So Not Impressed: My First Disney Dining Experience (no meal plan)

[LuluLovesDisney]

I love Disney food, but part of it is that it is like staying in a relationship because you are "comfortable" and you have good memories together. If I am truly honest, Disney food is nowhere near as great as it once was. I still love Bluezoo, California Grill, Artist Point and Narcoossee's for signatures and I still love Boma buffet (Dilly is the best server!) but with so many unique items (the FRESH green beans with bacon and an Asian glaze from 'Ohana) replaced by lackluster prepackaged tasting items (the mixed veggies now at 'Ohana) and so many items shrinking in size (the adult milk shakes at Sci Fi moving from a milkshake glass to a juice glass) or quality (the prime rib at the buffets being replaced with gristly beef roasts or turkey) or simply removing the magical extras (Mickey shaped butter at CRT, ice cream and chocolate decorations on the Chocolate Wave at the Coral Reef) it gets disappointing after awhile. Disney was once lauded for its innovative dining. I've spoken to a few chefs and servers who are also feeling low morale and a budgets that restrict the quality they're able to offer. There are still some great options in WDW, but they are mostly pricey. To be honest, I'd rather pay more and get more (more as in better NOT quantity!) than what I see in WDW now.

 

[Danibelle]

WOW...Bahama Breeze phenomenal. To each his own.

I agree. I don't go to Orlando to eat at the same old places found in every city!

 

[lisalis]

I just took my son to Tusker House last week and Donald was only taking pictures. In fact, after waiting 15 minutes past the reservation time they wanted us to wait in a long line to get our picture taken with Donald before being seated. Which they then wanted to sell us for $30 later. It is more disappointing to eat at Disney without the dining plan. The food is just way over priced for what you get. For MIL, my 4 year old, and me, it cost $73 including the tip. The best food I had all week was a flat bread at POP and their beef and bleu sandwich.

 

[BLTLDZ]

We have been going for 9 years and while the food is not gourmet we have always had good experiences. It is more the fun than the quality and the food has lways been ok Maybe next time you will have better luck! Don't give up

I was thinking the same thing. DH & I are definitely somewhat "food snobs". Having said that, I have pretty much enjoyed every place we have eaten in disney thus far, EXCEPT The CS in Morocco at Epcot. we have eaten in Restaurant Marrakeah for dinner, and enjoyed it, but would not rush back. However, the Boulangerrie or whatever you call it? YUCK! Pita was stale and the lamb was gross

 

[cymbaldiva]

I agree. I don't go to Orlando to eat at the same old places found in every city!

I'm in Texas - we don't have Bahama Breeze here. I think it would be refreshing to try something different at a reasonable price =)

 

[ehrn]

We were very unimpressed on our last trip in August as well. First of all, it's painful to pay such a steep price for Crystal Palace and watch your son eat 3 strawberries, lol! Of course we also went for the characters, but still. Via Napoli was outrageously expensive and not very good at all. Ohana dinner was a winner though, and strangely, all of our counter service experiences were ok to really good. Ugh, T-Rex was a disaster but our son was just sure he had to try it--then was scared to death of the dinosaurs, typical, lol. We didn't do Le Cellier last time but I never thought it was as good as the first time on subsequent visits. I agree though, the food tastes better w/Free Dining.
We ate off property a lot--one of our best meals was the pizza and salad from Flippers, very good! Since we had a kitchen this time we even got to enjoy the leftovers. We liked Earl of Sandwich and Sweet Tomatoes(a chain but we dont' have any near us) and my personal favorite--Mimi's Cafe. Mimi's is also a(limited) chain but we have none near us and the food is great. It's a bit of a hike though(near Mall at Millenia), but we went for dinner twice and breakfast on our way to the airport.
I did not go hungry and any meal I don't have to cook will suffice. Still, it's nice when the food/prices/service are all good, especially while on vacation!!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you Coopersmom for your review. I agree with you. And maybe if enough of us start speaking up and taking our dining dollars elsewhere, Disney will wake up and polish those old gems they let decay...

I love Disney food, but part of it is that it is like staying in a relationship because you are "comfortable" and you have good memories together. If I am truly honest, Disney food is nowhere near as great as it once was. I still love Bluezoo, California Grill, Artist Point and Narcoossee's for signatures and I still love Boma buffet (Dilly is the best server!) but with so many unique items (the FRESH green beans with bacon and an Asian glaze from 'Ohana) replaced by lackluster prepackaged tasting items (the mixed veggies now at 'Ohana) and so many items shrinking in size (the adult milk shakes at Sci Fi moving from a milkshake glass to a juice glass) or quality (the prime rib at the buffets being replaced with gristly beef roasts or turkey) or simply removing the magical extras (Mickey shaped butter at CRT, ice cream and chocolate decorations on the Chocolate Wave at the Coral Reef) it gets disappointing after awhile. Disney was once lauded for its innovative dining. I've spoken to a few chefs and servers who are also feeling low morale and a budgets that restrict the quality they're able to offer. There are still some great options in WDW, but they are mostly pricey. To be honest, I'd rather pay more and get more (more as in better NOT quantity!) than what I see in WDW now.

Couldn't have said it better...[/COLOR

QUOTE=tinkandonaldfans;39268123]I think that paying out of pocket can mean that Disney meals can go from ok/good to poor due to the price. And it can be worse when you have bad service on top!

I enjoyed our food on our last trip but that was free dining so that may have swayed my thoughts on the matter, perhaps I would think differently paying out of my pocket.

I'm sorry you had a bad time, but at least you son had some memorable experiences that will probably stick with him for a long time![/QUOTE]

I've heard people on these boards blame the lack of quality food on free dining. I'm not so sure I agree with this line of reasoning. They still have plenty of customers paying full price for mediocre food at best. We've used the DxDDP twice on past trips - and have noticed a decline in the quality of the food. We won't be purchasing any dining plan this time. We just don't like enough of the food!

Thank you for posting your dining thoughts. The review was very detailed and thoughtful.

I agree

There's no excuse for poor food that is ambitiously priced.You're right to be disappointed.

I TOTALLY agree!

If Disney matched the great atmosphere at most of their restaurants with even just good food, we'd sign on in a minute! And they sure know how to plate! All those pics on the food porn sites make my mouth water!
Would love to try V & A someday - it's on my Bucket List.

 

[Belle5]

I'm in Texas - we don't have Bahama Breeze here. I think it would be refreshing to try something different at a reasonable price =)

Well... we DID have Bahama Breeze here in Texas...it went out of business. It was a pretty unimpressive place, IMO.

 

[tsme]

I've only been to one restaurant at DW that was really not good & that was the ABC Commissary. Yuk! All the others ranged from okay (McD's quality) to awesome. Next time you go to the Main Street Bakery get the strawberries, totally yummy.
And I think we were at DW the same time you were & it was so very cold.
I hope next time you have a better experience with the food.

 

[Sweettears]

I am so sorry that you all had such a bad food experience on your trip. We loved the Disney food when there in September, but we didn't eat at any of the places you did. Next time it may be better for you if you try different places. We loved Jiko (we ate there two days in a row it was so good), Sanaa, Kouzzina, Grand Floridian Cafe, Artist Point, Wolfgang Puck and Brown Derby.

Agreed. Plus several others. OP looks to me like your experience would have been better with other options. We were there around the same time and had several very good meals. We also are accustomed to good food so I'm not sure why you had such bad luck. Our worst meal was at La Hacienda which is the only choice that overlapped.

 

[ccgirl]

Wow...I am so surprised! We were there the first two weeks of December and had very different reviews. Coral Reef was awful but other than that we had great meals. O'hana breakfast, Crystal Palace dinner, Akershus breakfast. We even loved the hot chocolate and cookies at the Christmas party. I knew they don't have juice boxes so I always just buy some and bring them in. Were you stayin CL? You could have gotten extras and just brought them to the park as well. It was certainly cold enough that you didn't need ice to keep them cold.

I think we are going to try Victoria and Alberts when we go in October so I am anxious to read your review on that.

 

[bwvmary]

Just my two cents, but we have dined at a lot of Disney restaurants over the last 20+ years. We don't use the dining plan. We use a program that has had many names, I think. Right now it is call "Tables in Wonderland". I believe you have to be a FL resident or an annual passholder to buy the membership. For $40 or $50 (or so?) you buy a membership. You get 20% off on food and beverage for up to 10 diners at almost every sit down restaurant at WDW.

We are major food snobs, and we find some really great dining at WDW. The mediocre to poor dining at WDW is expensive anyway, so why not splurge once a day and eat your other inexpensively or in your DVC home? I think you can make that work even if you are on the dining plan, but I have never tried.

Here are the restaurants that have been consistently good:

Brown Derby (lunch, dinner, anytime - love this one)

Coral Reef (we only go for lunch, and it's a nice break)

Jiko and Boma (even though Boma is a buffet, I recommend it)

California Grill (time it so fireworks are during dessert)

Flying Fish (Boardwalk)

Yachtsman (I think that's the name. In Yacht Club - steakhouse)

Crystal Palace, surprisingly good food, and I detest buffets.

The dessert party at MK during fireworks - whatever that is called.

Wolfgang Pucks at Downtown Disney - great sushi and pizza (odd combo)

La Hacienda de San Angel - gotta disagree with those who compare it with Chili's. I would never, ever, even in the airport, even if stranded, ever eat at Chili's. I did that one time. Never again. La Hacienda has a more authentic Mexican menu. Maybe does not agree with those looking for Tex Mex. It's really good food, though. The waitstaff was wonderful, and the margaritas, though expensive and a little sweet for my taste, were a big hit at my Mom's 75th birthday party, and are definitely the best at Disney.

My family likes some of the restaurants in Swan and Dolphin, Garden Grove and one other, but I can't remember the name. I think they are mediocre, expensive and not even Disney experiences. Only exception is Tod English place - BlueZoo, I think is the name. It's really good, but not Disney (which can be good for a break!)

For the fun but not necessarily for the food - but uses up some of that Dining Plan - 50s PrimeTime Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine In theatre in Hollywood Studios.

Ice Cream - Ghiradelli's (or however you spell that!) in Downtown Disney on the Marketplace end - good break while doing your shopping for gifts to take back home.

Also for ice cream - Beaches and Cream. Their food is pretty good, too. Can be a really long wait.

And one more ice cream: Seashore Sweets has good ice cream cones when you are walking around the Boardwalk. Their candy is ridiculously expensive, as is candy at Disney in general. I don't think you can use the meal plan for candy as a snack, can you?

Boardwalk Bakery. Everything is baked there. I do my best to stay away from here. It all looks really good when I go in to get my coffee. I know that the apple turnovers are good. Can't speak for the rest, but it looks good.

Pastries from France in Epcot.

Rose and Crown for a beer and to watch Illuminations, though you will probably have to eat dinner to get to see the fireworks. I am not a fish and chips fan, but my husband says it is good.

Character ice cream party at the restaurant at "The Land" in Epcot. Don't know if that still exists, but my kids used to love that when they were the right ages.

Two important and delicious words on a hot day in the MK - Dole Whip. 'Nuff said. (MK near Adventure Land entrance)

I won't include a list of places to avoid at all costs, even though I think there are a few. If I write that down, I am sure to insult someone else's favorite place. I have never had any food as bad as the food I once had at Chili's anywhere at Disney.

Happy dining!

 

[Sweettears]

Just my two cents, but we have dined at a lot of Disney restaurants over the last 20+ years. We don't use the dining plan. We use a program that has had many names, I think. Right now it is call "Tables in Wonderland". I believe you have to be a FL resident or an annual passholder to buy the membership. For $40 or $50 (or so?) you buy a membership. You get 20% off on food and beverage for up to 10 diners at almost every sit down restaurant at WDW.

We are major food snobs, and we find some really great dining at WDW. The mediocre to poor dining at WDW is expensive anyway, so why not splurge once a day and eat your other inexpensively or in your DVC home? I think you can make that work even if you are on the dining plan, but I have never tried.

Here are the restaurants that have been consistently good:

Brown Derby (lunch, dinner, anytime - love this one)

Coral Reef (we only go for lunch, and it's a nice break)

Jiko and Boma (even though Boma is a buffet, I recommend it)

California Grill (time it so fireworks are during dessert)

Flying Fish (Boardwalk)

Yachtsman (I think that's the name. In Yacht Club - steakhouse)

Crystal Palace, surprisingly good food, and I detest buffets.The dessert party at MK during fireworks - whatever that is called.

Wolfgang Pucks at Downtown Disney - great sushi and pizza (odd combo)

La Hacienda de San Angel - gotta disagree with those who compare it with Chili's. I would never, ever, even in the airport, even if stranded, ever eat at Chili's. I did that one time. Never again. La Hacienda has a more authentic Mexican menu. Maybe does not agree with those looking for Tex Mex. It's really good food, though. The waitstaff was wonderful, and the margaritas, though expensive and a little sweet for my taste, were a big hit at my Mom's 75th birthday party, and are definitely the best at Disney.

My family likes some of the restaurants in Swan and Dolphin, Garden Grove and one other, but I can't remember the name. I think they are mediocre, expensive and not even Disney experiences. Only exception is Tod English place - BlueZoo, I think is the name. It's really good, but not Disney (which can be good for a break!)

For the fun but not necessarily for the food - but uses up some of that Dining Plan - 50s PrimeTime Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine In theatre in Hollywood Studios.

Ice Cream - Ghiradelli's (or however you spell that!) in Downtown Disney on the Marketplace end - good break while doing your shopping for gifts to take back home.

Also for ice cream - Beaches and Cream. Their food is pretty good, too. Can be a really long wait.

And one more ice cream: Seashore Sweets has good ice cream cones when you are walking around the Boardwalk. Their candy is ridiculously expensive, as is candy at Disney in general. I don't think you can use the meal plan for candy as a snack, can you?

Boardwalk Bakery. Everything is baked there. I do my best to stay away from here. It all looks really good when I go in to get my coffee. I know that the apple turnovers are good. Can't speak for the rest, but it looks good.

Pastries from France in Epcot.

Rose and Crown for a beer and to watch Illuminations, though you will probably have to eat dinner to get to see the fireworks. I am not a fish and chips fan, but my husband says it is good.

Character ice cream party at the restaurant at "The Land" in Epcot. Don't know if that still exists, but my kids used to love that when they were the right ages.

Two important and delicious words on a hot day in the MK - Dole Whip. 'Nuff said. (MK near Adventure Land entrance)

I won't include a list of places to avoid at all costs, even though I think there are a few. If I write that down, I am sure to insult someone else's favorite place. I have never had any food as bad as the food I once had at Chili's anywhere at Disney.

Happy dining!

These pretty much mirror our faves and agree that they have always been enjoyable.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I have to disagree about La Hacienda. We just ate there on Saturday and it was fantastic. Nothing like Chili's or On the Border at all. The menus aren't even remotely close! Chili's and On the Border are chain tex mex joints and I prefer not to dine at those places.

The grilled Tilapia, Botana appetizer and flank steak at La Hacienda were all fabulous and this ended up being one of the top meals of our trip. La Hacienda is not Tex Mex, so don't go in there expecting burritos or enchiladas or taco bell tasting Tacos. The waitstaff at La Hacienda was fabulous and we really enjoyed the sampler drinks. DH tried a tequila flight and I got a margarita flight. The staff spent time explaining each drink on the sampler, not just plopping it in front of you and saying the names of what was what. We will definitely be back!

This past week, we thought that Sanaa, Kouzzina, and La Hacienda de San Angel were 100% worth the cost (we had free dining, but would have paid for those OOP and plan to do so in the future if we go without free dining). I agree that T-Rex wasn't all that great (though my mushroom ravioli was good), but heck, I knew that going in. We went to Crystal Palace for the experience and I thought the food was decent. Not amazing, but again we went for the experience.

EDIT: The chips at La Hacienda were not from a bag. They were warm and flaky, not at all like Tostitos. The salsa was definitely not from a jar. One was a smoky red salsa and the other was a tomatillo salsa. They were both wonderful - our favorite was the red (spiciest) salsa.

 

[Unca_Scrooge]

I'm not too pleased with the Tusker House that nephew of mine runs.

Too loud (echo chamber), too cramped, and the food is lousy.

Crystal Palace has a far superior breakfast.

 

[bluejasmine]

Wow I have to say that I dont think Ive read so much negative things about so many WDW restaurants.

No insult intended at all OP but I wonder if maybe you went into with too high expectations? My DH had a habit of doing that.

Maybe Im just not picky but I cant recall ever having to many problems with my food at WDW, maybe b/c Im just so excited to be there, it is my favirote vacation spot but the only places I can remember ever being dissapointed were Kona Cafe and Crystal Palace and Hollywood and Vine, Im sure there was something here and there I wasnt excited about but I chalk that up to me making the wrong menu choice or the kitchen just being a bit off that day.

Of course everyone has different opinions, Kona and Crystal Palace are alot of ppls faves so that basically proves it. Wouldnt the world be boring if we all liked the same?

Trex is one of our faves, then again we never get the burgers, Le Cellier we adore the mushroom filet. San Angel we have enjoyed through the years with the exception of our 2008 trip but everything was off that night including the service BUT I will return b/c of our past visits and the great reviews its had lately, you also have to remember its not our version of Americanized Mexican either..

Im sure when you return to WDW you will have a better visit!

 

[goofyintoronto]

Wow I have to say that I dont think Ive read so much negative things about so many WDW restaurants.

No insult intended at all OP but I wonder if maybe you went into with too high expectations? My DH had a habit of doing that.

Maybe Im just not picky but I cant recall ever having to many problems with my food at WDW, maybe b/c Im just so excited to be there, it is my favirote vacation spot

Of course everyone has different opinions, Kona and Crystal Palace are alot of ppls faves so that basically proves it. Wouldnt the world be boring if we all liked the same?

I agree 100%. I think you might have gone to Disney with very high expectations. I have never read so many negative reviews before about disney dining. WOW!

Honestly if i were paying out of pocket for my meals, i'd probably be ticked too. Some of the restaurants are hugely over priced. But I ALWAYS use the dining plan, maybe thats why everything is so wonderful?? Lol!

There are a couple of places i'd never return to:

Le Cellier - HUGELY overrated. Steak was tasteless & fatty. Cheese soup was blah. I've had better soup from my local subway shop.

Tony's - DISGUSTING!!! I think its their tomato sauce, its awful. I had the chicken parm, gross. My son had spag & balls, he couldnt eat it. I took one bite of the balls and spit it into a napkin. So nasty.

Had i paid out of pocket for either of these, i'd be PISSED beyond words.

Having said that....we're all entitled to our own opinion. As 'bluejasmine' had said, wouldnt this world be a boring place (and a hectic one) if we all agreed on the same restaurants?

 

[eliza61]

Wow I have to say that I dont think Ive read so much negative things about so many WDW restaurants.

No insult intended at all OP but I wonder if maybe you went into with too high expectations? My DH had a habit of doing that.

Im sure when you return to WDW you will have a better visit!

I agree 100%. I think you might have gone to Disney with very high expectations. I have never read so many negative reviews before about disney dining. WOW!

Honestly if i were paying out of pocket for my meals, i'd probably be ticked too. Some of the restaurants are hugely over priced. But I ALWAYS use the dining plan, maybe thats why everything is so wonderful?? Lol!

There are a couple of places i'd never return to:

Le Cellier - HUGELY overrated. Steak was tasteless & fatty. Cheese soup was blah. I've had better soup from my local subway shop.

Tony's - DISGUSTING!!! I think its their tomato sauce, its awful. I had the chicken parm, gross. My son had spag & balls, he couldnt eat it. I took one bite of the balls and spit it into a napkin. So nasty.

Had i paid out of pocket for either of these, i'd be PISSED beyond words.

:

Do you go to a restaurant expecting to be disappointed? I never understand this "high" expectation reasoning. Does not disney advertise, over and over again their superior quality and service? How many times do we read that disney is supposed to be better than 6 flags or other amusement parks, yet when they deliever the same quality food, all of a sudden were "expecting" too much?

I'm sorry I do expect disney to do better than salsa out the jar. I expect them to do better than marinara sauce out the jar. I totally agree with you on Tonys but that's what makes me a bit pissed, it should not be allowed no matter how you pay. Maybe its the NY'er in me but I know about a zillion of my italian american friends who can whip up a mind blowing gravy in 1 day that feeds the entire state of Missouri and disney can't find a decent chef to make some decent gravy?

I can honestly say I've never had a horrible meal at disney but they tend to be very blaise. At the end of every meal, everyone in my family pretty much always ask one another how their meal was. As a general rule we all always answer, It was so-so. I just hate going on vacation and getting "so-so".

 

[dansyr2514]

Everyone has opinions about what they like and what they don't. That said, we do the dining plan, however it hasn't been free dining because we usually stay DVC so we choose to purchase the plan, usually deluxe. I have to say the signature restaurants are generally a step or two above the rest but I've never in the last 12 yrs had a bad meal at Disney. It can happen I know. We've had some OK meals and some phenomenal meals but never a bad one.

 

[GeneralTso]

So crabby