely not value

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Last year I ended up spending a lot of time at WDW since DD did the DCP. I went down for a mother/daughter trip we had planned before she decided to do the program and then I visited her 3 times along with dropping her off. I spent plenty of time on Disney property and in the parks and ate tons of meals there (mostly QS and Epcot booths).

I still find the food to be really good. I can count on one hand any bad items we had. I feel AK may have the best food in the parks.

Jiko is my favorite restaurant now and the wild boar appetizer is probably the best thing I've ever eaten at WDW. If this was a restaurant in my area I would go there regularly.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

a

I've seen this key phrase in many discussions about Disney food. It makes me wonder if the food is really that bad, or if it's only unworthy of its price.

I think my conclusion at the time (two years ago), was that the food was bad at any price. This time I’m hoping to be more scientific about my analysis - have to figure out the metrics I’ll be applying.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

I agree. We rarely do TS anymore. When people who like to do TS for every meal at DW question that decision, I always respond with, "We have far better restaurants at home for much less money." I'd rather do things at Disney (like go on rides and go to shows) that I *can't* do at home. We've found several QS restaurants at DW that we enjoy eating meals at. Do they charge too much for the food they serve? Yes. But we've paid way higher prices for lesser quality food at many other amusement parks and sports/entertainment venues. A few years ago I got a bottle of water, a small popcorn, and a box of candy at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. It was $36 and that was *after* my Disney Visa discount. I'm ok paying $15 for an Aloha Pork Sandwich, french fries, and a drink at Capt. Cooks when I'm at Disney.

We have some QS stand bys that are reliable. Part of my frustration on this trip was being at the Poly paying for a premium hotel and not being able to get good, quick food at the resort.

 

[HollowxBastion]

The food isn't bad at WDW, just unworthy of the price for the most part. I don't find it overpriced cause let me tell you, i've seen some overpriced food and WDW is more of a premium than overpriced. The trick is you gotta stick with your usuals/go-tos in order to be satisfied with the value and not be disappointed eg. i usually stick to my usuals like Casey's & the eggroll cart in MK, really enjoyed Woody's Lunchbox and all the QS spots in Galaxy's Edge.

I did more table service my most recent trip, a first for me! I will be returning to Akershus, Storybook Dining, Skipper Canteen & 50s Prime Time Diner on future trips.

 

[DVCjj]

I don't think the food is necessarily bad it just doesn't justify the price tag. This was our reckoning moment a few years ago. La Hacienda, 2 people, 1 Flautas app, 2 shrimp taco meals and 4 margaritas. $265 with tip. The meal was very good but at the end of the day it was tacos and margs. I can get at home for half price. We no longer eat TS for dinner every night as the value just isn't there any longer. Thankfully we stay in a villa and do semi homemade meals now and enjoy relaxing AC time in the villa.

Totally agree with you. We ate at La Hacienda for the first time recently and agree the meal was excellent and sorry we never ate there before after many trips. BUT...you are correct.....shocked about the final bill and yes, I agree there are SO MANY GOOD Mexican restaurants in Florida. We are Snowbirds staying in Cocoa Beach and love a local Mexican place called Mexico's Grill. Excellent quality, great marguerites and a low bill.
Been going to Disney literally since it opened (and I live in the Midwest) many times a year and each visit gets more & more expensive. Shockingly so. I feel very bad for large families as mine was only 2 children for many trips and latter years like now, just the 2 of us seniors. And I still think it's expensive only for 2.

 

[hardcorestitch]

right? It would be one thing if it was terrible and cheap, but it is not. Exception is the festival booths at Epcot. Learning all about Uber Eats on this trip to avoid Disney food. And hat tip to Disney Springs, which is not Disney food.

It really depends on where you look or what you expect. You know you and your party best and everyone enjoys the restaurants in Disney in their own way.

Don’t go into a quick service restaurant expecting fancy 1900 Park Fare-level experiences. Some places have unique options… including in resort hotels like Port Orleans.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If you are willing to do some research you can find the best places for your money. I do this for any vacation I go on since I like to eat good food and don't want to waste my money. We also don't mind traveling a bit for good food. We will leave DHS and head over to the Riviera for lunch. We will also skip out of MK and go to one of the monorail resorts for a meal. I really don't find the QS prices that far off from fast food in my area. I mean McDonald's is $13-15 for a meal and you can get a good meal at Primo Piatto for about the same price (minus the drink but you can just drink water for free which we do often).

 

[DVCjj]

We stay at BCV or BWV a lot and the past several years we have walked over to the Dolphin and have gotten their grilled sandwiches....one ham & jam and one roast beef (can't remember what it's called), split them so we get half of each and love them. We have eaten there (FUEL) and have taken out and to the resort while watching TV (fun).
Saved $ and thoroughly enjoy each time.
Better than the Boardwalk Bakery sandwiches. My adult daughters think we're crazy eating in the room but it's peaceful and quiet and we actually like to watch TV while we eat.

Just a suggestion if staying in that area.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

We stay at BCV or BWV a lot and the past several years we have walked over to the Dolphin and have gotten their grilled sandwiches....one ham & jam and one roast beef (can't remember what it's called), split them so we get half of each and love them. We have eaten there (FUEL) and have taken out and to the resort while watching TV (fun).
Saved $ and thoroughly enjoy each time.
Better than the Boardwalk Bakery sandwiches. My adult daughters think we're crazy eating in the room but it's peaceful and quiet and we actually like to watch TV while we eat.

Just a suggestion if staying in that area.

I'll try Fuel next stay @ BCV.

 

[maxiesmom]

That is one of the great things about staying at the Swan and Dolphin--so much good food a short walk away. Blue Zoo, Il Mulino, Flying Fish are all great table service restaurants. Fuel is great to pick up a salad or sandwich (or a brownie!) and have an iced coffee.

 

[kverdon]

While I’ll be the first to agree that Disneyworld food has been on a steady decline since the 90’s, to label it all crap is a bit harsh and unfair. We have eaten at Kona Cafe at the Poly and enjoyed it. We like the Turkey Bahn Mi enough to travel there from our resort this coming trip to have it. Disney food can be hit or miss but to label it all bad is unfair.

I think our biggest gripe would be the growing number of EPCOT table service restaurants that no longer serve Lunch (Rose and Crown, Spice Road Table and now Coral Reef) and the ones that are left no longer have lunch menus and the whole gutting of Sunshine Seasons.