urm bad reports

[lucy_love_]

hi

i booked a ps for planet hollywood in downtown disney just on the basis that i fancied going there. since then i have heard some really bad reports. has anyone been recently and what did you think of it? is it worth going to?

love lucy

 

[debkorb1]

I went on my recent visit. I thought it was excellent - nice atmosphere, varied menu, pretty good service and the salmon with mashed potato was excellent.

The price also isn't too bad for a top chain restaurant at Disney. Definately go for it - it is an excellent dining experience. While I have a captive audience I'd say the same for the Rainforest Cafe too!

 

[SidB]

If it's as good as the Rainforst Cafe I'd avoid it like the plague. I can't comment on the place as I've never eaten there. On the other hand I've eaten at Bongo's (bloody awful) and the House Of Blues Gospel Brunch (truly outstanding).

 

[wheezie]

I thought it was a bit mediocre, both food and decor. We had high expectations and were quite disappointed. The Hard Rock Cafe is much better, more memorabilia, fantastic atmosphere etc and my teenagers loved it. The food is also great. I would definately book the HRC rather than Planet H.

Wheezie

 

[vernon]

I hadn't visited it for at least 5 years because my previous visit had been a VERY poor experience. We visited last year because DG Jana wanted to visit it. Her DS Gus liked all the movie stuff that was about. Jana liked the decor, but both Jana and I thought the music was Far too loud. I know the HRC is loud, but that's part of the themeing IMHO. Anyway at PH it was at a level where you had to shout to make yourself heard across the table. Food was OK, more than acceptable at the price. The service was pretty poor, looking around our area that was a standard not just an odd table.

IMHO PH is looking a little dated and tired these days the food is OK but nothing special. If you've never been before then I'd say you'll probably have a reasonable time.

Of restaurants in a similar catagory. Hard Rock Cafe, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and The Rainforest Cafe I'd rank it fourth out of four.

 

[Celestine]

We went last year & it was OK. We went at about 3pm, so crowds not bad & no wait for a table. DD ate (always a bonus) & DH enjoyed another burger. Downside - it was either red meat or vegetarian, nothing burger wise in the way of chicken. IMHO I prefer HRC to PH if I had to chose between the two, but PH really wasn't that bad. As with everything, it depends on your server, expectation etc. & whilst one will say it was excellent, another would say they'd rather starve than return!

 

[Paul and Shirley]

We also went last April and would not go there again. The food was average and it was a case of how fast can we get you out so we can get someone else in.

I know PH is not there for you to sit down all night however you are still paying and therefore should enjoy the occasion.

SidB - We are going to House Of Blues Gospel Brunch for the first time in a few weeks and can't wait.

 

[signtalker]

I ate there twice last week, and found the food to be as good as always!!!
The service on the second night was abit slow, but food was excellent, never had a bad meal here .

Jules

 

[vernon]

Paul and Shirley, with the HOB brunch, if you don't want to be too close to the action I would suggest asking if you can have a seat on the upstairs level. Downstairs the tables are laid out as long bench type arrangements with maybe 15 people a side ( as mixed groups). When we went most of the guests were REALLY getting into the action with hallaluyas and praise to the lord all around . This is all about 15 feet from the stage. It was also a bit of a struggle to get back to your place on the bench if you were in the middle of the seat as they pack the tables in pretty tight. Upstairs they have regular sized tables and I think sit up bar stool type arrangements.

The food I thought was excellent, although I didn't think much of the catfish :O

 

[angel659]

Hi

When we went to PH we didnt like it. The food was average and the service and poor. We have been to London PH and they are the same sort of thing. If you have been to any other PH then I wouldnt waste your time, if you have not been then have a go. We all have good and bad experiences.

When we went to HRC the waitess tried to short change us by 50 dollars. I said to my DH to check it as I noticed the way she put it on the table she was trying to hide the fact it was all one dollars and one ten. So it looked more change. We asked her to show us our 100 dollar travellers cheque to proove we paid that amount. She ended up giving us our correct change, we didnt tip as I knew it was on purpose and vowed never to go there again.

Its really up to you guys if you want to go. I would only go if you havent experienced it before. I prefer the Rainforest Cafe. The PH only has film memorbilia that it old and films playing in the background along with loud music. HRC is pretty much the same. Rainhforest Cafe you have pretend animals moving, pretend thunderstorms and waterfall the atmosphere is nice. All resturants cant wait to get you moving there is no real take and enjoy the atmosphere.

Whatever you decide have a good time.

Regards
Michelle

 

[vernon]

Michelle, I understand not tipping the waitress, I would understand telling the Maitre D about the problem you had with her. But IMHO by not going back to the restaurant you're not hurting the person that tried to rip you off and if you didn't tell the restaurant the problem they have no way to deal with it.

 

[Red-Snapper]

I agree PH is now way past its best. food is average to poor.

The food is far far better at Rainforest cafe if you want to go foa a themed restaurant.

 

[lucy_love_]

oh not many of these are good news. ill have to change. in which park is rainforest cafe?

love

lucy

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi Lucy,

There is a RFC at DTD, and also just outside the Animal Kingdom.

(I rather like Planet Hollywood myself!) I like RFC but I think this is more for children. If I was going with just adults I would go for PH.

Cheers

Karen

 

[macraven]

i have a $25 gc for ph. now i'm concerned about going there to use it.
tell me more.........

 

[angel659]

Your right we should of said something at the time we just didnt think about it. Thinking of it now would of been the best idea.

Some people have good experiences at these places and some have bad experiences. To be honest we wasnt particularly impressed with HRC I think thats coz we are kids at heart and I would rather spend that money at the Garden Grill to have lunch with Mickey. Saying that everytime I go to London we end up eating at PH because its not an everyday resturant.

If you have any coupons it will be worth using them at least you can say you have been.

Have fun in whatever you decide.

Best Regards
Michelle

 

[lucy_love_]

have you ever eaten (so to speak) at spice rondezvous in london. its lush. is there anywhere like that in wdw?

love

lucy

 

[angel659]

Hi Lucy,

No sorry I have not eaten there. At WDW its mainly theme places where you can meet the characters. Epcot has a couple of Resturants in certain countries I can not think of any ones in particular as I have not been. We only eat the Garden Grill in Epcot. There is a nice resturant in MK just as you enter main street. At DTD there is a fish resturant that is on a old sort of ferry that is suppose to be nice, but again I have not experienced it. We did eat at the Yacht Club the food was nice and little pricey for what you got but it was very formal and was good if you wanted a formal place to eat.

Sorry I have not been much help, we usually eat at Themed Places and go where the characters are. We are young at heart lol....

Best Regards
Michelle

 

[debkorb1]

Originally posted by lucy_love_
oh not many of these are good news. ill have to change. in which park is rainforest cafe?

love

lucy

It's strange that so many people have had bad experiences at PH! As I say I loved it and it remains very popular. My experience with Disney and Disney related things (and Orlando in general) is that you should only dismiss somewhere/something only after you've experienced it!

If you read the Unofficial Guide to Disney, the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney gets a very bad review and a fair few thumbs down from readers, but many others here seem to rate it very highly.

 

[Red-Snapper]

PH is nowhere near as popular as it was. I can remember when queues for seating always stretched right down the stairs and past the gift shop. No matter what time of day you went

Having said that it isnt that bad - the theming stuff and exhibits are interesting its just when we went last the food was very average, the music was so loud we couldnt talk (maybe I got old and didnt realise ) and the server seemed totally disinterested.

As themed restaurants neither PH or RFC are going to give you a gourmet night out and there really isnt that much to choose between them.

I agree with the comment above - if you are just two adults go to PH.