Soooooooo over disney food quality and prices.

[AdWayInc]

Has anybody compared the food quality at regular times as opposed to free dining? Is the food better. worse, or the same?
I have never used the free dining as I am a DVC member and it doesn't apply to us. We do the DD2P because we really enjoy the Signature dining. Love Citricos, Narcoossees, Cali Grill, Artist Point, and now that they added Fultons and Bistro de Paris. I am looking forward to adding that to our ADRs.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Has anybody compared the food quality at regular times as opposed to free dining? Is the food better. worse, or the same?
I have never used the free dining as I am a DVC member and it doesn't apply to us. We do the DD2P because we really enjoy the Signature dining. Love Citricos, Narcoossees, Cali Grill, Artist Point, and now that they added Fultons and Bistro de Paris. I am looking forward to adding that to our ADRs.

Honestly, ive been on a few trips where we didnt have free dining....comparing it with when we did get free dining, i'd say its about the same. I didnt notice a decline in quality with free dining at all. And we normally hit new places with a few faves mixed in.

 

[cinderellamom123]

Can you tell us some of the places you've eaten so far that you havent been impressed with?????

A little background. There are 4 of us. My twins turn 10 before our trip so they are now considered adults. After our first couple trips, we figured out that unless you do a signature experience, it is best to focus on the restaurant experience than the food. My girls have outgrown the princeses so I have no character meals planned (we did the Castle, Chef Mickey's and Akersus about 18 months ago) I have no problem spending money on food, in fact we have accumulated about $500 disney credit card reward dollars so it won't even be out of pocket but I just feel that nothing stands out. We are staying on property, but not owned by disney so are not eligible for the dining plan. Several years ago, we did the plan and found that it did not save us money but just gave us more food. (and several more lbs on the scale)

Most of the dissapointing ones are in epcot. We have done:
Italy (both)
Japan
Coral Reef
Le Cellier
Norway

A couple of restaurants I experienced people getting sick at their table and just can't go back (ohanna's and 1900 park fare)

Thanks for all those with helpful advice. I will be checking into your suggestions. Although we have a car, I can't fathom leaving the park and wasting time.

 

[cinderellamom123]

Tusker House, BOMA, O'Hana, Cape May, Crystal Palace, are all great kid friendly meals.

If the food is that bad or overpriced, rent a car for $30 per day and go to Golden Corall and the like every day...

Yes, we will have a car and are thinking along those lines on non-park days. However, as all us dissers know, time is of the essence on park days. Would never leave the park for a meal.

 

[Tramp68]

A little background. There are 4 of us. My twins turn 10 before our trip so they are now considered adults. I have no problem spending money on food, but I just feel that nothing stands out. We are staying on property, but not owned by disney so are not eligible for the dining plan. Several years ago, we did the plan and found that it did not save us money but just gave us more food.

Most of the dissapointing ones are in epcot. We have done:
Italy (both)
Japan
Coral Reef
Le Cellier
Norway

Debating on 9 Dragons this time.

In Epcot
Marrakesh is good if you can get the kids to eat Moroccan
The Quick Service in the Land (By Soarin) is probably the best CS meal
The Fish and Chips in England is good counter service too
Otherwise, I am not thrilled with EPCOT

In Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace is a great buffet meal.
The Harbor House inbetween HM and Small Wall is best
The rest of the options are not so great

In Hollywood Studios
The Sci Fi Drive in is cool for the atmosphere...food is OK and not too OP
We typically avoid eating here and there isnt much need since it is a short day anyway

In Animal Kingdom
You have Rainforest Cafe, but it is WAY OP...but we do it for the kids
Tusker House is a great Buffet
We usually get corn dogs at one of the carts for a CS meal

At the resorts:
BOMA is a great buffet. I especially like it for dinner
Ohana is a great meal all you can eat, but not buffet style
Cape May buffet is a great meal.
We also always do the Hoop Dee Doo, but that is paying for the show, not the meal.
I avoid Mickeys Back Yard Barbeque like the plague!

For the Adults
JIKO is amazing
Victoria and Alberts is Amazing


I apologize for my first post. When I first read yours it sounded like you had tried it all and were complaining about overpriced food at Disney. Although I did originally give some options, I didnt go into much detail.

I also tend to go on long trips (3 weeks or more) so we tend to have a lot of extra time to go off site when we want...I forget how important time can be for the 1 week trips.

Good luck with your future dining

 

[DEA]

"Exceptional" is a tough standard to meet. I've had exceptional meals at Victoria & Albert's, and to a lesser extent, Flying Fish. I have had excellent meals at places including:

Sanaa
Yachtsman
Jiko
Citricos

And exceptionally "good bang-for-the-buck" meals at:

Sunshine Seasons
Tangerine Cafe
Wolfgang Puck Express (especially on the dining plan)

We had a great server at Flying Fish with the kids, and they had a wonderful meal there and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as did we. Sanaa is very kid-friendly by dint of both the animal viewing opportunities and the fact that they serve things like pizza made with their naan dough and fresh mozzarella and a downsized version of the adult sustainable fish entrée. The QS places all have good kid options (for our kids, at least).

The places that really cater to kids because they host character meals are generally buffets, and the method of food preparation and service is not, in my opinion, conducive to an "exceptional" dining experience. I have had quite good buffet meals at Akershus, Tusker House, and Boma.

 

[PrincessRhi]

My apologies if I sound like a food snob....

I have often expressed to friends and family that I'd prefer to spend a bit more and have a dining experience, then spend nearly as much to simply eat. For instance, Mesclun or Micro- Salad Greens are my preference over Iceberg Lettuce, a fresh potato is preferred to frozen, etc.

Further, when I travel on vacation, it should feel like a vacation. I can eat baked ziti in my kitchen, why would I avoid Florida Red Snapper to save a few dollars. In particular, while I vacation I have made a choice to eat like a king and treat my family similarly. Yes, I spend more than most for my Disney dining, but at least I know I ate as well I could have.

In other words, I would rather pay a few more dollars for a good piece of fish or meat, then paying too much for a poor hamburger or pizza. I do not feel ripped-off when I eat at Signature restaurants because I pretty much get what I paid for, I cannot say the same thing about some of the Table Service establishments. A great $40 steak is my preference to a lousy $30 piece.

As to the Dining Plan - unless you eat three meals a day with multiple courses at each and/or you have teeenage sons, I cannot calculate a way for this option to offer a substantial monetary reward. For instance, do you typically order a dessert at a Quick Service place (like an apple pie at McDonald's)?? I have found that Tables in Wonderland (TIW) is a better way to go if you eat a normal amount or prefer the Signature places to dine. And I feel great when the check is presented at a 20% discount for my $40 steak (it ends up being $2 more than the mediocre one I might have had for $30).

I'm of the same school of thought. When I'm home I don't budget food, so I don't expect to do it while on vacation. Disney is Disney, and I'm not necessarily there for the food. If I'm walking out of a place spending $100-$150 a person (including alcohol), it better be good. Not average.

I want the food to wow me, not just exist on my plate. If a restaurant is billed as a gourmet seafood place, my lobster tail shouldn't be so tough a butterknife can't cut it (I'm looking at you, BlueZoo). Or at a steak house, my filet shouldn't have excessive fat (Le Cellier, this one is on you). And yeah, it's a little heartbreaking when your $50 entree tastes like something you can get at Applebees. Maybe my food standards are too high? Maybe I'm too much of a foodie?

I completely get where the OP is coming from. I've had some downright BAD meals at Disney, even at the places I shouldn't by price tag standards, and spectacular meals at others. I've been wowed at some places-- especially if expectations were low, and two buffets are among my favorite places to eat at the park. But overall, my experience has been that the food at Disney is good enough, just not really wowing. If some of the meals were a few bucks cheaper, I likely wouldn't feel so slighted by it. Is there really anything wrong with that?

 

[cinderellamom123]

Tramp 68 and DEA, thanks for you in-depth responses. Will check them out.

 

[raidermatt]

I don't understand why some get so defensive when others criticize something about Disney. It's not a personal attack against anybody here. It's not YOUR cooking that is the issue.

That aside, of course you are going to have differing opinions about something subjective like restaurants. But there is no doubt that quality has become a bigger issue in recent years. Menu choices are fewer, unique options are harder to find, etc.

I get that at Disney, EVERYTHING is overpriced. They have a captive audience and their current philosophy is to get everything they can out of us while we are there. But Disney was overpriced 10 years ago too, yet they managed to provide better quality, so it's not as if they can't do it.

Some here are saying we should just lower our expectations, but again, why? Disney did it better in the past, so why should we expect less from them now?

 

[DisLee]

we usually eat CS and find that we enjoy that as much or more than TS.

 

[YankeePrincess]

I think it is all different with everyone but we have always enjoyed:

Via Napoli. The ingredients all taste so fresh.

Ohana, Nine Dragons, Le Cellier, and Crystal Palace (I have only had breakfast there but it was great).

I have to admit that I have never paid attention to the prices because we just get the dining plan but I think the food has been really good.

1900 Park Fare was the only place that I thought the food was horrible. It reminded me of a very low budget buffet. Actually, I think a low budget buffet would have been better. Not much of a selection at all and the food was kind of cold. I was also disappointed with the Castle. I think those are just for atmosphere purposes more than anything else. I don't expect 5 star dining at a theme park and I know costs for things are way inflated. Just the nature of the beast.

 

[mommyrosa2]

One more comment about expensive food - has anyone ever been to a RESORT where the food was very good and inexpensive?

I'm not talking about the local 'diner, drive-in, or dive' near your hotel, I'm simply asking about the Resort itself.

If you could find a better place to vacation for fun and relaxation that also had inexpensive food, then please let us all know about it.

In the mean time, Disney is still the best value for my vacation budget.....even after I spend too much for Signature dining......

I have to agree here. We have vacationed all over and when it comes to food, it's always a hit or miss. We used to cruise a lot (Royal Carribean) and sometimes the food just wasn't good, most times it was great. We've also been to All-Inclusives (like Sandals) where the restaurants at the resort are supposed to be superb and have come out of some thinking the food was just "meh". Each time we price out a family vacation somewhere, a Disney vacation still comes out as the best value for us but everyone is different. With that said, OP, I'm sorry you had some "not so great" meals. All of us, my two DD's (who are now teens) included, have enjoyed the food at the following:

O'Hana (although we did have one year that the food was not good but we decided to try again last year and it was FABULOUS)
Yachtsman
Narcooses
Cape May (clambake dinner)
Wolfgang Puck Express
Pepper Market at CSR
Teppan Edo

One thing I try to remember is that ANY restaurant can have an off-night with the food being mediocre. We've dined at the Capital Grille here in Providence several times and I can tell you that even they have "missed" the mark on occassion when it comes to the food and they are most certainly NOT cheap. Perhaps you'll have better luck next time.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I think it is all different with everyone but we have always enjoyed:

Via Napoli. The ingredients all taste so fresh.

Ohana, Nine Dragons, Le Cellier, and Crystal Palace (I have only had breakfast there but it was great).

I have to admit that I have never paid attention to the prices because we just get the dining plan but I think the food has been really good.

1900 Park Fare was the only place that I thought the food was horrible. It reminded me of a very low budget buffet. Actually, I think a low budget buffet would have been better. Not much of a selection at all and the food was kind of cold. I was also disappointed with the Castle. I think those are just for atmosphere purposes more than anything else. I don't expect 5 star dining at a theme park and I know costs for things are way inflated. Just the nature of the beast.

Yup, I agree, the food at 1900 PF was very disappointing. The selection was TERRIBLE, even at the kids section, and esp dessert. Quality wasnt there either. Was there a food shortage that night? The chefs went home early? Lol.

I agree with the above re: Japan, Italy, Ohana, & C.Palace, all great meals for us. I dunno, everyone is different. Its hard to please everyones taste buds, but I really do think disney tries their best.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I don't understand why some get so defensive when others criticize something about Disney. It's not a personal attack against anybody here. It's not YOUR cooking that is the issue.

That aside, of course you are going to have differing opinions about something subjective like restaurants. But there is no doubt that quality has become a bigger issue in recent years. Menu choices are fewer, unique options are harder to find, etc.

I get that at Disney, EVERYTHING is overpriced. They have a captive audience and their current philosophy is to get everything they can out of us while we are there. But Disney was overpriced 10 years ago too, yet they managed to provide better quality, so it's not as if they can't do it.

Some here are saying we should just lower our expectations, but again, why? Disney did it better in the past, so why should we expect less from them now?

Very well said, Matt.

 

[YankeePrincess]

Yup, I agree, the food at 1900 PF was very disappointing. The selection was TERRIBLE, even at the kids section, and esp dessert. Quality wasnt there either. Was there a food shortage that night? The chefs went home early? Lol.

I agree with the above re: Japan, Italy, Ohana, & C.Palace, all great meals for us. I dunno, everyone is different. Its hard to please everyones taste buds, but I really do think disney tries their best.

I think the worse thing at 1900 PF was when they brought out this big dish of ice cream that was half melted.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I think the worse thing at 1900 PF was when they brought out this big dish of ice cream that was half melted.

OMG that sounds terrible. LOL!! I never saw that the last time I was there. Thank goodness I guess! lol!

 

[Colleen27]

The castle has long been one of the most overpriced and mediocre meals anywhere, IMO, because they know that atmosphere and characters will fill the table regardless of what is served. Even if you catch a good day food wise, it is a rushed cattle-call of an experience with cursory character interaction and service that is more focused on turning the table than making your meal enjoyable.

We've had some excellent meals at WDW on recent trips, but none were at character meals or heavily themed/kid-focused establishments - those places rely on theme rather than food to fill seats. Le Cellier was very nice, I almost get what all the mania over that ADR is about now. Teppan Edo has never failed to deliver an enjoyable meal. Chefs de France lunch was a lovely little surprise, with reasonable (by Disney standards) prices for delicious food. And that's without even discussing the signature meals, several of which were nothing short of wonderful in terms of both service and cuisine.

What surprised me most on our recent trip was how much better the counter service was compared to my memories of it. We hadn't eaten any CS meals to speak of since our 2007 trip because we've become fans of the deluxe dining package and signature dinners, but this trip we stuck to the free basic plan and were happily surprised with the CS options we tried. The new Katsura Grill menu has a number of very interesting and very tasty options, Tangerine Cafe was quite good, Columbia Harbour House is as good as any take-out fish & chips joint I've experienced, the sandwiches at Starring Rolls were fresh and the desserts delectable, and even the more run of the mill choices like Yak & Yeti's take out menu and Fairfax Fair delivered good quality food by take-out standards. And without exception the portions were large enough to share.

I expect the higher prices at Disney because that's what resorts and other captive audience venues do. The local amusement park we go to is horrible, just as expensive as Cosmic Rays or Electric Umbrella for a hockey puck of an overdone hamburger accompanied by soggy heat lamp fries and watered down Cokes that are poured in advance and sit waiting to be ordered. I paid $4 for a bottled water the last time I was at the circus and $8 for a 12oz beer at the last concert I attended. At least at Disney I can find overpriced food that I enjoy rather than choke down!

 

[minnie mum]

That aside, of course you are going to have differing opinions about something subjective like restaurants. But there is no doubt that quality has become a bigger issue in recent years. Menu choices are fewer, unique options are harder to find, etc.

I get that at Disney, EVERYTHING is overpriced. They have a captive audience and their current philosophy is to get everything they can out of us while we are there. But Disney was overpriced 10 years ago too, yet they managed to provide better quality, so it's not as if they can't do it.

Some here are saying we should just lower our expectations, but again, why? Disney did it better in the past, so why should we expect less from them now?

Because complaining about it isn't going to change a thing. You know what the quality is like. To expect more is to bang your head against a brick wall. Yes you are paying a lot. But you just aren't going to get the same high quality meal that you can expect at a fine dining establishment in your home town. NOT. GOING. TO. HAPPEN. Just accept it and move on. Either adjust your expectations to meet reality, or seek your fine dining at another venue.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Some of Disney dining is disapointing but at times you hit a restaurant and they do it right, maybe not all of the time but sometimes. The Brown Derby this past summer hit it out of the park, the food was delicious, the serve better than in years past, it was pricy but we really enjoyed it. Via Napoli has turned out to be a nice surprise. For me the buffets are all too expensive and without imagination or better yet heating elements. Is it so hard to keep food hot! Except for Boma, we do not subscribe to buffets.

As far as off-site, I have no problem leaving the parks after a long day, freshening up and heading to a wonderful meal, priced well for what it has to offer! I've been doing the parks for 41 years, life will go on for Disney and me, even if if I miss a few hours to go have a wonderful meal elsewhere!

 

[goofyintoronto]

That aside, of course you are going to have differing opinions about something subjective like restaurants. But there is no doubt that quality has become a bigger issue in recent years. Menu choices are fewer, unique options are harder to find, etc.

I get that at Disney, EVERYTHING is overpriced. They have a captive audience and their current philosophy is to get everything they can out of us while we are there. But Disney was overpriced 10 years ago too, yet they managed to provide better quality, so it's not as if they can't do it.

Some here are saying we should just lower our expectations, but again, why? Disney did it better in the past, so why should we expect less from them now?

Because complaining about it isn't going to change a thing. You know what the quality is like. To expect more is to bang your head against a brick wall. Yes you are paying a lot. But you just aren't going to get the same high quality meal that you can expect at a fine dining establishment in your home town. NOT. GOING. TO. HAPPEN. Just accept it and move on. Either adjust your expectations to meet reality, or seek your fine dining at another venue.

This post (by minnie mum) is the smartest post ive read yet. Complaining wont change a thing, your so right. There's nothing wrong with eating outside of the parks if your so incredibly disappointed in the food within disney. Or better yet, bring in your own sandwiches and such. Disney allows soft sided coolers. That might be a better option? I just have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that out of all the restaurants disney has to offer, there really arent any that you find both delicious and worth the money? Not even WGPE? Lol. I love that place.

Anyway, thats a head scratcher for me.