Tell Me About Captain Cook's

[jhaig]

We are checking into the Poly on Tuesday and will be trying Captain Cook's. I have heard the food is pretty good, but that the setup is confusing and it can sometimes take a long time to get your orders. What are your experiences/reviews?

 

[DISNEY1975]

My experience is exactly what you posted. Park goers tend to love going to the Poly for a mid day break... to use the pool and to eat at CC. Its always super crowded, takes quite a while to get food and personally, Im not a fan of their menu. Obviously, Polynesian flavors on many food items. If you have time, hop the monorail and go to Contempo at the Contemporary. Its always quiet over there and the food is more "American" if you dont like the menu at the Poly.

 

[Nancyg56]

It was not a pleasant experience for us 2 weeks ago. WE ordeed our meals around 1:30, so a bit past a typical lunch time. It was busy but still plenty of seating. Our orders were wrong and even tough they were adjusted, the CM was not thrilled to do so.I ordered soft beverages for the kids and that was a mistake. one soda dispenser was out of order, but was still dispensing ice. The other did not dispense ice and by the time we had our turn, there was no soda either. WE ate and got out. Chaotic to say the least!

I rememer Captain Cook before the refurb, and it seemed so much easier toet a meal then. I don't know if I simply have a selective memory or not, but it was a mess this time.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We stayed at Poly from Aug. 23 - Aug. 30 and Capt. Cook's was a pain in the rear. It's always crowded, there's a line to order your food and then it's so chaotic it was difficult to find a place to stand to wait for your order without being in everyone's way. Even just picking something up like a bottle of water or a snack was a pain. There were CM's there to try to help people with taking turns in line, but people would still butt. They really need to come up with a better system. Perhaps a separate ordering area or even separate registers for those who are ordering and those who are doing grab-and-go foods. We started going upstairs to Moana Mickey's (I think that's what it's called?) to get snacks and drinks, but, of course, not meals. One night we just ordered room service. I agree with the other PP. Go to Contempo or even Gasparilla's Grill at GF. The QS at GF has a bigger ordering and seating area. I know they just renovated Capt. Cook's, but it is not working efficiently right now.

 

[Kimosabe]

Definitely one of the better quick service options on property, at least to me (with potential highlight being the availability of Tonga Toast at breakfast if you don't want to do full-scale table service at Kona). Obviously, from prior poster's comment above, not everybody enjoys the themed/Polynesian influence on the menu, but I love the fact that they make the effort to match the restaurant with the resort, and there are still a few items for anybody who wants something a bit more familiar. Thankfully, it's so easy to get from one monorail resort to the other that if you're wanting quick service but don't care for CC at all, you can get to another in just a few minutes.

We have eaten there since the refurb and didn't have a problem with food or timing, but sounds like they might still not have it fully together in terms of efficiency. Even so, if you're actually staying at the Poly, then I'd definitely give it a shot.

 

[kaybird]

OK, guess we have a different perspective. We have gone to the Poly at least twice a trip for many many years, once for the delicious Tonga toast for breakfast, and at least once for lunch. Not sure what the chaos is, if we do lunch, we avoid the busiest noon hour. The Aloha pork is beyond terrific, same meat from the luau, plus the home made chips. The flatbreads are great, and this trip we tried the pork nachos with the pineapple salsa. How have we never had THIS before!?! We even made shirts to commemorate our love of the Toast!

 

[vettegirl]

It's one of the best quick service locations on property. The Kailua pork sandwich with taro trips is fantastic

 

[CynBeth]

Are they good in dealing with allergies or should we not even bother trying a lunch there in November? My Husband has a dairy allergy caused by a medical condition so he can't take a pill for it he has to avoid. Thanks!

 

[dutchdisneyfamily]

My friend was just there in July with two of her son's that are severely allergic to dairy. They went above and beyond for them there. Great experience!

 

[WDW Dad 23]

We were just there in early August. There were lines but nothing we haven't experienced at places like Mara in AKL, and definitely better than Beach Club Marketplace...for both food and lines. We ate meals at all times and were always able to get a table. Sometimes the condiments weren't in obvious locations (syrup for one) but overall it was pretty easy to navigate and never waited more than 5-10 minutes for food, even at the busiest times. Food was always good...I especially enjoyed the pork. I will agree with a prior poster that the soda fountains were sometimes frustrating. One would have an out of order sign on it, which would lead to long lines at the other, when all that was really out of order was the ice. It was sometimes annoying, since we had the mug refills, but not something that ruined the vacation

 

[CynBeth]

My friend was just there in July with two of her son's that are severely allergic to dairy. They went above and beyond for them there. Great experience!

Thanks so much!

 

[shortnsassy730]

Saturday we were there at 11 for lunch. There were only two people in line ahead of us and it took 40 minutes to get our pork nachos. And, this time the cheese was chunky like a sausage gravy consistency and there was a pool of oil in the bottom of the container. I generally like the food at Captain Cooks, but the service/time/consistency of food lately is way below par for Disney. We love the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Well, we ate there in April and had no issues. My DH stayed in and did the order and I took the kids outside to get a table. We waited for DH to come out with the food no longer than 10 minutes. It was good. We had no issues.

 

[SSRFred]

We stayed at the Poly from 9/4 - 9/7 and I agree with many of the previous comments. Although the food was very good and we enjoyed everything we ate, the lines were long, confusing, chaotic and it took a very long time to get our food. This was at breakfast time and lunch time. We did not go during "prime" hours for either meal, but it was truly chaotic. Plus, one soda dispenser was completely out of order which meant another long line just to get ice. I prefer Contempo Cafe which runs smoother, but the food choices are definitely more diverse and interesting at Captain Cooks.

 

[jesster]

What I'd take away from everyone's comments are these key words: confusing, chaotic and crowded

We stayed at the Poly Aug 22-28. We ate there once. The food was ok. The ordering process/space has some definite areas of opportunity.

You have to look at the menu above the food prep area, then go around in a circle, get your beverages from the cooler case, then circle around again to get into the ropes where you wait in line in the center to order your food. Honestly, we walked in circles! Then when you leave the ordering room, there are just lots people milling around in a small space. We ate here on arrival night because we got in later then expected and just wanted to hang out at the resort - but we never returned!

If you aren't staying at the Poly and just looking for a good place to eat on the monorail line, I agree with a couple PPs and suggest the Contempo Cafe - it's a much nicer experience overall!

 

[jerseygal]

We stayed at Poly from Aug. 23 - Aug. 30 and Capt. Cook's was a pain in the rear. It's always crowded, there's a line to order your food and then it's so chaotic it was difficult to find a place to stand to wait for your order without being in everyone's way. Even just picking something up like a bottle of water or a snack was a pain. There were CM's there to try to help people with taking turns in line, but people would still butt. They really need to come up with a better system. Perhaps a separate ordering area or even separate registers for those who are ordering and those who are doing grab-and-go foods. We started going upstairs to Moana Mickey's (I think that's what it's called?) to get snacks and drinks, but, of course, not meals. One night we just ordered room service. I agree with the other PP. Go to Contempo or even Gasparilla's Grill at GF. The QS at GF has a bigger ordering and seating area. I know they just renovated Capt. Cook's, but it is not working efficiently right now.

Hmmm...Staying at Poly in October, so trying to learn the "ins and outs".. I agree,.Gasparillas is EXCELLENT!...If Capt.Cooks is too chaotic, will go to Gasparillas again I suppose.Yum, LOVE Gasparillas choose your own items for a salad which is very large by the way and fresh!

 

[jerseygal]

OK, guess we have a different perspective. We have gone to the Poly at least twice a trip for many many years, once for the delicious Tonga toast for breakfast, and at least once for lunch. Not sure what the chaos is, if we do lunch, we avoid the busiest noon hour. The Aloha pork is beyond terrific, same meat from the luau, plus the home made chips. The flatbreads are great, and this trip we tried the pork nachos with the pineapple salsa. How have we never had THIS before!?! We even made shirts to commemorate our love of the Toast!

VERY CUTE pic! Think we will have to give the Aloha pork, flatbreads, pork nachos and of course Tonga Toast a try! YUM!

 

[DISNEY1975]

OK, guess we have a different perspective. We have gone to the Poly at least twice a trip for many many years, once for the delicious Tonga toast for breakfast, and at least once for lunch. Not sure what the chaos is, if we do lunch, we avoid the busiest noon hour. The Aloha pork is beyond terrific, same meat from the luau, plus the home made chips. The flatbreads are great, and this trip we tried the pork nachos with the pineapple salsa. How have we never had THIS before!?! We even made shirts to commemorate our love of the Toast!

Boo to the food, but A ++++++ for the shirts! Love them!!

 

[BillyBuff]

We stopped by Captain Cook's on 9/8/2015 around 6:00pm to use up our quick service credits. It wasn't that chaotic but the layout was a bit weird. We didn't know where or how to order until I saw the sign about ordering at the register.

It was slightly crowded but it was because of the rain so everyone wanted to hang out in there.

We had the lobster roll and pho noodle bowl. They were pretty okay. I've had better in NYC though.

 

[Mainemama]

My opinion is more or less covered by previous posters (used to be less chaotic before refurb). Coupled with the completely disappointing nachos I got in July (after loving them for the past several years), I would second the recommendations to try Contempo Cafe or Gasparilla's. I plan to eat at CC's during our December Poly stay, for convenience, but won't be planning meals there. I do personally like the polynesian menu choices, just don't like crowds!