Some basics about which restaurant to hate.

[fla4fun]

I definitely have to agree with not judging from one visit. Le Cellier is a favorite of many here, and a couple years ago, I had made two lunch reservations there a week apart. The first lunch was fantastic - best service and food I had the entire trip (and then some!). The second lunch was the worst meal of the entire trip, from the service to the food. The funny thing was, I ordered the exact same meal, and it was within five minutes of the same time of day. If I had only had one meal or the other, I might have a skewed opinion of the restaurant - especially if I only had the bad experience to go on.

There are a lot of factors that go in to whether you have a good experience at a restaurant, some of which are up to the restaurant and some of which are up to you. I would never write off a restaurant after one bad experience. If I had two bad experiences, I'd probably give it a rest for a while and then try going back. If I had three bad experiences, and no good ones, it's time to write it off until there's some new management in place (and sometimes at Disney, that doesn't take too long!).

 

[Uncleromulus]

I guess this means I can still hate Fultons after FOUR bad meals???

 

[DisFlan]

How about those you have tried and tried and tried again and tried not to hate but then laughably hate anyways because at least they have good alcohol to drink your worries away (I'm talkin to you MEXICO!)

That's me, too! I loooove the drinks. After 25 years (yes, we've given it multiple opportunities), we skip the restaurant and head straight to the bar.

DisFlan

 

[Aimeedyan]

Awhile back we did a survey on this board about restaurants, and found that V&As was the only spot to not have a bad review to be said for it.

Point being, EVERY spot at Disney gets bad and good reviews. I think Disney restaurants are simply inconsistent - more so than the average chain restaurant.

Overall we've had great experiences - we even like Fultons, Uncleromulus!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I've never heard of Fultons. Where is that?

 

[EnnEss]

I've never heard of Fultons. Where is that?

DTD, both guides I gave give it bad marks and say it used to be amazing, but not so anymore. Never been myself.

OP is so correct though. I remember my first time to WDW we had adrs at coral reef and at that time the boards were stuffed with negative reviews about it. It is still one of the best places I have eaten at WDW. And I just mean food wise. Although what I love, ahi tuna, seems to be gone from the menu, preventing my return this year, all our food was great. Service was whatever, its disney, its busy, it sure wasn't bad. I'm glad I ignored those reviews and didn't cancel. If I add in the setting to coral reef, my opinion just goes up.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I remember my first time to WDW we had adrs at coral reef and at that time the boards were stuffed with negative reviews about it. It is still one of the best places I have eaten at WDW. And I just mean food wise. Although what I love, ahi tuna, seems to be gone from the menu, preventing my return this year, all our food was great. Service was whatever, its disney, its busy, it sure wasn't bad. I'm glad I ignored those reviews and didn't cancel. If I add in the setting to coral reef, my opinion just goes up.

We ate there last Sept during the DDP special. I went in not expecting much. I was sure surprised! Its been among my top 5 favorite spots. We scored a seat up front because we got there early... VERY early, and we explained to the CM that one of our children was Autistic, and if there was anywhere the could seat us that would have more to see than another spot; that could save people around us some frustrations (and us as well). I don't know if it was that comment, or the fact that only one family got there before us (first meal of the day... for early lunch) but whichever way it was... We got a seat touching the glass in the middle of the tank. The Seat Turtles swam right up to our table (3 of them) and layed down RIGHT BESIDE OUR PLATES practically!!! The whole restaurant rushed down to get pictures, and my children though THAT was cool too. I was very impressed with Coral Reef.

 

[MickeyMouth]

Good job!

 

[Turtlegirl]

Expectations can definitely be too high, especially after reading these boards. It's true, where else can you eat in France, Italy and Japan within a few meals? It's more about the experience at Disney for me than the actual food. We can all go to gourmet restaurants at home. As long as the food or service isn't horrible, what's to hate? Let's be real, they're feeding ALOT of people, which isn't easy to do and they manage to provide quality-maybe not the best quality but pretty darn good. That said, on our last trip we tried Le Cellier, due to all the fabulous reviews and we just didn't find anything special about the food or the theming so we won't be going back. To each his own, that's what make the world go round.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

This is just something to consider.

2) Was it during "free DDP"? If so, and you hated it... reconsider it!!! During "free DDP" EVERYONE is maxed out. EVERY staff member is pushed to the brink of sanity. EVERY restaurant is full and turning away. ALL the staff are tired. If you go back at a time OTHER THAN "free DDP" you might see a different restaurant experience altogether.

OP had me on all but this one. To imply that it's somehow okay for unsatisfactory performance because they are running a promotion is wrong. Free DDP is a promotion and should in no way affect the quality of food or service that is offered.

If I happen to have a bad experience during that time period, I'll be sure to inform those who ask my opinion. If nothing else, that bad experience should be attributed to the poor management who does not correct otherwise unacceptable behavior.

That would be akin to saying that you shouldn't expect good performance from your back right tire because the dealer offered a buy three get one free promotion.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

OP had me on all but this one. To imply that it's somehow okay for unsatisfactory performance because they are running a promotion is wrong. Free DDP is a promotion and should in no way affect the quality of food or service that is offered.

If I happen to have a bad experience during that time period, I'll be sure to inform those who ask my opinion. If nothing else, that bad experience should be attributed to the poor management who does not correct otherwise unacceptable behavior.

That would be akin to saying that you shouldn't expect good performance from your back right tire because the dealer offered a buy three get one free promotion.

Your right. Service shouldn't drop because of a promotion. I agree completely. BUT in reality, it does sometimes. The waiters/waitresses (excuse me... CMs ) aren't to blame. They are doing their best probably (we like to hope they are at least). The ones who do the promotions aren't the ones busting their butts to feed all those people! They are pencil pushers! I'm just saying IF it does, try it later and it may be better, and that ANY time theres massive food dining it CAN cause problems. I never said it was right if it did. Disney should up the food service staff during Sept. Will they? Probably, but will it accommodate? Probably not. They crunch numbers, and that usually means put more workload on the ones doing the actual physical work.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

..........like Lazarus............
I'm raising this one from the dead......

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

 

[Lamandpercy]

If you read the reviews for Sci-fi and most people thought it was THAT bad, you would never get a table. I agree with OP, we go for the atmosphere and experience, it's our tradition to go there. We stumbled across the place while on my first visit (our honeymoon) and were lucky enough to get a table (not in a car though ).

We loved the atmosphere and the whole you can eat in a car thing. (Next time maybe!) On our return trip we made sure we had an ADR and loved our dinner in the car. We now make sure we return each trip and love it. Yes the food is mediocre but its always hot, plentiful and quick.

On the other hand most people love the fish n chips from Epcot and this would be our only "would never return" place. They must buy erasers shaped like fish pieces, batter them and fry them - it was gross!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

On the other hand most people love the fish n chips from Epcot and this would be our only "would never return" place. They must buy erasers shaped like fish pieces, batter them and fry them - it was gross!

I gotta agree with you on that one. Its not my favorite. Too greasy. BUT in the spirit of fairness, if I were given the choice:


1) Eat at your favorite local 5 star restaurant for free

or

2) We'll magically transport you to the fish n chips shop in Epcot where you must pay double...

I'd take #2 and watch Illuminations with greasy fish on my fingers!!!

 

[christa112]

Most definately.

Also, everyone's opinion is going to be different. It seems like tons of people on this board love CP and it is just ok to me.

I also will never eat at Sci-Fi because of our horrible service we had, but maybe someday I will go back an try it (I hold a grudge for a long time LOL)

I am not quite sure why people complain about Free Dining crowds, I don't think they are all that bad. IMO, don't go during free dining, if you don't like the crowds.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I am not quite sure why people complain about Free Dining crowds, I don't think they are all that bad. IMO, don't go during free dining, if you don't like the crowds.

They max out during Sept. If you go outside of Sept you'll see a notable difference in many cases. I've noticed it myself several times. I've never had any really bad experiences with Sept crowds (FOR DINING) myself, except for one visit to Chef's Du France. It was packed and squeezed in beyond belief, and we were hurried out for more seating of others. Aside from that Disney does quite well managing the crowds. They of ALL people should be good at that!!! They've done it for years.