Trails End Dinner and Breakfast Review

[Kissimmee]

Took the family tent camping this past weekend. We decided ahead of time that we would eat at Trails End in Crockett's Tavern rather than complicate a one night trip with the added logistics of campsite cooking.

Before I throughly trash this restaurant I want to mention that our family enjoys eating at many different Disney restaurants at least once or twice a month.

To begin with, the decor is disappointing, I'm being kind here. I looks like it has not received any attention since it opened. The ceiling reminded me of the Haunted House only the cobwebs and dust were real.

Anyone that has ever eaten at a Cracker Barrel has enjoyed a much nicer setting. Disney should consider that model when they finally update this venue.

I was inspired to write this review after listening to a DIS unplugged pod cast about Fort Wilderness. Their praise for this restaurant is hard to imagine and I wonder if or when they actually ate there.

Breakfast was pedestrian, on a par with what you can find in many motels that offer full breakfast buffets included in the room price. If this meal had been complimentary I would still register my complaints. The $50 plus dollars it cost my family of four to experience this culinary calamity merely added insult to injury. If I could give one word of advice to the chef it would be that salt is a seasoning not a flavor.

Of course if I was a faster study I might have taken dinner the night before as fair warning. I didn't and I suffered for my error.

Speaking of dinner, the only positive I can come up with is that it was better than breakfast. in particular the desert selection was abysmal. The highlight of which they call "Down Home baked fruit cobbler". It was no more than a fry pan of canned apple pie filling sprinkled with crumbles.

I know it sounds like I'm one of those jaded tourists that never manages to get in the Disney spirit. I'm really not and can recommend any of several fine Disney buffets. (Cape May I love) This just does not happen to be one of them. Maybe the fact that it serves a more captive audience allows it to make money without making an effort.

Dinner rating on a ten scale
Food 4 stars
Atmosphere 2 stars
Service 7 stars
Value 2 stars

Breakfast
food 1 star
Atmosphere 2 stars
Service 6 stars
Value 1 star

 

[auntie]

Oh my. That certainly didn't sound good. It's been many years since we've eaten here. I thinking about 13 years..that's when we stayed in the trailers(now cabins). I wasn't impressed with it at that time either. I have yet to camp in our rv at FW..but hope to this year. I have read many posts where people rave about the Trails End..so I had assumed it was greatly improved from our visit so long ago. Maybe not? I do agree with you about the Cape May Cafe..love that spot. We visit for a breakfast and a dinner every time we've been to Disney. I would say you might have hit it Trails End on a bad night..but then again there shouldn't be cobwebs and dust at any time. Sounds as if it might need a bit of updating and attention.

 

[nbodyhome]

I am sorry you didn't like Trails End. It is actually one of my favorite buffets (breakfast and lunch) on property, especially for the money. (I always ask for Ken or Donnell as servers).

The breakfast isn't quite as good as it used to be - they had the BEST morning potatoes until last year. But it's still a good value, IMHO.

But everyone has a different opinion, which is why it's good there are so many restaurants on property! I don't really go nuts over Cape May, I've been there a few times and really don't find it memorable.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

We love the Trail's End - to each his own.

Happy Camping!

 

[auntie]

Why would there be dust and cobwebs though?...Folks can differ on what types of food they like or even the value. It should be clean .....maybe it's a slower time of year..and they aren't as attentive?

 

[nbodyhome]

Why would there be dust and cobwebs though?...Folks can differ on what types of food they like or even the value. It should be clean .....maybe it's a slower time of year..and they aren't as attentive?

I was there just over a week ago, and didn't see any dust, cobwebs or anything. I also didn't look up at the ceiling (but I was looking at the animals on the wall and such).

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Where is Cape May Cafe?

 

[nbodyhome]

Where is Cape May Cafe?

At the Beach Club.

 

[mikron]

Where is Cape May Cafe?

BCV, like a clam bake, very good and lots of variety

 

[nbodyhome]

BCV, like a clam bake, very good and lots of variety

But no clams for breakfast.

I have to say, that TE has the best fried chicken on property. It's the same kitchen as Hoop De Doo. I don't eat too many fried foods, but it's really good!

 

[pooh4me]

Kissimmee I noticed that you rated the service high, That is why we love Trails End and go back many times when we are there. They treat you like their friends and make you want to go back to see them.Of all the WDW restaurants I found the service to be the best at Trails End. Plus we like the down home style of food and the price,you can't beat it.

 

[Live4FW]

While we have been going to TE for 3 1/2 years now, we have seen a steady decrease in the quality and offerings of the food. The service is still great (ask for Donnel or Ken) but the food is causing us not to want to go anymore.

It has been tough reading many positive reviews but it is all the little things that have gone downhill that bother us the most. It just isn't as good as it was.

YMMV!

 

[Kissimmee]

Where is Cape May Cafe?

Beach Club. Closest resort to Epcot. It is a Clam Bake theme. Recommended if you like clams.

 

[Kissimmee]

While we have been going to TE for 3 1/2 years now, we have seen a steady decrease in the quality and offerings of the food. The service is still great (ask for Donnel or Ken) but the food is causing us not to want to go anymore.

It has been tough reading many positive reviews but it is all the little things that have gone downhill that bother us the most. It just isn't as good as it was.

YMMV!

I'd guess it was 10 years ago that last ate there. I don't recall disliking it back then.

I also like the buffet at Grand Floridian. When it first opened it was stellar but it too has seen a reduction in selection and quality. Back in the old days their key lime was excellent then they removed it from the menu. Shame. But if you ask your server they can usually sneak a slice from the other restaurants.

 

[Kathy5]

I agree with the original poster.

Had always heard great things about Trail's End.

Finally got there. Server was very friendly, but the food was was below average, and the choices were small.

Might go back, but won't expect a great meal.

Kathy

 

[big kahuna1]

Have really never had a bad meal at that restaurant and have been camping at the Fort since the 70's.

I will admit though, it could use a little update. The decor has not changed for as long as I can remember.

Reality is you can't please everyone and sometimes there are those you will never please.

 

[stacktester]

Trails End is one of those, once you've been you've been and I agree the menu is not really exciting for breakfast or dinner. We usually do eat there once during our stay. I would rather ride the boat over to Wilderness Lodge and go to the buffet there because of the atmosphere. The wait staff there is hilarious. By the way, if you plan on going to Hoop Dee Doo, the same kitchen provides that food but it's still a great show.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

Sorry you didn't like it. We ate there for the first time last August and thought it was very good. My kids enjoyed it and they are very picky eaters.

 

[nbodyhome]

The menu is definitely basic (I just remembered also that I didn't see their wonderful french toast the last couple of times either). But they have eggs, bacon, Mickey Waffles, fruit, some baked goods, potatoes, etc. For me, there is plenty. I just don't eat that much in a sitting, and it's cheaper than a place like Cape May. Donnell made me a drink the last time that was really good - combined cranberry and orange juice and told me to try it. Yum!

 

[CottontailCurl]

Breakfast was pedestrian, on a par with what you can find in many motels that offer full breakfast buffets included in the room price. If this meal had been complimentary I would still register my complaints. The $50 plus dollars it cost my family of four to experience this culinary calamity merely added insult to injury. If I could give one word of advice to the chef it would be that salt is a seasoning not a flavor.

Something you might consider is to check out www.Allearsnet.com and read their menus before you choose your next restaurant. If I recall correctly they give a fairly good list of what is included on the buffets and a current listing of the price. This will help you see if the variety will be worth the price to you. For example, in the past when I've checked out the menus to find something comparable at another resort or park, Port Orleans Riverside had a buffet that was very similar to TE but had about 1/2 the items. It was almost the same price so the extra items that were on TE's buffet kept us there that trip.
When I close my eyes and think back to our visit there in December, I remember a plate full of good, freshly made and tasty food. I'm on a low-carb diet so I didn't put anything from the muffin/bagel/doughnut/pastry section on my plate. Unfortunately, I filled up with a plateful just from the main sections (those cheesy eggs that were similar to an omelette, bacon, etc that was found on the 2 corner sections of the buffet - oh and an illegal mickey waffle that was sooo good) and wasn't able to get anything from the fruit area of the buffet (yogurt, melons, grapefruit, pineapples, bananas, oranges, granola, etc.) or the grits and oatmeal stand in the center.
I love the items that are hanging on and around the walls and beams of the restaurant, and nothing says "we're going out west in our covered wagon that will be bouncing over ruts" like those heavy metal plates. I'm sure that if you'd mentioned to a manager that you were visiting on the recommendation of a recent review but you found visible cobwebs unappetizing, they would have been gone the next day. I've also heard that food managers and chefs are very accomodating at WDW restaurants and letting one or the other know that you felt your food was salty could have produced a plate of low/no salt food for you.
I think allearsnet also has contact info for guest communications that you can use to let Trail's End management know how you felt about your visit so they can improve conditions you felt were unsatisfactory.