The AINT-SO-GRAND Floridian Cafe

[TheRustyScupper]

The "Grand" Floridian Cafe is now the AINT-SO-GRAND Floridian Cafe.
. . . We ate lunch at the Floridian (Dec-23).
. . . We should have walked away after appearing so we didn't get the no-show penalty.
. . . Other guests near our table got up after getting their FREE water.
. . . We were still entitled to free food, so we thought we would tough-it-out.
. . . Bad mistake.

1) We sat down and viewed the paper menu.
. . . one side was only drinks and cocktails
. . . the main side had the food options
. . . with COVID-19, paper menus were fine with us
. . . that is, until we leaarned on the way out, they were not thrown away, but re-used
2) We went there for lunch, as we are fond of doing once-per-month, or so
. . . we sometimes vary our selections, but pretty much know what we want
. . . typically, we eat soup/salad/sandwich accompanied by 1-2 alcoholic beverages
. . . when we read the current food options, we were greatly disappointed
3) Lunch, what lunch, there were three lunch selections ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
. . . we could have a burger
. . . we could have a veggie-burger
. . . we could have salmon
. . . there were seven choices of breakfast selections and three lunch items
4) We asked the waiter for other choices or specials.
. . . we were offered a chicken waffle
. . . we were offered an omelet
. . . there were no other food choices !!!
. . . at an expensive eatery, we can get a burger or salmon ?!?!?!
. . . they did not even have soup !
5) As table of six sat down next to us (socially distant)
. . . they saw the menu
. . . they got the free water
. . . they got up and left without ordering or eating
. . . they were somewhat loudly muttering the ridiculous menu selections
. . . other nearby guests vocally agreed with them
6) We visited Whispering Canyon Cafe (WCC) at Wilderness Lodge the week prior
. . . we are locals and we try to eat at WDW 2-3 times per month for lunch or dinner
. . . WCC had a breakfast menu
. . . WCC had a luncheon menu
. . . there was little difference between pre-and-post-COVID offerings.
7) It seems like the more Deluxe, the less retained luxury.
. . . this is the new Disney Standard
. . . even Wilderness Lodge and its eateries outpace the Floridian
. . . at least executives retain their high salaries/bonuses, while guest experience suffer
. . . 28,000 employee permanent furloughs and execs keep their big bucks and bonuses
. . . it is Universal and SeaWorld for us in 2021
8) As we all guessed, if Dis can cut costs and mistreat guests, they will
. . . "if we do it, they will still come!"
9) MAYBE/HOPEFULLY, Disney execs will learn we are not all fools
. . . they expect guests to not mind and simply keep coming and keep spending
. . . eventually, people will recognize when they are getting ripped-off
. . . eventually, people will realize thee are other vacation options
. . . guests will make concessions to COVID-19, but not to executive greed

NOW:
Go to the Resort Forum and read my reviews of the AINT-SO-GRAND Floridian hotel.

 

[skeeter31]

Wow. A bad day for you at the GF huh? But judging from your resort post, you haven’t been to the GF since at least February as you weren’t aware that the orchestra left pre-COVID. I don’t get the need for a thousand bullet points of yelling and complaining about a bad restaurant and resort experience (especially when all of the things you pointed out about the resort should have been known by you ahead of time).

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Wow. A bad day for you at the GF huh? But judging from your resort post, you haven’t been to the GF since at least February as you weren’t aware that the orchestra left pre-COVID. I don’t get the need for a thousand bullet points of yelling and complaining about a bad restaurant and resort experience (especially when all of the things you pointed out about the resort should have been known by you ahead of time).

1) No, I was well aware of when the orchestra left.
2) Maybe I should have mentioned it.
3) Many folks think they were disbanded due to COVID.
4) Since lots of others do not know, it was worth the mention.
5) Many people stay at GF for the amenities.
6) For high prices, one expects
. . . luxury appointments
. . . terrific food with and a wide selection
. . . activities not found elsewhere
. . . a wide variety of other amenities
. . . without such extras, even a Holiday Inn compares favorably

NOTE:
. . . I keep up with the changes at WDW.
. . . I still HATE/DETEST the loss of the Fife-and-Drum-Corps.
. . . I liked the Taiko drums.
. . . Listing all the WDW reductions would take too much space.
. . . Kind of like trying to detail the salaries & bonuses of execs.
. . . A few bullet points can often highlight problems.
. . . SOMETIMES, problems are fixed.
. . . SOMETIMES problems ignored.
. . . If you don't complain, things don't get changed.
. . . If you don't complain, others are not aware of the issues.
. . . Disney reacts to income, and guest awareness might affect income.

 

[Disneylover99]

The "Grand" Floridian Cafe is now the AINT-SO-GRAND Floridian Cafe.
. . . We ate lunch at the Floridian (Dec-23).
. . . We should have walked away after appearing so we didn't get the no-show penalty.
. . . Other guests near our table got up after getting their FREE water.
. . . We were still entitled to free food, so we thought we would tough-it-out.
. . . Bad mistake.

1) We sat down and viewed the paper menu.
. . . one side was only drinks and cocktails
. . . the main side had the food options
. . . with COVID-19, paper menus were fine with us
. . . that is, until we leaarned on the way out, they were not thrown away, but re-used
2) We went there for lunch, as we are fond of doing once-per-month, or so
. . . we sometimes vary our selections, but pretty much know what we want
. . . typically, we eat soup/salad/sandwich accompanied by 1-2 alcoholic beverages
. . . when we read the current food options, we were greatly disappointed
3) Lunch, what lunch, there were three lunch selections ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
. . . we could have a burger
. . . we could have a veggie-burger
. . . we could have salmon
. . . there were seven choices of breakfast selections and three lunch items
4) We asked the waiter for other choices or specials.
. . . we were offered a chicken waffle
. . . we were offered an omelet
. . . there were no other food choices !!!
. . . at an expensive eatery, we can get a burger or salmon ?!?!?!
. . . they did not even have soup !
5) As table of six sat down next to us (socially distant)
. . . they saw the menu
. . . they got the free water
. . . they got up and left without ordering or eating
. . . they were somewhat loudly muttering the ridiculous menu selections
. . . other nearby guests vocally agreed with them
6) We visited Whispering Canyon Cafe (WCC) at Wilderness Lodge the week prior
. . . we are locals and we try to eat at WDW 2-3 times per month for lunch or dinner
. . . WCC had a breakfast menu
. . . WCC had a luncheon menu
. . . there was little difference between pre-and-post-COVID offerings.
7) It seems like the more Deluxe, the less retained luxury.
. . . this is the new Disney Standard
. . . even Wilderness Lodge and its eateries outpace the Floridian
. . . at least executives retain their high salaries/bonuses, while guest experience suffer
. . . 28,000 employee permanent furloughs and execs keep their big bucks and bonuses
. . . it is Universal and SeaWorld for us in 2021
8) As we all guessed, if Dis can cut costs and mistreat guests, they will
. . . "if we do it, they will still come!"
9) MAYBE/HOPEFULLY, Disney execs will learn we are not all fools
. . . they expect guests to not mind and simply keep coming and keep spending
. . . eventually, people will recognize when they are getting ripped-off
. . . eventually, people will realize thee are other vacation options
. . . guests will make concessions to COVID-19, but not to executive greed

NOW:
Go to the Resort Forum and read my reviews of the AINT-SO-GRAND Floridian hotel.

So, what did you order?
Was the food good?

 

[lovin'fl]

We stayed at VGF last month and had dinner at Narcoossee's and it too was a disappointment and did not feel signature in any way. But we enjoyed the resort itself. Except that the bubbles in the soaker tub didn't work which I discovered after walking over to the shop to buy a little wine and then cleaned and filled the tub and then had to fiddle with the mirror TV for 20 mins to get it working. Got in tub with my wine and....no bubbles. But the rooms are spacious and lovely. Super nice and luxurious. Then we moved to BCV where the 1BR there was small and very very worn out and bland.

Also had dinner at Topolinos and found that too to be not very signature and the menu was limited. Same with lunch at one of our faves, Spice Road Table. So, as far as dining...I think it's more a result of covid and not a norm. I am willing to give the mouse a bit of a pass on it. Now, if after all this...when things resume to normal (hopefully soon)...if the mouse keeps some of these practices and dining remains lacking...well then I will not be a happy camper.

We go again in 2 weeks and will probably just do lounges for meals. ANd some off site too.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I am a local and agree with the original posters sentiments and have learned to love and appreciate that Universal Studios Orlando Resorts almost always outshined Walt Disney World for Halloween, Thanksgiving And Entire holiday season...
I joke that Mickey Mouse had a Grinch heart this year and The Grinch had Mickeys.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Post Covid, I check every single menu online before I go to see the new limited choices.

 

[Ninjagrrl]

Post Covid, I check every single menu online before I go to see the new limited choices.

You mean, you TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE?!?!
How novel!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

The "Grand" Floridian Cafe is now the AINT-SO-GRAND Floridian Cafe.
. . . We ate lunch at the Floridian (Dec-23).
. . . We should have walked away after appearing so we didn't get the no-show penalty.
. . . Other guests near our table got up after getting their FREE water.
. . . We were still entitled to free food, so we thought we would tough-it-out.
. . . Bad mistake.

1) We sat down and viewed the paper menu.
. . . one side was only drinks and cocktails
. . . the main side had the food options
. . . with COVID-19, paper menus were fine with us
. . . that is, until we leaarned on the way out, they were not thrown away, but re-used
2) We went there for lunch, as we are fond of doing once-per-month, or so
. . . we sometimes vary our selections, but pretty much know what we want
. . . typically, we eat soup/salad/sandwich accompanied by 1-2 alcoholic beverages
. . . when we read the current food options, we were greatly disappointed
3) Lunch, what lunch, there were three lunch selections ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
. . . we could have a burger
. . . we could have a veggie-burger
. . . we could have salmon
. . . there were seven choices of breakfast selections and three lunch items

WOW! I used to love the GF Cafe Do you mean that for lunch they didn't have the caesar salad with chicken that's on the online menu? That used to be my favorite
EEWW! On the reusing of the paper menus Methinks they should be advised what really should be done with paper menus

 

[Ninjagrrl]

WOW! I used to love the GF Cafe Do you mean that for lunch they didn't have the caesar salad with chicken that's on the online menu? That used to be my favorite
EEWW! On the reusing of the paper menus Methinks they should be advised what really should be done with paper menus

Since this poster claimed in another post in the resorts forum that they had visited the GF club level the same day and found the offerings woeful, I wouldn't take anything they say seriously...
Club level isn't even open!!

 

[Engineman02]

WOW! I used to love the GF Cafe Do you mean that for lunch they didn't have the caesar salad with chicken that's on the online menu? That used to be my favorite
EEWW! On the reusing of the paper menus Methinks they should be advised what really should be done with paper menus

The online menus are pretty much up to date, considering that they are using those for the digital menus at all the restaurants (they have a paper with the QR code to scan, which links to the online menu). And if you don’t like the idea of handling a previously handled paper menu, use the online menu.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I don't rave much about Disney food, because it's generally just not that great, but I have dined at GF Cafe a few times since the reopening and have been happy with it. We almost gave up on it a year or so ago after a rash of really bad service but have had excellent service since. The food has been very good.

Most of the menu offerings are really sparse but I always look ahead of time to see if there is anything we'd want. We have avoided some of our go-to palaces due to menu options right now but we like the offerings at GF Cafe.

During this reopening time, it's wise for everyone to really study the menus first and not go off past experiences. It's right in the app where you check in for your table and posted outside the restaurant

 

[BK2014]

. . it is Universal and SeaWorld for us in 2021

Good, then you can write questionable reviews about those places.

 

[sethschroeder]

You mean, you TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE?!?!
How novel!!

Or you realize people can complain and outline about the lack of menu at a location they have been to previously and enjoyed.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

OP used to work at Disney as a concierge

 

[Ninjagrrl]

OP used to work at Disney as a concierge

If that's true, then it's even more egregious that they repeated what a CM said to them, knowing that if they were discovered it could go badly for them.
I still say this is a bunch of nonsense to try to make his disappointment feel more valid.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

1) Alas, as a former (now retired) concierge at WDW, "The Fort" is my absolute favorite resort!
. . . PERIOD !
. . . PERIOD !!
. . . PERIOD !!!
2) I have worked at six high-end resorts and DVCs, including FW.
3) I have NEVER found a more friendly resort (both employees and guests) than FW.
4) At other resorts, when guests pass each other, they simply nod to each other, or say. "Hi".
5) At "The Fort", they can engage in conversation.
6) A HUGE difference between campground "campers" vs hotel "guests".
7) Campers are simply a different class of people than "vacation guests"

PS -
. . . The Fort is a campground and/or RV campground
. . . campers and RVers tend to VERY friendly toward each other
. . . as a CM at FW, I have been invited to join many campers at their campsite!
. . . this is such an honor !!! - - - REPEAT, AN HONOR !!!!
. . . one cannot discount or appreciate such an invite from guests to a CM
. . . this is not a honor given to many CMs at the usual/typical Resort or Resorts
. . . to those who have invited me, I give thanks, and keep them is my memory! ***
. . . can there NOT be any higher honor to a resort CM ?!?!?!
. . . at 71-years-old, I treasure all these invites
. . . no one can even imagine how this feels !!!!!!

*** Notes:
. . . when one is retired, they count the number of life events they have missed
. . . or the chances one did not take
. . . when invited to a guest's FW Campsite, the memory is memorialized.
. . . sometimes, one tears-up when thinking of such dear, deaar honors!
. . . YES, HONORS !!!
. . . it might be DUMB for an adult male admit to tear-u[, but such an honor !!!!

 

[Ninjagrrl]

Wow.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

We dined at Grand Floridian Cafe for lunch in November. The current online menu is accurate to what was available at the time in addition to an "off menu" chicken and waffles dish (which is AMAZING). @Simba's Mom the caesar salad with chicken was alive and well at the time. I'm not going to say it was the very best meal of the trip. But it was solid and a nice break from the Magic Kingdom, the menu was as advertised, distancing between tables was very good, service was great. I don't recall a paper menu - we used a QR code to access the menu.

 

[Shelleyfs]

I can't imagine typing all of that.. good or bad.